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As I flip on the switch plate that’s settled just inside of the trap door’s opening upward, the bulbs progressively flicker on one at a time. They brighten the path before us in a row from start to end, light flooding the expansive pathway, and replacing the eerie darkness.
“You go first, Mera,” Shayne pesters, jumping behind her like a shield.
“Why me?” Mera asks, her brows tense and drawn downward.
“Everyone knows that you stand behind the blonde, not in front of her,” Shayne responds.
“For someone who’s never watched horror movies, I’m surprised you know that fact,” Luca teases, his facial features alight with mirth.
“The girls who go home on the weekends have more freedom than we do. I’ve overheard their conversations after coming back and talking about them. I listen and pay attention, especially when it comes to anything pertaining to my future safety,” Shayne responds.
“And what about my safety?” Mera probes.
“Out of the two of us, you have a fighting chance, I don’t,” Shayne counters. “Plus, you have the gun.”
“Because you refused yours,” Mera reminds her.
“That’s because I’m uncoordinated and would shoot my eye out, or yours,” Shayne cheekily responds. The banter between these two is entertaining.
“Yeah, I’m rather fond of my baby blues.” Mera bats her lashes, enjoying her moment of attention. These ladies are soaking it up like a sponge.
“Nothing and nobody will get to you ladies here,” I promise them. “These tunnels are tightly monitored on both sides.”
“I dare anyone to try,” Luca snips, anger coursing through him from the bogus danger.
I’m not the only one who takes the security of our family seriously. He is the comedian out of the two of us, but he’s as deadly as a rattlesnake’s bite when faced with a threat to his homestead and the people inside of it. He’s venomous, bloodthirsty, and his strike is deadly.
“Come on, ladies. I’ll lead. Hope you put on your walking shoes,” Luca jokes.
“What?” Shayne asks, looking down at her flats. “Nobody told us that.”
“He’s teasing you,” I tell her as we begin our trek. “We have a ride down.”
“You have an elevator down here?” Mera questions.
“No. We have mining carts that are on a track,” I answer. “It’s only a couple of blocks walk. We’ll be there in no time.”
“You have a mine cart inside of a tunnel. That’s not ominous or anything.” Shayne cackles, sounding like she’s near breaking.
“That’s the strangest thing you’ve heard, Shayne?” Mera stops, turning to face her friend. “Out of everything, that’s what has you nearing hysterics?”
“It’s creepy, Mera,” Shayne hisses.
“It’s not the most frightening thing they’ve said though, Shaynie. They’re going to war with your family, and this is what spooks you?”
“Um, yeah?” Shayne’s voice is full of confusion and censuring. “Dark tunnels, mine carts, secret underground lairs, it’s… fantastical, Mera, and not the kind that gives me the warm fuzzies.”
“It’s a better option than fleeing on your own with no safety net,” I point out. “It may be fantastical as you claim, but that’s what we counted on when we had it built. Nobody with a lick of sense would suspect this.”
“That lack of sense comment is what has me bewildered. How did you come up with the concept, Julius?” Shayne’s right to question us because it isn’t the norm.
But that doesn’t stop the spiteful words from slipping free. I’m angered by her fear and distrust. I don’t give a rat's ass that we just met. We’ve put ourselves on the line for them. We may reap the benefits from them being here with us, but in the end, so does she.
Her suspicion and hostility toward us is uncalled for. We’ve bent over backward for them. My brother is all but Mera’s hostage. We supplied her friend with a weapon, giving them liberties other families wouldn’t, yet she’s pessimistic, and suspects us of being diabolical without a foundation for that belief.
Uncalled. For.
“This thought started by my father and his men. It’s saved my son, daughter, children, their spouses, and our club. So yes, it may be surreal, but it’s saved our family’s bacon, and for that, I’ll never apologize to you, or anyone. Your brothers started this vendetta, but I intend to end it and keep my family alive while doing so. It may scare you, but in the end, it’ll save you. So stop with the judgment and enjoy your freedom. We’re putting ourselves on the line, and you’ll reap the rewards.”
