The woman dropped Liam off just outside of Millford, a sleepy little town surrounded by hills and thick woods. The sun was beginning to sink behind the trees, casting long shadows across the empty road.
"You sure you'll be okay?" the woman asked, concern in her voice.
Liam nodded, gripping the backpack she had given him. Inside were some crackers, a bottle of water, and a flashlight.
"I'll be okay," he said. "Thank you for everything."
"Be safe," she said before driving away.
He stood alone on the roadside, the chill of evening settling in. Somewhere beyond the forest ahead lay Greystone—or so the woman had told him. A shortcut, she said. If he cut through the woods, he'd reach a path that led directly to the village.
With one last look back, Liam stepped into the trees.
The forest was dark, even though the sky wasn't fully black yet. Tall trees loomed overhead, their branches twisting like skeletal fingers. The path was narrow, uneven, and full of roots that caught at his shoes.
At first, he walked with steady resolve. But as the light faded, fear crept in. The shadows seemed to move. Strange sounds echoed around him—branches snapping, leaves rustling, a distant hoot of an owl. He tightened his grip on the flashlight and clicked it on.
Every now and then, he looked over his shoulder, expecting to see something—or someone—following him.
But there was nothing.
Hours passed. He grew tired, hungry, and cold. The trail twisted and split, and soon, he wasn't sure if he was going the right way. Still, he pressed on, whispering to himself:
"Keep going. Don't stop. You promised."
He stumbled once, hard, scraping his hands on the rough ground. Tears sprang to his eyes. His ankle throbbed. For a moment, he just sat there in the dirt, shivering, feeling very small and very alone.
But then he remembered his mother's voice:
"Whenever you feel lost, Liam, remember: you're stronger than you think. Even when you're scared."
He wiped his tears, stood up, and kept walking.
Eventually, he saw a soft, golden light ahead. He followed it until he emerged from the trees and found a small wooden cabin, its windows glowing with firelight.
He knocked, and an old man opened the door.
"Well now," the man said, peering down at him. "What's a lad like you doing out in these woods alone?"
Liam told him his story, his voice trembling from exhaustion.
The man nodded slowly. "Come in, boy. You'll sleep here tonight. Then I'll show you the road to Greystone."
Inside the cabin, the warmth of the fire wrapped around Liam like a hug. The old man gave him soup and a wool blanket, and Liam fell asleep by the hearth, dreaming of his mother's smile.