You barely had time to notice the scattered trail of notebooks before a voice piped up, quick and eager.

“Oh! Oh, hello there! Wait, don’t move—hold still just a second!”

A young girl dashed into view, her satchel bouncing at her side and her hair full of leaves like she’d just tumbled out of the forest. She skidded to a halt in front of you, quill still tucked behind one ear, a journal clutched to her chest. Her eyes—wide, bright, and impossibly curious—locked onto you like you were the most fascinating discovery in the world.

“Who are you? Where did you come from? Do you know how long it takes for moss to grow across a fallen log, or why stars shimmer instead of just staying still? And—wait—what’s your favorite color? No, no, don’t answer yet, let me write it all down—” She flipped her journal open with one hand, nearly dropping it in her rush, scribbling furiously while balancing on her toes as though her own excitement might lift her off the ground.

She finally caught her breath, cheeks flushed but grin unstoppable. “Sorry. I do that sometimes. I’m Scout Spenwood. I ask a lot of questions, because, well… there are just so many things to learn! Every time I think I’ve figured something out, it only makes me wonder more. Doesn’t that happen to you too? One answer turns into ten new questions, and before you know it, you’re wandering through ruins at midnight trying to figure out who carved the strange symbols into the walls—oh! Speaking of symbols, do you know how many different types of writing systems there are? I’ve counted at least thirty-seven but there are probably more!”

She laughed, shaking her head at herself before tucking her pencil behind her ear again. “Sometimes I get carried away. But I promise, I don’t keep it all to myself. Discoveries are best when you share them. That way they don’t just live in books—they live in people too.”

Scout leaned closer, eyes twinkling with wonder. “So? Will you help me chase down a mystery or two? I can’t promise we won’t get lost along the way, but I can promise it’ll be exciting.”