She stood on the edge of the driveway, and looked out at the woods. They were a funny dark green color with all the needle trees, but the snow made it all right, lighter than she thought. It was possible to see into them a little way, just a little.

We’re going to have to be very careful with the woods.

Somehow, Daddy’s words made her want to go out there even more. What made them so special anyway? They looked like any old woods to her, a bunch of rough prickly trees and branches that caught your shirt when you walked. And out here in the bright sunshine, her scary dreams seemed almost silly. Almost.

She took a step off the driveway.

Around the corner of the house, she saw some kind of little building on the edge of the trees. It looked like just the right size for a child. What was in it, now that was a question. Visions of a tricycle or maybe a room full of toys filled her head. Daddy had given her old tricycle away to a little boy who had lived next door because it wouldn’t fit in the car, and promised her a new one as soon as they were settled in. Maybe he had put it in the shed.

Another step.

She was off the hard-packed snow of the driveway and onto the deeper drifts. Her boots sunk in a few inches and hit a solid, icy crust. She tested it softly, then a little bit harder. It held. The shed was in full view now, its light brown wood looking new and shiny in the sunlight, like it had just been built. It sat a few feet out from the nearest tree, silent and beckoning.

Come over here, Jessie, it said. There’s plenty of toys, and lots of things to do. Don’t mind your silly old daddy, he’s just being GROWN-UP. He doesn’t care about toys or other fun things like you do.

Another step.

She was past the edge of the porch now and on what must be the front lawn, and felt the first little prickle of fear. It was so quiet and lonely out here. She wished she had gotten Johnny Bear out of bed to come along, but he had been tired and was happy in his new room. Besides, she felt a little more daring without him. That didn’t usually happen; usually she felt empty without him and he was up and begging to come with her wherever she went. Maybe this meant she was becoming more GROWN-UP, like Daddy. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

She stood still on the crusty snow. The sun still shone down brightly; the woods remained silent. There was nothing to be afraid of, nothing at all. Then why was she just standing there now? Why weren’t her feet moving?