8 Underground

CHAPTER 8

Underground Everyone followed Pilwinkle into the tunnel. Lumbiddle lit the torches one by one as they entered. The tunnel opened into a wide chamber and a busy marketplace. Gnomes sat on stone benches and at tables in front of the market. Four tunnels went off in different directions from the main chamber. Suddenly, Bella came running toward them. "I can't find Percy!" she cried.

"Don't worry," said Lucas, putting his arm around her. "We'll find him." "Let's split up," Pilwinkle said. "Children and Ruskin, come with me. Everyone else take a separate tunnel. We'll meet back here." Pilwinkle lead the way down a stone staircase.

"Percy!" they called. "Here, Percy! Come on, boy!" The tunnel opened into a wide cavern. Jagged crystals covered the walls and ceiling like thousands of ice swords and icicles. The crystals shimmered in the torchlight. They walked along a stone path in the middle of the cavern. "It looks like a magical crystal palace!" exclaimed Clara. Lucas and Bella turned around in a circle. The crystals swirled in a rainbow of color. Pilwinkle stayed focused.

"Percy!" he called. "Come on, little puppy!" Everyone listened for Percy's bark, but all they heard was a waterfall up ahead. Bella sniffled and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

The children followed Pilwinkle across a long, beautiful bridge. The waterfall thundered below them, and the tall walls around them sparkled with gemstones.