The upcoming trip to the mountains tomorrow didn't promise to be a walk in the park.

Colby noticed that Sophie seemed a bit on edge, so he stepped up, took her hand, and reassured her, "Hey, don't worry. I'll make sure we've got enough people with us to keep everyone safe." "Alright," Sophie replied without a second thought.

It was clear they needed to be fully prepared for anything.

Later that evening, Sophie knocked on Gordon's door.

"Come on in," Gordon replied in a flat tone.

Sophie walked in and found Gordon deep in a game of chess, the room dimly lit, casting all sorts of eerie shadows.

"Mr. Gordon," she began.

"I know what you're about to ask," Gordon looked up and said. "You're curious about who's pulling the strings here, right?"

Sophie furrowed her brow and asked, "Is there really treasure in that mountain?"

"I honestly don't know," Gordon admitted, making Sophie frown even more. "You don't know?"

"That mountain was flattened by our ancestors over five years, decades ago. Since then, it's just been sitting there, neglected and overgrown. It's nothing but an old mountain path now. I've had people search it, but they came up empty-handed."

so many secrets, yet you keep so much to yourself. Mr. Gordon, seventy percent of what

this, Gordon paused

your pawn. I don't want to be controlled," Sophie declared, turning on

looked down at

his hand and

a knife went through

piece back

be manipulated... that

was up

drive from there to the outskirts would take a

was worn out, but

am I always the one

time he

ve

shotgun, and Sophie and Colby in

Jenna laughed. "If you're fed up, I

road. Better if I drive,"

rearview mirror,

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