Lila had always been curious about the old abandoned house at the edge of Maplewood. It had stood there for decades, its windows cracked and walls covered in ivy, whispering stories of the past to anyone who would listen. Most kids in town avoided it, warning each other about ghosts and hidden secrets, but Lila’s curiosity only grew stronger with each passing year. She often wondered what it would be like inside, behind those broken doors and dusty curtains. One breezy Saturday afternoon, with her backpack slung over her shoulder and a flashlight in hand, Lila decided it was time to explore the house for herself. She had been planning this for weeks, imagining all sorts of adventures waiting inside. As she approached the creaking gate, her heart thumped with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The air was thick with the scent of moss and old wood, and the silence was only broken by the distant chirping of birds. Lila pushed open the rusty gate and stepped onto the overgrown path leading to the house. The door was slightly ajar, as if inviting her in. She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and pushed it open completely. The creak echoed through the empty halls as she stepped inside. Dust motes floated in the sunlight that streamed through the broken windows, dancing in the stale air. The house was a maze of rooms, filled with broken furniture, faded photographs, and piles of forgotten belongings. Lila’s eyes widened as she examined each corner, imagining the lives that had once filled this place. She found a dusty mirror hanging on the wall, its surface tarnished, reflecting her own curious face. She reached out and touched the glass, feeling a strange chill run down her spine. As she explored further, she stumbled upon a narrow staircase leading to the attic. The door was old and squeaked when she pushed it open. Inside, she found a small, dusty trunk. Her hands trembled slightly as she lifted the latch and opened it. Inside were old books, a worn-out teddy bear, and a collection of handwritten letters tied with a faded ribbon. Lila carefully pulled out a letter and read it aloud: *“Dear Emma, I wonder if you’re reading this. I’ve missed you so much. When you come back, I want to tell you all about my adventures. Until then, remember that every day is an adventure if you look hard enough.”* Lila’s heart fluttered as she read the words. It was clear that the house had belonged to a girl named Emma, who had once filled it with dreams and stories. She felt a strange connection to Emma, as if the girl’s spirit was still lingering there, whispering her secrets. Suddenly, a faint breeze swept through the attic, and a soft giggle echoed in the air. Lila spun around, her flashlight trembling. For a moment, she thought she saw a shadow slip past the window. She hesitated, then stepped back outside, her mind swirling with questions. Had Emma’s spirit been waiting for someone to find her stories? Or was it just her imagination? Lila left the house that day with a new sense of wonder. She knew she had discovered something special—an invisible bridge to the past, built with stories and memories. From that day on, she visited the house often, not as a place of fear, but as a treasure chest of adventures waiting to be uncovered. It became her secret world, a reminder that sometimes, curiosity leads to the most extraordinary discoveries.

Answer the following questions based on the passage above.