19. Into the Dark
19 Into the Dark “I’ll go first.” Jacob knelt by the trapdoor. “Inluesco.” A shining blue light appeared in his palm. He leaned down into the blackness, stretching to make the light reach as far as it could. There was an old wooden ladder packed into the dirt wall. “I can see a way down.” Jacob wished he could see the floor as well. Twisting around, he found a foothold with the toe of his sneaker. The wooden rung of the ladder creaked and sagged under his weight. Emilia grabbed his arm, steadying him as he tipped back. “I’m fine.” Jacob took a shaky breath. He moved his foot to the next rung and heard Emilia scream as he tumbled backward. The fall lasted only a moment before he hit the dirt floor with a crunch and a thud. Pain shot through his back. “Jacob!” Emilia shouted, silhou
- Writer
