Golden Box Book Publishing One Picture: Thousands of Words | Page 9

She still had about ten minutes before the sun began to sink below
the horizon. Golden light filtered through the canopy of tree branches
above her and the chilly wind cut through the rustling leaves making
them dance. Camilla felt goosebumps rising on her skin triggered by
the energy coursing all around her. More than anything in the world,
she wanted to learn how to tap into that energy and wield the magic
of nature.
She spotted an ancient, dead Maple Tree that stood just off to the
side of the path. Beautiful even in its decay, its bare branches stood
out against the bright late afternoon skies. Armfuls of Woodruff Iris
in full bloom waved gently in the wind as they clung to the Snag.
Camilla took a deep breath, bowed to the ancient tree, and to the
scurrying creatures it still supported and took a step towards the patch
of flowers to wait until the exact time for harvest.
As she took another step, suddenly, her foot crashed through the
layer of dead leaves that had so perfectly hidden the tangle of thick
roots and the warren between the path and the tree. She let out a
sharp scream and the golden light of the world above her was thrust
into shadows as she crushed through thin branches and roots, falling
into a deep hole. She landed hard on the packed dirt in a deep,
spacious room below the maple tree’s roots.
Leaves floated peacefully around her as she stood up, groaning,
brushing the leaves from her long hair and the dirt from her jeans.
She moved her arms and legs carefully. Nothing is broken, she sighed
in relief. Light poked down through the hole above her head, enough
so that she could easily look around in the underground room.
Camilla turned to examine the large, square, carved stones put
together with precision to make the walls of the room. The stones
were covered with moss and a thick layer of dust, but in the darker