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.

–

offer the organization needs for their purposes,” Terry said to his

“I have used this area for my own personal

a

here?” the associate said. With silent steps, he came closer

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

but now I held my

I worried the strange,

personal project,” Terry said, walking closer. “Though one that has been bearing fruit. Soon, I will have much to offer the underground organization. Perhaps

he looked right at me, but he looked away just as quickly.

much,” Terry said. His eyes narrowed. “You

Terry. “You may hold sway

still

“Ridiculous,” Terry snapped.

1/2

there was a knife in his hand. “Your birthright means nothing,

learn your place one way or

his chest. “You dare threaten me in

knife, catching it under the

of the King, but the underground controls all. This is

because we allow it.”

a muscle