The Secret of Starwood Forest E-Book

Y Limond

• Herausgeber: via tolino media
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The Secret of Starwood Forest is a magical adventure about friendship, bravery, and the power of a kind heart. When Owen and her best friend Jessica discover a mysterious map in an old attic, they uncover a secret world hidden deep in Starwood Forest. Joined by a magical bird, a clever cat, and a new friend named Graham, the trio must outwit dark Seekers and protect a powerful magical Heart. With puzzles, riddles, and enchanted challenges at every turn, their journey will test everything they believe in — and show them who they truly are.

Leseprobe

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Impressum

The Secret of Starwood Forest

Y.Limond

For Jessica, my best friend, my adventure partner, the one who always believes in magic, laughter, and the power of a clever heart.

Thank you for walking beside me, for dreaming big, and for making every journey brighter.

This story is for you.

Chapter One: The Map in the Attic

Owen Miller crouched under a dusty wooden beam, brushing cobwebs from her hair. Her family’s attic was hot and smelled like old books and hay, but she didn’t mind. Owen loved this kind of place — full of forgotten treasures and hidden corners.

“Did you find anything yet?” Jessica Thompson called, peeking up through the attic hatch. Her brown hair was tied in two messy braids, and her green eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Not yet!” Owen answered, pushing aside a box labeled Miller Family — Christmas Lights. “But there’s tons of old stuff up here.”

Jessica climbed up carefully, holding Whiskers, Owen’s orange cat, under one arm. Whiskers squirmed, eager to explore, his long tail flicking back and forth.

“I can’t believe you get to live on a farm,” Jessica said, setting Whiskers down. “My house has, like, one closet. This attic is like a whole world.”

Owen grinned. “Come help me dig!”

The two of them rummaged through old trunks, boxes, and shelves. They found a pair of dusty cowboy boots, a cracked snow globe, a pile of yellowed newspapers, and a rusted toy tractor.

Jessica pulled out an old leather book, its cover faded and cracked. “Look at this,” she said softly. She opened it carefully, flipping through pages filled with strange, hand-drawn symbols and old handwriting.

Suddenly, something slipped out from between the pages — a folded piece of paper, brown and brittle with age.

Owen caught it before it hit the floor. She carefully unfolded it, and both of them leaned in to look.

“It’s a map,” Owen whispered.

The map showed the town of Maplewood — tiny, familiar streets, the old church, the bakery where Jessica’s parents worked, and Owen’s family farm on the edge. But beyond the farm was Starwood Forest, drawn in dark green ink, with thick twisting lines marking paths and streams.

And in the center, deep in the forest, was a red X.

“Treasure!” Jessica breathed.

Owen’s heart thudded. “No way…”

Whiskers batted at the edge of the paper, meowing softly.

“Where did this come from?” Jessica asked.

Owen shook her head. “I don’t know. My grandma used to tell stories about the forest when I was little. She said it was a special place, but she never said anything about a map.”

Jessica’s eyes were wide. “We have to go look.”

Owen grinned. “Tomorrow?”

Jessica nodded eagerly. “Tomorrow.”

As they packed up the attic and climbed back down the ladder, neither of them noticed the faint shimmer that flickered across the map’s surface.

Or the tiny shadow that moved, just for a second, in the corner of the room.

Chapter Two: Into Starwood Forest

The next morning, Owen was up before the sun. She stuffed a water bottle, some crackers, and the map into her backpack. Whiskers meowed loudly, circling her legs and pawing at the straps.

“Are you coming too, buddy?” Owen asked, scratching the cat’s soft ears. Whiskers purred and rubbed against her leg, his tail flicking playfully.

Jessica arrived just after breakfast, a backpack slung over her shoulder. “Ready?” she asked, bouncing on her toes. She wore her favorite red sneakers and had packed a small notebook, a flashlight, and two apples.

Owen grinned. “Let’s go.”

The two friends set off across the fields, Whiskers trotting along behind them. The morning air was cool, and the grass sparkled with tiny drops of dew. Birds flitted overhead, and in the distance, the rooftops of Maplewood peeked through the trees.

When they reached the edge of Starwood Forest, Owen stopped and looked up. The trees were tall and shadowy, their leaves whispering softly in the breeze. Sunlight barely made it through the thick branches.

Jessica unfolded the map. “It says the red X is right in the middle,” she said, pointing. “We should follow the stream first, then the old path.”

Owen nodded, her heart thumping with excitement. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

They followed a narrow trail lined with ferns and wildflowers. The forest was full of little sounds — birds chirping, leaves rustling, and somewhere far off, the gentle gurgle of water.

Suddenly, Whiskers dashed ahead, chasing a squirrel. “Whiskers! Come back!” Owen called, laughing.

They hurried after the cat, weaving between trees and over roots. When they caught up, Whiskers was sitting perfectly still, his eyes locked on something up ahead.

It was a bird — but not just any bird.

Its feathers shimmered like silver, and its eyes glowed a deep, brilliant blue. It perched on a low branch, watching them carefully.

And then, to their shock, it spoke.

“Hello, Owen. Hello, Jessica.”

Jessica gasped, her eyes wide. “Did… did that bird just say our names?”

Owen’s mouth fell open. “Who… what… how?”

The bird flapped its wings gently. “My name is Echo. I have been waiting for you.”

Jessica stepped closer, her heart pounding. “You know about the map?”

Echo nodded. “I know about the Heart of the Forest. And I know you are the only ones who can find it.”

Owen felt a shiver run down her back. “Why us?”

Echo’s glowing eyes twinkled. “Because the forest is in danger. And there are others searching — others who must not reach the Heart before you do.”

Jessica grabbed Owen’s hand tightly. “What do we do?” she whispered.

Echo spread his wings wide. “Follow me.”

Without another word, the magical bird turned and soared deeper into the forest, his silver feathers flashing in the sunlight.

Owen and Jessica looked at each other, wide-eyed.

“Are we really doing this?” Owen asked softly.

Jessica grinned. “We’re really doing this.”

Whiskers let out a determined meow and bounded after Echo.

With a deep breath, Owen took Jessica’s hand. Together, they stepped into the shadows of the trees — into the adventure they would never forget.

Chapter Three: The Whispering Woods

The forest grew darker as they followed Echo. Sunlight slipped through the branches in tiny, dancing beams, and the air smelled like damp earth and pine needles. Owen held the map tightly, her heart racing with every step.

Jessica kept glancing around. “Do you hear that?” she whispered.

Owen stopped and listened. There was a soft sound, almost like… voices. But when she looked, no one was there — just trees, moss, and shadows.

Echo fluttered back to them. “The woods whisper to those who listen,” the bird said. “But be careful. Not every voice is a friend.”

Jessica shivered. “That’s… comforting,” she muttered.

Whiskers trotted ahead, his tail high, chasing fluttering leaves and tiny bugs. Owen smiled slightly, feeling a little braver with him nearby.

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