Chapter 37: Egypt's Tunnels
Inside the entrance near the Courtyard, Freddie and Steve found themselves in a dark tunnel with seemingly no end to it. Mumble was barely visible, and he kept motioning his hand forward to indicate that they should follow him. Steve hesitated, and took two wooden torches from the wall that were unlit. They immediately crumbled in his hands, having rotted over the years.
"Let's just walk along the walls, and follow Mumble's voice to know where we're going," Freddie suggested.
"I don't trust that little rat to lead us out of here with his voice, so I'm going to make sure he's leading us in the right direction," Steve replied.
"Hey, he's right in front of us. Show some respect."
"Respect? For him? You have got to be kidding me! As soon as you let your guard down, he'll take that Bomb from you and leave us stranded."
"Uh, no. I think you're just jealous that he's been able to take us this far to the Moving Fortress without being detected, and that's why you keep accusing him of things he hasn't done."
"Oh really? Mumble tried to choke you to death the first time we met him, and if it wasn't for my help you would've died."
"But that was weeks ago. I think he's changed since then."
"How do you know that? For all we know, he could be pretending to be nice to you so he can steal the Bomb when you least expect it."
"You know what, this conversation is pointless! If it'll make you happy I'll use the Bolt Boy mask for us to see."
"Fine, whatever."
Equipping the gift that the Administrator gave to him back in Gullywash, Freddie turned on the mask's neon lights and was able to see in the dark in infrared. Steve stayed close behind him, and following Mumble's lead they journeyed into the Tunnels that lay below the Egypt Area. It consisted of an entire maze of passages, vaults, and tombs which held guarded treasures from ages past or the spoils of war that had yet to be claimed. In one such tomb, Steve found a Sun-on-a-Stick item that still gave off a strong fiery light. From that point on, Steve used the Sun-on-a-Stick to see ahead of him while Freddie continued to use the Bolt Boy mask, but neither of them spoke much. Mealtimes were especially awkward and when they slept their bodies faced away from one another.
Then one day, though they had no way of telling how much time had passed, Steve opened the cooler for breakfast, but discovered that it was completely empty. Neither the last two Bonk! Sodas or the pieces of Sandvich remained. To make matters worse, Mumble discovered a few bread crumbs sticking to Steve's shirt collar. When Freddie saw them, he didn't say anything but his face was solemn.
"I didn't do it," Steve said in a whisper. "I'd never do something that selfish. Mumble's the one! He probably ate all the food, or at least stashed it somewhere, and framed me by putting a few bread crumbs on my shirt. Please, you got to believe me!"
For a long time, Freddie said nothing. Then he looked down at Mumble, and landed his gaze on Steve. "Go back home, Steve, and don't try to follow me."
While Steve was speechless, Freddie walked on with Mumble leading the way.
End of Chapter 37