Math had never been Willow's forte, and today in particular the equations seemed to swim across the pages, escaping her attention. Her mind, of course, was on the mystery of the tunnel and that morning's discovery of the spiral sculpture. She looked around at her classmates. Why had they all been wearing blindfolds in her dream? Because they were blind to the truth? Should she tell them what was going on, or protect them from it?

Well, she didn't exactly know what was going on herself yet, so she decided to keep it under wraps for the time being. Besides, they were always off doing something or other and then acting all mysterious about it. This was her adventure, and she was determined to see it through.

As soon as everyone was in bed she snuck downstairs, raised the trapdoor and entered the secret tunnel, one hand holding her phone to provide light, the other clutching the golden sculpture, which somehow seemed to provide additional illumination itself. Reaching the door, she placed the sculpture in the roughly cut hole, and found it fitted perfectly. She pushed it into the recess, and there was a loud click as the door unlocked, creaking on its hinges at it swung partly open. She decided to leave the sculpture where it was, in case the door locked behind her.

Her heart in her throat, Willow pushed through the door and found herself in a featureless, low-ceilinged chamber with three identical passages leading out of it. She took a deep breath, picked one at random and started down another long tunnel which gradually curved and continued to slope downwards. Just how big was this place, and how deep did it go?

Her phone beeped loudly, making her jump. The battery was dying! She swore softly. How could she have forgotten to charge it? Seconds later it switched off, and she was plunged into darkness. Thankfully she hadn't come far. She started to feel her way back along the tunnel - then stopped dead.

Heavy footsteps were coming down the tunnel from the chamber. Torchlight played over the walls, and she heard the low mutter of men's voices.

In just a few moments she would be discovered...