After four days of hesitation and reluctant contemplation, I had made up my mind. That day, I stayed in my room with my computer, planning how I might sneak around and reach the area where they would have encrypted the data. I had finally decided that any other ways of going about getting the data decrypted were foolish. I pulled a map from the lobby and laid it down upon my desk, my laptop and some water to either side.


    I traced my fingers across the various tunnels and examined the structures. There were a few possibilities. On one hand, it could be in the network of underground tunnels. It could also be located in one of the B buildings that I had been in, where it seemed there were plenty of computer-filled rooms. It could also be in one of the A buildings, most of which I was unfamiliar with.


    I decided on going out three times; once to each location until I had found the encryptor. The easiest, and first location that I planned to visit, was the tunnels. I thought that I could make it through there alone.


    But, my thoughts did wander back to Seph. I would definitely feel a lot safer creeping around with him than by myself. However, my determination to do a quick solo exploration down in the tunnels did not waver. Beyond that… I was quite sure that I would have to have a partner if I was to go into a normal building. There would be a lot more people in there at night than down in the tunnels, I presumed.


    I flipped over the stolen map, and grabbed a pencil from my bag. I stood and stepped out into the main room for a sharpener. Les and Naomi sat on the couch, and Seph was absent. Vivian sat on one of the high chairs stationed at counters around the edge of the room. Vivian glanced at me briefly - for about three seconds - before looking back down at her phone. No one else paid me any attention.


    Despite myself, I felt a bit of panic flare in my chest at Seph’s absence. I had not spoken with him much, nothing more than polite conversation, but I liked to know where he was. After the affair with Les that ended in Mel getting shot, I was wary of anyone sneaking away.


    So, of course, I’ll do it instead of anyone else, I thought whilst sharpening my pencil in the old-styled crank sharpener.


    Blowing the bits away, I crept back to my room as fast as I had arrived. With the newly sharpened pencil, I sketched a quick drawing of the tunnel system as I had perceived it. I recorded the secret crevice, the branching pathways, and the main area containing the lake. Off to the side, I detailed a quick map of one of the tunnels that we had been in, one branch leading out to the plain and the other just dead-ending, as I had no clue where that one led.


    I folded the map. Hopefully, I will be able to add to it tonight. Pocketing that and the USB drive, I turned to my computer. I had opened up a blank text file, and all that was written was: “Go down to caves tonight.”


    Sighing, I shut the computer and sat upon my bed, grabbing my phone. I checked the time in the corner. It was only 3:45, meaning I had six or seven hours before everyone was in their room if they went to bed early, longer if they stayed up. I contemplated getting out and talking, but it would be better if they all assumed I was already asleep during my ‘expedition.’


    Perhaps it would be good for me to rest…?


    I bit my lower lip and decided that I would allow myself an hour of scrolling before getting to sleep.


    ??


    Seven hours went by pretty damn fast.


    I was in bed most of the time, drifting in and out of a restless sleep. A few times I had deemed rest impossible, before falling back into my half-slumber just a little while afterwards. I wasn’t sure how long it had been before my eyes found the clock, which read 10:52. I sat up quickly, glancing around. My senses flicked into alertness.


    I checked my pockets quickly, confirming that the USB drive and scuffed paper map were still there. My gaze found its way to my bag, lit barely in the lamplight. Reluctantly, I picked up and pocketed my gun. I hoped that it was not necessary. I could barely bring myself to shoot who I thought was an enemy soldier without any time for hesitation. I was unsure of how I would react on my own, with enough time to rethink my actions, when faced with someone who I could call a ‘colleague’ of sorts.


    I emerged into the main room slowly. I froze when I saw the TV still active. But, my nerves creeped away when I saw the form of Seph sleeping peacefully upon the couch. I smiled briefly at his sleeping form, drawing my eyes across his body. He was smiling slightly, a sight which brought uplifting warmth to my chest.


    After a few moments of pause, I crept over to the wall. Now that there was no supervision, I could attempt to open the secret door like Mel had. I found myself not finding any sadness or grief from the thought. It concerned me: how I could grieve so much yet feel nothing. All I was aware of was a growing emptiness, a chasm that had somehow grown from the small crack in my soul before. Whatever Seph had done to heal it was gone now.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    I began pressing on the wall, grasping for the memory of what Mel had done. After a long time of hesitation and second-guessing, I completed what I believed to be the pattern. There was a long pause. Nothing.


    I stepped forward again, pressing on different parts of the wall this time - similar to the last but slightly off-position. Still, it didn’t work. I stood and thought back for a second. Was there anything special about the pattern? In my mind, I pictured what Mel did, but with lines connecting the mental dots.


