John was working away at the door and at last with a wrenching shriek of metal he flung it open — and a breeze so hard it was almost a wind blew their torches out. Theybha screamed and Jason put his arms around her.
“Damn!” said John, jumping back a foot, holding up his doused torch defensively, but nothing came forth from the darkness but the strong breeze.
“Oh, crap, what are we going to do here in the dark?” asked They.
“I hear water running in here.” said John, feeling his way into the room. “It’s not that big.”
“Watch out for spiders!”
“You know what? I need a rest.” said Jason, deciding to sit down where he was. Thay sat down beside him and snuggled under his arm. “We’ll see the torches when those two catch up with us.”
“I’m tired too,” said Beth, closing her eyes. “It’s got to be after midnight. We should just sleep.”
“There was some stuff back in the storerooms.” said John from inside the room. “And there’s a stream running in here! You can drink from it.”
“Well, thank god for that,” said Beth, dreamily.
“This is overwhelming.” said Jason. “Nothing ever happens to us and then suddenly this. It’s crazy, it’s just like a story or something.”
“Mmm. We’re going to be rich.” said Beth happily.
John returned and sat down beside them. “Yeah, even if the grownups find this and take it over, we can get a ton of that stuff from the storerooms out of here before they do. I guess we could sell some of it in Verbobonc, but I want to see if we can get horses or something, go even farther. I want to see the Kingdom of Furyondy, and Newhon.”
“Well I never believed Newhon was anything but a legend but at least you’ll get to find out.” said Beth.
“It’s amazing how it can all change in a day.” said John.
“We deserve it, for putting up with this crummy town our whole lives.” said Beth.
“But we’ll share it all, five equal parts.”
“Of course,” said Jason. “All for one and one for all. Just like the stories.”
“I know I feel that way. I shouldn’t have to say it but it’s a big change. We’ll have to make decisions, decide who gets what and where we’re going to go.”
“I want to stay together.” said Beth. “I don’t trust you not to get killed, anyway.”
“Me or Jason?” asked John.
“Either of you, but mostly you.” replied Beth.
“It would be stupid to separate now,” said Jason. “I mean, I’ve thought about striking out on my own, but we found all this money together and why would I want to go off and find some other people to be around.”
“You’re right,” said John. “It’s best really, to stay together. But I really really want to see the world, you know?”
“All in good time, my friend,” said Jason.
“And we are friends,” said John, “Friends to the end.”