Escape Route

The tunnel ahead was long and uneven, carved by time and water, twisting and sloping downward into the unknown. The air was damp and cool, thick with the scent of moss and stone. The only sound was their footsteps echoing off the cavern walls, each step cautious, each breath controlled.

Rapunzel kept a firm grip on her frying pan, her knuckles white. The encounter with the creature in the underground river still lingered in her mind, its gaping maw, its hollow black eyes, the way the water had swallowed it whole as quickly as it had emerged.

Eugene walked beside her, one hand resting near his dagger, his usual cocky confidence tempered by wariness. "I'm officially declaring this the worst shortcut ever," he muttered.

Rapunzel shot him a look. "Would you rather have gone for a swim?"

Eugene let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, no. Pretty sure our friend back there was hoping for a late-night snack." He glanced back at the path behind them before exhaling. "Let's just hope there aren't any more surprises waiting for us."

They continued forward, the passage narrowing slightly as the walls pressed in. The flickering torchlight cast their shadows against the jagged rock, stretching them into distorted figures.

After a few minutes of silence, Rapunzel spoke. "Do you think we're close to the surface?"

Eugene glanced upward, as if hoping for a glimpse of sky. "Hard to say. If I had to guess, I'd say we're under the cliffs near the woods."

Rapunzel's heart quickened. The woods meant freedom. The festival. The floating lights. She was so close, closer than she'd ever been.

But first, they had to find a way out.

Ahead, the tunnel opened into a wider chamber. Stalactites dripped with moisture, and the floor was uneven, slick with patches of moss and puddles of water. In the center of the chamber, an old wooden structure loomed, a rickety bridge spanning a deep chasm, its supports worn with age.

Eugene stopped short. "Oh, great. Because nothing says 'safe passage' like a centuries-old bridge over a bottomless pit."

Rapunzel stepped closer, inspecting the bridge. Thick ropes, frayed at the edges, stretched between the posts, holding up uneven wooden planks. Some were missing entirely. Others creaked ominously under the weight of nothing at all.

She turned to Eugene. "You have any better ideas?"

Eugene rubbed his jaw, then sighed. "Nope. But for the record, I really don't like this plan."

They exchanged a glance. Then, without another word, Rapunzel stepped forward.

The first plank groaned under her weight, but it held. She took another step, then another, gripping the rope tightly. The bridge swayed slightly, the wind from the chasm below rushing up to meet her.

She focused on the other side.

Almost there.

Eugene followed a few steps behind. "So, hypothetically," he said, voice tight, "if this thing were to collapse, how good are you at surviving long falls?"

"Not great," Rapunzel admitted.

"Fantastic."

Another step.

Then...

A snap.

One of the ropes gave way.

The bridge lurched.

Rapunzel let out a yelp, gripping the side as the entire structure tilted sharply. Eugene grabbed the railing, cursing under his breath.

"Alright, that's enough adventure for one day," he muttered. "Move. Now."

They scrambled forward as the bridge continued to creak and sway, the remaining ropes straining under their combined weight. Every step felt like a gamble.

Rapunzel reached the other side first, leaping onto solid ground and spinning around just in time to see Eugene take his final step.

Then! he bridge collapsed!

The last ropes snapped, sending the remaining planks tumbling into the abyss below.

Eugene barely made it, diving forward as the bridge disappeared beneath him. He hit the rocky ledge hard, momentum carrying him forward.

Rapunzel gasped, reaching out.

Just as Eugene slid toward the edge.

His fingers clawed at the rock, but it was too slick. His eyes widened. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me—"

Rapunzel lunged.

She grabbed his arm just as he started to slip over the edge, her grip tight, her feet planted firmly. Eugene dangled over the abyss, staring up at her. "This feels familiar," he said, his voice strained.

Rapunzel gritted her teeth, pulling with all her strength. "Hold on!"

Eugene let out a breathy chuckle. "Not like I have a choice."

With one final heave, Rapunzel hauled him up onto solid ground. They collapsed in a heap, breathing heavily.

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

Then!

"Well," Eugene said, lying flat on his back. "That was awful."

Rapunzel let out a breathless laugh, rolling onto her side to look at him. "But we made it."

He turned his head toward her, his expression softening. "Yeah. We did."

A beat of silence passed between them, the weight of the moment settling. Then Eugene sat up with a groan, brushing dust off his jacket. "Alright. Let's get out of here before something else tries to kill us."

Rapunzel stood, glancing at the path ahead. A narrow passage sloped upward, disappearing into the shadows. It was their only option.

She took a deep breath. "Ready?"

Eugene smirked. "Not even a little. But let's go."

And together, they pressed on.

Toward the light.

Toward the world waiting above.

Toward whatever came next.