Lenoir Tetch was buzzing with excitement as she boarded the bus for her school's biology field trip. Though she was known for her quiet demeanor, the thrill of leaving the classroom and exploring the nearby nature preserve had her more animated than usual. Her twin brother, Lewis, was less enthused, sitting next to her with his headphones on, clearly uninterested in the day's activities.
"Come on, Lewis," Lenoir nudged him. "This is going to be fun! Fresh air, animals, plants—what's not to like?"
Lewis gave her a skeptical look but didn't respond, choosing instead to lose himself in his music.
Once they arrived, the students were divided into groups to explore the preserve. Lenoir eagerly grabbed her notebook and began sketching the different plants and insects she encountered. She had inherited her father Jervis's curious mind, but her love of the natural world was all her own.
As her group ventured deeper into the preserve, they stumbled upon a small, abandoned greenhouse hidden among the trees. It was overgrown with ivy, and its glass panels were cracked, but Lenoir's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Whoa, this place is creepy," one of her classmates said, stepping back.
Lenoir, however, felt drawn to it. "It's beautiful," she murmured, stepping inside.
Inside, the air was warm and filled with the scent of flowers. Strange, exotic plants grew wildly in the space, their vibrant colors and unusual shapes captivating Lenoir. She noticed a small plaque on a table that read, "Property of Dr. Crane."
Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be?
"Lenoir, come on!" Lewis called from outside, his tone unusually sharp.
Reluctantly, Lenoir stepped back out, casting one last glance at the greenhouse. "I think we should tell Dad about this," she whispered to Lewis.
Lewis frowned. "Which dad? The one who talks to hats or the one who gets excited about fear gas?"
"Both," she replied with a grin.
The bus ride home was filled with chatter from the other students, but Lenoir stayed quiet, her mind racing with possibilities. That greenhouse was no ordinary discovery—it was a link to her family's past.
As they pulled into the school parking lot, Lenoir looked at Lewis. "Do you think they'll let us come back?"
Lewis sighed, but there was a hint of a smirk on his face. "If they do, you better bring gloves. I'm not touching anything creepy in there."
Lenoir laughed, already planning her next adventure