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"Could be," she agreed, studying the prints with a critical eye. "But remember, we've got limited time before Mulberry comes back with reinforcements. We can't afford to chase false leads."
"Agreed," Finn nodded, contemplating their options. Despite the uncertainty, his gut was telling him these footprints were significant. He made a decision. "Let's give it ten minutes. If we don't find anything by then, we'll head back."
"Sounds fair," Amelia replied, and they veered off the path, following the trail of footprints through the underbrush.
As they walked, Finn found himself scanning their surroundings with increased vigilance. The shadows seemed darker, the rustling leaves louder, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
"Hey, Amelia," he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady. "Do you get the feeling that-"
"Shh!" she hissed, cutting him off and pointing ahead. They had stumbled upon a hidden entrance to a tunnel, cleverly concealed by foliage and shadows. "I think we just found our way in."
Finn felt a shiver run down his spine as he looked at the dark, foreboding entrance. He knew they were about to descend into unknown territory, but there was no turning back now. With a nod to Amelia, they stepped forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Finn pulled out his phone, switching on the flashlight. Amelia stood beside him, eyeing the tunnel entrance warily. As Finn's finger hovered over the screen, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the air, freezing them both in place.
"Did you hear that?" Amelia asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Dammit," Finn muttered, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "We can't wait for backup. Someone in there needs our help."
"Are you sure about this?" Amelia questioned, glancing at the dark tunnel entrance with genuine concern.
"Positive," Finn replied, his blue eyes flashing with determination. "This is what I do, Amelia. I save people."
Amelia hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright, let's do it."
They entered the tunnel, the damp earth beneath their feet feeling strangely alive as they pressed forward. The screams seemed to grow louder, urging them deeper into the darkness. Finn kept his senses sharp, listening for any indication of danger while Amelia followed closely behind.
"Stay close," he whispered, gripping Amelia's wrist for emphasis. "And be prepared for anything."
"Always am," she replied, steeling herself for the unknown.
As they moved further into the tunnel, the air grew colder and more oppressive. The walls seemed to close in on them, making it difficult to breathe. But despite the suffocating atmosphere, they pushed onward, driven by the distant cries for help.
"Who could be down here?" Amelia wondered aloud, her voice tight with anxiety.
"Right now, all we know is someone's in trouble," Finn said, trying to keep his own concerns at bay. "We'll worry about who they are once we get them out."
"Agreed," Amelia nodded, her red hair shining dimly in the limited light filtering through the tunnel entrance.
The screams grew more desperate, spurring them on with renewed urgency. Finn's mind raced as he considered the possibilities, his thoughts turning to the criminals they'd encountered and the innocent lives at stake.
"Any idea who might be behind this?" Amelia asked, her breath ragged from their rapid pace.
"Someone powerful," Finn admitted, a theory building in his mind. "But we'll find out soon enough."
"Damn right we will," Amelia replied fiercely, her eyes blazing with determination.
They continued through the tunnel, following the echoes of the screams. The damp, earthy scent of the tunnel filled Finn's nostrils as he flicked on his phone's flashlight, the beam cutting through the darkness like a sword. Amelia did the same, and they exchanged a brief, determined glance before pressing onward.
"Stay close," Finn instructed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Right behind you," Amelia replied with equal quietness, her breath against the back of his neck sending an almost pleasant shiver down his spine.
As they ventured deeper into the tunnel, the walls seemed to close in on them, their flashlights casting eerie shadows that danced and flickered across the rough stone. The sound of their footsteps echoed ominously, each step seeming louder than the last.
"Any idea how far this goes?" Amelia asked, her voice hushed.
"Could go for miles," Finn said, his jaw tightening at the thought. "But those screams sounded close."
