The steel door sealed behind them with a deafening boom.
For a moment, the only sounds were their hurried footsteps and Evelyn's ragged breathing.
Anthony switched on the flashlight from his phone.
A narrow stone tunnel stretched ahead, disappearing into darkness.
"This wasn't part of the archive," he said.
Mercer nodded.
"No. William had it built as an emergency escape route."
Benjamin glanced back toward the sealed door.
"How long will it hold?"
Mercer's expression was grim.
"Not long enough."
They pressed on.
The tunnel sloped upward, its walls rough and damp with age.
Every few meters, a small lantern niche had been carved into the stone, though none had been lit for years.
Evelyn's hand brushed against the wall.
Her fingers caught on something.
Letters.
Someone had ca
