Devil's Attic

Chapter Fifteen

"An exit!" Jonathan whispered, his words electrifying the group with newfound energy. They surged forward, Jonathan calling out for Henry once more, but the sleepy man only grumbled to himself, unwilling to wake up. The light ahead grew brighter and brighter until Jonathan's eyes ached and he had to pinch them shut. As they drew closer, he could make out a small passage leading outside, and he longed to feel the warmth of the sun on his skin. He took Eden's hand and pressed a kiss to it. "I love you, Baby."

"I love you, too," she replied, her smile widening even further. "And now, as we march out of here, we are one step closer to our dream of getting married."

"Can we please go to the hospital first?" Henry interrupted.

A soft laughter filled the air, and Jonathan felt an overwhelming surge of joy that made him want to howl with delight. The point of light continued to grow, expanding before their eyes, and they were just a few feet away from reaching the outside world. The passage was spacious enough for all three of them to walk side by side, but as soon as they emerged, their elation was abruptly snuffed out, replaced by a profound sense of disappointment that brought them to a halt.

"What's happening? Is the sun too blinding?" Henry asked impatiently. "Why aren't you moving forward? Are the horses still there?"

"There are no horses, Henry," Eden said, her voice choked with emotion, and Jonathan noticed the tears streaming down her cheeks. "There is no sun."

"No outside," Paul added, his voice breaking as he too burst into tears.

Jonathan swallowed hard, his heart heavy with the realization that they were still trapped, unable to escape to the outside world. As he put his arm around Eden's shoulders, pulling her close to his chest, he felt a mix of regret and admiration. They should have never ventured into this cave, let alone this area.

Despite the disappointment that permeated the group, Jonathan couldn't deny the awe-inspiring sight before them. A colossal statue, towering over them like a giant, depicted figure seated on a majestic throne, their eyes closed and mouths shut. The cave was illuminated by a mesmerizing display of millions of fireflies, their enchanting glow having lured them all into this captivating but confining space. Eden slumped in complete disappointment, and Jonathan knelt beside her, at a loss for words. There was nothing left to say. Paul lay on the ground, utterly drained, while Henry had finally turned around, his eyes fixed on the towering statue. "Great," he muttered.

"We'll find a way out of here," Jonathan whispered to his girlfriend, gently brushing her hair back. "I promise you, we're going to make it."

"How can you still be so optimistic?" Henry hissed suddenly, his eyes bloodshot and filled with despair. "I've been saying it for days. We can't get out of this godforsaken place. We're all going to die here."

"Enough, Henry!" Jonathan partially turned toward his friend. "We're getting out of here. We're gonna keep going, and we will find an exit."

"We won't!" cried Henry. "You and your damn optimism. This place is a goddamn maze. There are bizarre creatures down here that burst into flames in the water, and glowing giants. There are shit-balls floating under the ceiling. Four of us are already dead, Jonathan!"

"Do you really think that, Henry? Do you think I don't feel fear? That I'm not hungry or thirsty?" Jonathan stood up, his gaze fixed on Henry,

Eden also rose, placing her hands on Jonathan's chest in an attempt to calm him down. She was about to speak when Henry, consumed by a feverish frenzy, continued to provoke Jonathan. "Oh, of course, Mr. Nice Guy, you're perfect! You've never done anything wrong, never broken the law. People like you don't die in filthy caves, do they? No, because people like you will always be saved. You're the hero of this damn story. You'll get out of here and marry the heroine."