CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EIGHT - A TRAP IS SET

"Everyone, to the cellar!" Donovan shouted, realizing their only hope was to retreat. Mara and Clarissa helped carry Greg to the trapdoor, lowering him down as gently as they could. Other survivors were already disappearing into the darkness below. But as Mara turned to follow, she saw that not everyone would make it. The bandits had cut off part of the group from the escape route. "Go!" Captain Donovan yelled at her. "We'll hold them off and find another way out!" Tears stinging her eyes, Mara nodded and dropped down into the cellar. She could hear the sounds of struggle above as Clarissa pulled the trapdoor shut. They found themselves in a narrow tunnel, clearly dug long ago as an escape route. With no time to lose, they started running, supporting Greg between them. They ran until their lungs burned and their legs felt like lead. The sounds of pursuit faded behind them, but they didn't dare stop. Finally, gasping for breath, they emerged from the tunnel into the cold night air