Devil's Attic

Chapter Fourteen

Jonathan chuckled, his arm around Henry's shoulders to steady him. "I wouldn't say that too loudly if I were you."

"Don't worry, we're safe for now. The critters are with their owners and everyone's in the city. As for what's to come... who knows? Maybe a dragon will swoop down from the sky, or a witch will cast a spell on us. Or perhaps a shaman will offer us some relief from this pain with drugs made from ergot," Henry nodded, his face contorted in agony. "I wouldn't say no to that."

Jonathan cast a worried glance at his lifelong friend. Henry was no stranger to pain, having endured broken bones, concussions, and countless bruises over the years. But this time was different. "We need to get you to a hospital," Jonathan said firmly. "Don't worry, we'll take care of you. And once you're feeling better, you can have all the jello you want."

Henry remained silent, but a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Jonathan noticed that the batteries in his flashlight were starting to dim. When he asked Eden about hers, she shook her head apologetically and said she was out, and Paul chimed in, "Kevin had the extra batteries in his backpack."

Jonathan's heart sank. If they ran out of light down here, they would be completely lost. The beam from the flashlight only illuminated a small circle around them, and the thought of being plunged into total darkness was terrifying.

Henry spoke up, breaking the tense silence. "Don't worry, I've got spare batteries," he said, his voice steady.

The seemingly endless tunnel stretched before them, its gentle curves causing Jonathan to grow increasingly concerned. He had lost track of how deep underground they were, and the frigid air sent shivers down his spine. The thirst was starting to gnaw at him, but he knew they had to conserve the little water they had in case they encountered danger.

After what felt like an eternity, the tunnel finally opened up into another cave, revealing a faint glow in the distance. Jonathan quickly extinguished the flashlight, not wanting to draw attention to their presence. It took a few moments for their eyes to adjust to the dim light, but as they did, the details of the cave came into view.

Unlike the previous caves, this one had been meticulously shaped, with smooth, straight walls that contrasted with the natural ceiling above. The soft illumination emanated from the fireflies suspended in large nets, casting a yellow-greenish glow throughout the space. The students cautiously ventured further into the cave, their senses on high alert. Jonathan whispered, "It seems relatively safe here. I don't see the blue light, only the warm glow of the fireflies."

"The reptile creatures don't emit light," Paul corrected him, his tone admonishing. Jonathan had to concede that he had momentarily pushed the existence of the creatures out of his mind, but now the reality of their situation came crashing back.

The group moved cautiously through the cave, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. "I think they're breeding them," Eden speculated, approaching one of the nets. She reached out to touch it, and the fireflies inside buzzed around excitedly. "And look at this," she exclaimed, pointing to the material of the net. "It's made of grass, dried grass. That means they need to get it from somewhere." Her eyes widened as the implications sank in. "This is... this is... That means they HAVE to get out. They have to get it from somewhere."

The group's excitement was palpable as they processed Eden's discovery. For the first time in days, a glimmer of hope had appeared on the horizon. Bathed in the warm glow of the fireflies, they continued to explore the cave, eventually coming across another archway at the far end. Without a word, they quickened their pace and approached it, their hearts pounding with anticipation. "There's something written here too," Eden whispered reverently.