**Chapter 13: The Dark Tunnel**

As they walked, the air grew thick with the smell of damp earth and mold. The line cook covered her mouth, trying to filter out the stench. Sophia did the same, her eyes watering from the effort. The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, with no signs of light or escape in sight. The line cook fumbled in her pocket for a match, her fingers closing around the small box. She lit the match, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The flame danced, casting eerie silhouettes on the damp stone. For a moment, they walked in the warm glow of the match, the line cook holding it high like a tiny torch. As the match burned down, the line cook blew it out, plunging them back into darkness. Sophia grabbed her arm, her grip tight with fear. "What if we get lost?" she whispered. The line cook squeezed her arm reassuringly. "We'll find a way out. We just have to keep moving." She took a deep breath, trying to calm her own racing heart. As they walked, the sound of dripping water echoed off the walls, making it seem like they were being followed by unseen presences. The line cook shone the match again, this time casting a brief glance over her shoulder. For a moment, she thought she saw a shadowy figure lurking just beyond the edge of the light. She spun around, but there was no one there. Sophia's grip on her arm tightened. "What is it?" she whispered. The line cook hesitated, unsure of what to say. "Nothing," she lied. "Just keep moving." The tunnel began to slope downward, and the air grew colder. The line cook could see her breath misting in the air, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Sophia did the same, shivering. Suddenly, the line cook heard the sound of rushing water up ahead. She quickened her pace, her heart racing with excitement. Could it be a way out? She shone the match again, and this time, she saw a glimmer of light up ahead. As they rounded a bend in the tunnel, the line cook gasped. Before them lay a vast underground river, its surface glinting in the faint light. A small wooden boat bobbed on the water, tied to a rusty chain. The line cook's eyes met Sophia's, and they exchanged a look of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could escape after all. But as they approached the boat, the line cook heard a faint noise coming from the other side of the river. It sounded like footsteps, echoing off the stone walls. Sophia's eyes widened in fear. "Do you think it's him?" she whispered. The line cook's grip on the match tightened. She didn't know, but she was determined to find out. With a deep breath, she stepped onto the boat, motioning for Sophia to follow. As they pushed off from the shore, the line cook glanced back at the tunnel, her heart pounding in her chest. They were not alone, and she knew that their escape was far from certain.