Page 47 of Beyond the Darkness

Connie’s flashlight revealed stacks of crates sealed with heavy padlocks. “Hudson! Over here,” he called softly.

Hudson and Kit approached. Kit’s gaze swept across the stacks of crates and barrels along the walls.

Meanwhile, Hudson inspected a crate closely. “These are new,” he muttered, brushing off a thin layer of dust. “They haven’t been here long.”

“They’re transporting something through these tunnels,” Denisha said.

“Smart of them.” Hudson eyed the crates with a frown. “We need to know what’s inside these crates but breaking them open could bring us unwanted attention.”

Kit looked around nervously. “That’s a problem.”

Denisha nodded slowly, her face grim. “It’s a risk but finding out what’s in these might give us an edge. I can try to open one quietly.”

“Try not to break the lock, if at all possible. Or make it look like it was maybe dropped and broke on its own,” Hudson said after a moment’s hesitation.

Carefully, Denisha set to work. Minutes ticked by slowly, until finally, Denisha managed to open the crate. She paused, glancing around before she lifted the crate lid just enough to see inside.

“What is it?” Connie asked impatiently.

Denisha’s eyes widened slightly as she looked back at them. “Weapons,” she whispered. “This one has surface-to-air missiles, I think.”

The implications hung heavy in the air, like the damp chill surrounding them.

“We need to gather evidence and get out,” Hudson said. “We’ll take pictures and then reseal everything as best as we can, then get the hell out of this tunnel.”

“We’re not going to keep exploring?” Denisha asked.

“My gut says to get out of here,” Hudson said. “Text Kage and let him know to get out.”

“I will,” Denisha said, already typing out the message.

They worked quickly and silently, documenting their discovery without altering the scene more than necessary.

Once done, Hudson motioned toward the way they had come in. “Let’s go.”

They retraced their steps around the lake. As they strolled by, Kit’s gaze fell upon the water, and he gasped. Had he just seen something? A humanlike figure darting beneath the surface? Could it be a… merman?

Kit slowed his pace, squinting at the dark water, trying to make sense of the quick flicker he’d seen. “Guys, hold up. I think I just saw something in the water.”

Hudson immediately appeared by Kit’s side, as did Connie. Denisha turned her cell phone toward the lake, the flashlight beam piercing through the darkness.

“Nothing. Kit, are you sure?” Connie asked, scanning the area intensely.

“Yeah, something moved. It was fast, like a shadow just beneath the surface,” Kit said, his voice tense.

Hudson stepped closer to the edge of the water, his expression unreadable. “It could be a mer. But that would mean there’s access to the ocean.”

“Surely, if they’d found this, they would’ve told everyone,” Connie said. “They’re just as involved as the rest of us in the hunt for Lennox.”

“True. That means if it’s not a mer, then it’s either some paranormal creature no one knows anything about or—”

“It’s a hunter with mer DNA,” Hudson said. “Which means we need to get out of here immediately. Keep your eyes peeled and stay alert.”

Denisha watched the still surface. “If they know we’re here, this could get dangerous fast.”

“Let’s keep moving,” Hudson said with a nod. “But everyone stay close and keep an eye on that damn water.”

They continued their trek around the edge of the lake, their steps cautious and measured. Every small sound seemed amplified in the vast cavern, echoing off the walls and mixing with the soft lapping sounds of the water.

---