The Face in the Forest by Benjamin Hulme-Cross

 
    Chapter 1
    Lord Gray
    Mr Blood rang the doorbell at a large manor house. Edgar and Mary heard heavy footsteps. Slowly, the door was opened by an old servant.

    I am the Dark Hunter,” said Mr Blood. “We are here to see Lord Gray.”
    â€œFollow me,” the man replied.
    Lord Gray had written to Mr Blood and asked him to take his daughter on a journey.
    The old man led them into a huge room. At the far end of the room stood a tall, thin man. He was staring up at a huge painting on the wall. Mary giggled. The man was staring at a painting of himself.
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    â€œThis is Mr Blood,” said the old man, and left the room.
    Lord Gray asked his three guests to sit. “Thank you for coming,” he said. “I have a very important task for you. My step-daughter, Anna, is to be married to Lord Burkett.”
    Lord Gray pointed to the corner of the room. Edgar saw a girl not much older than himself. She stood by the window, looking out.
    â€œIt has taken me years to find her a husband,” said Lord Gray. “We are lucky that we found anyone willing to marry her!”
    â€œWilling to pay for me, you mean,” said the girl.
    â€œBe quiet!” Lord Gray snapped. “Young women should be seen and not heard. I am glad to be rid of her at last.”
    Mary gave Lord Gray a nasty look. Mr Blood said nothing but Edgar could tell that he was angry.

    â€œLord Burkett’s castle is on the other side of the forest,” said Lord Gray. “The only way to get there is to follow the path through the trees and it is a three-day ride. I would take her myself but I do not like long trips. Also, I hear that you are able to guard against… things of the night.”
    Mary and Edgar looked at each other. Now they knew why Lord Gray had written to Mr Blood.
    â€œPeople say that spirits live in the forest,” said Lord Gray. “That’s all nonsense, of course. But Anna must reach Lord Burkett safely.”
    â€œHe won’t pay you until I get there,” said Anna.
    â€œBe quiet, girl!” shouted Lord Gray.
    Mr Blood stared at Lord Gray. He didn’t like the way Lord Gray treated Anna. “Will you take the job?” asked Lord Gray.
    Mr Blood nodded his head.
    â€œGood!” said Lord Gray. “You will leave in the morning. A new life for you, Anna!”
    Anna turned and stared out of the window again.

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    Chapter 2
    Into the Forest
    They set off at dawn. They rode along a narrow road for many hours. Late in the afternoon the road became a track and they entered the green gloom of a huge forest.

    Mr Blood rode at the front, followed by Edgar. Mary and Anna were at the back.
    Edgar didn’t like the gloom of the forest but Anna looked much happier once they were riding through the trees.
    â€œYou must be glad to get away from Lord Gray,” said Mary.
    Anna nodded. “All he thinks about is how to get his hands on more money.”
    Edgar heard a rustle off to one side of the track.
    â€œWhat was that?” he asked, nervously.
    â€œProbably just a rabbit,” laughed Anna.
    â€œLord Gray would never let me come riding in the forest.” Anna told Mary. “But I love it here. Sometimes I would sneak off on my own.”

    Anna smiled. “When I was little I used to pretend there was a giant in the forest and that he was my friend. I felt safe in the forest because I knew my friend would protect me,” she said.
    The rustling began again.
    â€œListen!” said Edgar. “There’s something out there.”
    â€œIt’s probably just the wind in the trees,” said Anna.
    Edgar didn’t reply. He was wanted to say that there was no wind but he didn’t want the girls to think he was frightened.

    Suddenly, Mr Blood stopped. They all looked ahead. In front of them was a dead tree with a large hole in it. In the hole was what looked like a huge human face, carved out of wood. Edgar