Chapter 41

• Author's POV
• “Basement," Antonio whispered, pointing towards a door at the far end of the kitchen. The door was slightly ajar, a darkness seeping out from the crack like a silent warning. He approached it cautiously, his heart hammering in his chest. He pushed the door open, revealing a steep staircase descending into pitch blackness.
• Antonio flicked on his flashlight, the beam cutting through the darkness. He took a deep breath and began his descent, his men following closely behind. The stairs creaked under their weight, each step feeling like a journey into the unknown. The air grew colder and damper as they went deeper, the smell of mold and decay becoming almost overpowering.