The Luna Choosing Game

“Maybe we should turn back,” Nicholas said.

“Too late now,” Julian said. “We’ve got to be sure.”

“I see light up there, Julian,” Nicholas said. “Dim the flashlight.”

Julian turned to the flashlight to the dimmest setting, and aimed it down at the ground. We had to move

slower than before, so as not to trip. She walked lightly to keep our footsteps from generating noise.

At the end of the tunnel, the walls abruptly stretched open into a room.

A room full of cages. A single tungsten bulb hung down from the ceiling, the only light in the room full of

shadows.

“What the —?” I began to say. Nicholas abruptly covered my mouth. He yanked me back into the

darkness of the tunnel. Julian followed at once, clicking off the flashlight.

A door on the far side of the room cracked open, and in walked Terry beside a man I had never seen

before a man dressed entirely in black with sallow cheeks and dark eyes.

–

should offer the organization needs for their

“I have used this area for my own personal enjoyment in the past. These cages are

breaking a person’s spirit.”

associate said. With silent steps, he came closer to the

tugged me closer to him, until my back was flat against his chest. He still held

mouth, but now I held my

I worried the strange, dangerous man could

Terry said, walking closer. “Though one that has been bearing fruit. Soon, I will

at me, but he

eyes narrowed. “You would do well not to disrespect

looked back at Terry. “You may hold sway in the royal palace,

you must still prove yourself.”

“Ridiculous,” Terry snapped.

1/2

there was a knife in his hand. “Your birthright means

you will learn your place one way or

dare

it under the orange light. “It’s

but the underground controls all. This is your home because we allow

we allow

mouth so tightly a muscle ticked in