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An hour later, the five of them stood at the Royal Mile, the city's most famous street, where the ancient buildings seemed to loom over them. The streets were quiet, with only the occasional passerby hurrying home, oblivious to the adventure about to unfold beneath their feet.
"I still can't believe we're doing this," Kelly muttered as she pulled her jacket tighter around her. The wind had picked up, carrying with it the chill of Edinburgh's dark history.
"Trust me, it'll be worth it," Molly said, leading the way towards a narrow alley. "I've been down here before. There's a side entrance that'll get us past the tourist spots."
They followed him into the alley, where the streetlamps barely reached, and the air smelled faintly of wet stone and old rain. Molly guided them to a small, unassuming door set into the side of a building. He pulled out a key he'd somehow gotten his hands on, and with a quick twist, the door creaked open.
"After you," Molly said with a grin, stepping aside.
The group hesitated for a moment, exchanging nervous glances, before Michael took the lead, pushing the door open wider and stepping inside.
Beyond the door was a set of stone steps leading down into darkness. The air grew colder as they descended, their footsteps echoing off the ancient walls. The atmosphere shifted with each step, as though they were leaving the modern world behind and stepping into something far older.
"Okay, I admit it," Jackson said quietly, glancing around, "this place is creepy."
Kelly shot him a look. "You're just realizing that now?"
As they reached the bottom, they found themselves in a narrow passageway, the walls lined with rough stone and patches of moss. The ceiling was low, forcing them to duck as they walked. The only light came from their flashlights, casting long shadows that flickered ominously.
"Welcome to the vaults," Molly announced, his voice a little too cheerful for the eerie surroundings. "Now, let's see what's hidden down here."
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