The Luna Choosing Game

“Maybe we should turn back,” Nicholas said.

“Too late now,” Julian said. “We’ve got to be sure.”

“I see light up there, Julian,” Nicholas said. “Dim the flashlight.”

Julian turned to the flashlight to the dimmest setting, and aimed it down at the ground. We had to move

slower than before, so as not to trip. She walked lightly to keep our footsteps from generating noise.

At the end of the tunnel, the walls abruptly stretched open into a room.

A room full of cages. A single tungsten bulb hung down from the ceiling, the only light in the room full of

shadows.

“What the —?” I began to say. Nicholas abruptly covered my mouth. He yanked me back into the

darkness of the tunnel. Julian followed at once, clicking off the flashlight.

A door on the far side of the room cracked open, and in walked Terry beside a man I had never seen

before a man dressed entirely in black with sallow cheeks and dark eyes.

–

“As you can see this room should offer the organization needs for their purposes,” Terry said to his

associate. “I have used this area for my own personal enjoyment in the past. These cages are quite

effective at breaking a person’s spirit.”

“And what of this opening here?” the associate said. With silent steps, he came closer to the tunnel.

Nicholas tugged me closer to him, until my back was flat against his chest. He still held his hand over

my mouth, but now I held my breath as well.

My heart thundered, however, so loudly I worried the strange, dangerous man could hear it.

“A personal project,” Terry said, walking closer. “Though one that has been bearing fruit. Soon, I will have much to offer the underground organization. Perhaps even something like a crown.”

“We don’t need the crown,” the man said. He peered into the darkness. I swear he looked right at me, but he looked away just as quickly. “What we need are more abilities, and the room for expansion.”

“I offer much,” Terry said. His eyes narrowed. “You would do well not to disrespect my contributions.”

The man looked back at Terry. “You may hold sway in the royal palace, Terry, but in the underground

organization, you must still prove yourself.” This content © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

“Ridiculous,” Terry snapped.

The man turned to face him. In an instant, there was a knife in his hand. “Your birthright means nothing,

and you will learn your place one way or another.”

Terry puffed out his chest. “You dare threaten me in my own home.”

“It’s not a threat.” The man tilted his knife, catching it under the orange light. “It’s a reminder. You have

the ear of the King, but the underground controls all. This is your home because we allow it. Your King is

king because we allow it.”

Terry closed his mouth so tightly a muscle ticked in his jaw.

The man in black returned his knife into his sleeve.

For a while, no one said anything, then Terry cleared his throat.

“Shall we continue on with the tour?” Terry asked..

The man nodded.

Terry led him from the room. In the quiet, the light bulb buzzed.

My heart continued to beat out of control.

Slowly, Nicholas lowered his hand from my mouth.

Julian looked back at us both. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

We all agreed.

The return trip was much quicker, though quieter. We couldn’t run in the dark, but we moved with a careful quickness we hadn’t shown before.

Only when we were back in the cellar room with the secret door closed behind us, did I dare to breathe deeply again.

“What the hell?” Nicholas cursed.

I understood that sentiment.

Terry was undoubtedly involved in the underground organization, and the secret tunnel led straight to his mansion.

Just how deep did this organization go?