The damp air in the tunnel felt heavy as Nate, Alice, and Axel pressed their bodies against the cold, rocky wall. The keepers passed them in a large group, their movements eerily synchronized. Nate held his breath, his gaze locked on the ground as the last of the keepers trailed behind the rest.
Just when they thought the danger had passed, an insect buzzed past Alice's face. It landed on her nose, its legs tickling her skin. She tried to wave it away, but it was too late—she let out a faint sneeze.
Nate's heart skipped a beat. He hoped the sound had gone unnoticed, but the keeper at the back of the group suddenly froze. It tilted its head, as if straining to hear. Slowly, it turned back, its eyeless face aimed directly at Alice.
The other keepers continued walking, unaware of the straggler.
