I took a deep breath, smelling the damp earth and the faint scent of fuel.

I slid my foot forward, feeling for the next step.

The stairs ended, leveling out into a narrow mud-packed corridor.

I walked slowly, my shoulder brushing against the rough dirt walls.

Luca had stopped crying, but he was breathing fast, his warm breath puffing against my neck.

I held them both as close as I could, trying to shield them from the damp chill of the tunnel.

Ahead of me, a faint yellow glow appeared on the wet floor.

I stopped, my heart freezing.

I pressed my back against the muddy wall, holding my breath.

The light was moving, swinging back and forth across the damp brickwork.

It was a flashlight.

Someone was already down here, or they had found another entrance.

“Clara?” a voice called out.

It wasn’t Dominic, and it wasn’t Silvio.

The voice was thin, reedy, and entirely unfamiliar.

I shrank back into the shadows, looking for anywhere to hide.

The tunnel was straight, with no side alcoves or doors.