Muchen was panicking.
Not the usual quiet tension or nervous glances—but full-blown I'm-going-to-die-in-this-wet-hell kind of panic.
He practically launched himself onto Yunfeng's backpack, wrapping his arms around Yunfeng's shoulders like a terrified cat clinging to a tree trunk. His legs wrapped tightly around Yunfeng's waist as he let out a breathless whisper, "I hate this place. I hate this place so much."
The tiny ember flickering in Yunfeng's palm did little to fight back the suffocating dark. Shadows clung to the tunnel walls like tar, and the green glow of the distant exit still looked miles away.
"We're not gonna make it," Muchen whispered, eyes darting around. "There's no way we'll make it before something gets us—"
Just then, the water rippled again. A dark mass rose from the murky depths.
Muchen's heart stopped.
