Chapter 12- A Shortcut to Doom
As they descended deeper into the earth, Edwin became increasingly grateful for his enhanced mouse vision. As Moll had warned, the ground was steep and slippery underfoot, making progress slow. He’d lost track of how long they’d been travelling; he suspected it had been the best part of a day, but it could have been even longer. It seemed ages since they’d stopped for a bite to eat (much to his surprise, Edwin had found the dried seeds and mouldy crumbs quite tasty), but whilst he was desperate for another breather, he knew they couldn’t afford the luxury. Time was of the essence; he had to find the Key before Bryony and the rats.
A sudden noise interrupted Edwin’s thoughts: a weird, scratchy-scuttling sound that came from somewhere behind him.
“Did you hear that?” he murmured, glancing nervously over his shoulder.
“The only thing I heard was you blundering about,” said Stubby. “You’re as stealthy as a buffalo in bubble-wrap boots.”
“It’s not my fault,” pleaded Edwin. “It’s hard to keep my balance with this dead weight on my shoulders.”
“Thought you would have gotten used to it by now,” replied Stubby. “Or did you mean the food sack?”
“Careful,” warned Moll, who was now some distance ahead of them. “We are within the Sisterhood’s territory, and the slightest noise could alert them to our presence. Now wait there whilst I scout ahead.”
Before Edwin or Stubby could protest, Moll scampered off down the passage. Seconds passed, most of which Edwin spent glancing nervously behind him. Then he heard another noise: not a scratchy scuttling sound, but a sharp gasp from Stubby.
“What’s wrong?” Edwin wondered why Stubby had frozen stiff. It usually wasn’t a good sign.
Stubby’s nostrils twitched. “Can you smell that?”
Edwin sniffed. At first he smelled nothing except damp stone and mouse. Then, inhaling more deeply, he picked up another scent: a curious odour that reminded him of an old garden shed, musty kitchen cupboards and dead insects.
“It’s them,” breathed Stubby. “The Sisterhood.”
Edwin’s stomach knotted as he peered down the steep passage. “We must warn Moll.” He put his hands to his mouth to call out, but Stubby silenced him with a raised paw.
“You’ll only alert them to our presence.”
“But we’ve got to tell her,” hissed Edwin. “Before it’s too…”
A shrill scream rang through the passage.
“That was Moll,” gasped Edwin. “She’s in trouble.”
“Stay here,” said Stubby. “I’ll go look for her.”
Edwin wasn’t keen on that idea. “Can’t I go with you?”
“You’ll slow me down. I’ll be back in a few seconds. Just stay where you are, and don’t make a sound.”
Stubby bounded off down the passage. Edwin waited, peering anxiously all around him for the faintest sign of movement. He heard a noise in front of him, the sound of scuffling feet, but when he looked down the passage he couldn’t see a thing.
Except the lights…
Two red lights flared in the darkness. Like a pair of eyes. Beady, red eyes.
“Stubby?” Edwin’s voice became a panicked squeak. “Is that you?”
The eyes disappeared.
Edwin inhaled again, catching another strange smell. It was different to the earlier scent; stronger, more pungent…
Edwin was trying to work out what the smell was, when he heard another scream. The noise was different this time, and he knew it wasn’t Moll.
“Stubby!” Without a thought for his own safety, Edwin ran into the darkness. But his leading foot slipped on a slimy rock, and he went sprawling forwards into nothingness…