Part 2: The Mystery of the Grand Oak (But Also the Possum)

Max and Claire froze. A low growl echoed through the tunnel.

“Uh… probably just a raccoon,” Max whispered, trying to sound like someone who wasn’t about to bolt.

Claire tightened her grip on the flashlight. “Raccoons don’t growl.”

Max gulped. “Big raccoon?”

Slowly, they turned around, bracing for a shadowy figure, an ancient tunnel guardian, or at least a squirrel with a vendetta. Instead, a very round possum blinked at them from a pile of old newspapers. It yawned dramatically, scratched its belly, and waddled away, unimpressed.

Claire let out a shaky breath. “I was totally not scared.”

“Me neither,” Max said, casually peeling his fingernails out of his palm.

With their pride hanging by a thread, they turned back to the iron door. Max gave it a shove, and with a long, dramatic creak, it swung open to reveal…

“Treasure!” Max whispered.

They leaned in, expecting gold coins, a lost crown, or maybe even a cursed artifact (because obviously). Instead, they found… paper. Lots of it. Old letters, faded photographs, and a carved wooden train.

Claire picked up a letter and read aloud:

“To the future Explorers of Geneseo—find this, and the adventure is yours.”

Claire gasped. “It’s a time capsule! From over a hundred years ago!”

Max lifted a photograph of a group of kids standing under a giant tree. On the back, it read:

“Meet us under the Grand Oak.”

Claire looked at Max. “The big tree at Richmond Hill Park.”

Max’s grin was back. “Race you there.”

And just like that, the two Explorers bolted up the tunnel, leaving behind history, mystery, and one deeply confused possum.