Chapter 14: Sudden Turn of Events

Chapter 14: Sudden Turn of Events

We need to report this to Sir Andrew. their other colleague said. Ill go.

They all agreed as he volunteered and left.

Merlin faced the other two. We should investigate.

Quinn was reluctant. But to secure the perimeter, they had to follow protocol.

Ill check the other side. their other teammate said, leaving her with their de facto leader.

When he left, she looked at Merlin with aversion. Why did I have to be with you? she said her dissatisfaction aloud.

Merlin glanced at her If you want to leave, so be it. Check the other areas then. He said and turned the other way, facing the structure as he intended to reach it through the crowd. The roster wasnt random. It was probably Andrew. he added, saying his speculation.

Hearing this, a burst of anger exploded within her. Fuck him! she cussed.

Ignoring her, Merlin slowly pushed himself through, approaching vigilantly as to not accidentally move anyone in their spots. He felt pity for them to be in that kind of state.

Quinn followed behind as she didnt dare venture alone. Her guts were turning against her as she walked through the unmoving men and women. A dreadful feeling was causing her stomach to turn.

They both reached the fountain with/in relief.

She looked at the faces of the three women. Their expression differs from one another. Their eyes are devoid of life. They gave her an eerie/uncanny feeling.

Over here. Merlin took the liberty and went ahead below the structure, near one of the women's feet. A flat round object inside a bubble floating in midair.

Quinn took a stand beside him. She gasped in surprise. Is that a coin? she took a guess.

Merlin didnt answer her as he inspected thoroughly. As he did so, he couldnt help but be drawn to it. He reached his arm out but retracted immediately. We should go back. he said after a momentary daze.

Quin noticed this but didnt say anything. She then looked around and scanned the faces of every man and woman. What happened to them, she thought. She shook her head in disbelief/dismay. This doesnt seem right. The strange feeling grew within her.

It was at that moment she saw something moved. Merlin she called out to him.

He turned to her.

Over there. She held her gun as she pointed it at a certain direction. Someone moved.

Merlin squinted his eyes and took a step forward to take a better look.

In the distance, a man suddenly trembled. His body quivered on the spot. He then opened his mouth as if to scream. But nothing came out from his voice. He stuck his tongue out as if gasping for air. It had the same color of his lips. He bent backwards as he shivered nonstop. His back arched to his waist. The twist made loud cracking sounds.

When Merlin and Quinn saw this, their eyes widened. A terrified shock came plastering on their faces. They took a step back as the man continued to shake uncontrollably.

A grappling hook left the barrel. It traveled fast and hit the wall opposite them. Upon contact, it fastened.

They swung towards the wall. Thud!

Merlin used his back to hit against it while Quinn used her feet to lessen the impact. They hung as the pit continued to expand.

They both pant for air, catching their breath. They did not expect to fall into a dangerous situation.

"Are you alright?" Merlin asked Quinn as he gasped for air.

She nodded as she held tight on the gun.

He then looked above and below them, examining their situation they were currently in "Listen." He said as he looked at her. "We're not in a good situation. We've fallen too deep. We have to climb carefully. You hear me."

Quinn understood. "But you have to take the gun from me first. I can't hold out any much longer."

He looked at her grasp, "I'll hold."

Carefully, he took the gun from her hand then intertwined his wrist around the rope. He can feel their weight on his arm.

Quinn looked up at where the hook was bolted. "I don't think it can hold us both."

Merlin followed her direction "I know." Then he looked at her with a stern face. "I have a plan. But you have to trust me."

Quinn didn't know what to say. But at that moment she could only give in. "I trust you"

"We have to pull the trigger." Merlin said. "Once we do so, the rope will be rolled back, and the hook will come undone. If we don't time it right" his words were cut short.

Quinn heaved her chest as she couldn't think straight. It was a risky move. If Merlin pulls the trigger too early or late, they won't see light another day.

"We'll make it." She appeased him.

They readied themselves. Merlin untangled himself from the rope first before pulling the trigger. The rope was being pulled fast. They started to ascend.

As they reached near the grappling hook, it came unfastened to the wall, hooking back to the barrel.

Without a moment to lose, Merlin pulled the trigger once again, aiming to reach a higher height.

But as he did so, the grappling hook never left the barrel.

They descended into the abyss.