The Lake Witch

As she got closer, Lilla’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized the toys scattered randomly on the ground. They were Chloe’s favorite toys, abandoned and forgotten among the tall grass. Tears welled up in Lilla’s eyes as she picked them up, clinging to the precious memories they held.

But there, among the toys, something else glittered – an elegant necklace that Chloe always wore, now discarded and tarnished. Lilla’s heart sank at the sight, a mixture of fear and determination swirling in her.

With steely determination, Lilla called on her faithful companion Charlie, a devoted dog who was by her side in difficult times. Together they made an invincible team – Charlie with his keen sense of smell and Lilla with her unwavering determination.

Taking a deep breath, Lilla knelt down next to Charlie, putting her hand on his fur and whispering words of encouragement. Wagging his tail and with a knowing expression in his eyes, Charlie set off, burying his nose in the ground when he smelled Chloe’s trail.

Through fields and forests, over rocks and streams, Lilla followed Charlie with unwavering trust. His paw prints marked the path ahead, taking them deeper into the heart of the mystery surrounding Chloe’s disappearance.

Chapter 7: The dog follows the footsteps

Charlie diligently followed the faint trail of Lilla’s missing sister into the depths of the nearest forest, Lilla’s heart was beating fast with a mixture of hope and foreboding. The thick canopy overhead cast mottled shadows on the forest floor as she moved forward, and each step brought her closer to the waiting mystery.

Deep into the thicket of the forest, Lilla’s eyes widened in surprise when she came across an unusual sight – a small talking frog sitting on a mossy stone. His bright green eyes sparkled mischievously as he croaked a greeting, introducing himself as Freddie.

Freddy the frog looked at Lilla with a knowing look, his throat throbbing as he spoke in a voice that seemed to carry through the air like a light breeze.

– Ah, young traveler,” he began,

– I can sense your purpose in this forest. You’re looking for your missing sister, aren’t you?

Lilla’s eyes widened in surprise at the frog’s words, her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected revelation. She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper as she confirmed Freddy’s words.

– Yes, I’m looking for my sister Chloe. Have you seen her?

Freddy’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he jumped closer, his webbed paws leaving prints on the soft ground. “Ah, Chloe,” he croaked, “a name that echoes through these ancient forests. But I can’t just reveal her location to you, dear child. There is a task that you must complete, a test that you must overcome before I can offer my help.”

Lilla furrowed her brows in confusion, her mind was full of questions. What could this mysterious frog want from her? Taking a deep breath, she braced herself for any challenges ahead, determined to reunite with her sister, regardless of the obstacles in her path.