The waning moon hung in the sky, obscured by ominous black clouds, causing the remaining traces of moonlight between the treetops to grow increasingly faint.
A grand mansion stood resolutely at the base of the mountain, surrounded by European-style wrought iron fences and architectural elements. However, the house seemed eerily quiet, as though everything had been concealed in the embrace of the night.
Qiao Qiao and Soo Soo stood silently at the crossroads.
Qiao Qiao was frozen in place, casting a glance behind her, but there was no sign of the cave entrance. She instinctively tightened her grip on young Will in her arms and reached out to hold Soo Soo's hand.
Unexpectedly, when she reached out, her grasp came up empty.
"Soo Soo?"
Qiao Qiao looked at Soo Soo, who appeared to be lost in a daze, slowly stepping towards the grand gate of the mansion. The hem of the little girl's dress fluttered in the nighttime breeze.
"Soo Soo?"
Still, there was no response.
