Chapter 61

They made the right call. That much was clear as noises resounded from above and the corresponding footsteps amounted to more than Maya had predicted. There was no time to keep counting as she continued leading Luke down, the path still as distinct as when she had last used it.

“Once the tile clicks into place, every sound below is muted as long as it’s at a minimal level. No shouting or loud noises. That’s what my clan leader, Bruce Leonard, taught us since we were young.”

Luke didn’t ask questions yet, perhaps focused on traipsing through the dark. Below, she found better footing when she reached a flat surface, where she blindly searched the walls until she found prominent dots. She counted in her head, then pushed one, holding on to his arm while she braced for the results.

Nothing happened at first. Then a panel slid open from the wall, where a screen shone to provide them ample light. It also showed them a view of the hut upstairs, which was still empty.

“An emergency bunk,” Luk