As the researchers busied themselves at the crime scene, Trench noticed movement at the edge of the woods. A small figure in green stepped into view, then froze as it took in the scene. It was Mike Painter.
Trench's heart sank as he saw the boy's face go pale. The realization of what he'd stumbled upon seemed to hit Mike like a physical blow. Without thinking, he turned and bolted back into the woods.
"Mike, wait!" Trench called, running after him. He hated the feeling of chasing the boy, like he was cornering him, but he couldn't let him slip away—not now.
He caught up to Mike near one of the marked trees, gently grabbing his shoulder. "Hey, hey, it's okay. I just want to talk."
Mike shook his head, his eyes brimming with tears. "I shouldn't be here."
"It's okay," Trench said again, crouching down to meet the boy's gaze. "You came here for a reason. You want to tell me something, don't you?"
Mike hesitated, then nodded slowly. "It's Eddie. He… he made Candle Cove."
Trench blinked, taken aback. "Eddie made it? The show?"
Mike sniffled, wiping his nose with his sleeve. "I don't know how, but he did. He talked about it all the time. Said he could go there. To the real Candle Cove."
"Go there?" Trench asked, keeping his voice gentle. "How?"
Mike pointed toward the Crow's Nest. "Through the tree. He said it led to Bravery Cave. That's where he wanted to go."
Trench felt a chill run down his spine. "Bravery Cave. Did he ever tell you what it was?"
Mike shook his head. "He just said… it was where he had to be brave. Like Pirate Percy. But he never came back."
Though he knew that there was likely so much more to what was going on, Trench placed a reassuring hand on Mike's shoulder. "Thank you for telling me. That was really brave of you."
Mike glanced back toward the clearing, then at Trench. "Don't tell my mom I was here."
"I won't," Trench promised. "But if you remember anything else, anything at all, come find me. Okay?"
Mike nodded, then turned and ran off into the woods. Trench watched him go, his mind racing. Eddie Painter wasn't just a victim—he might have been the key to everything.