Trench returned to the clearing at the Crow's Nest, his thoughts swirling with everything Mike had revealed. The words "Bravery Cave" echoed in his mind, growing louder until they were almost deafening. As he approached the tree, he could have sworn he heard Mike's voice again, faint and distant.
"You have to go inside."
Trench froze, looking around. The other agents were busy inspecting the clearing, focused on gathering evidence. But the voice came again, and this time he realized it wasn't Mike's. It was Eddie's.
His heart pounded as he recalled what the sheriff had said about the Candle Cove characters—the Laughingstock, the talking ship, and its strange, playful voice. He thought of Mike's story about Eddie going through the tree to reach Bravery Cave.
Determined, Trench pushed his way through the cluster of researchers around the tree. Roland's voice cut through the air. "Trench, what are you doing?"
But Trench barely heard him. He placed his hands on the rough bark of the tree trunk, the words from the voice in his mind spilling from his lips. "You have to go inside."
He repeated the phrase, each time mimicking the high, lilting cadence of Ed Wynn—the voice the sheriff had described for the Laughingstock.
"You have to go inside. You have to go inside."
The forest seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a creaking groan, the bark of the tree shifted and split, revealing a dark, gaping entrance. Gasps erupted from the team, and Roland stepped forward, his face a mix of shock and anger.
"What the hell did you just do?" he demanded.
Trench turned to him, his voice steady despite the pounding in his chest. "I think I found Bravery Cave."