Chapter 105: A Midnight Infiltration
1336words
The museum was the next place they wanted to visit. It was very dangerous, but it seemed like the best chance to find out what was happening. Knowing how the museum is arranged, which they understood by cooperating on exhibitions, assisted them in planning their entrance very carefully.
A night with no moonlight, giving them the perfect place to hide for their mission. Dressed in dark clothes and with masks on their faces, they sneak into the museum area quietly. The silence was broken only by the mild sound of gravel under the steps.
The museum building was large and impressive, which felt odd for their mission that kept them hidden. They moved like shadows, hearts racing in their chests.
When they go inside, the museum seems like a confusing labyrinth with many corridors and rooms. They navigate in the darkness by using their memory of where things are located. The air felt cold and unmoving, with just the noise of footsteps bouncing back in the quiet.
Finally, they reached the place where the artefact was displayed. The vault door was large and impressive; its lock demonstrated how much the museum valued security. Dapo, an engineer too, began to deal with this lock as Eki watched over.
Minutes felt like they stretched to become hours, and the tension was very strong. At last, with one final click sound, the lock opened. The door moved open slowly with a creaking sound, showing a small room with very little light inside.
Inside, the vault was without anything. They felt sad because they almost had success but could not have the reward.
When they prepared to leave, Eki saw a small board on the wall. It seemed like no one paid attention to it. The way this panel was looking seemed strange; it did not match everything else around. She felt kind of excited and moved closer to see it better.
In the centre, there was a little round hole in the board. Eki reached into her pocket and pulled out a small metal piece. It seemed like a key, but not just any usual one; this key had special symbols on its surface. She found it in an old book from her grandfather's library.
Her hands shaking, she put the key into a hole. She turned it and fit perfectly, making a soft click sound when she twisted the key. The panel slid open, revealing a narrow, dark passageway.
Eki's heart was beating quicker with both excitement and worry. Her eyes got big as she looked at Dapo and said in a quiet voice, "We need to go in."
The passage had a very strong bad smell of rot, and Eki and Dapo moved slowly - their flashlights making light in the dark air. Their hearts were beating fast as they walked step by step. The path was small and wet, with a strong odour of rot. Eki and Dapo walked slowly, their flashlights cutting through the dark as they felt their hearts beating fast inside them. The path was narrow and damp, filled with a strong smell of decay. Eki and Dapo moved forward very cautiously - light from their flashlight cut through the dark air while inside them both hearts beat fast at each step they made. The way looked tight and wet; a strong smell of rot was in the air. Eki and Dapo moved carefully forward - they used light to cut through the dark and felt their hearts beat fast with each step they took. The path felt narrow and wet; there was a strong smell like something rotting ahead where our friends moved slowly - they used lights to cut through the dark but also heard heartbeats matching each step we both took! This is how we ended up walking on a tight, damp trail that smelled like decaying things near where our close companions were moving carefully; shining their lights into what seemed like endless darkness while feeling heartbeats with every move made inside this shared body of mine and his. They did not know where this path would lead, or what dangers were waiting ahead.
"Are you sure about this?" Dapo whispered, his voice filled with doubt.
Eki squeezed his hand. "We have to know," she replied, her voice barely audible.
They moved forward, their senses very alert. The path seemed like it would never finish, going straight through the middle of the building itself. They found some dead ends but continued forward because they had hope of finding answers soon. They did not let their spirits drop.
They reached a room. It was larger than the hallway, and there were many items inside. Many old items were there, along with gold coins and priceless art. It was a collection of treasures, but also it was a place where crime occurred.
The person discovered in the room, surrounded by all these stolen items, was just one man. It happened to be Thorne. His face was very pale, and his features were tight as he sat with a gun pointing at his head.
"I think you will come," Thorne whispered. "But, it looks like you are coming too late."
Eki and Dapo froze, their minds racing. They had walked into a trap.
"What have you done?" Dapo managed to say, his voice trembling.
Thorne laughed, but it was not warm. "I made something great," he said, showing what he did. "A grand creation for stirring up disorder."
His hand started moving toward the detonator, his finger almost touching the button. Eki and Dapo exchanged glances filled with worry. They knew what was going to happen.
"Don't do this," Eki pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
Thorne did not show any reaction to her words, his eyes still looking at the detonator. "This is it," he said in a calm voice that felt different than normal. "The cumulation."
With that, he pressed the button.
"We need to go," Dapo whispered, but the loud ticking of the bomb nearly swallowed his words.
Eki agreed fast, ideas moving quickly in his head. They must stop the bomb from exploding or escaping before it happens. But with Thorne keeping them captive, their possibilities are not many."
In their deep sadness, Eki's mind held a small hope. She remembered what Amina said about the spirits looking after them. Maybe there was a chance there.
"Close your eyes," she said to Dapo, her voice filled with determination.
Dapo felt not so certain, but he had faith in Eki. He closed his eyes and allowed the darkness to come upon him.
Eki began, her voice low and rhythmic. This chant she learned from her grandmother. People say it brings you closer to the spiritual world. When Eki was speaking her words, she felt a kind of peace within—like there was quiet in the middle of all the noise around her.
Suddenly, there was light. Eki started to see again, but at first, all things looked unclear as her eyes began working again. When everything got clear, she saw somebody standing very close to them. It was Amina, and her eyes were glowing with a strange light.
"Not finished," she said, and her voice carried a strength that made everyone shiver.
With speed that nobody could understand, the person put their hand on the bomb. The countdown stopped immediately. The room became very quiet, with the only noise being the sound of everyone's hearts beating inside their chests.
Amina's eyes showed she understood. "You must go," she said, "I will take care of it."
Eki and Dapo glance at each other with concern, knowing they must trust Amina. They slowly turn away, beginning to run as the sound of an explosion echoes behind them.
