The Hanging Hill

69

Zack dragged the steamer trunk out of the crawl space.

He bumped into a few support posts, tripped over a crusty pile of rubble, and fell backward into a mud puddle that left his butt feeling all kinds of squishy, but finally, he found the opening in the cinder block wall.

He heaved the antique case up and shoved it into the hallway.

More darkness.

Where was a glowing ghost when you needed one?

Zack pushed the trunk up the corridor, figuring it could bulldoze over anything blocking his path. He paused once to catch his breath and heard the skittering claws of what he hoped was just a rat.

Zack pushed faster and hoped he could outrace the rodent.

To the light up ahead!

It was faint and distant but it was, indeed, a light—glowing brightly just beyond the next brick archway.