Room22b
Jora reaches for the black mirror and the reflective surface rushes over the group. A moment of disorientation and vertigo leaves the group weaving on the edge of disaster on the narrow path.
The mirrors have disappeared. Spanning the center of the pit is the promised rope bridge. The door remains at their backs while the other door beckons from the other side.
The bridge seems too fragile to support a single person, let alone the entire group. The wooden slats making up the path are cracked and covered with moss. Insects burrow into the ropes supporting the bridge and crawl along the planks.
“There is no way we’re going to cross that thing,” Lamia says.
“We don’t have a choice,” Jora says.
“But it’s rotting,” Conrad argues.
“We could fall,” Safir says.
“Shut up, all of you.”
Jora’s eyes blaze at each in turn, silencing dissent.
“We made a choice. If we don’t follow the rules we’ll never be allowed to exit this room.
“Look, we can do this. Conrad and I have run the three-legged race before; this is the same principle. We just have to link together and act as one. Everybody link arms.’
Jora holds out his arms and first Safir and then Lamia link their arms with his. After a moment, Conrad joins the tight huddle, linking arms with the girls.
“Trust me,” Jora says. “If everyone moves when I tell them and follows my lead, we’ll be across this in no time.”
Three very nervous people nod their acceptance of his leadership and Jora gives them his most winning smile.
“On three, everyone step toward the bridge. One. Two. Three. Step!”
The circle of friends moves minutely toward the bridge following the tug of Jora’s arms.
He continues calling cadence and they group moves onto the bridge which bounces and sways with each step.
Dozens of steps later the group stands in the center of the bridge. Below them, the bottomless pit seems to pull at them with each step.
The group shuffles toward the ever nearer ledge. The bridge bucks like an untamed horse as they approach. Sweat pours down Jora’s face as he drags the group as fast as they dare move toward the ledge.
Groans and pops surround them as the bridge’s structure begins to visibly fray. Jora’s left foot touches the ledge and then he stands upon solid ground. Three steps later, the rest of the group stands safely on the narrow ledge.
Cheers and whoops echo into the chasm, they made it alive.
“Is that all?” Conrad sounds disappointed.
Lamia reaches for the handle of the door which does not deliver the normal shock. “We seem to have completed the challenge. We can move onward.”
What choice should the adventurers make?