After snacking in the library, the group resumed their search for the elusive cave writings. The underground museum was vast and winding, with long corridors and countless rooms stretching far into the distance.
Jenny pushed the baby's stroller from the rear, while Nick led the group at the front.
"Are we even going in the right direction?" John asked, anxiety evident in his tone.
"We're not sure," Jasmine replied softly. "But we have to find the cave writings."
Elizabeth peered down a side hallway. "How are we supposed to know where exactly they are, with all these locked rooms? Maybe we should try peeking inside a few. Break them open if we must."
"What? What if we find something creepy or horrifying?" Jenny asked nervously.
"She's right," William added. "We can't keep walking blindly. We have to try opening some of these doors. Although... there are way too many."
Nick nodded. "We won't know unless we try. If the rooms all have the same contents, we'll stop. But if they're different—if we find something unique—then we may be on the right track. Maybe even find a cave disguised as a modern room."
With that, they set to work. Nick led the effort, kicking open the first door. Inside, they found the skeleton of a well-preserved figure, encased in glass.
"This plaque says he was a clan chief who ruled during a specific era," Nick read aloud. "Is this useful?"
"Not really," Elizabeth said flatly. "Let's check the next room."
They broke into several more rooms—each containing skeletal remains of prominent leaders, similarly preserved and labeled. After the fifth identical display, Jasmine shook her head.
"Guys, these are all the same—just different leaders, different timeframes. These records might be important historically, even prophetic, but they're not helpful to us now. Only current council documents can help us decode the puzzle box."
"Then let's keep moving," William urged. "We can't waste time. We still need to find those cave writings and learn how to perform the exorcism."
"But what if these hallways just go on forever?" Elizabeth asked. "Are we sure we won't hit a dead end?"
"We'll find out," Nick replied. "If we reach the end and find nothing, we double back."
"And how are we going to deal with those bats that keep trailing us?" Jasmine asked.
"I've got nets in my backpack," Tiffy said. "But only four. If we run into a whole swarm, that's a problem."
"Then maybe we test them first. Try to catch a few and see what works," Jasmine suggested.
"You want to play bat-trapping games?" Tiffy laughed. "Sounds fun. I've also got ropes—plenty of them."
After walking for what felt like forever, the group stumbled upon an old railway trolley and twin tracks that split in two directions. A large sign loomed overhead:
BEWARE OF ZOMBIES!
"What is this place?" Lama asked, eyes wide.
"No idea," Nick said, reading the sign again. "Looks like the rail lines start here and diverge. And apparently, we've entered zombie territory."
"Wait—zombies aren't hybrids, right?" Elizabeth asked, hesitantly.
"No," Jenny replied. "They're reanimated dead—bodies moved by spirit armies. Bullets barely work on them. You'd need a barrage. But they're not as tough as hybrids or mutants."
"And what happens if we kill them? Do the spirits just float away and return later?" John asked.
"Exactly," Jenny nodded. "Like bats, they have to be bound. Otherwise, the spirits might come back. I think we'll need a lot more ropes and chains."
"Where are we going to get chains?" Nick asked.
Mikal spoke up. "I remember reading something in the library. There's a section on slavery history in this place—talked about prisoners being chained."
"And you didn't think that info was useful earlier?" Tiffy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well... I didn't think we'd actually need chains," Mikal admitted.
"Then let's find those rooms," Nick said, taking charge. "They might be in a different wing. We'll backtrack if we have to. Forward ever, backward never—childhood motto."
Room by room, they searched again. Early on, the rooms held nothing but bones and artifacts. But midway down a corridor, they found a preserved slavery exhibit. Breaking the glass, they stole several old chains and regrouped.
"Okay, we've got the chains," Nick said. "Let's go find those zombies—and after that, the bats."
Back at the junction, they paused, staring down both railway paths.
"Which way now?" Elizabeth asked, nervous. "Either path could be crawling with those things."
"Don't stress," Nick said. "We're chasing justice. One way or another, we'll find peace."
"I can use my mice," Jenny said.
"We have no time to waste. Do it," William encouraged.
Jenny summoned two mice and sent them down each path. Minutes later, they returned—one signalled about heading left.
"They chose the left tunnel," Jenny confirmed.
"That's good enough for me," Nick said. "Let's go."
"Wait! Why don't we use the trolley?" Jasmine asked.
"Why? We can walk," Tiffy shrugged.
"No! I've got phobias, okay? Those creatures are terrifying!" Jasmine said, freezing in place.
Nick nodded. "Okay. Let's take the trolley."
"How do we even know it works?" Tiffy muttered, but followed the group as they climbed into the trolley.
Once aboard and moving, Jasmine turned to Jenny. "Are your mice really accurate?"
Jenny sighed. "They followed my spell to pick the path that was likely to lead to the cave writings. It was a gamble."
Tiffy smirked. "So you don't even trust your own mice?"
"Trust is tricky," Jenny muttered.
"I agree," Tiffy said. "Even family can betray you. Siblings, parents, lovers—anyone. People vote against you, lie, turn their backs. Creatures have trust issues."
Nick frowned. "You don't even trust your husband?"
"If I had power, I'd train and limit anyone—even you. Trust has to be earned."
"What happened to make you feel that way?" Nick asked gently.
"Life," Tiffy said. "People disobey orders. Even sacred texts talk about betrayal and abuse of power."
"I'm sorry you've felt that," Nick said. "But thank you for being honest. I'm glad you're my wife."
"Thanks, Nick," she whispered.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Alright lovebirds, focus. We need to find the cave."
Silence fell as they looked out from the trolley.
"There!" Nick pointed out.
The trolley rolled forward, the torches were dimming as they entered a deep, dark cave.
"It's darker here. Even our torchlights are weakening," Jenny said.
"Is the baby okay?" Jasmine asked.
"He's asleep. Let's hope he stays that way," Jenny whispered.
Suddenly, high-pitched squeaks echoed as bats flew overhead. The group ducked instinctively.
"That was close," Nick breathed. "Let's stay alert."
"Oh no. Spiders," Jasmine pointed out with a shudder. "Big ones."
"Okay," Tiffy said. "For Jasmine's sake, let's clear this place out."
They drew their weapons and began neutralizing the creatures lurking in the darkness, preparing to face whatever waited beyond.