The well was deep. Andrew estimated they had already descended about 150 feet, so he shone his high-powered flashlight downward. However, the bottom was still swallowed in darkness, with no end in sight.

Tiana gasped. "A typical well is about 45 feet deep at most? We've come down the equivalent of 15 stories, and it still goes on? How in the world did the people of Gallow's End manage to dig something this deep?"

Andrew continued his descent with steady movements. "No idea. But maybe this well wasn't dug for water, and maybe it wasn't even made by the villagers of Gallow's End."

The climbing rope was top-grade, industrial-strength. It could hold the weight of about eight people dangling at once without issue.

Andrew held the flashlight in one hand while gripping the rope tightly with the other, and a safety harness was clipped to his waist. He kicked lightly against the stone wall, letting his body drop faster using gravity to his advantage.

Tiana called down, "Andy, be caref