Page 45 of Beyond the Darkness

“Good, you’re here. Darnell managed to hack the city hall computer and download images of the tunnels underneath San DeLain, which he quickly printed out for us,” Hudson said without looking up.

“Hey, Kit,” Austin said as he came to stand next to Kit.

“Hey. This is a trip, huh?”

“I swear it’s going in my next book,” Austin said quietly.

Maia snickered.

“Okay, everyone. So? This right here?” Hudson jabbed his finger at the paper decisively. “It makes the most sense that Don has been using this main tunnel. It intersects with several smaller ones here, here, and here.”

Denisha entered then, her presence commanding as always. “I did a quick check. The perimeter is secure, but we should move quickly.”

Everyone gathered around the table, leaning closer to see the printouts more clearly. Hudson traced their intended path through the labyrinthine network below.

“Our best chance is to split into two teams,” Hudson declared. “One will take the north tunnel here”—he pointed—“while the other heads south after entering from this point.”

“I want Kit on our team, Hudson,” Connie said immediately.

“Of course,” Kage said. “Just as I would want Austin on mine. I would suggest your team take Denisha, and my team take Torres. That way Denisha can open a portal if you should need it, and Torres can cook anything we might run into down there.”

Torres grinned hugely.

“Agreed,” Hudson said, then looked at Kit. “But remember what I said about unnecessary risks.”

“I totally plan to let you and Connie take all the unnecessary risks,” Kit said. “Any necessary ones too.”

“Good,” Hudson grumbled.

With roles assigned and paths set, they prepared to step into the shadows of the underground tunnels.

“Stay sharp,” Hudson advised. “Watch each other’s backs. And remember, this is reconnaissance first.”

The familiar thrill of adrenaline surged through Connie as they approached the entrance to the tunnels. Beside him, Kit’s expression was resolute—the bond between them was calm.

“Then let’s move out,” Hudson ordered. “Kage? Meet back here in two hours, okay?”

“Yes.”

The group descended into the darkness of the tunnels with only their flashlight apps guiding their way. The walls were damp and echoed their every movement, making the atmosphere even more eerie and oppressive. The tunnel eventually split into multiple pathways, each one as foreboding as the next.

“Okay, we part here. Everyone? Be safe,” Hudson said, then they set off along their assigned paths.

Hudson, Kit, and Connie ventured deeper into their chosen tunnel. Every step they took seemed to echo ominously around them. A chill ran down Connie’s spine—not from fear, but from a cold draft that seemed unnatural in such a confined space.

“Do you feel that?” Kit whispered.

“Yeah,” Connie replied quietly. “I do.” He paused to examine the walls more closely. “Look here.” He pointed at markings that were barely visible on the rough surface.

Kit leaned closer, tracing them. “Symbols? Runes?”

“Possibly,” Connie murmured. “This could indicate magical protection—or a warning.”

“A witch might be involved, but that’s hard to believe,” Hudson said.

“The hunters haven’t targeted them like they have us, though,” Connie pointed out.

“Because they don’t consider witches as paranormals,” Hudson said. “Which is stupid because they are definitelyother.”

---