The River's Secret

The cavern loomed around them, vast and silent, except for the rhythmic drip, drip, drip of water from the jagged stalactites above. The unseen presence beneath the black river sent a shiver down Rapunzel's spine. The stillness of the water was deceptive, it wasn't truly still. Something was there, watching.

Eugene tightened his grip on his dagger, his eyes darting between the shifting ripples and the surrounding stone walls. "Alright, new rule. If the water moves on its own, we don't go in."

Rapunzel swallowed hard and nodded. "Agreed."

But that left them with one problem, how to cross.

The river was wide, stretching into the darkness, with no visible end in sight. The tunnel continued on the other side, a rough stone pathway leading toward whatever lay beyond. There was no bridge, no stepping stones, just the inky black water separating them from their escape.

Eugene exhaled sharply. "There's gotta be another way around." He turned, scanning the cavern for any hint of an alternate route.

Rapunzel followed his gaze, her fingers tightening around her frying pan. The cavern walls were uneven, slick with moisture. There were ledges here and there, but nothing that formed a clear path. Her eyes flickered to the ceiling, where thin shafts of light filtered in through cracks in the stone.

Then she saw it.

A series of thick, twisted roots clung to the far wall, stretching across the cavern toward the other side. Some disappeared into the rock, others dangled freely. They looked sturdy. Sturdy enough.

She pointed. "We could climb."

Eugene followed her gaze, then let out a short laugh. "Yeah, sure. Or we could grow wings and fly."

Rapunzel placed her hands on her hips. "I grew up in a tower, Eugene. I know how to climb."

He eyed her skeptically. "And if those roots snap?"

"We fall into the water," she admitted. "But that's better than starting a new underground society with river monsters."

Eugene sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "I hate that you make sense sometimes."

Before he could argue further, Rapunzel slung her satchel securely over her shoulder and stepped toward the roots. Testing the first one, she gave it a firm tug. It held. She grasped a higher one, then pulled herself up, feet pressing against the rough cavern wall for balance.

Eugene cursed under his breath. "I cannot believe I'm doing this," he muttered, following after her.

The climb was slow, each movement deliberate. The roots creaked under their weight but held steady. Beneath them, the river remained deceptively still, but Rapunzel could feel the presence of whatever lurked below. It was waiting. Watching.

Halfway across, a shiver ran down her spine. Then, splash!

A deep, guttural thrum echoed through the cavern.

Rapunzel froze.

Eugene did, too. "Tell me that was just a fish," he whispered.

Something huge shifted in the water.

Then, the surface broke.

A massive, sinuous shape slithered just beneath them, its long, shadowy form barely visible through the water's dark surface. It was fast. Unnatural. And far, far too big.

Rapunzel's breath hitched.

Eugene whispered, "Okay, really regretting this plan right now."

A second splash. This time, closer.

Rapunzel didn't wait. She moved faster, her arms burning as she reached for the next root. Eugene did the same, muttering curses under his breath. The roots groaned but held as they climbed toward the ledge on the other side.

The water churned violently now. Whatever was in there, it knew they were above it. And it wasn't happy.

Rapunzel's fingers brushed stone. Relief surged through her as she scrambled onto the ledge, hauling herself up. She turned quickly and reached for Eugene.

"Come on!"

Eugene swung a leg up, but just as his foot found the ledge—

Something erupted from the water.

A massive, eel-like creature, its skin pale and glistening, with rows of needle-sharp teeth. Its eyes, black and empty, locked onto them as its gaping mouth snapped inches from Eugene's boot.

Eugene yelped, lunging upward as Rapunzel grabbed his arm and pulled.

The creature let out an unearthly screech as it slammed back into the water, sending waves sloshing against the cavern walls. But Rapunzel wasn't watching. She was too busy dragging Eugene onto the ledge with all the strength she had.

They collapsed onto solid ground, panting.

For a moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the creature thrashing below before, finally, the river went still again.

Eugene rolled onto his back, staring at the cavern ceiling. "That was not a fish."

Rapunzel let out a shaky breath. "No kidding."

They lay there in silence, catching their breath. Then, Eugene groaned and sat up. "Remind me to never let you pick the route again."

Despite everything, Rapunzel let out a breathy laugh. "Oh, come on. That was exciting."

Eugene stared at her. "Exciting? Blondie, we almost died."

She grinned. "But we didn't."

Eugene shook his head, muttering something about crazy tower girls before standing and dusting himself off. "Alright. Let's get out of here before that thing decides to try round two."

Rapunzel nodded, standing beside him. The tunnel stretched ahead, winding into the unknown. She didn't know where it led. Didn't know what dangers awaited them next.

But for the first time in her life, she wasn't afraid of the unknown.

She was excited for it.

With one last glance at the black water behind them, they stepped forward.

Into the next adventure.