The Secret Society of Hidden Wells

By Vera Faye

The Secret Society of Hidden Wells follows Clara, a curious 11-year-old girl who stumbles upon a mysterious well deep in the woods near her grandmother’s cottage.

As Clara uncovers the hidden path leading to this enchanted well, she finds herself thrust into an ancient society of adventurers known as the Keepers of the Wells. Guarding magical wells that possess incredible powers, Clara soon learns her family’s deep connection to these secrets.

With new friends, ancient puzzles, and a growing threat to the wells, Clara must decide whether to embrace her newfound legacy or seek the truth behind her ancestors’ mysteries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Good Child Bookstore
• Release date: Jun 18, 2025

Book preview

The Secret Society of Hidden Wells

Adventure Series

Fantasy Adventures

Vera Faye

Published by The Good Child Bookstore, 2025

Copyright

Published by The Good Child Bookstore

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All rights reserved © 2025, Good Child Bookstore.

Preface

In every corner of the world, there are secrets hidden beneath the surface, waiting for someone brave enough to uncover them. This is the story of Clara, a young girl who finds herself caught between the ordinary world she knows and a secret society that has been protecting ancient powers for centuries.

The Keepers of the Wells, an eccentric group of adventurers, guard wells that have abilities beyond imagination—powers to change time, unlock memories, and open doors to hidden realms. As Clara discovers her family’s deep connection to these wells, she embarks on an adventure filled with magic, mystery, and unexpected friendships. But the more Clara learns, the more she realizes the balance between protecting these wells and preserving the world is more fragile than she ever imagined.

Will she embrace her destiny as a Keeper or continue her search for answers to her family’s hidden past? This is only the beginning of Clara's extraordinary journey.

Contents

Chapter 1: The Hidden Path

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Wellspring

Chapter 3: The Secret Society

Chapter 4: A Family Connection

Chapter 5: A Mysterious Visitor

Chapter 6: The First Test

Chapter 7: The Unseen Forces

Chapter 8: The Wells' Powers

Chapter 9: A Twist of Fate

Chapter 10: The Forbidden Well

Chapter 11: The Unlikely Ally

Chapter 12: The Ancient Map

Chapter 13: The Great Convergence

Chapter 14: A Family Secret Unveiled

Chapter 15: The Shifting Waters

Chapter 16: The Wellspring’s Secret

Chapter 17: The Path Forward

Chapter 18: The Final Confrontation

Chapter 19: The Unseen Shadows

Chapter 20: The Heart of Darkness

Chapter 21: The Ripple of Fate

Chapter 22: The Keepers’ Council

Chapter 23: The Final Choice

Chapter 24: The Echoes of the Past

Chapter 25: The Library of Echoes

THE END

Chapter 1: The Hidden Path

Clara had always known that there was something unusual about the woods near her grandmother’s cottage, but it wasn’t until the day she stumbled across a hidden path that she realized just how mysterious the world around her could be. The air smelled of wet earth and moss, and the crunch of dried leaves beneath her boots sounded louder than usual as she wandered deeper into the forest. It was a Saturday afternoon, and Clara had nothing better to do than explore. Her grandmother, who was always busy with her knitting and gardening, had sent Clara out to get some fresh air. Clara was more than happy to oblige, eager for any excuse to escape the confines of the little cottage.

Her grandmother’s house was perched on the edge of the hills, surrounded by thick trees and an overgrown garden. It was a place that felt ancient, like it had been around for centuries. The house itself was cozy, with crooked wooden beams and a fireplace that never seemed to go cold. But for all its charm, there was something about it that Clara couldn’t quite put her finger on. The way the floorboards creaked at night, or how the wind would howl through the cracks in the walls, gave the house an eerie quality. Clara was used to it, but she could never shake the feeling that there was more to the place than met the eye.

As she wandered further into the woods, Clara noticed something strange. The path ahead of her, which she had walked a hundred times before, seemed to be different. The trees seemed to lean in closer, their branches twisting in unusual shapes, almost like they were trying to guide her in a certain direction. Her curiosity piqued, Clara followed the path, which wound through the underbrush and into a dense thicket of ferns. She paused for a moment, wondering if she should turn back. But something in the air felt charged, like an invisible force was pushing her forward. So, with a deep breath, she continued on.

