Into the Darkness

Chapter 7

"Guys this is not the maze! You said we were going back into the maze!" I can't see Carina. I can't see anyone. I only know she said it because she is the only one here with a French accent. I am not really sure myself if the maze would have been preferable to this. At least it would have been familiar. I would have known what was coming. We would have been able to see too.

"None of us were sure Carina." Benedict responds in a calm and steady voice, "I have a pack of matches in my bag. I am going to see if I can find them."

Silence.

I hear some rustling below. The unzipping of a backpack, the crinkling of plastic packaging.  It seems to take way to long for him to find them. I shiver. It's really cold down here. The room was a pleasantly warm temperature but was kind of musty. Thi is cool and smells fresh. Could we be close enough to the outside to smell the air? I hold back my excitement and reach out with my hands. Both of them are able to stretch out completely before hitting a cold metal wall.  It is smooth and bumpy with no cracks or breaks. This thing is man made. It is some sort of narrow hallway that gives no sign of widening. I have never been afraid of tight spaces but I already feel like the walls are closing in. I force myself to remain calm. I can't even see the walls, my fear is completely irrational. 

My eyes are just starting to adjust to the darkness and I think I can see the outline of the person in front of me when I hear match sliding against the box. After a few seconds, the hallway is illuminated. Not by much but any light is something. Everyone starts to look around. Behind us is a metal wall. You would never guess that it was actually a door. I was right about the narrow hallway. 

The match fizzles out and there is darkness again.

"Dale hand me that. On the wall next to you." He fumbles around in the darkness before accidentally banging something (presumably what Benedict asked him for) on the metal wall. The loud clang echoes throughout the hallway. Someone gasps at the loud noise.

There is the sound of another match being lit and the whole hallway is illuminated with a much bigger light. Benedict is holding one of those old fashioned torches that is now lit and burning strong. Now that I can see everything I can see that there is nothing to see. The hallway continues in the same way until I can't see it anymore. I look up to find that the that the tunnel is very tall. I'd say anywhere from 15 to 20 feet but the dim light doesn't help my estimation. 

I'm no the only one looking up either. Carina is staring up at the ceiling and makes a whispered exclamation in French, "What is this place?"

It was so quiet that I don't think anyone heard it and I'm not really sure she meant for anyone too so I don't answer, not that I have a good one anyway.

"Don't light yourself on fire Ben," Nevada says dryly after Benedict shifts the torch to his other hand and almost drops it.

Benedict smiles nervously, "It's heavier than it looks and it's Benedict."

Why does he care so much about his name, especially one like Benedict? I would gladly except the alternative and frankly much better nickname. 

"What now?" I ask, "Should we..." I let my voice trail off but gesture forwards.

"I guess. Let's go, team!" Benedict says with fake enthusiasm.

Nevada shakes her head, "Dude I won't call you Ben if you don't call us a team."

Benedict chuckles but doesn't say anything. A couple other people laugh nervously but we all start moving.

"Regretting your decision to come along yet," Ireland whispers. Until then I wasn't even aware she was next to me.
"I regretted it as soon as I stepped through the doorway. you?"