We head past a wayside cross. “That’s the black cross grandpa is always talking about,” Mia says. “Something spooky happened here, a long time ago. A knight was travelling the forest during a storm. Out of nowhere, a bright flash flared up. It struck the knight. The only thing left of him was blackened charcoal,” adds Mia. My hair is standing on end. I just want to get away, and I drag Mia with me.
Suddenly, the path divides. Mia calls from behind me: “We need to go past the chapel.”
I ask why there is a chapel in the middle of the forest. There’s no-one around for miles. Mia explains that an old pilgrims’ trail runs along here.
“There’s the pilgrims’ trail,” says Pia, pointing to the path leading to the village.
The path looks funny. It is carved deep into the ground. “Many pilgrims have walked here,” Mia thinks. I look at her, wondering why.
“Yes – look how deep the path is,” she says. “With every pilgrim, the path has sunk a little bit more.”
The path reminds me of a water-slide. It looks exactly like the slide in the swimming pool. Mia shakes her head. “You have a wild imagination!”
I want to prove the opposite to her. I sit down on the ground and push off, using my hands. Suddenly there is a ripping sound. I stand up and knock the dust off my trousers. Mia doubles up laughing. My trousers are completely torn.
“Now you look like a pilgrim,” Mia laughs.
