Yesterday's cleaning spree has left us with more clues and the ultimate realization that the freedom proposed by POTENTIAL+ is more controlled than it's supposed to be. It has also shown our creative side as we redecorated the rooms we explored.

One of our resolutions before the twenty days are over is to to apply the renovation process to our rooms, as well as common areas such as the kitchen and the playroom from the first days.

There's an area we haven't properly explored yet: the garden. According to the map, it spreads on a surface of 1,500 square meters. Too big for us to take care on our own—for it to still be this neat, gardeners must pass by on a regular basis.

"I think we should do a picnic," says Lindsey, who has kept this idea floating in her mind for a few days already. "I've meant to have one with you and think this is a good opportunity." I like picnics. They're a perfect chance to spend time together while enjoying the nature.

I turn to the others to test the waters. "What do you think?" I raise an eyebrow, concerned that it may not appeal to everybody.

However, to Lindsey's pleasant surprise, everyone else is on board. She and Brianna go to the kitchen to prepare the lunch. Anton takes a large picnic basket he retrieved during yesterday's inventory, while Kat keeps the map.

When everything is ready, we leave the house and take a look at the perfectly curated garden. It's so vast that, if this were a fairytale, it'd be an incredible setting for an adventure movie.

We set up everything for the picnic, then Brianna passes sandwiches and snacks, while Kat distributes plastic glasses among us. As we start eating, Anton has an offer for us. "Maybe we could pass by the pool later..."

Kat taunts him. "Tell me, do you want a rematch? You won the first round of dives. Just because you lost the second, it doesn't mean you have to be butthurt for it. Accept the loss and that's it."

He snaps back at her. "What! Let me finish talk first! I just want to hang by in peace, that's it."

Brianna jumps in. "Are you sure?"

"As sure as I am about the greatness of this sandwich."

I intervene in order to bring back peace. "Let's not argue, okay? When we're done here, we can allow ourselves some time to digest and explore this garden before hitting the poolside, okay?" The rest of the group agrees with me, after which we finish our picnic without further trouble.

***

While Brianna stays behind to clean up, the rest of us wander in the garden, admiring the floral compositions and the magnificent orchard. "Look, a vegetable garden!" exclaims Lindsey. "I wonder if we can pick something."

"Why not? I see some incredible products here. Plus, we're supposedly free to do as we please," I point out, after which I hear Lindsey asking Brianna to lend her the basket so that she can collect some crops.

On the other hand, Kat is taking pictures of the landscape with her phone. I follow her and do the same. Too bad I didn't take a camera—pictures with it would've come out even better, more vivid, neater and of better quality.

As I approach a line of poplars to snap a few more photos, I notice something hanging on one of them with a rope. I carefully untie the rope and pick the paper. A map, more detailed than the one we're used to. It shows the hidden spots indoors, how to find them and what could be there.

It's a perfect way to keep track of areas that haven't been explored properly, if at all. I stuff it in the pocket of my jeans. I'll do this new, detailed exploration tour tomorrow, paying attention not to ruin the renewed areas. For today, I'll just join the others at the poolside for a fun afternoon.

***

As I promised myself yesterday, I decide to do a new exploration tour through the mansion, bringing the new map I found among the poplars. This time, I go on my own since I don't want to bother the others. It's 8am, which means they must still be sleeping.

I don't do breakfast, or I'll raise suspicions around me. Therefore, I directly delve into the mystery, heading to Room 14 on the same floor where our bedrooms stay. Of course, I have all sets of keys with me, so I'm prepared.

When I'm at the threshold of Room 14, I just have to push the doorknob and I'm inside. The door hasn't been locked; it has been simply tidied up and cleaned two days ago, since it seems to still have the ancient flair of the mansion's original style.

I open the wardrobe, where there are only an overcoat and a bonnet. These are perfect addictions to my collection of clothes. I'll try them on later. Then, I check the drawers of the two nightstands, which, however, are surprisingly empty.

I stumble on something as I fall off the bed after inspecting the drawers. As I stand up, I notice what seems to be a book with a brown leather cover. At least it's not a Bible. I skim through its pages, but most of them are blank or have drawings at most.

Then, a paper falls from it. Another letter. I read it in a whispered voice. 'Time goes by, it spins round and round like a carousel. How can you be sure you haven't wasted your time dilly-dallying? How can you be sure you've been productive enough to make your stay worth it?'

I'm confused. What's the meaning behind this? Is this another riddle? If so, how am I supposed to solve it? This is something I have to show the others, so I collect what I've found, leave this unassigned room and go back to mine to get changed.

***

At lunch, I decide to drop the bomb and pass the mysterious message from this morning among my friends. Their reactions, as expected, are different. Anton laughs it off. "Silla, this is part of the design from this project! Nothing you have to worry about. There are only six days left before this project's over, so chill out."

Kat plays along with him, even coming up with a pun. "If riddles don't come to Silla, then Silla goes to riddles. How does it sound?" As much as I'm supposed to stay serious, this time I stifle a laugh.

While I do suspect Mr. Unknown could've written all these messages himself, I still think it's early to connect the dots and point the finger at him, so I don't mention this theory directly. Nevertheless, Brianna grows more and more suspicious, to the point that she's the most scared in this room.

"Guys, they've been watching us! All of Silla's discoveries, the items, the letters... It's not casual!" She turns to Anton and Kat, who continue to act like school kids giggling in the backyard, and yells at them. "You two, stop laughing like idiots!"

Lindsey intervenes. "Okay, Bri, take a deep breath. Follow me. Inhale, exhale. In, out." As she tries to get Brianna to regain her composure, I realize that, while my worries are legitimate, it's not certain the rest of the gang all share my point of view. Freedom also entails different opinions, right?