While I was lost in the labyrinth of my mind, my thoughts were interrupted by the constantly ringing bell which indicated that the next class had started. I had helped Kate with the answers in the test (as I always do!) and now she was busy discussing about the "exciting" tour with Nikki. I found myself uninterested in the on going discussion and pulled out my phone.

It had two messages from the same anonymous number that had messaged me about the "Lost Woods". What kind of name is that?

I opened the message and it read,

"C'mon girl. Don't be a spoilsport. Come and join the tour. You'll never forget your visit to the Lost Woods."

A serious expression crept upon my face.

If this wasn't Nikki or even Kate. Who was it then?

First I thought it must be my friends or some random person from college. But how does this person know that I have turned down the visit to the place?
This prank had become an issue, and this issue was seemingly getting serious.

I decided to talk to this person and started typing a reply when Mrs. Smith came in.

Ugh, another boring period of Chemistry.

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I reached home, still thinking about the anonymous message when I saw Mom, working in the kitchen.

"Hey, Mum. You're back. You met Uncle and Aunt. What did you all decide?",

"Beth, we are all going now''.

"Ok Mom. When do we have to go by the way?" I asked.

"On 19th June," Mom said.

"19th June? My mind started wondering. Am I forgetting something?

"Oh, okay. That's gonna be soon. Start packing already. And where's Dad?"

"I know. Your Dad's in his room."

"I'll see him," I said and left the room.

I went to dad's room but there was no one. I started walking towards the door of the room when I saw a book. The cover of the book was very attractive. It featured a girl, probably a princess, as she was wearing a tiara, stood in a graceful posture. I was not able to see the title clearly because the book was lying in the corner of the room. I went close and picked it up.

The girl on the cover was surrounded by tall and wide trees. Everything was fine on the cover until I read the title which was, 'The Princess of the lost woods'.
The title reminded me about the trip our school was going to. I thought that the book must be interesting so I took it with me to my room.

I didn't have any interest in going to 'The lost woods' so I didn't tell my mom that the tour is also on June 19th. I realised that my phone is dead. I plugged it to the charger and picked up the mysterious book again.

I sat on the couch next to the giant window in my room. I opened the book after seeing the cover clearly. The first page was blank except a weird symbol which looked something like a crown.

The second page had the title yet again. There was something missing - the author's name. What a weird book!

My fingers touched the words written and I slowly turned it.

"Princess Be-

"Beth! Beth," I heard Mom screaming.

I went out of my room and saw Kate with Mom. She waved at me.

Till I reached them, Kate had already opened her giant mouth and spilled everything about the trip I was not at all interested in.

"Listen Mom. No, I am telling you already. I am not going anywhere." I said.

"What else can you expect from her? All she does is sleep, eat, wince, exaggerate stuff and repeat the cycle. Phew" my mother sighed.

Kate laughed.

Have you ever seen your friends' faces every time your parents are scolding you?
The are so damn happy.

"We all are going. It's gonna be fun. But Beth has already turned it down.
Moreover it's a college trip. Everyone would be there. Teachers and all.''

One more look from Mom and I blurted out,

''Okay, fine. Don't stare at me like that.''

But in my mind, I knew I had only agreed to get closer to the secret of the anonymous message and now, a mysterious book.

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