7 Tricking the robbers

Chapter Seven TRICKING THE ROBBERS Gustavo and Kiki sprinted down the left- hand tunnel. It was so narrow that Gustavo could feel his arms brushing the stone walls. "Get a move on, Yuf!" Nebet's voice echoed. "If Bunefer and I can squeeze over this rubble, so can you." "They're using the gap we made," said Kiki with dismay.

Then came the crash of falling rocks, a whimper from Yuf, and the sound of lots of pounding feet. "Quick!" Gustavo said. "They're coming this way!" Ahead, the torch showed a large alcove in the tunnel wall. "Here!" Gustavo whispered, pulling Kiki inside the small, cramped space. "The lamp!" Kiki said. "They'll see us!" Gustavo dropped the lamp and kicked dust inside it. They were left in total darkness. It was so black that Gustavo couldn't even see the wall. He touched Kiki's shoulder. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

"It's really scary." Her voice shook. "You?" "It's horrible," he said. "I never imagined anywhere could be this dar–" He broke off. A light glowed in the blackness. The light grew brighter. It was Nebet, holding another lamp. It lit up her angry face. She and Bunefer ran past their hiding place, with Yuf puffing along behind. Gustavo's heart pounded so loudly, he was worried they would hear it.

But they didn't. As the gang's footsteps died away, he heard Kiki take a deep, shaky breath. "Whew!" she said. "We've given them the slip. For now, anyway." "And we've still got a mission to complete," Gustavo said. "Right," said Kiki. "Let's try to go back the way we came." They tiptoed back along the dark tunnel. Kiki kept one hand on Gustavo's shoulder, so they wouldn't get separated. Gustavo felt his way along the wall. He could see nothing but blackness.

Nerves fluttered inside him. Anything could be waiting for us, he thought. FLASH! A glowing light shone ahead. It lit up the tunnel, dazzling them in the sudden brightness. Kiki clutched Gustavo's arm. "Nebet's found us!" "Let's go," Gustavo said. "Quick!" But then a voice said, "Gustavo? Kiki? Is that you?" Gustavo blinked. As his eyes grew used to the light, he saw a figure holding a reed torch—and it was too small to be one of the gang. He grinned with relief when he realized who it was. "Bek!" They rushed to meet him. "I'm so glad it's you!" said Kiki. "But what are you doing here?"

"I saw the secret door was open, so I came in to try to stop those robbers," said Bek. The three friends huddled together to decide what to do. Gustavo and Kiki knew their original plan wouldn't work, because the gang would hear them shifting rubble.