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You turn over the final page and find there are no more words to read.

The only thing there is a drawing of a broad, spiraling tree. Its roots sprout from the margins, and its branches spread out and off the edge of the page.

Chapter Eight: Better Eighth than Never

Chapter Eight: Better Eighth Than Never

You're walking through the forest.

Always walking, never running. Always in a straight line, as if the trees in your way don't matter.

You think you would end up at the same place no matter which direction you turned.

It only takes a minute to reach the spot where the creature stands. You have never seen it so still—as if it's not even breathing.

You know it's been waiting for you.

As if feeling the need to mirror it, you make sure to keep still as well. It's been patient; now you will have to be, too.

But it doesn't take long.

As you watch, the creature bends its knees and sinks to the ground. You see its head, ringed with enormous yellow petals, come into view. Soon the thing is kneeling before you, its clawed fingers digging into the earth as its arms hang by its sides.

You take a step forwards. You know it's what you have to do.

The creature leans a little closer, and—

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