**Chapter 17: Secrets in the Dark**

As Jed's gaze drifted away, Chris and Dakota exchanged a fearful glance. What had Jed seen? And what did it have to do with their desperate situation? The fire crackled and spat, casting flickering shadows on the cave walls as they waited for Jed to reveal the secrets he had uncovered. Jed's eyes seemed to be lost in thought, his mind replaying the events that had led them to the cave. Chris and Dakota gave him space, letting him gather his thoughts before pressing him for more information. The storm raged on outside, the sound of thunder booming through the cave like a drumbeat. The landslide had blocked out most of the light, but the howling wind and creaking trees created an eerie symphony that made it difficult for them to focus. Finally, Jed's gaze snapped back to Chris and Dakota, his eyes haunted by what he had seen. "I saw a figure," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "A figure standing at the edge of the mountain, watching the landslide." Dakota's eyes widened in alarm. "Who was it?" she asked, her voice trembling. Jed hesitated, his eyes darting between Chris and Dakota. "I don't know," he said finally. "It was too far away to make out. But...but I think it might have been one of the researchers." Chris's mind racing, he tried to process what Jed was saying. The researchers? The ones they had met at the mountain lodge? What would they be doing out here, watching the landslide? "Did you see anything else?" Chris asked, his voice gentle. Jed nodded, his eyes clouding over. "I saw something else, something that made me try to warn you. I saw...I saw a door." Dakota's brow furrowed in confusion. "A door?" she repeated. "What kind of door?" Jed's gaze drifted away, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was an old door, hidden behind a waterfall. I saw it when I was out checking the equipment. I didn't think much of it at the time, but...but I think it might be important." Chris and Dakota exchanged a curious glance. What could be behind this door? And what did it have to do with their situation? As they waited for Jed to reveal more, the storm showed no signs of letting up. The wind howled and the rain pounded against the cave entrance, threatening to bury them alive. But Chris, Dakota, and Jed were too caught up in their conversation to notice. Their conversation was interrupted by a loud creaking sound, like the groaning of old wooden beams. The cave shook and trembled, and Chris's heart sank as he realized that the landslide might not have blocked out the storm after all. "What's happening?" Dakota whispered, her voice trembling with fear. Chris's eyes locked onto the cave entrance, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "I don't know," he said, his voice low and cautious. "But I think we should be prepared for anything." As the creaking sound grew louder, Chris, Dakota, and Jed huddled together, waiting for the unknown to reveal itself. The darkness outside seemed to be closing in on them, and they knew that they had to be ready for whatever came next.