Chapter 72

CHAPTER 72

“Do you still have it?” Caleb asked.

I looked over, not understanding.

“The map,” he added.

Of course. The reason why they had landed here.

I reached into my pocket, and was relieved to discover it was still there. Thank God for zippered pockets.

I handed it to him.

He unrolled it and stared.

“We are not far,” he said, lowering it and looking at the woods before them. “The cottage should be close.”

I looked all around me, squinting in the darkness. All I saw were trees.

“I don’t see anything,” I said.

“It’s an old map,” he said. “It was drawn by hand, and is very rough. I’m sure it is not exact. But the markings indicate this area.”

Caleb looked around again, and I did, too. But neither of us saw anything.

“This cottage,” I said, “was here hundreds of years ago. Isn’t it possible that it’s been destroyed?”

Caleb scrutinized the woods. He headed in a particular direction, and I walked with him, leaves rustling.