Chapter 10: Countdown to Life
“Hold onto one another’s hands tightly and stay close behind me. It’s essential that we don’t lose each other. I’m confident I can guide us safely out of this maze-like building.” Miles instructed while leading the way. Suddenly, he addressed his friend, William, with a puzzled look. “Hold on, William, why are your palms so excessively damp?” He asked after coming into contact with his friend’s moist hand.
With a deadpan expression, William responded, “Sweat? No, you’re quite off track, Miles. It’s actually virgin urine, an age-old tradition intended to repel malicious spirits. It’s still notably warm, fresh from its source not long ago. Here, experience it for yourself.”
With these words, he took Miles’s hand and generously smeared the unusual substance all over it.
“Ewww! Back off, William!” Miles recoiled in disgust.
“Why the overly dramatic reaction? If I, the one carrying it around, am not bothered, why should you be? It’s simply a small amount of urine, nothing more. You can wash your hands as soon as we escape,” William reasoned in an attempt to alleviate the situation.
Interrupting their exchange, Grace, who was trailing behind them, queried, “Miles, do you genuinely possess a plan to guide us out of this sinister place?”
Navigating their way down the spiraling staircase without any signs of uncertainty, Miles confidently replied, “Indeed, I’ve begun to decipher this haunted realm to some extent. It’s cloaked in oppressive darkness, effortlessly conjuring illusions for any unfortunate soul who dares to venture within. However, there are still puzzling elements that I can’t quite comprehend. If our luck holds, our escape shouldn’t pose much of a challenge. Wait, there’s something ahead.”
Abruptly, he halted and let out a startled shout.
At the entrance of the first-floor stairway, he spotted a handful of their classmates standing rigid, reminiscent of petrified wooden statues. These were the individuals who had earlier departed in Jing’s company.