Annie peered through the trees at the little cottage set deep in the forest.

Her heart thumped as she stood there, she wasn't supposed to be there. Her parents had told her to go anywhere but into the forest.

Of course she ignored them, she was a child and isn't that what children are supposed to do? Ignore their parents.

Twigs and leaves crunched under foot as she got closer. She could see the cottage clear now. Lights flickered in the top window, someone was up there.

Breathing heavily she edged closer until she was up to the last tree, inches from entering the garden. One footstep wouldn't hurt, would it? Just into the garden.

Who would know?

She reached out and her foot landed on the grass. Another one, could she chance it?

Two feet on the grass now. She was standing on the edge of the garden. The downstairs lights turned on and the door handle rattled.

Someone was unlocking the door and coming out...