One of us made a hush sound to sign everyone to keep quiet. It was very faint but surely it was a sound of water dropping from the height. We looked around and soon we found a pool of water in the side of the tunnel. Looking up , we also discovered the source of the pool , there is a leak at the top. It was a small leak and didn’t look as if it would break soon so there was no fear of that but where did the water came from? Everyone stopped at silently stared at the sight of water droplets forming and dropping from the top of the tunnel. Then we saw someone moved. General Lee , as we found out from the lights shining on his face as he squatted down , took a sample of the water to his lip.

Just as we were about to reach the door to the clock , we heard a loud banging sound from the front. Fearing the worst , I rushed towards and found the door completely locked from the outside. A loud gasp bounced around the tunnel followed by the several softer murmurs. For a few short seconds , we stopped but soon we were taking turns to push the door open. Some of their shoulders and a few by kicking it.  It was a while before we took the whole thing in. Someone had not only closed the door but also blocked the grandfather clock with a heavy object so that would not be able to open from inside. The conclusion was the worst possible nightmare for us taking into account that we were not able to reach the other side of the tunnel unlike the one in the dining room.

It seemed that in the midst of all the chaos and fear , we have conveniently forgotten that the door behind the wine cabinet in the dining room is in fact , the second secret door that we have discovered in the resort. The first secret door was found behind the grandfather clock on top of the grand stairs connecting lobby to the master bedrooms on the second floor.

That was what everyone must have in their minds when the note was read aloud. Without knowing why or how , we could feel the danger closing on us one by one. One thing was clear , there was someone else besides us on the island since all of us left the lobby together into the tunnel. In any case , it would have to be pretty dangerous for any of us to sneak away from the crowd , carry the large pot of flowers and write the note. The ink was still fresh so it must have been written now long ago. Perhaps as recently as when we were having dinner in the kitchen.

After exploring the tunnel , we had a quick meal , prepared by tireless Mrs Jamie and her fellow ladies in the kitchen itself. Then we each took a glass of sherry from the wine cabinet and made our way to the lobby for discuss on the tomorrow. Due to the design of the building , it was not a short walk between the kitchen and the lobby. In fact , I noticed the kitchen is nearer to the bedrooms than the main lobby is. In fact , it is directly beneath the bedrooms.

The evening had come and so did our energies. We had a good rest from the satisfying lunch made by Mrs Jamie , a duck roasted over the oven fire and vegetable salad. From what she told us about how she used to help her father in their restaurant when she was young , it must have worked. It was definitely a very good roasted duck , perhaps not perfect as the version made by the cook on the first night when I arrived but it would do considering the situation we were in.

The morning had arrived. I wasn’t sure about the rest but I slept the night like a baby. I was never in any sort of athletics clubs when I was in school , although my girlfriend was in volleyball club at that time. I was more of a nerd or geek and would be found usually in the school library researching on whatever topics that would interest me then. So not surprisingly , my whole body was sore and in pain everywhere when I finally woke up that morning.

I was too worn out from the ordeal but clearly to all those present that Mrs Jamie wasn’t. She emptied the cherry in one mouthful and ordered another glass to complete it. She was out of breath but not out of energy and definitely not out of her mind. And from the looks that I received , it was certain to me that I was out of the suspect list since I reappeared mysteriously with the person that I was supposed to have killed!

The faint light we noticed was getting brighter as we advanced. Slowly but surely we would be out of the tunnel in no time. As the light got brighter , our hearts beat faster and the steps quicker. All the issues we have encountered and the darkness itself was falling away. Then we reached the end , which Mrs Jamie pushed with her hands to open it and we were surrounded by the sea , sun and the sweetest smell of flowers I have ever had the experience of.

The tunnel was dark and seemed as if it never ended. Even with the light from the torch , it was hard to see any further than a few meter ahead of us. So we stepped in sync , two adults holding hands and tip-toeing , in the dark. Every few tens of steps or so Mrs Jamie would made a mark on the wall with the torch as we agreed upon. Soon , we reached the first turn and Mrs Jamie signaled to me that she went to the right when she was lost there the first time.