Page 54 of Vicious Knight

“I don’t want any more problems with Tiffany. Or to embarrass my parents.” I haven’t heard from Mom or Levgen yet today, so I don’t know when Tiffany plans to contact them.

“It’s so irritating that this is supposed to be college but feels like kindergarten.” Mackenzie frowns.

“It could be dangerous,” Isabelle huffs.

“It is dangerous.”

“Don’t worry about me. My stepdad and I always go hiking and we love exploring in caves. This can’t be that much different.” I sound sure, like I know I’ll be fine, but I know no such thing.

“Okay. Be careful. Please.” Isabelle gives me a hug and holds me like it’s the last time she’ll see me.

“Remember to call us once you’re done.” Mackenzie nods.

“I will. Be careful on your way back.”

“We’ll be okay.”

I take a deep breath and continue down the path with my nerves nestled in the pit of my stomach churning.

I feel like hell but I keep thinking of the end goal and getting back to my dorm with today behind me.

All I have to do is focus on walking into the tunnel, getting the bag, then heading over to Erebus so I can hand it to Tiffany.

But entering a dark tunnel by yourself in the dead of night is one hell of a twisted form of punishment. I pray that Tiffany has nothing else in store for me or any nasty surprises.

I find the tunnel’s entrance and walk in. It’s so quiet in here. Too quiet.

I expected to perhaps hear the dripping of water somewhere or tunnel-like echoes.

Shining the light ahead, I pray with every step I take that I’ll find Tiffany’s bag but I see nothing. I’m heading deeper and deeper, getting further away from the exit. Soon I can’t see it at all when I look over my shoulder.

As I keep moving the walls feel like they’re getting smaller and tighter, although they aren’t. That’s just me losing my mind.

I trip over something. It feels like a rock. Suddenly l lose my footing and fall flat on my face, dropping the flashlight, which rolls down the path to my left.

My knees are hurt. So are my elbows and when I touch them I feel blood.

Cursing, I lift myself up and retrieve the flashlight but the sound of scuttling and squeaking makes me freeze.

I hear it again. This time much louder. Then a million furry feet run over mine.

Rats! Lots and lots of them come rushing my way. I scream, then I run, losing sight of where I’m going. The tunnel splits into two paths and since I have no idea which one to take, I choose the nearest.

I just want to get out of here. I don’t even care at this point if I find Tiffany’s stupid bag.

The rats follow me and there’s so many of them I figure out straight away that someone set them loose on me.

This was such a bad idea.

Not just this. Everything. Even being here at Raventhorn.

Menacing male laughter fills the air and I realize I’m right. Tiffany set me up to fail.

I run as fast as I can until I feel like my soul might leave my body, then I see light ahead of me. A soft amber glow.

Hope sparks that it might be some kind of exit, so I head there.

The light gets brighter and the rats decrease, so I follow the path. The deeper I go, the wider and brighter the path becomes. I get my hopes up that I’ll find an exit soon. This area looks like it might be used more.

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