It wasn’t long before the trees opened up to reveal a small clearing. At the center of the clearing stood a stone well, its surface covered in creeping ivy and moss. Clara’s heart skipped a beat. She had never seen this well before. It wasn’t just any well—it was different from all the others she had seen around the woods. The stone was darker, almost black in places, and the well itself seemed to shimmer with an odd, ethereal glow. The air around it was thick with a quiet hum, as though the well itself was alive.

Clara took a cautious step forward, her breath catching in her throat. She had heard stories about the wells in the area—the ones her grandmother had mentioned in passing—but she had never really given them much thought. They were just old stories, tales passed down through generations. But this well, with its strange glow and hum, felt like something more.

She knelt beside it, running her fingers along the rough stone. The surface was cool to the touch, and when she leaned over to peer inside, she could see nothing but darkness. But as her reflection wavered in the water, Clara felt a strange sensation wash over her. It was as though the well was calling to her, inviting her to come closer, to look deeper.

Without thinking, Clara dipped her hand into the water. The moment her fingers touched the surface, the hum grew louder, almost deafening. The water rippled, not like any water she had ever seen before. It shimmered, shifting in color from deep blue to violet, then to silver. Clara gasped and quickly pulled her hand back. Her heart was racing, and her mind was spinning. What was happening? Was she imagining this?

But before she could gather her thoughts, the ground beneath her seemed to tremble. A sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing, rustling the leaves of the trees, and Clara stumbled backward, her foot catching on a hidden root. She fell to the ground, her hands bracing herself as she landed with a thud.

As she sat up, dazed and confused, Clara noticed something strange. The air around the well had changed. It was no longer quiet and still; it was charged, electric even, as though something was about to happen. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as the hum from the well grew louder, almost deafening.

And then, as quickly as it had started, everything went still. The wind stopped, the trees fell silent, and the hum faded away. Clara blinked, unsure of what had just happened. Had she imagined it all? Was it some kind of trick of the light or the wind?

Just as she was about to get to her feet, a voice broke the silence. You’ve found it, haven’t you?

Clara froze. She spun around, her heart pounding in her chest. Standing at the edge of the clearing was a man. He was tall, with a crooked hat and a long coat that flapped in the wind. His face was weathered, and his eyes glinted with a strange intensity.

I didn’t mean to, Clara stammered, still trying to process what had just happened.

The man gave a small chuckle. Oh, but you did, my dear. You’ve found the well, and now the journey begins.

Clara felt a shiver run down her spine. She had no idea what this man was talking about, but something about him seemed... familiar. Who are you? she asked, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.

The man smiled, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. It was as if he knew a secret that Clara wasn’t yet privy to. I am someone who has been waiting for you, Clara.

Clara’s eyes widened in shock. How do you know my name?

The man didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and began to walk away, his footsteps light on the forest floor. Come, he called over his shoulder. There is much to explain, and little time to do so.

Clara hesitated for a moment, her mind racing. She had no idea who this man was or how he knew her name, but something told her that this was no ordinary encounter. She had a choice to make. She could leave, forget about the well, and go back to her grandmother’s house. Or, she could follow the man, who seemed to know more than he was letting on. Something told Clara that this was a decision that would change everything.

With a deep breath, Clara stood up and brushed the dirt from her knees. She had always been one for adventure, and this was an adventure unlike any other. Alright, she said, her voice steady with determination. I’m coming.

And with that, Clara stepped into the unknown, following the man into the mysterious depths of the woods.

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Wellspring

Clara followed the man through the dense forest, her mind spinning with questions. Who was he? How did he know her name? And most importantly, what was going on with that well? The man moved with a strange urgency, his coat flapping behind him as if it had a life of its own. Clara had to hustle to keep up, her boots crunching on the leaves that carpeted the forest floor. Every now and then, she would catch a glimpse of his face, but it was always just a flash—his expression too quick to read.

The further they went, the stranger the forest seemed to become. The trees grew thicker, their branches entwined like knotted hands reaching out to each other. The air was heavy, the usual sounds of birds and rustling leaves absent, as if the very forest