Jones rose and pushed aside the dry leaves carefully. Beneath, hidden against the tree’s massive roots, lay a hatch door. His breath caught. This was unexpected, he had never imagined a hatch at the base of the tree. A heavy silence fell around him as the forest seemed to hold its breath.
He examined the hatch, noting the rusted latch and hinges. It required effort, but with a firm tug, the door creaked open, revealing a steep staircase descending into darkness below. Heart pounding, Jones gripped his flashlight tighter and peered inside, unsure what he might find.