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The Hidden Depths
Chapter 1 The Cave of Secrets

Chapter 1 The Cave of Secrets

The summer sun was blazing high, casting long shadows behind the clumps of trees and the parked buses at the old school yard. The old school yard is empty, with only the occasional chirp of birds breaking the silence. A faded red bus, surrounded by tall grass and scattered with debris, stands as a silent witness to a game in progress. The playground, usually bustling with the laughter of children, was now etrily quiet, save for the occasional distant chirp of birds and the excited voices of two best friends in the midst of their favorite game—hide and seek.

LIAM (excitedly)                                                                                                                                                           "Sophie you’ve got ten seconds!"

Liam, a freckled boy with tousled brown hair and a mischievous grin, darts away from the base—a faded red bus. He glances around, quickly sizing up potential hiding spots.

Liam hide into the old, rusty bus. The interior is dusty and cramped but offers the perfect hideaway. He settles into a corner, trying to stifle his giggles.

LIAM (whispering to himself)

"She’ll never find me here."

Sophie comlete the counting and start searching for Liam.

SOPHIE " Here, here, here , found you. Huh'  he's not here to I looked into all the places he usually hide. Did he found a new hidding spot. Where could  it be, now it's gonna little hard to find him. But no need to worry. Liam no matter where you hide I gonna find as I alway do. Just wait for me little longer."

In bus .Liam shifts to get comfortable. As he moves, his foot slips on a loose piece of metal, causing him to lose his balance. He tumbles through a hidden gap in the bus floor.

[HALF AN HOUR LATER]

SOPHIE (calling out)

"Liam! I give up! You win!"

No response. Sophie’s worry grows. She calls out louder.

SOPHIE (frantically)

Liam, this isn’t funny! Come out!, 

Minutes tick by. Sophie’s calls turn desperate. An hour passes, and her shouts become cries.

[TWO HOURS LATER]

Exhausted and tearful, Sophie kneels by the row of buses. Through her tears, she notices the buses are disheveled, some shifted.

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SOPHIE (whispering to herself)

"What happened here?"

Her gaze falls on a dark opening behind the buses, partly hidden by tangled vines. She approaches cautiously.

SOPHIE (whispering)

"What is this?"

She grabs the small scope she carries and peers into the darkness. Her breath catches as she sees a glimpse of red on the rocks inside.

Sophie hesitates for a moment, then takes a deep breath and crawls into the cave. The space is dark and cold. She spots Liam lying on the ground, injured and barely conscious.

SOPHIE (crying out) "Liam!"

She scrambles to him, tears streaming down her face. She shakes him gently.

SOPHIE (softly)

"Liam, I’m here. Open your eyes please.  I’m going to get you out."

Liam’s eyes flutter open, pained but relieved. He manages a weak smile.

LIAM (weakly)

"Sophie…"

SOPHIE (softly)

"Liam, I’m here. Stay with me.  I’m going to get you out from here."

Sophie, with great effort, lifts Liam onto her back. She navigates the dark cave, guided only by a faint light filtering from above.

As Sophie emerges from the cave, she spots a strange, bright light through the trees. She hurries toward it, her legs aching.

The source of the light is a small, glowing box nestled among the roots of an ancient tree. The box emits a warm, pulsating glow.

Sophie gently lays Liam down beneath the glowing box. Her eyes are wide with a mix of awe and fear.

SOPHIE (muttering)

"What is this? I never seen a glowing box. No now isn't the time, I have to find a way to get out of here quickly."

She turns to search for a way out. When she returns, she is stunned to see Liam sitting up, his injuries gone, his skin unblemished.

LIAM (surprised)

"Sophie? What happened?"

SOPHIE (relieved)

"Liam you're alright thank god."  

LIAM

" But what happen and were are we."

SOPHIE

"I don’t know, but let’s get home."

They make their way back to their houses. The glowing box remains behind in the forest, pulsating softly.

Sophie helps Liam into bed. Both are visibly shaken but safe. As Liam drifts into sleep, Sophie looks out the window, her mind racing.

SOPHIE (whispering)

"This isn’t over. There’s something more ."

The night is quiet, and the forest outside seems to whisper secrets, hinting at the mysteries yet to come.

The screen fades to black, leaving an eerie sense of anticipation.

To be continue...............................

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