Abby sent another arrow at the fourth one but missed. Cindy didn't, and the bolt of lightning sent him across the room and into the fireplace. Another spear flew between Abby and Cindy and clanked off the table behind them.
George traded two more blows with his goblin before it screeched something and ran for the door. Stevie's goblin scrambled to its feet and followed the other one.
Stevie held up his hand, and everyone stopped. The creatures slid the doors apart and disappeared into the dark hallway. “George, go check the door and secure it. We don't want them sneaking back with friends.”
Abby said, “I guess we know who broke the lock outside.”
Cindy said, “Gross, what's that smell?”
Stevie said, “I think it is what a goblin smells like when it has been fried by one of your lightning bolts.”
Jo walked into the room and looked around at the walls. They were covered with bookshelves that were mostly empty. She said, “I think they're called Wintlocks. My parents used to tell a story about running into a pack of them on their challenge.”
Cindy held her nose. “Wintlocks stink.”
Stevie rounded the wall and said, “Hey, check this out.”
On the tiny table were a small stack of copper coins, a really nice book, and a pair of leather gloves. Jo picked up the book and opened it. “I can't read this one at all.”
Stevie said, “Who wants the gloves?”
Cindy said, “They don't really go with my outfit,” and winked.
Abby said, “You take them, Stevie.”
George said, “They look too big for my hands anyway.”
Jo pulled out one of the backpacks from her magic leather pouch and put the coins in the side pocket. She slid the book into the backpack and put it back in the pouch.
George said, “That is awesome. We found treasure!”
Abby said, “We better keep moving.”
Stevie straightened up. “Mount up.”
Cindy asked, “What?”
“It means let’s go,” Stevie said.
Cindy said, “I've played enough Halo to know that it usually means get in the vehicle or on a horse or something.”
George said, “You play Halo?”
“Yes. I'd kick your butt.”
George hung his head. “My parents won't let me have it. They say it's too violent.”
Cindy said, “As opposed to sending you on the challenge to fight monsters for real?”
George thought about it and nodded. “That's a great argument. Maybe you could talk to them when we get back.”
Cindy said, “Sure thing, Georgie boy.”
Abby gave Stevie a look. He saw it and said, “Okay, let's...move out.” He gave a nod to Cindy.
Their eyes had trouble adjusting to the dark hallway, but their ears told them they were alone. Stevie checked each door they passed but didn't find any more Wintlocks hiding in wait. One hall led to another, then up some stairs, and down another set until they eventually found themselves in a grand ballroom. Stevie took them around the edge to another set of doors that were open. Stained glass windows let the afternoon light in and bathed the floor in color.
The sound of Wintlocks massing together floated down the hall. Stevie could hear what sounded like dozens of them, and he could see another shabbily made barricade blocking the far end. “Quick, help me close these doors.”
Though massive, they were perfectly balanced and slammed shut. The sound echoed and now the chatter of Wintlocks could scarcely be heard on the other side. The volley of arrows hitting the doors was unmistakable, though.
Stevie said, “We either need to retreat or find another way out of this room.”
Abby said, “Let's circle back around the other side. Maybe there's another way out.”
George said, “Wait here.” He took off, zipping along the walls, and disappeared behind a row of hanging banners. “I've found a door.”
Everyone ran towards his voice. A small, carved wooden door led to a spiral staircase. The pounding of tiny hands on the massive doors meant the Wintlocks were on the attack.
Abby said, “Hurry up the stairs. I'll get the door.”
Everyone ran past her, and she closed the door. Abby checked, but the lock was broken. When she reached the top of the stairs, she said, “The lock is broken. They'll be on us in minutes.”
Stevie looked around the room; it didn't look ransacked like the others. “I don't think they've been up here yet. They may just run down the hall we came out of.”
For a minute, they stood at the top of the stairway and listened, but they heard no sounds of approaching Wintlocks. Stevie said, “I think we should move out.”
George said, “Should we block the door?”
“Good idea.”
It took four of them to move the heavy sideboard next to the door. “That should do the trick. Those little guys won't be able to push through it.”
The other door led to a hallway that curved in a wide arc to the left. There weren't any windows, so Stevie activated the glyph on his sword in order to see. At the end of the curved hall was another door and, beyond that, a huge room with six arched doorways. In the center of the floor was written, “Ye must choose the path alone.”
Abby said, “I don't like the sound of that. Six arches, and it seems they want us to each pick a different one.”
George said, “That is how people get in trouble in the movies. I say we all go down one.”
Stevie said, “Which one?”
Cindy said, “I am soooo completely over the whole challenge thing. I stink, and I want to take a bath. This is sucking more than ever. Gawd, my hair is a mess.”
Jo said, “I don't like to admit it, but Cindy's right.”
Abby said, “Well, then let's figure this out and get home.”
Stevie said, “I'm having a blast.”
George said, “I'm having fun, too. Maybe we'll find more treasure.”
Abby went up to one of the arches and put her hand on the glyph. Nothing happened, so she continued around. After touching them all, she said, “It isn't like the stairs. I didn't feel anything.”
