CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Somehow, in the hazy landscape that was my dreams, I registered a small knock. I reluctantly pulled myself from my sleep and looked around, my memory fuzzy. It took me a good minute to realise that I was still in the cabin, with the blazing fireplace in the corner and the gentle breeze that wafted in through a window.

How had I fallen asleep so fast?

The knock came again, this time louder and even more insistent. I groaned as I slowly stood to my feet, then shuffled towards the cabin's wooden door.

Halfway to the door, I stopped in my tracks, and realisation dawned on me. This place was supposed to be guarded, protected by the thick wall of trees that surrounded me from all angles.

Nobody should know about the cabin!

As this thought came to me, I approached the door slowly, more carefully this time. Right beside the door was a large, wrought iron poker. I reached for it, feeling a strange sense of calm as my fingers wrapped around the cold iron.

I lifted the iron in my hands and app