The Tragedy Of The Thumbs Down Pin

Chapter 2: Shadows In The Woods

The dense forest that bordered Starr Park was known for its eerie silence and twisting

paths that seemed to lead nowhere. It was a place where even the bravest brawlers hesitated toventure. But for Edgar, the shadows and silence were familiar allies. He moved through theunderbrush with the stealth of a cat, his eyes scanning for any sign of Mortis.Edgar had spent days planning this reconnaissance mission. He knew Mortis oftenretreated to a secluded crypt deep within these woods, a place few had ever seen and fewer hadreturned from. If the thumbs down pin was hidden anywhere, it would be there.The sun had long since set, casting the forest into a realm of deep shadows and strangesounds. Edgar crouched behind a large oak tree, his eyes fixed on a clearing up ahead. In thecenter of the clearing stood an ancient mausoleum, its stone walls covered in ivy and moss. Faintlight flickered from within, casting eerie shapes on the surrounding trees.Edgar held his breath as he watched. Moments later, Mortis appeared, gliding towards themausoleum as if he were a part of the night itself. He moved with an almost supernatural grace,his long cloak billowing behind him. Edgar's heart pounded in his chest as he saw Mortis reachthe mausoleum and disappear inside.Waiting a few moments to ensure he wouldn't be detected, Edgar crept closer, taking careto avoid stepping on any twigs or leaves that might betray his presence. He reached the edge ofthe clearing and found a vantage point behind a fallen log, giving him a clear view of themausoleum's entrance.Minutes passed, each one stretching into an eternity. Then, the faint sound of voicesreached Edgar's ears. He strained to listen, recognizing Mortis' deep, resonant tone. He couldn'tmake out every word, but a few phrases caught his attention."...the pin must remain hidden... only the worthy can find it... power unimaginable..."Edgar's pulse quickened. He was close. Mortis continued speaking, and Edgar leaned in,desperate to catch more. He heard the faint scraping of stone and the sound of something beingplaced into a hidden compartment."The crypt below," Mortis intoned, his voice carrying a note of finality. "None but themost cunning shall uncover its secret."Edgar's mind raced. The crypt below the mausoleum held the thumbs down pin. He hadhis target. Now, he just needed to find a way in and retrieve it without alerting Mortis. As heformulated his plan, the sound of movement from within the mausoleum made him freeze.Mortis was leaving.Edgar pressed himself against the log, trying to blend into the shadows. Mortis emerged,his eyes scanning the clearing as if sensing something amiss. Edgar held his breath, willinghimself to be invisible. For a moment, it seemed Mortis would pass by, but then his gaze lockedonto Edgar's hiding spot."You can come out now," Mortis called, his voice eerily calm. "I know you're there."Edgar's heart sank. He had been discovered. He stood slowly, his mind racing withpossible escape routes. Mortis' eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, a knowing smile playing onhis lips."So," Mortis said, his voice dripping with amusement. "The little brawler thinks he canoutwit me. How quaint."Edgar swallowed hard, his muscles tensing for whatever might come next. The moonlightcast long shadows across the clearing, and for a moment, everything seemed to stand still. Mortistook a step closer, his presence oppressive and commanding."Tell me, Edgar," Mortis purred, his voice a dark whisper. "What brings you to mydomain?"Edgar's mind whirled as he tried to think of a way out. The crypt below held the pin, andnow Mortis knew he was after it. The stakes had just become much higher, and Edgar knew hewas in for the fight of his life.The forest seemed to hold its breath as Edgar faced Mortis, the fate of the thumbs downpin hanging in the balance.