She looked around, but the compact room was lit only by a pale reflected glow that came in through what looked like a hole in the ceiling. The walls were constructed of ancient stone. “I don’t recognize this place,” she said. “Marcus?” Her cousin shook his head.

Sadie approached a crate that sat in the middle of the floor. It was made of metal wires and looked large enough to house a Rottweiler. “It’s a kennel,” she whispered. She gestured to the shadows, where many more cages were stacked along the walls.

As Lou scanned the room, she thought she heard the distant sound of barking. And when she approached one of the crates, for a moment, she thought she saw a large black dog lunging toward her.

Scrambling back, she tripped over her feet and fell into the sludge again. From the ground, she saw that the crate was definitely empty.

She also noticed a pile of long, thick bones beside her. Femurs. Antlers. Ribs. The pale light from overhead allowed Lou to see gnaw marks left on them by sharp teeth. If this place had once lodged the dogs of Larkspur House, these bones might have been their last treats. Lou scrambled away. “I think it would be best if we got out of here as soon as possible,” she said.

“There are no doors,” said Marcus. “I already checked.”

Cal pointed up. “That’s got to lead somewhere.”

“The hole in the ceiling?” Nina asked. “How would we reach it?”

“I wish Lou’s brother and that other girl were still here with us,” said Rufus. “I wish we had a mirror. They’d know where to send us.”

“I wish the same thing,” Lou said.

Cal pulled one of the crates directly underneath the hole. Climbing on top of the crate, he stretched out his arms; the gap between him and the ceiling was now only several feet. “Help me stack some more of these. We’ll use the crates like blocks.”

“And then what?” asked Nina. “Climb blindly into another tunnel? So we can end up in another creepy room with no doors?”

“Name another option,” said Cal. “Just one.”

Rufus shrugged. “I’m not sure I’d even be able to fit through this one, Cal.”

“And how can I climb while carrying this thing?” Sadie asked, raising the ukulele.

“You could always just drop it,” Cal suggested. Sadie squinted at him. “We’re not staying down here. And there’s no other way out.” Not waiting for an answer, he dragged another two crates over to the first. “A little help?” Rufus reluctantly lifted one on top of the other. Sliding the three crates together, they became giant steps leading up to the shaft. Cal went to the top and craned his neck, peeking into the passage. “There’s a hatch in the side only a few feet farther up. If we can make it—”