When I woke up the next day, a soft golden light filtered through the thin curtains, casting warm streaks across my room. It was Sunday, a quiet morning with the distant hum of birdsong drifting through the open window. As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I heard hushed voices coming from the living room. When I stepped out, I found Mom sitting with Ms. Julia and Evelyn, their faces marked with unease. They were deep in conversation, and I had a feeling it was about the skull we had discovered.

  I greeted them, my voice cutting through the stillness, and they paused momentarily before nodding in response. After exchanging polite smiles, I made my way to the bathroom, the cold splash of water jolting me fully awake as I brushed my teeth and showered. The lingering minty freshness accompanied me to the kitchen, where the scent of vanilla and butter hung in the air. Mom’s homemade cookies sat neatly on a plate, golden brown and inviting. Without hesitation, I grabbed a few, arranging them on a tray before heading back to the living room.

  “Would you like some cookies?” I asked, offering them to Ms. Julia and Evelyn.

  Evelyn took one with a small smile, her fingers barely brushing against mine. “Thank you,” she murmured.

  I studied her for a moment. She seemed distant, her usual brightness dimmed, her shoulders slightly hunched. Concern tugged at me. “Are you okay?” I asked gently.

  “Yes, I’m good,” she replied, but the way she avoided my gaze told me otherwise. I decided not to push her. Instead, I sat beside her, the couch sinking slightly under our combined weight. I brought up the events of the previous night, but I noticed how Evelyn’s fingers tensed around her cookie, how she kept shifting her gaze. Sensing her discomfort, I smoothly changed the subject.

  We talked about school, about our teachers, and about the upcoming term. Then, in a hesitant voice, Evelyn admitted, “I have no friends at school. They ignore me because they think I’m unfunny or uncool.”

  I frowned. “Well, that’s their loss,” I said firmly. “Because I’m your friend now.”

  She turned to look at me, her brown eyes glistening with something I couldn’t quite name. Then, without warning, she leaned in and hugged me. Her warmth was unexpected, but I hugged her back just as tightly.

  After a while, I turned to Mom. “Can Evelyn and I go outside for a bit?”

  Ms. Julia and Mom exchanged glances, then nodded. “Just be careful,” Mom reminded us.

  The air was crisp and fresh as Evelyn and I wandered through town, our shoes crunching against the gravel paths. We talked about the weather, admired the vibrant flowers in Mrs. Smith’s garden, and marvelled at the ivy that crept up the old stone walls of her house. The town was peaceful in the soft morning light, the air carrying the faint scent of damp earth and fresh blooms.

  As we strolled past the church, Evelyn suddenly brightened. “We should call Anna! She’d love to come with us.”

  So we made our way to Mrs. Smith’s house, where we called out Anna’s name. When no response came, we circled to the backyard, where we found Uncle Smith, Mrs. Smith, and Anna working on the farm. The sun shone on their faces, highlighting the beads of sweat glistening on their foreheads.

  Uncle Smith, a man with warm brown eyes and a rough but kind exterior, noticed us first. He set down his tools and smiled. “Come, sit with me,” he said, waving us over.

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  We settled onto a wooden bench under the shade of an old oak tree. The scent of freshly turned soil filled the air. Uncle Smith handed us tall glasses of fresh milk, its creamy texture cooling my throat as I took a sip. He chuckled as he watched us drink. “So, who were you looking for?”

  “We were hoping Anna could join us for a walk through town,” I explained.

  He nodded in understanding, then turned to call Anna. As she approached, wiping dirt from her hands, Uncle Smith reached into his pocket and pulled out three neatly wrapped chocolates. “Something sweet for your journey,” he said with a wink.

  With chocolates in hand, the three of us left the farm and wandered to a massive tree near the church. The sturdy branches stretched toward the sky, casting dappled shadows over the cool grass beneath. We sat there, unwrapping our chocolates, their rich, milky taste melting on our tongues.

  For a while, we simply talked—about school, about books, about little things that made us laugh. The morning stretched on, and though a lingering unease about the skull still rested at the back of my mind, for now, in the warmth of friendship and sunlight, everything felt okay.

  While playing under the golden hues of the setting sun, Anna suddenly suggested, "Let’s call Nyra and Anish!" Excitement sparked in our eyes as we nodded in agreement. Without hesitation, we made our way to Ms. Priya’s house, the warm evening breeze rustling through the trees.

  Upon arrival, we saw Ms. Priya collecting clothes from a clothesline in her front yard. The gentle swaying of the fabric mirrored the rhythm of the wind. She greeted us with a warm smile as we approached. "Hello, children! What brings you here?" she asked kindly. We eagerly shared our plan to play hide and seek around the neighbourhood and requested permission to take Nyra and Anish along. With a soft chuckle, she granted our request, and soon, our game was set into motion.

  As Anish closed his eyes and began counting, the rest of us scattered, searching for the best hiding spots. I found myself near the backyard of the church, where a dense shrub provided the perfect cover. I nestled into the shadows, the scent of damp earth and leaves filling my senses. The world around me grew still, save for the muffled giggles and distant rustling of my friends as they hid.

  Minutes passed. Just as I was beginning to relax in my hiding spot, movement near the well caught my attention. My breath hitched as I saw Father Gabriel walking quietly, his expression unreadable. But what truly froze me in place was the object he carried—a skull. My heart pounded against my ribs as I recognised it as the very same skull found in Ms. Julia’s house. A shiver ran down my spine as I watched him wrap it in a black cloth, his hands steady and deliberate. He dug a hole near the well, placed the skull inside, and buried it before retreating back into the church.

  A dreadful curiosity took hold of me. Cautiously, I emerged from the shrubbery and tiptoed toward the well. My fingers trembled as I pressed them against the freshly disturbed earth. As I tried to dig, an overwhelming sensation gripped me—a chilling realization that there were multiple bones buried beneath the ground. My throat tightened, fear clawing at my chest. Panic surged through me, and I scrambled back, my breath coming in sharp gasps. I had to get out of there.

  Just as I turned to run, Anish’s voice cut through the silence. "Got you!" he declared triumphantly. I spun around, still shaken, and saw the others standing nearby, their eyes filled with curiosity.

  We gathered beneath a large tree near the church, my hands still trembling as I recounted everything I had witnessed. Their expressions shifted from excitement to shock, the weight of my words sinking in.

  Evelyn, her brows furrowed, spoke first. "Father Gabriel has been in this town longer than anyone. If anyone knows the truth, it’s him." She hesitated before adding, "And… it’s possible that the bones Emily found near the well are not the first to have been buried there. This town has a past—people who lived here long before us, whose stories have been forgotten. Maybe this has happened before."

  Her words sent a fresh wave of unease through me. The thought of confronting Father Gabriel about what I had seen sent a chill down my spine, but I knew she was right. The discovery of the skull, the bones hidden beneath the well—there were too many unanswered questions.

  As the sky deepened into twilight, we made a pact to approach Father Gabriel the next day. With tension still hanging in the air, we parted ways, each lost in our thoughts. I cast one last glance at the church, its towering silhouette standing silent and imposing against the darkening sky.

  The game of hide and seek had ended, but something told me that the real mystery was only beginning.