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The Internet Story.

A true story of a treasure map and a murder.

Unsure if this has been submitted or not yet, but I figured you guys would appreciate it ;)

Hidden Treasure Shaina Tranquilino August 31, 2024

Denise had always been fascinated by history. As a child, she would spend hours listening to her grandfather, a retired historian, tell tales of ancient civilizations and lost treasures. When he passed away, Denise inherited his old house, a creaky, ivy-covered relic that had seen better days. As she began the daunting task of sorting through his belongings, she found herself drawn to the attic, a place she had rarely visited.

The attic was a labyrinth of dusty trunks, old furniture, and forgotten memories. Among the clutter, a small, ornate chest caught her eye. It was tucked away in a corner, almost hidden beneath a pile of old blankets. Curious, Denise pried open the rusted lock. Inside, she found an array of old papers, yellowed with age. But what captured her attention was a rolled-up piece of parchment, tied with a faded red ribbon.

Her heart raced as she carefully unrolled the parchment. It was a map, hand-drawn and filled with cryptic symbols. At the bottom, in her grandfather’s familiar handwriting, were the words: “The Lost Treasure of Elvenwood – Seek, and ye shall find.”

Denise could hardly believe what she was seeing. She had heard her grandfather speak of Elvenwood, a legendary treasure hidden deep in the forest. But she had always thought it was just a story. Now, holding the map in her hands, she realized it might be something more.

Without hesitation, Denise decided to follow the map. She packed a small bag with essentials, donned her hiking boots, and set off towards the forest, her heart pounding with excitement and a hint of fear.

The journey through Elvenwood was challenging. The forest was dense, with towering trees that blocked out most of the sunlight. The map led her through winding paths, across streams, and up steep hills. Along the way, she encountered strange symbols carved into the trees, just like the ones on the map. Each time she found one, it confirmed she was on the right track.

After several days of trekking, Denise reached a clearing. At its centre stood a large, ancient oak tree, its bark gnarled and twisted with age. According to the map, this was the final destination. She circled the tree, searching for any clues. Her fingers brushed against a small indentation in the bark, and she pushed. A hidden compartment slid open, revealing a small wooden box.

With trembling hands, Denise opened the box. Inside was a single, gleaming key and a note in her grandfather’s handwriting: “The treasure is not what you seek, but what you find within yourself. Use the key to unlock the door to your heart’s desire.”

Confused, Denise sat beneath the old oak tree, pondering her grandfather’s words. She had expected gold or jewels, but instead, she found something far more valuable: the realization that the true treasure was the adventure itself. The journey had rekindled her passion for history, filled her with a sense of purpose, and helped her reconnect with the man who had inspired her love of the past.

With a smile, she pocketed the key. It was not meant to unlock a chest of riches, but the future she now saw clearly. Denise knew that her life had changed forever. She would carry on her grandfather’s legacy, uncovering the stories of the past and sharing them with the world.

And in that moment, she knew she had found the real treasure.

The Lost Journal Shaina Tranquilino September 1, 2024

Lilian had lived in the old family house for as long as she could remember. A sprawling, vine covered estate on the outskirts of town, it was filled with memories and secrets passed down through generations. On a cool autumn afternoon, while rummaging through the dusty attic, she stumbled upon an ancient, leather-bound journal. Its cover was worn and cracked, the pages yellowed with age.

Curiosity piqued, Lilian gently opened the journal. The handwriting was elegant but faded, the ink barely legible in places. It belonged to Isabella Hawthorne, an ancestor she’d heard whispered about in family stories—rumours of a mysterious disappearance and an even more enigmatic life.

As Lilian read, she discovered that Isabella had been a woman of immense intelligence and ambition, living in a time when such traits were often suppressed. But it wasn’t just Isabella’s character that fascinated Lilian; it was the secrets the journal revealed. Isabella had documented her life in vivid detail, describing strange visitors, hidden rooms, and most intriguingly, a treasure buried somewhere beneath the estate.

According to the journal, the treasure was no mere chest of gold coins. It was something far more valuable—a collection of rare, priceless artifacts from around the world, acquired by the Hawthorne family over centuries. Isabella had taken it upon herself to hide these items when she suspected that a betrayal within the family threatened their safety.

The final pages of the journal were filled with clues: cryptic riddles, symbols, and a map that was barely discernible. Isabella had written that the treasure was buried deep underground, beneath the house itself, in a place “where the past meets the future.”

Determined to uncover the truth, Lilian spent days poring over the journal, deciphering its secrets. She mapped out the house, comparing it with the drawings Isabella had left behind. Finally, she identified a spot in the basement, beneath the old stone floor, where the treasure might be hidden.

Armed with a shovel and a flashlight, Lilian descended into the basement late one night. The air was cool and damp, and shadows danced on the walls as she chipped away at the stone. Hours passed, and just as she began to lose hope, her shovel struck something solid. Heart racing, she cleared away the dirt and uncovered a large, ornate chest, its wood still surprisingly intact after all these years.

Quivering like a leaf, Lilian pried open the chest. Inside, she found relics from across the globe—intricately carved statues, ancient manuscripts, and a crown encrusted with jewels. But there was something else, something that sent a chill down her spine: a second journal, this one addressed to her, as if Isabella had known she would one day find it.

The journal’s message was brief but profound. Isabella warned of the burden that came with such a discovery, urging Lilian to protect the treasures from those who would misuse them. She spoke of a legacy not just of wealth, but of responsibility—one that Lilian was now a part of.

As she stood in the dim light of the basement, holding the journal close, Lilian knew her life had changed forever. The secrets of her ancestors were now hers to keep, and the weight of the Hawthorne legacy rested squarely on her shoulders.

But Lilian was ready.