Tina’s heart was still pounding from the close encounter as she shook her head, uncertainty creeping into her voice. “I don’t know, James. I have no idea where they’re leading us.”
With James close behind, they pressed onward through the dense forest.
As they moved deeper, the distressed noises she’d heard earlier grew louder with every step, weaving an eerie soundtrack around them. The sounds seemed to echo through the trees, thickening the tension in the air. At last, they reached the source—a dark, ancient well, its shadowy depths swallowing the fading light.
Standing at the edge of the weathered, ancient well, Tina and James exchanged wide-eyed glances. Something had fallen into its dark depths, and the heart-wrenching noises came from within. The wolves spread out, forming a protective circle around the well, making it clear this was where they needed help.
The well’s opening yawned before them like a bottomless black hole, threatening to swallow them whole. Tina leaned over the edge, feeling the cool, damp air rising up and clinging to her skin. Though they couldn’t see anything below, the strange, echoing cries of distress confirmed that something was trapped inside.
By a stroke of luck, James had brought a sturdy rope with him. He inspected it carefully before turning to Tina with a determined look. “This rope can support my weight. I’ll climb down and see what’s down there.”
Tina hesitated, her mind swirling with fears of what might go wrong.
Doubt gnawed at her—was she strong enough to hold the rope steady? She noticed James’s hands trembled slightly as he prepared to descend. Taking a deep breath, he began lowering himself over the edge of the well.
Tina gripped the rope tightly, knowing that whatever lay in the depths, their journey would demand every ounce of her strength.
James’s voice was steady and reassuring as he guided Tina with calm instructions on managing the rope. Tina tightened her grip, nerves humming quietly at the edge of her mind. She forced herself to focus, knowing the only way forward was to trust him—and trust herself.
Slowly, James disappeared into the darkness below. Tina’s heart pounded louder with every inch he descended. The well was deep and shadowed, and the only sounds were the echo of his careful movements and faint, mysterious cries.
Her palms grew slick with sweat as she clutched the rope—the fragile lifeline connecting her to James somewhere in the black abyss.
Suddenly, the rope jerked violently and slipped right through Tina’s hands. Panic surged through her. She’d tried to tie the knot around her waist, but now realized it hadn’t been tight enough. Fear gripped her throat as she scrambled to grab the rope again—but it was too late.
Acting fast, she stepped on the rope’s loose end, hoping to stop it from slipping any further. For a heartbeat, she thought she’d caught it just in time.
Then the rope went slack.
A heavy thud echoed from below—James had fallen.