The older Jude rushed towards them.
"Do not listen!"
But Sol was already moving.
He slipped from Jude's grasp and ran down the first two steps.
Jude caught him before he could go further.
"Sol, stop!"
"He's crying!"
"It's trying to trick you."
"No!"
The boy struggled.
"That's my brother!"
The staircase shuddered.
The darkness below seemed to deepen, swallowing the remaining golden light.
Then the child's voice spoke again.
"Brother?"
Sol stopped struggling.
"Are you there?"
"I'm here."
Sol's eyes filled with tears.
"I thought you were gone."
A pause.
Then the voice answered.
"I thought you had forgotten me."
Sol covered his mouth.
Jude held him tightly.
"Don't answer."
But the boy whispered:
"I remember you."
The staircase stopped collapsing.
The older Jude's expression turned to horror.
"Sol…"
A deep bell rang from beneath the floor.
The key in Jude's hand became hot.
A thin silver line appeared across its handle.
Then a second line.
Then a third.
