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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u2014 \u201cAlright, that\u2019s it. You\u2019ve destroyed your floor, dug a tunnel who knows where, and terrified the entire neighborhood. You\u2019re coming with us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the man recoiled, his face twisting with fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cNo! You don\u2019t understand! If I stop \u2014 they\u2019ll get out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The words hung in the air like a crack of thunder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cWho will get out?\u201d the officer demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man pointed into the darkness of the tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cThey\u2019re close\u2026 I hear them clearer every day\u2026 At first they whispered\u2026 then they started knocking\u2026 And yesterday\u2026 yesterday they began to\u2026 answer\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At that exact moment, one of the officers turned his head sharply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cWait. Quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then\u2026 it happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A sound rose from deep within the tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first, barely noticeable\u2026 like distant soil shifting. Then clearer. A dull \u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A rhythm\u2026 steady\u2026 heavy\u2026 disturbingly familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As if\u2026 someone\u2026 was digging back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The officers stood completely still. Their eyes met \u2014 and for the first time, something broke through their composure: doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cDid you hear that\u2026?\u201d one whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man slowly nodded. A strange smile appeared on his face \u2014 not joyful, not insane\u2026 but resigned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cNow you see?.. I wasn\u2019t digging down\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He paused, staring into the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cI was trying to stop them\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound grew louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blows came faster. Closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earth deep inside the tunnel trembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the officers shouted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u201cBack! Move back now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was already too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dim light flickered\u2026 and for a split second, something seemed to shift in the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something\u2026 that should never have been there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something that wasn\u2019t digging up or down\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n