As the boy lay there catching his breath, he noticed something odd. Just ahead, barely visible in the low light, was a staircase. It rose sharply from the ground, carved directly into the stone, and it disappeared into the darkness above. The steps were enormous—each one almost as tall as he was.
The boy groaned softly, pushing himself to his feet. His legs trembled, but he forced himself to stand. Staring up at the towering staircase, he felt a knot of dread tighten in his stomach.
He turned and glanced back toward the pond, imagining the climb back up to the forest floor. The Scrappes would be waiting for him, no doubt about that. They were relentless, and he'd already barely escaped with his life. There was no guarantee he'd survive a second encounter.
