Butterbeans, the best paw forward

The lantern slowly comes back to life. The dust fills the air and it is impossible to see anyone at the moment. The shaking in the underground room subsides. Alex sits up and looks for Butterbeans. Their fall had been unexpected and hard.

Furthermore, the activity beneath the ground was intensifying once again. He carefully turns and looks around for Butterbeans. She is nowhere in this area where they have fallen. Alex strains his eyes to see through all the floating dust and the dimmed area beyond.

Butterbeans, the best paw forward

Still there is no Butterbeans. The lantern flickers, threatening to cast them all into darkness again. Alex calls for Butterbeans, as the Lieutenant radios topside for updates. Something happened up there, to cause the equipment to fail.

Alex has adjusted to the darkness a little better. Furthermore, they are at the beginning of level 112. The access to level 113 must have been blocked by previous seismic shifts. The levels are identical by design. However, they needed to get to the level below. Therefore, the blocked tunnel would make it that much harder.

With this in mind Alex calls out for Butterbeans again. He is concerned now. Furthermore, the others are up and gathering equipment. There are five in this team including Butterbeans. Aside from the Lieutenant and Sergeant they have a new team member. Moreover it was an agent from the government. Alex didn’t even know the agent’s name. Furthermore, he wasn’t sure if any but the Lieutenant did.

He calls for Butterbeans again. They are all readying up now, and Alex pulls his and Butterbeans gear together.

Butterbeans, the best paw forward

She found the opening immediately after they landed. Also, it was recently visited by the old thing. She continues down the hallway of level 113. The trail is strengthening as she follows it to its source. Additionally, she knows that Alex is still in the area above. She hopes he will soon follow. Also she hopes he will not be upset. She is compelled to move on this.

As she nears the end of the corridor the ground begins shaking again. However, it is expected. She knows this is more than any of her friends are yet aware. Therefore, she must do this on hr own.

She reaches the end of level 113. The ground ends in a jagged ledge. The drop off appears to be bottomless. The ground is shaking very badly now. There is trouble brewing and less time than anyone knew. She looks closely at the ledge and spots a small path downward. Butterbeans follows it down into the depths.

Forward

Alex pulls out their equipment. Then he sets up a small screen. This is his and Butterbeans’ fail safe. He flicks the device on. It lights up and populates.

Although, Alex surveys the entire screen he is only looking for one thing. He spots her almost immediately. She is in the level below them. Level 113.