Chapter 7 – The Tunnel Keeper
The gray-bearded man stopped at the edge of the clearing.
He smiled at Daniel as though they were old acquaintances.
"You found him."
Daniel stepped in front of Leo.
"You're not taking another step."
The three masked men spread out, slowly circling the cabin.
The elderly woman lowered her revolver.
"They weren't supposed to come yet," she whispered.
The gray-bearded man glanced at her.
"You've become careless, Eleanor."
"So your name is Eleanor," Daniel said.
She closed her eyes.
"It doesn't matter anymore."
"It matters to the families."
The man's smile disappeared.
"Enough."
He nodded toward Leo.
"Bring the boy."
None of the masked men moved.
Instead, they looked toward the woods behind Daniel.
A distant chorus of sirens echoed through the trees.
Police were getting closer.
The gray-bearded man cursed under his breath.
"We're out of time."
Leo clutched Daniel's arm.
"Dad..."
Daniel leaned close without taking his eyes off the men.
"It's okay."
Leo shook his head.
"No."
"They're not after me."
Daniel frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"They're after..."
Leo stopped speaking.
The gray-bearded man laughed.
"Go on."
"Tell him."
Leo looked at his father with terrified eyes.
"They don't want anyone finding the tunnel."
Daniel's mind raced.
"The tunnel under Patricia's house?"
Leo nodded.
"It doesn't stop there."
Detective Sarah Collins emerged from the trees with six deputies.
"Police!"
She raised her weapon.
"Everyone, where I can see your hands!"
The masked men scattered instantly.
Two disappeared into the woods.
One dove behind the cabin.
The gray-bearded man didn't run.
Instead, he slowly raised his hands.
"You've made a mistake, Detective."
Collins kept her pistol trained on him.
"I don't think so."
"I own this property."
"That can be discussed later."
The man smiled.
"You don't understand what you've found."
"I understand enough."
"No."
He looked directly at Daniel.
"You've only opened the first door."
Deputies rushed to Leo.
A paramedic gently wrapped a blanket around his shoulders.
"It's okay," she said softly.
"You're safe now."
Leo didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the cabin.
"Eleanor..."
The elderly woman sat heavily on the porch steps.
She no longer held the revolver.
Tears streamed down her face.
"I never wanted children to get hurt."
Collins approached cautiously.
"Then help us."
Eleanor looked toward the gray-bearded man.
"He won't let me."
The man laughed.
"I don't have to."
A deputy suddenly shouted from inside the cabin.
"Detective!"
Collins hurried through the doorway.
Daniel followed despite an officer's protest.
The cabin was much larger inside than it appeared.
Behind a bookshelf, a hidden steel door stood open.
Concrete stairs descended underground.
Fresh footprints covered the dust.
Collins shined her flashlight downward.
The beam disappeared into darkness.
A cool draft drifted upward.
One of the deputies swallowed hard.
"It goes deep."
Leo stepped into the doorway.
"I told you."
Daniel put an arm around him.
"Where does it lead?"
Leo hesitated.
"To other houses."
The room fell silent.
"How many?" Collins asked.
Leo lowered his eyes.
"I don't know."
"We weren't allowed to count."
Daniel stared at him.
"We?"
Leo nodded slowly.
"I wasn't alone."
Every officer in the room froze.
Collins knelt to meet Leo's eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"There were other kids."
"How many children?"
"I don't know."
"Where are they now?"
Leo pointed into the darkness beneath the cabin.
"They're still waiting."
At that exact moment, a faint sound drifted up through the tunnel.
Three slow knocks.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Then, barely audible...
May you like
A frightened child's voice echoed through the concrete passage.
"Is someone there?"
