Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"Art is born from real life. I think this story might be based on real events," Pearl said as she gently touched the poplar trees beside the road, seeming to confirm her thoughts. "Your friend must have been here."

Richard looked doubtful. "It's been a long time since I last talked to him. I'll try reaching out."

He pulled out his phone, but unfortunately, the area had a poor signal. They moved closer to a signal tower and finally connected to the internet.

Richard found the number he hadn't called in a long time and dialed it. After a short wait, someone answered.

"Hey, Rick. What can I do for you?"

The voice on the other end was calm and steady.

Richard frowned. "I'm curious about where you found the inspiration for your book, Village Wilderness."

"Why are you asking about this now?" The person on the phone sounded surprised, caught off guard.

"A friend of mine was kidnapped and taken to a place in the mountains. It looks just like the place you described in your book."

The person on the line then became very serious.

"Is your friend named Esther?"

Richard was stunned. "You know?"

"Where are you now?"

around and described their

"You're in

Richard asked, "Are you

there to meet you in ten

to their word, ten minutes later, a cloud of dust heralded someone's aA handsome figure

the newcomer but remained

a long while, Finn,"

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asion. He nodded,

his gaze

on

look, Richard introduced her. "This is Pearl,

Finnegan responded,

at a conference

Writers?

Pearl, who quickly

got bored and wrote something on

Finnegan's expression softened into

a smirk,