Ghosts and Gold

Vera's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at the sky. She saw dark shapes circling overhead, and she thought they were birds of prey. They were screeching and making eerie noises, and Vera felt queasy.

Kasper looked up too, his face tightening in concern. "Those are ghoulies," he said. "They're not usually found around here."

Vera felt a sense of foreboding. She had a feeling that the ghoulies were a bad omen, a warning of danger to come. She wondered if they should turn back, but Kasper seemed determined to continue.

"We can't let this stop us," he said, his jaw set. "We have to keep going."

Vera nodded, feeling a sense of determination. She knew that they were in this together, and that they had to face whatever came their way.

As the boat moved further away from the shore, the ghoulies disappeared from view, but Vera couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She kept her eyes peeled for any signs of danger, but the journey continued without incident.

Vera and Kasper arrived at the island of Perrez, a rugged and rocky island with steep cliffs and crashing waves. They moored their boat on a small beach and set off on foot, following the coastline.

They walked for hours, with nothing but the sound of the waves and the cries of seabirds to keep them company. Vera felt a sense of unease as they walked deeper into the island.

As they walked along the coastline, Kasper suddenly stopped. "This way," he said, pointing towards a rocky outcropping.

They scrambled up the rocks, Vera feeling her heart pounding in her chest. As they reached the top, Kasper pointed towards a cave hidden in the rocks. "That's where we need to go," he said.

Vera felt a sense of trepidation as they approached the cave entrance. It was small and dark, with a slimy feeling that made her skin crawl. Kasper lit a lantern and they stepped inside the cave.

They walked deeper and deeper into the cave, the lantern casting eerie shadows on the walls. Vera felt a sense of unease as they went further, wondering what they would find.

As they walked, they heard strange noises echoing through the cave. Vera couldn't identify the sounds, but they made her feel even more anxious.

Finally, they came to a large chamber. Vera's heart skipped a beat as she saw a pedestal in the center of the room, but it was empty. There was no crystal.

Vera felt a surge of disappointment as Kasper spoke. "This is where the crystal once was. But it's not here now."

Vera felt a sense of confusion. If the crystal wasn't there, where could it be? And who had taken it?

As they turned to leave the cave, they heard a sound behind them. They turned to see a shadowy figure in the entrance of the cave. The figure was dressed all in black, with a hood covering their face.

Vera felt a surge of fear as the figure stepped forward, raising a gun. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The figure didn't answer, but instead pointed the gun at Kasper. "Drop the lantern," they said, their voice cold and threatening.

Kasper hesitated for a moment, then slowly lowered the lantern to the ground. As the light flickered out, the figure stepped forward, their gun still pointed at Kasper.

Vera felt a sense of panic rise in her chest. They were trapped, with no way out. What would happen to them now?