    My eyes widened. I traced the pattern that was now in my head. Upon the wall, gently pushing upon each of the points. Almost as if some magic had occurred, the door loosened with a click. The symbol was, after all, just a rough outline of the CIA’s logo. I slowly opened the door and slipped into the dark staircase. I carefully brought the heavy wall-door back inward, where it settled with another click, settling me in darkness.


    For a moment, nothing was visible. Then, my eyes adjusted to the little bits of light that somehow made their way up into the passage. Slowly, carefully, I descended. I noticed the brightness of the passage increasing as I made my way downward. I tested each step before pressing my weight on it, feeling around with my foot to check if it was stable.


    Eventually, my shoe found crumbly stones. I steadied myself, listening for the sound of cascading water. It was distant, but present. I pulled my gun out of my pocket, securing it tightly in my hands. I flicked off the safety but made sure my fingers stayed off of the trigger. I couldn’t have myself pulling it accidentally or too quickly.


    Then again, I wasn’t sure giving myself time to hesitate was a good thing either.


    I crept down the narrow passage, my eyes getting glimpses at the cave walls. The sound of the waterfall grew louder and louder; the tunnel increased in brightness rapidly. Soon, the sound filled my ears, leaving nothing else to be heard.


    When I spotted the opening, I instantly pressed myself against a wall. I slid forward along the cool, damp stone, revelling in the feeling it gave me to finally be away from the stuffy dorm room. I turned my head, looking around in my new view of the cavern for others. Thankfully, there was no one else in the vast expanse of sand.


    I stepped out, feeling a glow of freedom flash in my chest. As quickly as it lit, it was gone - replaced by the oppressive nothing that lay in the pit of my stomach. I sighed, and pulled out the map. I looked at each of the tunnels. Just prior to my eyes finding their entrances, they looked over the small crevice. An urge to rest there as I had before hit me, but I quickly suppressed it.


    The first tunnel was pure metal, with lots of thin, winding pathways branching off from it. The second path was similar, but more straight. Small alcoves lined the walls. My memory connected the design on that tunnel to the one we had been in before. I mentally imagined a path that headed from the branch on the main tunnel to here, although I could not really guess accurately how long it was. The third tunnel was much exactly like the one I was in, with natural rock walls and scattered rocks on the floor. The last tunnel was constructed of a fine wooden frame. It seemed to be smaller than all of the others, except for the natural one. A bend was placed just a few paces in, making it impossible for me to get a glimpse at what lay beyond it.


    I decided that the best way to move forward was to approach the nearest tunnel - the one constructed of pure, smooth steel. I walked around the cave, keeping to the wall as much as possible and making sure my gun never dipped into too low. I reached the spot just to the side of the tunnel. Taking a deep breath, I spun around quickly, pointing my weapon forward and placing my fingers on the trigger.


    Nothing, I breathed a sigh of relief. The tunnel seemed to stretch on for quite some time before it ended at a door. The small, branching tunnels were littered around carelessly, scattering in every which direction.


    I started forward, briefly glancing into each tunnel as I went. There seemed to be no logic to the design; jagged edges led the tunnels in a zig-zag pattern that made it impossible to fully see where they ended. But I kept walking, intent on getting through the door at the end of the hallway. It seemed to hold some significance, if only for the fact that it was the single doored passage in a tunnel filled with open entrances.


    After spending a painstakingly long time slowly creeping toward the end of the passage, I pressed myself against the wall next to the door. I intended to push it open but stay just out of sight. If anyone came forward to investigate, I could then attack.


    I gritted my teeth, clutched the handle, and pulled.


    The force of my own pull sent me nearly flying to the opposite wall. “Shit!” I exclaimed, steadying myself. The door had not budged.


    Forgetting my intent to carefully enter the room, I grasped the handle again, pulling softly. As expected, it did not open. I crept over, and peeked through the doorway.


    My heart dropped, my stomach suddenly turning sour. I saw the glimpse of people approaching the door on the other side. I barely got time to glimpse the room beyond before I turned and ran.


    The people were too close to the door for me to even consider getting into the cavern and hidden in time. Before I could even truly comprehend my thoughts or the decision I had made unconsciously, I slipped into one of the jagged hallways. I halted as soon as the opening was out of sight, crouching down in the shadows. I saw the hallway continue, but didn’t dare follow the path myself. I had no clue how deep this could go.


    I heard loud footsteps out in the hallway. A deep, gruff male voice spoke. “Could it have been one of the soldiers?” he asked.


    A woman responded, her voice on the deeper part of the spectrum as well. “Those bastards don’t know how to behave here, always sneaking around.”


    I was confused. Who were these ‘soldiers’? I had thought that every soldier was either on a task force or at war.


    “Should we check?” the man asked.


    There was a pause, before the woman said “yes.”


    I crouched down a little lower, a deadly mistake.


    My shoe squeaked slightly on the floor.


    I heard footsteps coming my way.


    And I ran.