The Cottage That Waited
Mia had been hiking for hours when she found it.
A small, red cottage nestled between the trees, its curved roof bending like something out of a storybook. The garden was vibrant, the stone path freshly swept, and the chimney puffed out a faint curl of smoke.
But when she knocked on the door—
No one answered.
She hesitated, peering through the window.
The inside was warm, inviting. A teapot sat on the wooden table, still steaming.
Someone had been here.
But where were they?
The Guestbook
Stepping inside, Mia called out.
“Hello?”
Silence.
The fireplace crackled softly, casting golden light over the wooden walls. She ran her fingers over the bookshelves, the handmade furniture, the delicate lace curtains.
Then she saw it.
A guestbook on the table.
Curious, she flipped through the pages.
At first, the entries seemed normal—travelers leaving notes of gratitude, admiring the cottage’s beauty. But as she turned the pages, the dates grew older.
1952. 1931. 1907.
And then—
The last entry.
1893.
“The house is kind. It takes care of us. But never overstay your welcome.”
Mia’s breath caught.
She had been here for over an hour.
The teapot—still steaming.
The fire—still burning.
Had she made a mistake?
The Whispering Woods
A cold breeze slipped through the doorway, rustling the curtains.
Then she heard it.
Soft footsteps outside.
Coming closer.
Not one. Not two.
Many.
She turned toward the door, heart pounding.
The shadows on the porch stretched unnaturally, moving like they were alive.
The guestbook fluttered open to the last page.
A new message appeared, written in fresh ink.
“It’s too late.”
The door creaked.
Something was coming inside.
Mia ran.
The Cottage Remains
She never found the cottage again.
Others claimed to have seen it—always deep in the woods, always perfectly kept, always waiting.
But no one who stayed overnight was ever seen again.
And if you’re lucky enough to find it, don’t drink the tea.
Or you might never leave.
Would you step inside this hidden fairy tale home? Or leave before the shadows arrive? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️
