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.

–

room should offer the organization needs for their purposes,”

personal enjoyment

at breaking a person’s spirit.”

what of this opening here?” the associate said. With silent steps, he came closer to

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

but now I held

thundered, however, so loudly I worried the strange, dangerous man could hear it.

one that has been bearing fruit. Soon, I will have much to offer the underground organization. Perhaps even something like

man said. He peered into the darkness. I swear he looked right at me, but he looked away just as quickly. “What we need are more abilities, and

much,” Terry said. His eyes narrowed. “You would do well

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

still

“Ridiculous,” Terry snapped.

1/2

was a knife in his hand.

place one way or

his chest. “You dare threaten me in my own home.”

threat.” The man tilted his knife, catching it under the orange light. “It’s

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

we allow

tightly a muscle ticked in