Chapter 6 - The Iron Key
Darkness descended upon the cabin interior in an instant, broken only by the dim amber beams of the flashlight Mark had pulled from his pack. Elena rushed to the front door, rattling the brass knob with all her might, but the iron mechanism was hopelessly jammed from the outside. Leo didn't cry; instead, he walked calmly toward the stone fireplace, holding up the brass key they had found under the oak tree, as if he knew it served a dual purpose. Mark hurried over to his son, shining the flashlight beam onto the base of the hearth where a small, concealed iron keyhole was carved directly into the grey stone. Kneeling down, Mark inserted the heavy brass key into the slot; it turned with a deep, satisfying mechanical click that vibrated through the floor. The entire stone hearth slowly pivoted inward on hidden hinges, revealing a dark, descending stone staircase that smelled of damp earth and old parchment. Elena joined them, her face pale in the flashlight beam, staring down into the subterranean abyss with a mixture of dread and fascination. Before Mark could take a step forward to explore the hidden cellar, a sharp, rhythmic tapping sound echoed from the bottom of the stairs, followed distinctly by the sound of someone clearing their throat.
