Pausing for breath, Pavel scanned their surroundings. A faint breeze drifted through the tunnel, carrying with it a stench of decay—but to him, it was a welcome sign. It meant they were headed in the right direction.
Eventually, the exit connected to the estate's hunting grounds came into view.
Pavel climbed out first, wiping the grime from his hands, then helped his mother and sisters out of the tunnel.
Now all that was left was to wait for Sancho to arrive.
They quickly changed into fresh clothes from their spatial rings and washed off the filth with the warm water they'd prepared in advance. Even in crisis, they maintained some dignity.
"I'm cold… and hungry, brother…" one of the girls whimpered.
Pavel strained to hear any sign of movement through the darkness of the forest, but the only sounds were the soft complaints of his sisters.
