Molly and I had run out of options. We had been running for about 45 minutes now and we couldn't lose the goblins on our tail. We were also forced to climb uphill more and more as the terrain became increasingly more rocky.

  Worse still the sound of goblins was soon coming from every which way around us. The goblins had circled around blocking off our escape route. We were cornered.

  All of this was why I was considering something drastic.

  We had stumbled across a cave entrance in our frantic escape attempt that was somewhat hidden. Air was flowing from the entrance indicating that there was a another entrance to the cave somewhere else.How far else I didn't know.

  The air was dark and damp coming from the entrance but it was a possible escape route. If nothing else it could be a place to hide from the goblin search parties until the heat was off.

  We hesitated at the entrance in indecision. A cave was definitely no place for a 4 year old and we didn't know what was in there, if anything.

  Molly was definitely more than a little afraid of going in there. Her mind imagining all kinds of monsters that lurked in the dark.

  The sound of goblins closing in made the decision for us however. No matter what was possibly in there a hypothetical threat is far less than a actual threat.

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  Me and Molly quickly ducked into the narrow passageway leading into the dark. We took a quick but measured pace as we felt our way along the walls of the cave. Trying to angle our path in the direction of where the air flow was coming from.

  We walked in darkness and silence for a bit until my prediction algorithms predicted we were far enough away from the entrance that if we lit a torch the light wouldn't carry all the way to be seen from outside.

  Molly never let go of my hand the entire time walking stiffly and tensely. It was taking all her bravery just to put one foot in front of the other and for that I was proud of her.

  When I felt we were safe enough to speak I spoke to her.

  "You are such a brave girl Molly." ,i said rubbing her back and turning to her.

  "Can you buy some lights for us, please? I softly asked.

  "Let's light this place up."

  Molly readily complied. Two orb lights on small sticks plopping on the ground nearby. I would have bought them myself but they were relatively expensive at 10 currency each and I only had 9.

  Soon the immediate area was lit up around us. Molly didn't quit being tense but she seemed less terrified now.

  Her eyes however still scanned warily from side to side searching the shadows at the edge of the orb lights for hidden threats.

  We resumed our walk in silence following the air flow. We followed along a certain passageway going up at a gradual angle where air flow was strongest. Molly told me that it smelled a little funny but the strength of the airflow I calculated told me that this was the most direct path out.

  We had gone a ways further when something stirred at the edges of the light. In the darkness ghastly figures slowly shambled out of the shadows. Hollow eyes locking onto us. I hefted my club getting ready. Molly let out a fearful scream as they advanced towards us.