In a sinkhole surrounded by forest, covered in cobwebs and ivy and all manner of weedy underbrush, lay a secret.

It was Gabe who discovered it one spring morning. The dew was still sparkling from the midnight rainfall; the secret chose that day to be found.

Poor Gabe was in no mood for discovering secrets. In fact he was quite cross (and rather miserable) at that moment, for he had just been informed that his parents would soon be divorcing, and he loved them very much.

Perhaps the boy shouldn’t have run into the woods in such a hurry. The moment his new stockings caught in a thistle, he nearly turned back for his shoes. Alas, he had tearfully slammed the gate when he ran from his mother and father—he couldn’t well bring himself sulking back home again now. And so it was that Gabe happened upon this altogether remarkable secret, and was so busy worrying about the holes in his socks that he very nearly missed it.

A rocket lay in Reedy Forest.

Gabe wiped the tears from his cheeks; this was most curious.