TWELVE
The tunnels were a maze, a city under the city. Some opened up into expansive chambers with alcoves and endless paths and corners to explore. Others led to dead ends or cliffs overlooking enormous caverns. The rock in spots was perilously slick, and the mothers were constantly after their children to be careful and stay with the group. Samantha couldn’t blame their excitement. Even she wanted to go exploring a few times, entranced by a particular outcropping of rocks or inclines that led to partially hidden caves along the walls. Only her nagging feeling of danger kept her excitement and curiosity at bay.
At the next intersection of tunnels, they stopped while the lead guard checked the carvings by each opening for the correct path. It was a slow process, but at least it gave them
