Richie and Sarah moved quickly but cautiously, their senses on high alert.
Hours passed as they trekked through the dense woods, following faint trails and avoiding any signs of human activity. The weight of the artifact in Richie's backpack was a constant reminder of their mission. They had to protect it at all costs.
By mid-afternoon, they reached the entrance to the old mining caves. The gaping maw of the cave loomed before them, dark and foreboding. Richie handed Sarah a flashlight, and they stepped into the cool, damp air of the cave, the beams of their lights cutting through the darkness.
The caves were a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, a relic of the town's past when mining had been a thriving industry. Richie and Sarah navigated carefully, marking their path with chalk to ensure they wouldn't get lost in the winding passages.
