The wind howled outside, whistling through the narrow alleys and swaying the bare branches of the old maple tree just beyond my window. It was one of those nights where the cold seemed to seep through the very walls, making everything outside feel distant and forgotten. Inside, though, the world was different. The soft hum of the heater filled my room with a gentle warmth, casting a golden glow over the wooden floor and the cluttered corners of my workspace.
I sat hunched over my desk, a pencil dancing across a thick sheet of paper. My hands moved instinctively, shaping lines and shadows into the rough beginnings of a new concept art—an idea that had taken root in my mind for weeks. The light above flickered once, then steadied again. The scent of graphite and paper hung in the air, mixed with the faint aroma of cinnamon tea that had long gone cold beside me.
Just as I was shading in the contours of a mountain range, the doorbell rang.
I froze.
It was well past midnight. Who could possibly be visiting at this hour?
I set my pencil down and stood, my footsteps soft on the creaky wooden floor. My heart thudded a little faster—not out of fear, exactly, but that uneasy curiosity that comes when something breaks the rhythm of a quiet night. I peeked through the peephole, and to my surprise, standing under the dim porch light was a familiar face—my friend Chakshu, bundled in a thick jacket, breath misting in the air.
I opened the door, still a bit puzzled."Chakshu? What are you doing here this late?" I asked, my voice low but warm with familiarity.
He grinned, the excitement in his eyes barely contained."I had to tell you something, man. Something crazy I heard tonight!"
I raised an eyebrow, stepping aside to let him in. "Well, don't leave me in suspense. Spill it."
He entered quickly, rubbing his hands together. The sudden contrast of warmth inside made his glasses fog up slightly."So get this—our mayor just announced a treasure hunt event. And not just any little scavenger thing. I mean big. It's happening this Friday."
I leaned against the wall, intrigued. "A treasure hunt? Sounds interesting. What's the catch?"
Chakshu leaned forward slightly, like he was about to share a secret. "They say the prize is huge. Like... one million in cash."
I blinked. "One million? You're joking."
He shook his head, eyes wide. "That's what the flyer says. I mean, I don't know if it's legit or some publicity stunt, but even if it's half true, it's worth checking out."
I nodded slowly, my mind already racing. A million dollars… that kind of money could change everything.
"Alright," I said, a grin creeping onto my face. "I'm in. We're doing this."
Chakshu clapped his hands together. "Yes! I knew you'd say that. So, Friday at 5 PM. Be ready. And hey—maybe bring one of your weird sketchbooks. Who knows, maybe the clues will need some creative thinking."
"You know me too well," I laughed.
He turned to leave, the cold air rushing in as I opened the door again."See you Friday, man. Don't be late!"
"Good night, Chakshu," I called after him, watching as he jogged down the dimly lit sidewalk toward his home.
I closed the door, the click of the lock echoing in the quiet room.
As I returned to my desk, I glanced down at my half-finished drawing—and for a second, it almost felt like the mountain I had been sketching was part of something bigger, a premonition perhaps. A hidden place waiting to be discovered.
And suddenly, Friday couldn't come fast enough.