Temerity

They descended down the spiral staircase with forced bravery, each cajoling the other with taunts and jeers, high on a game of truth or dare. The absence of flickering candles gave room for pause, their only source of light the radiance of the moonlit sky behind them.

Bodies froze as they took in the ancient chamber, trying to avoid looking at the cracks in the stone walls, the scarred and pitted rocky formations of the staircase, and...were those crimson stains leading into the darkness?

The chills crept in. Eerie didn't quite cover the atmosphere, and unearthly was an understatement. Clammy hands clutched drenched shirts, hearts pounding and skipping beats, the air damp with a sudden wave of outright fear.

Then they heard it.

The entry door let out a creaking noise before it shut with a loud bang, striking terror into their hearts. As their eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, a sharp gleam entered their periphery, followed by a pair of unnatural red orbs...