Map: Part XV
“Damn,” muttered Rosie quietly, folding her arms.
Aaron was not quite so… calm. “What?! That’s not right? What else--” He threw up his arms and paced somewhat angrily around the room. He was filled with unused adrenaline, and even stopped for a moment to grab Rosie’s forearms and shake them. She widened her eyes in alarm, and he let go, resuming his pacing.
Rosie said calmly, “It’s probably just--”
But Aaron exclaimed, “We’ve gotta--!” and ran off before either of them had finished their thought.
Later he would realize that he totally must’ve looked crazy.
Nonetheless, Aaron sprinted upstairs and rechecked the statue room. Panting, he glanced around at the partially broken statues. Although there was still a wall in the room, he saw that the statues they had been unsure about, the knight and sword, were indeed in the right order.
He ran back down the stairs, grabbing his side. Maybe he should work out more, he thought, trying to catch his breath.
Before he could, something grabbed his arm, dragging him forward. He looked up at Rosie, who had a pretty disapproving look on her face. “You’re an idiot,” she scolded, pulling him back to the door.
There was no door.
Although he could still barely breathe, he managed, “You opened the door?!”
“It was the bird and the acorn,” she said slowly, like he was dull. “They just needed to be switched.”
Aaron couldn’t believe he had run all that way for no reason. So many stairs.
And Rosie just burst out laughing.
He straightened, ready to chastise her, but he began to laugh as well. She quieted and looked at him, mouth curved up in amusement and eyes crinkled in continual, silent laughter. His own chuckle trailed off and he reached a hand toward her own.
His smile remained as he took her hand, and she looked away, but didn’t protest.
“Time to find a treasure,” she said, staring forward. The doorway, now open, led into darkness, but she didn’t look afraid.
For the first time in a long time, Aaron felt like Rosie was comfortable. And that on its own felt like a treasure.
“Let’s do it,” he confirmed.
Hands still clasped, they stepped forward, and were swallowed by the darkness.
Read part I: https://theprose.com/post/243841/map