Nine year old Charlie dug the heels of her dirty sneakers harder into the plump sides of her cream colored pony. With its neck outstretched, Peanut ran as fast as his short legs would take him. Dark shadows were now across the road, indicating they were late getting home A man sitting in a camouflaged jeep off the side of the road was surprised at Charlie's appearance. Where had that kid been? Did she find the Old Mill? Four young teens discover a mystery around old sugar mill ruins they found while riding their horses in the woods. Its grey tabby walls were crumbling with age and covered with heavy vines. When they rode to the river to eat their lunch, yellowed grass in square shapes were there. Someone was coming into the woods. Would it still be safe for them to ride? Charlie senses a mystery just waiting to be solved. On a night visit, alone, Charlie is seen In her frantic escape, she runs Peanut off the road through the brush. As she looks back to see if she is being followed, a low hanging branch hits her across the forehead, knocking her off the pony and she falls unconscious to the ground.