Devil's Attic

Chapter Eighteen

Jonathan's eyes roamed restlessly, unsure of where to focus amidst the array of horrors that surrounded him. Perched on a jutting ledge, he gazed out at a mesmerizing sight: a seemingly endless sea of molten lava, casting a captivating reddish-yellow glow that engulfed the entire cavern. Intricate pathways, resembling a labyrinth, meandered through the luminous mass, stretching out as far as Jonathan's eyes could discern. Though these stone paths appeared solid, their narrowness gave an illusion of fragility, as if they could crumble away with the slightest touch.

Reptile creatures slithered stealthily along the cave's sidewalls, their attention yet to be drawn to the presence of the group. However, the ticking clock of discovery hung heavily in the air. Paul's distress manifested in tears and anxious mutterings, convinced they were doomed. In an unprecedented moment, even Jonathan's unwavering courage wavered. "Damn it," he cursed, his desperation mirroring his teetering composure. He desperately sought a path through the labyrinth, but the intertwining trails perplexed him, splitting and converging, offering no clear resolution until the very end of the arduous journey.

The cacophony of murmuring and thunderous footsteps from beyond the tunnel grew increasingly deafening, compelling the group to take action. Yet, palpable inertia held them captive, immobilized by fear.

Amidst the tense silence, Eden found her voice once more. "Alright, gentlemen, we have no choice. It's time to move," she uttered softly. However, the two men remained rooted in place, unmoved by her plea. Eden was taken aback by their lack of response. "Are you serious?" she asked incredulously, her eyes wide with disbelief. In a moment of frustration, she struck both Jonathan and Paul across the cheek, hoping to jolt them into action. "We're moving forward, now. We'll march out of this cave with our heads held high. Are you going to give up just like that?" Without waiting for a response, she turned and carefully stepped onto the narrow path. "I'd rather risk falling into the lava and dying trying to survive than let myself be trapped by these beings!" She shouted over her shoulder.

Jonathan shook his head, his resolve reignited, and he followed Eden's lead, with Paul trailing behind. With outstretched arms, they carefully balanced themselves on the narrow trail, hovering precariously 30 feet above the seething lava below. The abrupt transition from the cold of the previous days to the intense heat of the cavern was nearly unbearable. Jonathan's throat felt parched, and he struggled to swallow. A fit of coughing seized him as the scorching heat seared his lungs.

However, Eden's words resonated within him, reminding him of their proximity to the finish line. Giving up now seemed almost impossible. "Perhaps luck will be on our side," he exclaimed. "These creatures have large feet. It might be more challenging for them to navigate this treacherous terrain."

"But they had to pass through here when the caves were flooded," Eden countered. "They must have used this very same exit and made their way into the canyon. So, they've done it before."

Jonathan nodded in agreement with Eden's observation, his focus shifting back to the treacherous path ahead. However, the soft hissing sounds of the reptile creatures persisted, growing louder and more distinct. They had undoubtedly discovered the presence of the group and were now attempting to navigate their way from the cave walls into the labyrinth. Jonathan was acutely aware that time was running out, and it was only a matter of moments before the beings would reach the cave. Still, a glimmer of hope remained within him, clinging to the possibility that the beings had chosen the path leading to the river instead.

Jonathan's hopes were quickly dashed when he heard loud exclamations from behind him. The others had noticed the creatures' approach as well, and as Eden turned to face them, Jonathan urged her to focus on the path ahead. The narrow trail made it challenging to maintain balance, and they couldn't afford any distractions. At the next intersection, Eden and Paul veered left, while Jonathan took the right path. The paths would converge again in about 100 feet, but Jonathan wanted the beings to disperse as much as possible. He paused for a moment, cautiously looking back, and saw that the beings were already on their trail, moving with surprising ease. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, before resuming his journey forward.