He looked away from the shrub to discover Ralph had already gone. He was halfway up the alleyway ahead of them. Turn it back on once youre in, wont you? he called back over his shoulder. Dont want any non-Seers wandering through by accident!

Oliver got the distinct impression that they were in something of a hurry. Ralph certainly didnt seem to be dawdling.

Quickly, he stepped through the gap and pressed the light switch on the other side. The brick illusion reappeared, giving him the unnerving feeling of having been bricked in. He hurried after Ralph.

The alleyway they now followed was not only narrow, but there was no daylight coming from above at all. It occurred to Oliver that they were now inside some kind of building. But inside where was a mystery.

Up ahead, Ralph strode purposefully onward. Oliver noticed he was now stooping. The ceiling had become visible above them, and it sloped closer and closer as they progressed along the corridor, making the space become shorter. Oliver bent his head as the ceiling came ever closer, then his knees, until there wasnt enough space to even stand. Just as Ralph was doing ahead of him, Oliver had no choice but to crawl on his hands and knees. They werent in a corridor anymore at all, but a tunnel. Oliver fought his feelings of claustrophobia.

Suddenly, Oliver slammed into Ralphs backside. Hed stopped crawling and was positioning himself so he was sitting on his backside.

This is the fun part, Ralph told him. Are you ready?

Ready for what? Oliver asked.

But it was too late. Suddenly, Ralph tumbled forward and disappeared.

With a shocked gasp, Oliver scrambled to the place hed last been. He saw a square opening, no bigger than the end of an air vent. It was covered in a sort of net, like thick spider web. Inside the vent it was pitch-black.

Ralph! Oliver yelled, panicking. Ralph, where are you? Are you okay? Ralph! Answer me!

There was a moment of silence before Ralphs disembodied reply came from somewhere in the darkness. Come on! He sounded as if he was calling from somewhere very far away.

Oliver let out a breath of relief. At least Ralph was okay; he hadnt just plunged into oblivion.

Where are you? Oliver called back. I cant see anything.

Its a slide, Ralphs voice called, weaker from being even farther away.

A slide?

Theres a net in the way, Oliver shouted into the abyss.

He heard Ralphs faint reply. Its just another illusion...

Then there was silence.

Tentatively, Oliver reached his hand forward, expecting to feel the sensation of thread against his skin. But sure enough, he felt nothing. His hand passed straight through the net without resistance. It really was another illusion.

Oliver knew there was only one option. He had to follow Ralph. But leaping into the unknown was easier said than done.