Chapter 3

Holly, Dolly, and Molly are three talented attic detectives who have a knack for solving mysteries. They understand that to crack any case, they need to master the four W's of detection - What, When, Where, and Who. These essential elements help them unravel even the most perplexing puzzles and bring justice to their little world in the attic. With their keen observation skills and relentless curiosity, Holly, Dolly, and Molly are always ready for a new challenge!

Holly is the youngest member (by 20 mins.) of the Attic Investigations Club, three sisters who met every weekend in their grandma's attic, to explore the old and mysterious objects that were stored there. Grandma had lived in the house for decades, and she had collected many things from her travels around the world. She also had a lot of family heirlooms that dated back to generations ago. Holly and her and her sisters loved to imagine the stories behind each item, and sometimes they even found clues that led them to discover more secrets.

This weekend, the club was going to meet again, and Holly was eager to impress them with her detective skills. She wanted to prove to her older sisters, who were also part of the club, that she was not just a little kid who tagged along. She wanted to show them that she could find something amazing in the attic, something that would make them all gasp in wonder.

So when grandma and her sisters went off to the market for groceries, Holly saw her chance. She sneaked upstairs to the attic, hoping to find something before the meeting. She knew she had to be quick, because grandma would be back soon, and she didn't like it when Holly went into the attic without permission.

Holly opened the door to the attic and stepped inside. The sunlight filtered through the dusty windows, creating a dim and cozy atmosphere. Holly felt a thrill of excitement as she looked around at the piles of boxes, trunks, suitcases, and furniture that filled the space. She wondered what treasures they contained.

She decided to start with a wooden chest that was near the door. She opened it and found some old clothes, books, and photographs. She rummaged through them, looking for anything interesting. She found a faded picture of a young woman in a wedding dress, holding a bouquet of flowers. On the back of the picture, there was a note that said: "To my darling Rose, on our special day. Love, Jack." Holly wondered who Rose and Jack were, and what happened to them.

She put the picture back and continued searching. She found a leather jacket with patches from different countries, a pair of binoculars, a compass, and a map. She guessed that these belonged to someone who liked to travel and explore. She wished she could do that too.

She moved on to another box, this one filled with toys and games. She found a teddy bear with one eye missing, a doll with curly hair and a blue dress, a wooden train set, and a puzzle. She also found a book that caught her attention. It was a dusty leather bound book with gold letters on the cover. The title said: "Please Don't Judge Me".

Holly was curious about what was inside the book. She opened it and saw that it had a table of contents with different chapter titles. The first one said: "Never judge a book by its cover!" Holly turned to the first page and read:

"Hello there! You must be wondering who I am and what this book is about. Well, let me tell you something: this is not an ordinary book. This is a magic book! Yes, you heard me right: magic! This book can do amazing things that you can't even imagine. But before I tell you more, I have to warn you: please don't judge me by my appearance. I know I look old and dusty and boring, but trust me: I'm much more than that. I have a personality, a history, and a secret. A very big secret."

Holly felt a shiver run down her spine as she read these words. She couldn't believe what she was holding in her hands. A magic book? What did that mean? What kind of magic could it do? And what was its secret?

She read on:

"If you're still reading this, then I guess you're curious enough to give me a chance. Thank you for that. You see, I've been waiting for someone like you for a long time. Someone who loves mysteries and adventures. Someone who is brave and smart and kind. Someone who can help me with my problem."

Holly felt her heart beat faster as she read these words. She felt like the book was talking directly to her, as if it knew her somehow.

"What problem?" she whispered aloud.

The book continued:

"My problem is this: I'm trapped in this book. Yes, trapped. I can't get out of here unless someone helps me. And you're the only one who can do it."

Holly gasped as she read this. How could someone be trapped in a book? How did that happen? And why did the book think that she could help?

She read on:

"I know you have many questions, and I promise I'll answer them all later. But first, let me tell you how you can help me. It's very simple: you just have to read my story. All of it. From beginning to end. And as you do, you'll see that this book is not just a book. It's a portal. A portal to another world. A world where magic is real and anything is possible. A world where I used to live, before I got stuck here. A world where you can join me, if you want to."

Holly felt a surge of excitement as she read these words. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. A portal to another world? A world of magic? She had always dreamed of going to such a place, ever since she read her first fairy tale. She wondered what it looked like, what it sounded like, what it smelled like. She wondered who lived there, and what they did.

She read on:

"But be careful: this world is not all fun and games. It's also full of dangers and mysteries. And there's one mystery in particular that you have to solve: the mystery of how I got trapped here, and how we can get out. Because if we don't, we'll be stuck here forever. And that would be very bad."

Holly felt a pang of fear as she read these words. She realized that this was not a joke, or a prank, or a game. This was serious. This was real. This was a matter of life and death.

She read on:

"So, are you ready? Are you willing to take the risk? Are you brave enough to join me on this adventure? If you are, then turn the page and let's begin. But remember: please don't judge me by my cover. There's more to me than meets the eye."

Holly hesitated for a moment as she looked at the book in her hands. She felt a mix of emotions: curiosity, excitement, fear, doubt. She wondered if she should do it, or if she should put the book back and forget about it.

But then she thought about the Attic Investigations Club, and how much she wanted to impress them with her discovery. She thought about the magic book, and how much it needed her help. She thought about the other world, and how much she wanted to see it.

She made up her mind.

She turned the page.

And the adventure began... Holly's sisters give her the nick name 'Sneaks'!