The journey back to the factory was marked by a sense of triumph, albeit tinged with exhaustion. The team's successful defense of Maple Hollow had bolstered their spirits, but the holographic map Blinky projected weighed on Mallory's mind. The location it marked wasn't just a random point on the grid—it was one of the coordinates her late father had mentioned in his old, cryptic journals.
Sitting in the truck, Mallory clutched the journal tightly, her thoughts racing. Was this the next step in their fight against the Shadows? Or was it another of her father's enigmatic puzzles that would lead them deeper into unknown danger?
"Earth to Mallory," Greg's voice cut through her thoughts. "You've been staring at that thing for an hour. What's up?"
Mallory glanced at him, the corner of her lips twitching into a faint smile. "Just… thinking."
Greg raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous habit. You know you can't brood like that without giving us some context."