George stood near one arch and, while looking at the top of it, stepped through. A blue, glowing field lit up the inside of the arch. He tried to get back but couldn't. “Hey, I'm stuck.”
Everyone gathered around and looked for a way to release the force field, but nothing seemed to work.
Cindy said, “I guess he made his choice. I'm taking that one over there. I'll see you on the other side.”
Abby said, “Wait, we need to think about this.”
Cindy waved her hand and walked through. A pink glowing field closed behind her. She kept walking and didn't look back.
Stevie shrugged and said, “I don't think it matters now. No sense wasting any more time.” He picked an arch; a red, glowing field covered it.
Jo and Abby looked at each other. Jo said, “Which one do you want?”
“I guess I’ll take this one. See you later.”
***
George arrived at the dome room shortly after Stevie. He said, “That wasn't so bad.”
“Nah, but I did take one wrong turn,” George replied.
They stood in the center of the room and waited for the others. Stevie said, “I'm going to sit down.” He went to the wall near where he had come out and slumped down on the stone bench. George followed and sat next to him.
There was an uncomfortable silence. Stevie asked, “What's life like in Ann Arbor?”
George shrugged, “Pretty boring, and it is really cold this time of year. Most years, we go visit my cousins in Phoenix over the Christmas break, which is great because it's warm. I like going to football games with my dad. He went to Ohio State, but now he works at the university and cheers for both teams. What's life in Boston like?”
“Boston is okay, but we get a lot of snow, too. I'd rather live in Florida, well, if Abby was there.”
“Is she your girlfriend?”
>
“Nah, she's my best friend...who just happens to be a girl.”
“That's cool.”
“Yeah, most of the kids at school are kinda boring and stupid.”
“Did I ask if you have any brothers and sisters? I don't remember.”
“Nah, I'm an only child...well...maybe.”
“What do you mean?”
Stevie didn't say anything for a while. George thought he might have asked something he shouldn't have, but then Stevie said, “I was four when I was put into foster care, but I don't really remember when it happened. I can remember my first family. They were this white couple in Sherborn. They couldn't have kids, and they thought I'd do. They were nice for a while, but then they started to fight and after a year got a divorce, and I was out. I went to another family, but they had four other foster kids and five ended up being more than they could handle. Eventually, I ended up in the orphanage. Not much hope of adoption for someone my age...or size, but the woman who runs it is okay.”
“Does she know where you are now?”
“Nah, but that isn't so strange. I sneak out all the time, and, on weekends, I'm almost always gone. The room I live in has a window that heads out to the roof. It goes down to a tree that is easy to climb, so I can come and go as I please. A lot of the older kids sneak out, so she never really knows who is where and, well, she drinks some.”
“Does it make you sad not having parents?”
“Yeah, sometimes. There's this one kid - he's gone now ‘cause he turned 18, but he told me something when I first got to the house. Basically he said, 'Kick butt in school and go to college. They got all sorts of money for poor kids that look like us. Then you can meet a fine woman, and you'll have a family. That's what I'm doing.'”
“What happened?”
“Winton, that's his name, he got straight A's all through high school and learned to play the trumpet. He's at Grambling now. He’s in the band and got a scholarship. So, I guess he was right. He gave me his calculator before he went. It's a nice one.”
“I bet you get good grades. You seem smart.”
“Straight A's the last two years,” Stevie said and held out a fist.
George bumped it with his and said, “Sometimes I get good grades; other times I get bored. I like learning but not everything.”
“Learning is cool,” Stevie said with a smile. He added, “I don't worry as much about not having parents now. I sort of feel like it will all work out. Plus, a few days ago I had one friend and now I have two.”
George didn't see that coming. He thought Stevie was the coolest guy he'd ever met and just sort of blurted out, “Me?”
“Heck, yes, you. I know you got my back.”
“I've never really had a friend before. The kids at school sort of make fun of me. Are you sure? I'm pretty dorky.”
“I don't know any dorks that can handle a sword and shield like you do. You da man!”
They heard the echo of footsteps from one of the tunnels. Stevie said, “I don't really talk much about the orphanage, so you mind keeping it...”
“I won't tell. I promise. Friends keep secrets forever.”
Jo came out of the tunnel looking confused. She stumbled a little, and they both jumped and ran towards her. George said, “Jo, are you alright?”
“Yeah, I think so. That was a strange maze, er, well, what was that?”
Stevie said, “I had a maze. It wasn't too tricky. The key is to always turn right if there is a choice and eventually you'll make it to the end.”
“Did your maze have flowers?”
Stevie and George looked at each other and said, “No.”
“It was strange. One of them smelled so good I just stood there. I think it was trying to trick me into just laying down and giving up the challenge.”
Stevie asked, “How did you get past it?”
“I just sort of knew I needed to keep going. There were other flowers, but I thought I shouldn't stop. My head is fuzzy.”
George took her by the arm and led her to the bench next to where she'd just come out of the tunnel. “You better sit down. If you dig out the bags, I'll find you some water.”
Jo opened her magic pouch and pulled out a backpack and handed it to George, “This one feels right.”
George opened it and gave her a bottle of water. She didn't say anything more. They all waited quietly for Abby and Cindy.
