Inside the cathedral was dim and stuffy with a faint scent of incense. Ina shook from a shiver, it was definitely colder than outside. The decor was still there; the walls decorated with big paintings, stained glass windows painting the inside in rainbow colors, dusty benches and everything else a posh church had to offer. Her steps echoed through the nave to the back of ambulatory.
She had to stop in her path as a big chandelier that must've fallen long ago blocked her way. The crystal parts scattered on the floor crunched under her feet. She turned right to the aisle; through the benches and past the pillars to the high door leading her through a vestibule and finally outside, to the square.
From there she decided to briefly check out the refectory. Two long heavy wooden tables stood at each side in the large room, further ahead the adjacent rooms had a spacious kitchen, empty pantry, storage. Downstairs led to a wine cellar.
Up ahead the cloister was the chapter house, library and day room with furniture hidden under white cloth. Ina thought that the objects looked like ghosts having a gathering.
Finally, she arrived at the dormitory.
She checked out the rooms without haste. All were small and simple, with walls yellowed over time and with either one bed or bunk beds. Cobwebs hanged low like heavy curtains, and dust gathered around like a blanket. Ina sighed relieved seeing the communal shower room in fairly good shape. The thought of taking a steamy shower at the end of the day made her happy. However, the water wasn't running and there was no electricity, so she needed to ask Bastian to take care of it first.
It was already evening when they both descended the stairs to the basement with a lantern in hand.
"Ok the power switch should be somewhere around... here... And the valves..."
Bastian mumbled examining the dark hallway with directions from the caretaker displayed in his smartphone, Ina following him close by.
"Aaaaand... fingers crossed that it doesn't blow up-...!"
He pulled the lever with one swift motion. It creaked from the force and sparks crackled through the wires. The light turned on one after another, the generator buzzed.
"So... do you think they still have some bottles around in the wine cellar?"
He turned the lantern off and smirked.
"Maybe. But can we have a look at the rooms here first? I feel better with you by my side."
She didn't have to ask twice, Bastian puffed his chest and patted it proudly.
"You can count on me, babe!"
They went deeper into the corridor. He seemed very happy that there'd be something for him to benefit from by staying in a spooky place like that. He snooped around with excitement, making Ina chuckle and compare him to a curious dog. A moment later her eyes fell on the massive door at the other end of the hall. Her step became faster until she almost ran to it. Bastian caught up with her and gasped.
"Woooow..."
It was more of a gate than door - double, 10 feet tall and reinforced. The ornaments depicted symmetrical wyverns on each side among some flora, their long necks and tails curled. The two keyholes were turned upside down for some reason. Standing in front of that felt ominous even in the bright light of the corridor. If it was made to ward off intruders, then it was doing a good job.
"I think that's the entrance to the catacombs beneath."
Ina spoke and Bastian frowned in a grimace.
"Ew, nasty. You better charge that employer extra if we'll have to deal with zombies..."
"Even if I wanted to have a peek, we won't be able to enter. I don't have the keys."
She could hear her boyfriend sigh in relief.
"Well, can't be helped. So... about that wine cellar...?"
She chuckled and turned around.
"Yes, yes, of course. Follow me."
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