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The Haunted Tree of Unfinished Tales - I - The Phantom Princess and the Cursed Story -1.7
Lin glanced down at the letter, relieved to find it barely damp despite the rain. Her curiosity piqued, but the uncomfortable weight of her wet clothes pressed against her. She carefully placed the letter on her desk, deciding to change first. A moment later, dressed in something dry, she felt more composed. With a deep breath, Lin finally picked up the letter and unfolded it, anticipation racing through her.
“Oh…” She stared at the paper, the initial thrill quickly fading. It wasn’t a note, or a clue, or even a message—it was an old lost-pet poster, worn and faded, asking about a missing cat from years ago. Someone must have stuffed it into the hollow of that tree. Why was I overthinking so much?She shook her head, laughing at herself softly. Mysteries? Thrillers? Right. Just my own mind playing tricks.She tried to brush off the lingering sense of unease, forcing herself to relax.
Suddenly, her train of thought was interrupted by Ginapatis, who leapt onto the desk with a flourish, knocking over a few books in the process. Lin sighed, mildly annoyed, as she bent down to collect them, placing them neatly back in place. Her gaze landed on the windmill she’d brought home. She twirled it in her hand, smiling as it spun, a small reminder of simpler times.It’s beautiful, she thought, feeling a wave of nostalgia as she held it close. Lost in thought, she watched the windmill’s blades spin in the breeze from her window, memories of childhood drifting in and out of her mind.
A sudden ring from her phone jolted her back. She answered, hearing her mother’s warm voice on the other end. “Hello, darling, how are you? We haven’t been able to call with how busy we’ve been!”
“Hello…” Lin replied quietly, her voice subdued.
“Sweetheart, are you upset with us?” her mother asked, concerned.
“No, Mom. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? I feel like something’s wrong.”
“Really, there’s nothing wrong. Just tell me about you. When will your business trip be over?” Lin asked, trying to mask her disappointment.
Her mother’s tone softened. “We’re fine, but there’s something I need to tell you, honey… we’ll have to leave again for another trip. We had planned to come home this weekend, but it looks like that won’t be possible now.”
“Oh.” Lin tried to keep her tone even, though...
“Oh…” She stared at the paper, the initial thrill quickly fading. It wasn’t a note, or a clue, or even a message—it was an old lost-pet poster, worn and faded, asking about a missing cat from years ago. Someone must have stuffed it into the hollow of that tree. Why was I overthinking so much?She shook her head, laughing at herself softly. Mysteries? Thrillers? Right. Just my own mind playing tricks.She tried to brush off the lingering sense of unease, forcing herself to relax.
Suddenly, her train of thought was interrupted by Ginapatis, who leapt onto the desk with a flourish, knocking over a few books in the process. Lin sighed, mildly annoyed, as she bent down to collect them, placing them neatly back in place. Her gaze landed on the windmill she’d brought home. She twirled it in her hand, smiling as it spun, a small reminder of simpler times.It’s beautiful, she thought, feeling a wave of nostalgia as she held it close. Lost in thought, she watched the windmill’s blades spin in the breeze from her window, memories of childhood drifting in and out of her mind.
A sudden ring from her phone jolted her back. She answered, hearing her mother’s warm voice on the other end. “Hello, darling, how are you? We haven’t been able to call with how busy we’ve been!”
“Hello…” Lin replied quietly, her voice subdued.
“Sweetheart, are you upset with us?” her mother asked, concerned.
“No, Mom. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? I feel like something’s wrong.”
“Really, there’s nothing wrong. Just tell me about you. When will your business trip be over?” Lin asked, trying to mask her disappointment.
Her mother’s tone softened. “We’re fine, but there’s something I need to tell you, honey… we’ll have to leave again for another trip. We had planned to come home this weekend, but it looks like that won’t be possible now.”
“Oh.” Lin tried to keep her tone even, though...
