They arrived at a large cave opening with rusty cart tracks coming out from rubble. * * * The train started moving and Logan crawled up onto Burke's lap, huffing tiredly.
"Haunted, most definitely," she said, pulling him forward. * * * Logan panted tiredly, closing his eyes as he leaned against Burke as well.
He nodded in agreement, looking around in interest. "For sure." *** Scarlet closed her eyes as she waited, her head slowly resting on his shoulder.
She entered the mine, letting go of his hand as she bent by some red-spotted mushrooms, picking a few stalks. * * * He looked down, but said nothing, looking back out the window with a small smile.
She looked up at him with a grin. "I don't know," she replied, slipping it into her belt pouch. "I have to look it up." * * * He rested his head on top of hers, closing his eyes.
"I know," he replied easily. "But you want to learn more. I love that." *** Scarlet woke a bit later, her eyes fluttering open.
She flushed, standing up and coming over to him, kissing his mouth slowly. * * * Burke was sleeping, his head resting on hers, his hat slipping over his eyes.
He took her hands, kissing her back before pulling away. "Deeper?" *** She looked up at him carefully, gingerly fixing his hat before relaxing again.
The mines were musty. Brown water dripped from stalactites off the ceiling, and the sounds of the drops hitting the craggy ground filled the otherwise silent gloom. The darkness grew around them as they walked, the smell of disuse and decay filling their noses. Occasionally, Ellie would stop, going off to the walls of the mines to pull some fungi or glowing plant and store it in her pouch, but for the most part, they continued on in the darkness. * * * Logan looked at her and whimpered.
Xavier seemed interested in the cave, looking around curiously. *** She reached over and pet his ears, her eyes still closed.
Ellie leaned against him, pointing down one of the paths. "That's where the miners died." * * * He licked her hand but still seemed anxious.
His eyebrows raised. "Died? How?" *** She opened her eyes and pet his head before reaching into her pocket and giving him a treat.
"There was a fault in the scaffolding," she said, pointing. "Dozens of miners fell to their death." * * * He ate it, crunching nervously. Without opening his eyes, Burke spoke. "You're gonna make that dog fat."
