They entered the vast garden-like park, bustling with people. The crowd seemed to part naturally as Fiona and her sisters walked through, drawing curious glances. After a long walk, they reached a two-storey building that looked official yet welcoming.
Inside the lobby, only a few people were scattered about. Daisy led the way to the receptionist—a woman in a neat blue top with a black pocket stitched to the front.
"Excuse me," Daisy began politely, "where can we find the tour guide's office?"
"Take the path to your left," the woman replied with a friendly smile. "And please, help yourselves to some treats."
She offered a bowl of sweets. Bluebell grinned, scooping out a handful while Daisy sighed in embarrassment. Fiona laughed softly, shaking her head.
Following the woman's directions, they reached a large office marked 'Tour Guides Office.' Inside, a small group of visitors had already gathered.
At the front stood a woman in a blue shirt tucked into black shorts, wearing sturdy boots. Her dark skin glowed under the dim light, her blue eyes sharp and confident. Her black hair was tied neatly into a bun.
"Welcome, everyone," she said warmly. "I'm Lizzy, your tour guide for today. Before we start, does anyone have any questions?"
A man raised his hand. "Yeah, I was just wondering—why are there only ten of us? Seems like a small number for a tour." His voice carried a crisp English accent.
Lizzy smiled. "Good question, Mr...?"
"Kingston."
"Well, Mr. Kingston," she continued, "our facility limits each tour group to a small number of people. It helps prevent injuries, keeps everyone accounted for, and ensures the experience remains peaceful for all."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
"Alright then," Lizzy said brightly. "Let's get going."
The group followed her out of the building. Fiona noticed her guards weren't allowed to come along this time—a strange rule, but she didn't complain.
They followed a narrow trail leading into the woods that bordered the park. Before long, a towering mountain loomed before them, and at its base was a cave shaped like a heart.
"Now," Lizzy called, clapping her hands, "let's form a straight line as we proceed inside."
Fiona found herself at the back. The air inside was cool and damp, echoing with the soft drip of water. It smelled fresh—like rain-soaked earth.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Glowing Cave," Lizzy announced proudly.
A woman near the front raised her hand. "Excuse me," she said skeptically, "why is it called the Glowing Cave when it doesn't even glow?"
The group chuckled softly. Lizzy sighed with a smile. "Well, that's a mystery we're still trying to solve. According to old records, the cave once glowed centuries ago, but the light vanished. Research is still ongoing."
The group murmured in intrigue as they moved deeper into the dim cave. Fiona stopped to take a few photos, fascinated by the faint shimmer on the cave walls.
"Please don't cross the area marked with yellow tape," Lizzy warned. "That section hasn't been fully explored yet."
As the others moved ahead, Fiona lingered again, adjusting her camera. That's when she noticed it—
a small, glowing light swirling gracefully through the air like a tiny bird made of starlight.
Her breath caught.
It was beautiful.
The light danced before her, then drifted toward the restricted area.
"Gosh... and now I have to see what that is," she muttered, curiosity sparking in her chest.
The light brightened, as if responding to her.
"Wait—what are you?" Fiona whispered, stepping over the yellow tape.
And with that, she disappeared into the shadows.