When I finally arrived at the school I was so out of breath I had to lean on the gate to keep myself standing upright.

“Wow are you okay Anne” Sophie asked breaking away from a group of our classmates.

“Yeah just terribly unfit” I wheezed.

“well at least you got here on time I was worried you wouldn’t make it”

“Ha-ha yeah I got a bit distracted…”

“Ok let’s get going everyone” the teacher yelled.

We all started to move in a group towards the forest that surrounds Eden.

“So, remind me again what this excursion is about?” I asked Sophie.

“We're going to check out the Northwood’s estate to learn more about Eden’s history” Sophie replied.

Northwood’s estate is a big castle that lies in the centre of Eden’s forest. It once belonged to a rich noble family back in the 18th century when wealthy families still came to Eden.

History books say they had a bitter feud with another noble family who owned an estate in Eden the Huntington family who ironically lived next door.

We both walked along the forest trail hearing the delightful crunch of autumn leaves beneath our feet and the wind in our hair until we finally arrived at the castle.

To say the castle was big was an understatement it was enormous in size with pointed roof towers and an overgrown garden leading up to the archway entrance.

Everybody in the class ahed in appreciation of the beautiful estate.

The teacher then gathered everyone up in a group and started to go through the roll call.

Sophie turned to me and whispered, “Hey let’s ditch this excursion and explore on our own”

“Oh Um I’m not sure that’s a good- “

Before I could respond she grabbed my arm and pulled me behind one of the garden hedges.

“Hey you didn’t have to pull me so hard”

Sophie had never been that aggressive or rebellious she was usually the quiet and shy one of the group.

“Come on this way, she said with a mischievous grin.