Chap 1: Mari’s Discovery and the Hidden Door
It started like any boring Saturday.
Mom shoved a bucket into my hands. “Go pick some berries, Mari. Don’t wander off.”
I wasn’t planning to.
Not really.
But the second I stepped into the woods, everything changed.
The air felt… off. Too cold for spring. Too still.
No birds. No rustling leaves. Not even bugs buzzing.
Just dead silence.
Like the woods were holding their breath.
I kept walking. Something in my chest said go back, but my feet didn’t listen.
Then I saw it.
A massive sycamore tree. Way bigger than any I’d ever seen. Its bark was cracked, dark, almost black. The roots exploded out of the ground like they were trying to crawl away.
And right between them… something shiny.
Metal.
I didn’t think. I dropped the bucket and dropped to my knees, digging with my bare hands like something was pulling me in.
Dirt flew. My fingers stung. But I didn’t stop.
Then—thunk.
Wood.
I cleared the rest.
It was a hatch.
Old, rotted. A brass handle crusted with dirt. And one word carved into the top:
ENTER.
My stomach flipped.
I looked around. Nothing moved. No wind. No sound.
It felt like the world had paused.
I grabbed the handle.
It was freezing.
I pulled.
The hatch creaked open—loud, groaning like it hadn’t moved in a hundred years.
Beneath it: stairs. Stone stairs. Leading down.
The air that rushed up was damp and cold, like a basement that had never seen light.
Then—flash.
A blue glow, pulsing deep below.
Like something was alive down there.
I should’ve shut the hatch.
I should’ve run.
Instead, I stepped down.
One step.
Two.
Then—WHAM.
The hatch slammed shut behind me. Hard. I spun around, heart pounding.
Pitch black above.
Stillness below.
Until—
“Mari…”
My name. Whispered. From the bottom of the stairs.
I froze. My hands were shaking. I tried to scream. Nothing came out.
Then I heard it again.
Closer.
“Mari…”
And then footsteps.
Coming up.
Fast.
To be continued……
What would you do? RUN or KEEP GOING?
Comment below 
17 thoughts on “Secrets of Sycamore Hollow — Chap 1: Mari’s Discovery and the Hidden Door”
Keep going! I would want to find out what was calling my name! Great story so far! This is a masterpiece!
Ahh thank you!! That means so much
Something was definitely calling… more to come! 
heart racing! I have no Idea what’d I’d have done…
I know, right?
More good stuff coming your way!
I would’ve run. One, I’m that kind of a person to be honest. Two, maybe it was the wind, maybe someone shut me in. Three, I’m down in the pitch dark with nothing but a pulsing blue light that doesn’t belong to me. I would’ve then come back with help like my dad with a shotgun or something
Haha, I love how real you are! Running sounds smart — and your dad with a shotgun? That’s the kind of backup I want too! Thanks for sharing
More surprises coming soon!
Or, maybe, if they got close enough I could feel the breath, take a shot in the dark and try and sock ’em in the face and see who drops first!
Jojo!!
Okay now that’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming! Swingin’ in the dark like a hero with nothing to lose—respect! I’d probably trip over my own feet trying that tho 
Oooooh. spooooky. And cool! Surprises, LOVE! Great story so far!
Ooo verily, thou gettest it!
Surprises and spooketh maketh the best tales! Stayeth tuned… 
WOW
Thou hast intrigued me, llamadrama
Hark! Methinks a new fan hath been won
Welcome to the scroll of secrets, Jojo. Stayeth close… things only get twistier from here! 
Wow, wow, and wow. Did not expect this!! Amazing! Can’t wait for what’s next!! I probably would’ve wanted to run, and a part would have wanted to stay, lol.
Haha yesss!! That was exactly the vibe—part of me was like “nope, BYE” and the other part was already halfway down the stairs
So glad you’re into it!! Next part’s gonna be even crazier 
KEEP GOING!!! this is great, scary, interesting, cool, awesome writing, and yeah….wait, that’s not enough to say! lol. this is amazing. you’re a great author, and keep up the great work!
Selah
Aww Selah, THANK YOU!!!
Your words just made my day (actually my whole week)! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it… even the scary parts 
Your support means everything. More twists and chills are on the way, so buckle uppp!
Big hugs
Llamadrama