The climb took far longer than I thought it would. I must have spent a half-hour climbing the stupid ladder and I had to wonder just how in the world my scaredy-cat Cya had made this trip without having a nervous breakdown. The ladder even swayed with every step. I tried to imagine him clinging to this thing and trying to slink down and had to bite back my laughter. It was too cruel to laugh at his fears. I’m sure there had to be a reason he had them. But still the mental image had me chuckling and as I reached for the next rung my hand hit the ceiling. I grinned and shoved against the hatch forcing it open.
The room was dark as I climbed through the secret hatch. No one was there at the moment, I had chosen the best time to infiltrate the place. Everything had a smoky atmosphere and my b
