Ghosts of the Catacombs by Ruth Janna

Author:Ruth, Janna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Janna Ruth
Published: 2023-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

The next time we find water underground, it’s the opposite of the reservoir. The ground beneath our feet is slowly becoming muddy. I don’t see the water until I step right into it. Surprised, I jerk back, my beam of light reflected on the black water. There are no hidden windows down here.

My heart jumps into my throat as I cast around the low-hanging cavern. Contrary to the precise architecture of the reservoir, this place is uneven and rough. And filled with water from side to side. “What is this?” Surely, we’re not planning to wade through the water.

Then again, Gaspar might be wearing those thigh-high waders for a reason. He looks at me curiously. “I thought you knew about the Banga.”

“This is the Banga?” Internally, I curse Emily for leaving out any specifics.

Sure. Go through the Banga, find the Crossroad of the Dead, and keep going until you stumble into Ossa Arida. It sounds so easy when you’re not underground in a dark maze with a million dead ends.

“Didn’t they say anything about that in your clever books?” Gaspar sounds amused. “This is where we separate the true cataphiles from the casual catacomb crawlers. It’s a water lock that you have to pass through to reach the deeper parts of the catacombs.” He regards my pants, then shrugs. “You and Malou can go piggyback on me.”

“Are you sure?” I’m a grown woman after all, not a small child.

Gaspar gets low, offering me his back. “Yeah, I know where the ridges are. Just keep your head down. The ceiling gets quite low.”

This is the last point of return. I can still call the adventure off and return to the outside world. A cup of hot chocolate and a book would be a much better alternative, but I’ve always said some things need to be experienced, and there’s no book that will tell me what lies past the Banga.

Since he seems so confident about it, I decide to trust Gaspar. I make sure that Malou is secure and hop on his back, where I readjust the bag so there’s no chance of Malou falling into the water. He catches me under my thighs while I wrap my arms around his chest.

“Ready?” Gaspar asks as he pushes through his legs until he can set his feet.

“I think so.” I don’t want him to carry me any longer than he has to.

Slowly, we wade into the murky water. If there is a ridge, I don’t notice it. Gaspar feels around with his feet before each step, choosing his path deliberately. My beam of light dives into the water and is reflected on the surface and the ceiling. I try to keep my head still, so Gaspar can see where he needs to go, but I can’t help myself.

“What’s that?” I ask when my light bounces off a set of half-submerged iron bars.

“Cells,” Gaspar huffs.

I don’t ask him for details since he sounds out of breath, instead making a mental note to check where the Banga lies in relation to the surface city.

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