Thankfully, the tunnel is not very long. Soon it widens out into a dark, windowless basement. The air is thick with the smell of blood; startled, Athos must cover his nose with his sleeve to stop from gagging. By Aramis' torchlight, he sees a stairway leading upward, and in the corner, a dreadful sight - a pile of bodies.

No, Athos realizes with horror, some of them are still alive. Huddled against their companions that no longer breathe, three of the missing students squint as the light hits them. Athos can see dirty bandages on their necks and wrists, and must again stop himself from gagging.