Chapter 4: The Chest

The attic was dusty and dimly lit, filled with old furniture and forgotten relics.
In the far corner, covered by a tattered sheet, was the chest. Elena approached it
cautiously, her heart pounding with anticipation.

The brass key fit perfectly into the lock, and with a creak, the chest opened.
Inside, she found a collection of old journals, maps, and strange artifacts. One
item in particular caught her eye—a beautifully crafted, antique compass. Its
needle spun erratically, never settling on a direction.

Elena picked up the topmost journal and began to read. It was her uncle’s, filled
with detailed accounts of his time as the lighthouse keeper. As she read, a picture
began to form—a picture of a man dedicated to his duty, but also a man deeply
troubled by the mysteries he had uncovered.

According to the journal, the lighthouse was built over a century ago by their
ancestor, Henry Duran. It was said to guard not just the ships at sea, but
something much more valuable—a hidden treasure, protected by a series of intricate
traps and puzzles. The compass was the key to finding it, but only someone with the
Duran bloodline could unlock its secrets.

Elena’s mind raced. A hidden treasure? Traps and puzzles? It all seemed like
something out of a storybook. But the more she read, the more she realized how
serious her uncle had been about this. The journal entries spoke of strange
occurrences—unexplained lights in the fog, eerie sounds echoing through the
lighthouse, and an overwhelming sense of being watched.