The melody was unfamiliar, yet something about it made Jude feel strangely at peace.
Sol stepped into the passage.
Jude followed.
Behind them, the second boy shouted.
"STOP!"
The door began closing.
Just before it shut, the second Sol spoke one final sentence.
"You're taking him into the room where he was made."
The door closed.
Darkness surrounded them.
For a few seconds, they stood still.
Then a lantern lit itself on the wall.
The passage was made of wood.
Not stone.
The walls were lined with old shelves, and each shelf contained a small object.
A clay bowl.
A wooden bird.
A silver disc.
A dried flower.
A broken cup.
A little blue ribbon.
A stone shaped like a heart.
Jude recognised some of them.
They were objects from the village.
But others looked much older.
Sol walked ahead.
"Don't touch anything."
Jude looked at him.
"You're telling me not to touch things?"
The boy gave him a small, apologetic smile.
"I know."
They continued along the passage.
