As the staircase swallowed us up, it vanished from the mountain. Now we had no way of coming back. Things just seemed to get worse and worse the more we ventured on. Inside the mountain now, what I saw was mystical. We were inside a cavern, with dimly lit candles placed at regular intervals. The candles did little to illuminate the area, as Zak and Adrian beamed their torches at full brightness. Slowly descending the staircase, the cavern seemed to get narrower and narrower, with its rough sharp walls intimidating us, to the point where it was only one person wide. In the ceiling, there were a few bats hibernating – which was strange, seeing as we were deep into the night. The staircase seemed endless, as we continued descending deeper and deeper into the unknown. Sweat trickled down my back, as the gaps between each step grew, mea

“Please, please do sit down,” Drago said politely, ushering Adrian to bring two chairs. Drago Caracas’ office was exceptional. The immaculate black tiles on the floor sparkled as a single golden crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling. The fine detail from the carpet leading up to the office was reflected in the blood-red wallpaper, with the swords and shields projecting danger into the room. Two magnificent sculptures lay either side of Drago’s broad glass desk, probably symbolising his beliefs and values, no matter how inhumane they were. A raging dragon was to the right whilst to the left, a menacing black lion watched on with a stone cold expression. More photos of Drago Caracas hung on the walls at irregular intervals, showing off various stages of his life.

“Guys, we have three hours and twenty seven minutes left. We have to work with what we have and try at least. No point complaining. Zak, you said you were awake and blindfolded when they brought you here. What did you hear? What did you smell? Any hints at where we might be?” “I didn’t hear any sounds that proved we were outside. No sound of wind or the ocean. Meaning that we are still inside this mountain or whatever this place is. I’ve tried looking, but I can’t even find the door. Where on earth is the door?” I looked around the dim cell and the four walls looked exactly the same. No cracks. Just smooth, thick slabs of concrete.

 “Guys, we have three hours and twenty seven minutes left. We have to work with what we have and try at least. No point complaining. Zak, you said you were awake and blindfolded when they brought you here. What did you hear? What did you smell? Any hints at where we might be?”  “I didn’t hear any sounds that proved we were outside. No sound of wind or the ocean. Meaning that we are still inside this mountain or whatever this place is. I’ve tried looking, but I can’t even find the door. Where on earth is the door?”  I looked around the dim cell and the four walls looked exactly the same. No cracks. Just smooth, thi

 I turned around. No signs of Señor Ramirez or the tiger or the bear. We needed the fire blaster to break down yet another wall in this old, candle-lit staircase. I checked my watch, rubbing the pouring sweat from my eyes as the sickening feeling of claustrophobia started to creep in.  02:00.  “I hope Señor Ramirez is on his way. We need him. Fast,” Zak said.  “He’ll be here, I’m sure,” Rachel reassured.  Tap. Tap. Tap.  A growing crescendo of footsteps filled up the cavern, as the sound of the alarm was all of a sud