We stared at the water in the well that was completely different from the one in the sewer. Compared to the sewer water, this water was a pretty sea green blue that moved as if it was being pulled in from somewhere. It was so clear that I could easily spot my flash light at the bottom.
“I think this is it.” I said smiling. “I think this is the room the painting is in.”
Kerry pointed toward the well. “And look, the well is big enough for someone to climb down.”
“Taylor, I’m about to lower the camera into the well. Tell us what you see.”
“Gotcha!”
I reached into my purse and removed the camera that was disguised as a mirror. I attached the camera to the rope that was on the side of the well. It might not be able to hold up our size without breaking, but it could handle the size of the camera. Making sure the rope was tied tight—I lowered the camera down until it was at the bottom of the well. I hoped there were no guards stationed in this room. I doubt though seeing how the room was flooded with water.
The camera moved passed the wall of the well and into the water. I lowered it a little bit more and held it into position.
We all waited for Taylor to confirm what we were hoping. She was quiet for a little while staring at the tablet. I knew she was having difficulty seeing through the camera lens because of the water.
“OH MY GOD!!!” She suddenly screamed. “I see it. The painting is there. It’s in the center of the room on a platform.”
“Yes!” Yuri jumped up and down. “That means we got here first.”
“We have to hurry!” I said feeling the rush of adrenaline running up my arms. I pulled the camera up quickly and removed it from the well. “Let’s go.”
I removed some the mascara cases from my bag that were actually suction cups used to climb walls. We took off our masks and left them leaning up against the outside of the wall. Since Kerry was the best swimmer, she decided to go first. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she turned backwards to the well, as we help lower her into the well. Twisting, she continued to lower herself until her whole body was in the well.
“I’m right behind you.” I said.
“Okay.” Kerry closed her eyes for a moment to say a prayer. Finished, she slowly lowered herself down the wall of the well like we did on the rock climbing wall in the gym. Within seconds her lower half was in the water. Once the water was to her neck she looked up at me.
“Be careful.” Yuri said touching my arm.
I smiled. “I know the rope is a bit shattered, but hang it in the well. We’re going to need some kind of a way back up.”
Following Kerry’s suit, I climbed into the well and lowered myself into the well. When I was right above Kerry, she took a deep breath and disappeared under the water, giving me more room to come down. My body entered the water as I sucked in a deep breath at how cool it was. I lowered myself even more until I was neck length in the water. Letting go of the rope, I took a deep breath and disappeared under the water.
The water was clear enough for me to make out Kerry’s shape as she swam ahead of me. I was thankful for the wig we wore, because I just knew my hair would have been a mess. Remembering the breathing exercises I’d learned, I continued to push through the water. Up ahead in the water, I could see Kerry standing as I made my way towards her. Once beside her boots, I pushed up towards the surface, feeling like my lungs were on fire. I took in some much needed air. Behind me, I could hear the sounds of Yuri and Taylor moving through the water.
Kerry laughed. “Isn’t this place beautiful?”
Standing up on my feet, I stared around the large room. Kerry was right. It was beautiful. The room looked as if it came straight from a page of a Greek Mythology book. The walls were made of stone as more of the same green vines hung all around the room. A few inches from the top of the wall, were four openings covered by silver bars. In between those bars came the water that filled up the room. I still couldn’t believe we had swum across this huge room in a matter of seconds. In the corner left of the room, were a set of steps that led up to a platform, where a set of double doors stood. I bet that was where the guards entered. And in front of us, on the steps of the platform we stood on, were two stone statues, and sitting between them, was the painting.
Taylor and Yuri made their way beside us finally having a chance to take in the room. Turning to each other, we let out a squeal of glee as we squeezed each other hands.
“Where do you think that water is coming from?” Kerry asked. “It can’t be from the sewer with how clear it is.”
“I don’t know. It could be from another secret room or something.”
Holding each other hands, we approached the painting. The painting was hidden behind a thick glass case. Removing my favorite glass cutter, I cut out the size of the painting. Placing the cutter back in its place, I removed the glass and set it down beside the statues.
“We’ll all touch on three.” We surrounded the painting as I began to count. “One, Two, Three.” Our hands reached out to touch the painting. As my hands touched the frame to the painting, I froze. A sharp jolt had moved through my body. That was weird. I turned to stare at the other girls as their expression mimicked mine.
“What was that?” Yuri said with a look of fear on her face. I knew what she was thinking.
“This painting is not cursed. We’re just over excited that’s all.” Even as the words came out of my mouth, I knew I was lying. “Let’s try again.” The girls nodded their heads and we tried to touch the painting again. Touching the painting again, I didn’t feel any more jolts. Giving the girls a look of triumph, I gripped the painting tighter when a sharper jolt ran through my body.
The jolts began to come faster as my heart rate began to rise. The painting began to surge with white light as it ran from my fingertips and connected with the girls. The white light lit up the room as we all shook. My body was wrecked with so many seizures that I felt that any minute now my body would break into two. A loud clap of white light exploded from the painting as the four of us were pushed back. My body flew through the air convulsing. I landed in the water as my head bounced off a nearby stone, sending me into complete darkness.