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.

–

see this room should offer the organization needs for their purposes,” Terry said to his

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

breaking a person’s spirit.”

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

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

now I held my breath as

I worried the strange, dangerous man could

“Though one that has been bearing fruit. Soon, I will have much to offer the

don’t need the crown,” the man said. He peered into the darkness. I swear he looked right at me, but he looked away just as quickly. “What we need

narrowed. “You

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

still prove yourself.”

“Ridiculous,” Terry snapped.

1/2

was

learn your place one way or

out his chest. “You dare threaten me in my own

catching it under the orange light.

the King, but the underground controls all. This is your home because we allow it. Your King is

we allow it.”

so tightly a