The trees finally thinned a little, and through the gaps, Tara spotted something ahead, a crooked roof, an old wall half-covered with vines.
As they got closer, the full view appeared.
It was a small, shabby wooden cottage, sitting awkwardly in the middle of the trees like it had been forgotten by time.
The wood was dark and rotting, windows cracked, the door hanging slightly off its hinges. The whole place looked like the perfect set for a haunted house scene.
Tara slowed down, staring at it suspiciously. Even the wind around the place seemed colder, making the broken window shutters creak eerily.
But beside her Ethan's face lit up like he had just found heaven.
"YES! YES! A HOUSE! I don't even care if it's haunted—I'll take my chances!" he cried happily, already dragging Tara toward the front door.
Tara raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "It looks abandoned... and maybe dangerous."
Ethan waved his free hand dismissively.