***
Cindy walked out of the tunnel.
George and Stevie looked at each other. Stevie said, “What happened to you?”
George asked, “You changed clothes and did your hair?”
Cindy said, “And you guys didn't?”
Stevie asked, “Why would we? What happened in your tunnel?”
Cindy said, “It was no big deal. I found a room with a great bathtub, and it was filled with warm water and bubbles. There were soaps and shampoos. It was a dream come true.”
George said, “You took a bath.”
“Not just a bath; a serious spa-like soak. It was so warm and relaxing. I could have just stayed there forever.”
Stevie said, “That is what they wanted. How did you escape?”
“Escape? Are you kidding? It wasn't like that. I soaked for a while, scrubbed the grime of our adventure off me, and left.”
Stevie asked, “But wasn't it like a spell or something to make you stay?”
“Maybe, but I knew all of you would get pissy if I stayed too long.”
George asked, “But what about the clothes?”
“Isn't it great? I love leather, and this outfit is perfect. Don't you love the vest?! The clothes were lying on a table next to the bath. I couldn't stand to put on my old stuff. This is my treasure. Oh, and I found these brushes and combs. I think they're silver.”
Stevie said, “That is a ridiculous challenge to overcome.”
“I think you look nice,” Jo said.
“Thanks, Jo. You mind putting these in the pouch?”
Abby stumbled out of the tunnel covered in soot and still smoldering. She collapsed.
Jo ran over and grabbed her. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Stevie said, “Get her some water. Are you okay?”
Abby replied, “I think so, but that was rough.”
George asked, “What happened?”
“The tunnel led to a room with pillars. When I walked in, a fireball shot out and almost got me.”
Jo handed her the water as Stevie helped her sit up. She continued, “At first, it seemed that every way I tried to go ended with me avoiding fire of some sort. It shot out of the walls, sometimes the floor, other times from the ceiling.”
George knelt beside her and asked, “How did you get through?”
“There were tiny spots on the floor that were safe.”
Jo wiped the soot from Abby's face. Cindy stood nearby, and Abby noticed her. “Did you go shopping?”
“Don't you love it?”
“Her challenge was a bathtub,” George said.
Abby said, “Naturally, I'm surprised you escaped.”
Cindy played with her hair and said, “It was harder than you might think. The water was lavender scented.”
Abby struggled to her feet. “Well, we all survived. What's next?”
Stevie said, “I don't know. The room doesn't have any doors other than the tunnels.”
George said, “Maybe there is a secret door,” and ran off to check. He sped between each arch, rubbing his hands furiously over the walls. Nothing happened.
Abby walked to the center of the room. It was a circle with six sections, each with a glyph. She found the one that matched her bow. When she stood on it, it lit up. “Hey, I think I've figured it out.”
Jo took her spot as did Cindy and George. Each time the glyph lit up. Stevie said, “We've got a problem. We don't have a sixth person.”
Abby said, “Maybe we only need five since that is all we had to start.”
Stevie took his spot, but nothing happened.
“We're screwed.”
Abby said, “Remember what Alphie said, ‘It is difficult but not impossible.’ There must be a way.”
Nobody said anything. They stood in silence for a bit then Abby said, “I have an idea.” She pointed the purple ring at the floor near her feet and said, “Ingressos.” Then she pointed at the empty section and said, “Egressus.” Abby opened the door and stepped one leg through. The other glyph lit up and the floor began to lower.
Cindy said, “I would have never thought of that in a million years.”
Stevie said, “You’re so clever.”
George and Jo just clapped.
The floor descended twenty feet, and an opening appeared. There were bars across the door, such as it was, but the room was clearly visible. There was a large stone table in the center and, behind that, a small pedestal with a red door on it. The floor slowed then stopped.
George ran to the bars. “We've made it. All we need to do...”
There was a loud rumble, and everything began to shake. The floor plunged. Everyone screamed as it dropped further and further. With a loud crash it stopped, sending everyone to the floor. Dust rose up. Abby coughed as she asked, “Is everyone alright?”
There were grumbles and moans, but nobody had any serious injuries. The heavy metal gate gave a loud creak as it started to swing open. Light from torches on the walls showed a cave of some sort. Stevie was first to walk in and said, “We've fallen into a catacombs.”
Cindy said, “We were almost home, and Georgie boy had to screw it all up.”
George said, “Hey, what did I do?”
“You moved, obviously, and now we’re stuck down here.”
George hung his head, but Jo quickly defended him. “We don't know that it was his fault. It just happened. I bet it was part of the challenge all along.”
Cindy shook her head and said, “Whatever.”
George said, “I'm sorry if it was my fault.”
Abby said, “It wasn't. Jo's right. We just need to find the way out of the catacombs and back to that room.”
Stevie said, “Look, there is a tunnel over here.”
Cindy said, “I'm not one to complain, but this place stinks. Seriously...like they couldn't leave an air freshener or two down here?”
Everyone followed Stevie even as Cindy continued to complain. “I just washed the filth of this place out of my hair and now look at it. My parents better get out their credit cards when I get home because I'm thinking spa day.”
Secret Doors: The Challenge Page 14
