“Are— Are you sure about this?”

Reese shifted to scan Emery’s face for any traces of doubt, finding only a stern, cold expression in response. Sweat dripped from Reese’s furrowed brow as the heat of the makeshift torch wafted and waned between them with each movement. The shadows cast on the walls of the manor seemed to want to reach for them, but somehow lacked the ability. Reese peered around sheepishly, before letting out an audible gulp, when Emery’s grip on the torch tightened.

Several painstaking moments passed, with darting glances and flickering heat offering the only indication of life. Deafening silence filled the spaces in the hallway. Then, as if on cue, Reese sighed. And pulling in another breath, the two of them fixed their gazes back on the mahogany door. Emery’s stare burned with wild determination as the pair simultaneously reached for the gilded knob, adorning the heavy wooden fixture.

With one last look exchanged and a final, culminating tug, everything they searched for, would be revealed. The years of work, the sacrifices, and tireless moments would all be worth it.

As the door creaked open, the terrific sight that befell the two friends, brought them to their knees in sheer panic.

Two desiccated corpses, slumped on the marble floor, propped up against the legs of a matching table. The bodies were surrounded by piles and open trunks full of rare gems and artifacts cast from precious metals, scattered throughout the large room.

However, the duo couldn’t be bothered with their spoils for more than a second, before the realization crept up their spines, spreading like a rash.

The clothing on the cadavers matched their own, except it appeared more worn and tattered, with holes chewed and cob webs strung about. And as the damp scent of decay began to leak into the hallway, those shadows on the wall suddenly reached forward.

The torch fire went out and a pair of horrified cries were the last things to escape the castle.