NARRATOR

Frederick walked, oblivious to the danger, along a path lined with twisted, ugly trees.

This was his inner world, a kind of enchanted, macabre forest, just like him.

At the end of the path a table, a chair, some papers, and, most important, another box holding his prized relic were waiting.

But the moment he lifted the lid and stretched out his fingers, a different scent tipped him off.

Footsteps halted nearby; someone was behind him.

How had he not sensed it before?!

Without losing a