Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Oversized, candy-striped columns stretched to the low ceiling, which was adorned with hanging, distorted shapes that defied logic. The entire space was bathed in a surreal glow, with neon lights casting eerie, flickering shadows that seemed to dance around us as we moved.
“This place is something else,” Mel murmured, taking it all in.
“Feels like we’re in the middle of a funhouse,” Lana agreed, her voice tinged with both awe and wariness.
“That’s exactly what it is. A funhouse designed to mess with your head,” Hael replied, already moving forward with a purposeful stride. “Stay close. This room is meant to disorient.”
We followed him through the maze-like room, trying to ignore the way the patterns on the floor seemed to shift beneath our feet, the walls appearing to close in around us with each step. It was a place where reality seemed to twist and bend, where you couldn’t trust your own senses. Hael led us to a door that seemed ordinary enough, but when he opened it, there was nothing behind it but a shelf, as if mocking our expectations. Without hesitation, he slid the shelf aside, revealing another door—this one sturdier, more imposing. With a grunt, he pushed it open, and the sight that greeted us was far from comforting. A round metal grate was set into the floor, its surface dark and foreboding.
The air that drifted up from below was cool and damp, carrying the faint smell of earth and something far less pleasant. Lana peered over the edge, her nose wrinkling. “We’re going into the sewer?” Her tone was more inquisitive than concerned. “I’m not complaining, just need to prepare myself.”
Mel shot her a sideways glance, her brow furrowing in distaste. “I am definitely complaining.”
Maverick, leaned nonchalantly against the wall right outside the doorway and smirked at the exchange. “Look on the bright side, Mellie. At least it’s not raining down there.”
To my surprise, Mel laughed, shaking her head in reluctant amusement.
Ciaran grabbed Lana and pulled her away from the hole. “Let’s not plunge headfirst to potential death.”
“Like we did with our situation-ship?”
His expression softened just a fraction. “Precisely, puppet. Our relationship.”
Lana didn’t argue, her smile turning into a grin as she glanced back at him. But the moment of levity was fleeting, the reality of their situation pulling us back to the task at hand. One by one, we climbed down the grate, the cold metal biting into our hands as we descended into the darkness below. Ky waited at the bottom of the ladder for me and helped me down. The dim light cast shadows across his face, making his features appear even more intense.
His hand found mine, squeezing it gently. “You’re okay,” he stated more than asked, his voice a low rumble in the oppressive silence.
I nodded and looked around with a frown. The tunnel we found ourselves in was narrow, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
The walls were made of rough stone, slick with moisture that dripped from above, creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The air was thick with the smell of earth and nauseating decay, the scent so potent it clung to the back of my throat. The ground beneath our feet was uneven, and every step echoed in the confined space, amplifying the sound of our movements. The darkness pressed in around us, broken only by the faint light that barely managed to reach this deep underground.
“Lovely place,” Mel remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she stepped off the ladder and joined us in the tunnel.
“Glad you’re in good spirits,” Dion responded with a wry grin.
The grate slammed shut above us with a resounding finality, leaving only one way forward. Ciaran led the way, his steps decisive.
The tunnel seemed to close in around us, the rough stone walls narrowing with each step. The moisture clinging to the walls made everything damp, the air thick and heavy. Every breath I took felt like it was filled with earth, the scent of decay lingering in my nose. I was so focused on moving forward, that I missed the beginning of a brewing disagreement until Ciaran came to an abrupt halt. Lana bumped into him, and the rest of us followed suit, nearly colliding in a chain reaction. Ky’s hand shot out, steadying me before I could crash into Mel. His touch was firm.
“You wanna do this now? In a tunnel that smells like rotten flesh?” Ciaran questioned, his voice cutting through the darkness.
“Is that what we’re smelling?” Hayven asked, her voice full of disgust as she tried to make sense of the foul odor.
“You’d really rather not know,” Charon replied, his tone flat.
Lana folded her arms across her chest, her glare fixed on Ciaran’s back. “Well, are you planning to tell me any other time, Ciaran?”
He turned around to face her. “Funny, you didn’t have a problem with my keeping secrets last night.”