Eyes of the Midari

Part 8

Jess

Jess focused on her breathing. She sliced through the water with ease. She just had to keep breathing. Get in and get out. Simple as that. She tried to keep her heart from beating out of her chest. She dove under quickly and took a gander at where everyone was. Lucca was close behind her and Levi and Aria weren't too far back. She dove back under and swam hard and fast until she could make out the jagged tan ledge. She gasped as she broke the surface and hauled herself onto the cold floor of the catacombs. She lay on her back for several seconds as she caught her breath. Torches flanked either side of the entrance to the tunnels; the rocky alcove flickered with the firelight.

Deep breaths. Just keep taking deep breaths.

She heard a gasp and moved aside as Lucca heaved himself up. She decided to look at the flickering torches instead of Lucca, dripping wet. She shook her head; dear God, she had to get her head straight.

Lucca lifted his braid as it dripped a puddle on the floor, "Well, that was fun. You're an insane swimmer."

Jess groaned as she stood and squeezed her hair out, "Add it to the list of my many talents."

Lucca thinned his eyes at her, "You're fidgeting."

"The water was cold."

"No, it wasn't."

She waved her hands, "This place just gives me the creeps alright? I mean, hell, two kids jumped off the cliff right above us. Let's not forget we are underneath a ghost house for all we know."

Lucca hummed, "I wonder where the Otanis went." He motioned to the torches behind them, "Those don't just light themselves."

Jess was saved from his questioning stare as Aria hauled herself onto the floor. Levi followed after her, less gracefully.

He spat a little water, "I haven't swum like that in years." He looked at Jess, "You were like a bullet."

Jess did a little bow, "Hurry up and shake off." She grabbed one of the torches, "We have some hunting to do."

She led the way as she approached the dark corridor. A cold whisper of wind swirled toward them.

Lucca whispered, "Ghosts?"

"Very funny," Jess took the first steps into the tunnel, "Just stay close."

Droplets of water fell sporadically from the numerous stalactites. One hit her head every so often and sent a shiver down her spine. The fire sizzled and sputtered in the damp air.

Levi's voice echoed from behind her, "This place is definitely haunted."

Before Jess could make a snide remark, she felt the floor shift from uneven gravel to a smooth texture.

Aria came up beside her, "Would ya look at that? I think we found the Otani catacombs."

Jess lit another torch near her side and the whole room lit up. Rows and rows of plaques scattered the golden-bricked walls. There had to be at least fifty stretching down the entire hall.

Lucca brushed his hand along the ones nearest to them, "Look here, Markus and Lillian Otani. Those were the last heads of the family that were heard from, no?"

Aria nodded as she went to his side, "You don't think they really died do you? I mean how did they keep that from the public? The three families were like royalty; if one of them sneezed people bought handkerchiefs."

Lucca's smile turned devilish, "Only one way to find out."

To Jess's horror, he began to pull on the handle of the tomb.