The Hut in the Fog

Ines and her brother Teo planned a short hike in the mountains. The morning was sunny, so they only took a small bag, a map and a bottle of water. By two o’clock, a thick fog covered the path.

“I can’t see the signs,” said Teo. They walked slowly for an hour, and they became cold and tired. Ines looked at the map, but the fog hid every landmark. Then they heard a bell, soft and far away.

They followed the sound and found a small wooden hut. The door was not locked. Inside there were two beds, a stove, some wood and a warm blanket on each bed. On the table, a notebook was open.

“A visitors’ book,” Teo read. Hundreds of people had written in it: thanks, dates, drawings of mountains. One page said: “The fog came without warning. Light the stove and wait. The bell rings every hour for lost walkers.” Ines looked at Teo. Who rang the bell?

They lit the stove, drank tea from an old tin and waited. At six o’clock, the fog opened and the stars appeared. Beside the door, a sign said: “Ring twice when you are safe.” Ines pulled the rope twice. Far below, in the dark, a light flashed twice in answer.