Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I'm Stuck as Their Baby!-Chapter 111: Sneaking Around for Beginners

Famous last words, I thought sourly, pushing onward into uncertainty.

But at least I was moving.

Moving through damp, dark corridors that twisted and turned like they were deliberately mocking my nonexistent sense of direction. Whoever designed this place clearly didn't believe in things like straight lines or logic, which was probably great if you were a kidnapper but absolutely miserable if you were their victim desperately trying to make a subtle escape.

Subtle, of course, being a relative term. My earlier door-shattering method had likely eliminated any hope of stealth.

I pressed myself cautiously against a grimy stone wall, holding my breath as footsteps echoed sharply down the adjoining hallway. My heart thundered loudly in my chest, anxiety thrumming through every muscle.

[Two guards approaching from the left corridor,] the system informed me crisply, sounding as if it was calmly directing traffic instead of potentially saving my life. [Move quickly or you'll be spotted.]

"Very helpful," I muttered sarcastically, silently slipping into a narrow alcove. I pressed myself flat against the cold stone, cringing as something slimy slid unpleasantly down the back of my shirt. "Remind me again why you didn't warn me before I exploded that door?"

[I assumed you had a plan.]

I snorted softly, rolling my eyes heavenward. "When have I ever had a plan?"

[Fair point.]

The guards passed just inches from my hiding place, their armor clinking faintly, heavy boots echoing loudly against the stone floor. I remained frozen, barely daring to breathe, pulse racing wildly. The guards paused briefly, muttering quietly to each other.

"Did you hear something?" one asked uncertainly, his voice nervous, slightly higher-pitched than I expected from a supposedly intimidating guard.

His companion sighed heavily, clearly unimpressed. "You always hear something. It's an old dungeon—rats, dripping water, prisoners moaning dramatically."

"I don't moan dramatically," I whispered indignantly under my breath, glaring silently at the stone wall. "I protest with dignity."

[Quiet,] the system hissed sharply, sounding faintly amused despite itself.

The guards eventually moved on, their voices fading gradually until silence returned once more. I exhaled shakily, stepping slowly out of my cramped hiding spot, grimacing as I peeled the damp fabric away from my back.

"Next time," I muttered darkly, rubbing irritably at the grime on my shirt, "remind me to get kidnapped someplace cleaner. Preferably with better amenities."

[I'll add it to the list of your incredibly specific requests.]

I moved swiftly but cautiously down the dim corridor, eyes constantly scanning the shadows for any hint of movement. The hallways seemed endless, identical passageways branching off in multiple directions, each corridor as dark and foreboding as the last. Torches flickered weakly, casting long, eerie shadows that danced mockingly on the damp walls.

"Any idea where I'm going?" I asked quietly, irritation and unease tightening my voice. "Because this feels suspiciously like going in circles."

[That's because you are going in circles,] the system replied helpfully. [Perhaps you should consider turning right at the next intersection.]

I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to scream out my frustration. "Your directional advice needs serious improvement."

[My directions are flawless; your listening skills, however, are questionable.]

I huffed loudly, turning sharply at the next corridor as instructed, silently hoping my system's sense of direction was better than its attitude. To my relief, this hallway looked slightly different—slightly less grim, slightly less moldy, and slightly brighter.

It also had significantly more guards.

I froze instantly, quickly ducking behind a wide stone pillar as armored footsteps approached rapidly from ahead. Guards marched in pairs, tense voices echoing urgently through the halls.

"She's escaped," one barked sharply, voice filled with undisguised panic. "Search every corridor, every alcove. The commander wants her back alive."

"I'd prefer to stay lost, thank you," I muttered irritably, pressing tightly against the cold pillar, heart racing painfully in my chest.

[They've noticed your absence,] the system informed me unnecessarily, sounding as if this was an interesting fact rather than a cause for immediate concern.

"You don't say," I whispered sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "Any other astute observations you'd like to share?"

[There's an increased likelihood you'll be recaptured.]

"Brilliant deduction."

The guards hurried past, armor rattling urgently, voices raised in tense alarm. As their footsteps receded, I exhaled slowly, leaning weakly against the pillar, exhaustion dragging at my limbs. My brief burst of adrenaline was fading rapidly, replaced by bone-deep fatigue and lingering pain from hours of torture.

"Alright," I murmured softly, eyes closing briefly, gathering what little strength remained. "New plan: find a way to communicate with my family before I collapse. Any ideas?"

[Considering your current situation, a direct message seems unlikely,] the system noted helpfully. [However, there's likely a magical communication crystal or relay somewhere nearby. Kidnappers typically keep them around for their own use.]

I nodded slowly, carefully pushing myself away from the pillar, scanning the corridor carefully. "Great. All I have to do is find it without getting caught or killed. Easy."

[If it were easy, you'd have managed it by now.]

"You're not helping," I muttered irritably, carefully moving toward another passage, senses alert for any sound or movement.

[Two more guards directly ahead, but there's a small chamber to your left. Try there.]

I followed the instructions quickly, slipping silently into a small, darkened room, the air inside damp and musty. Inside were stacks of crates, old sacks of grain that smelled unpleasantly moldy, and something covered by a dusty tarp in the corner.

"Charming place," I whispered dryly, pulling the tarp away cautiously. Beneath it lay a battered wooden desk, piled haphazardly with old scrolls, quills, and thankfully a small, polished crystal glowing faintly in the dimness.

"Finally, something useful," I muttered, reaching eagerly for the crystal.

[Careful, Elyzara,] the system warned sharply, urgency threading through its voice. [They'll likely sense if it's used improperly.]

"Of course they will," I sighed bitterly. "Because nothing in my life can ever be straightforward."

I hesitated briefly, considering carefully. Using the crystal directly might alert my captors immediately but it was a risk I had to take. My family needed to know where I was, that I was still alive.

Decision made, I pressed my fingertips against the cool, smooth crystal, magic seeping softly into it, whispering desperately, "Please, let this work."

The crystal pulsed gently beneath my touch, glowing softly brighter, warmth spreading slowly through my fingers. Hope surged briefly within me but then, abruptly, sharp voices rang harshly outside, alarmed and urgent.

"The crystal!" someone shouted sharply. "She's using the crystal! Find her!"

My heart sank instantly, panic tightening my chest painfully. "Of course," I groaned softly, swiftly releasing the crystal. "Why would things ever go my way?"

[Run, Elyzara,] the system ordered urgently. [Now.]

I turned quickly, racing desperately from the small chamber, footsteps echoing loudly behind me, guards shouting angrily as they pursued. Panic surged violently, my breathing rapid and uneven, pulse thundering frantically in my ears.

"You know," I gasped breathlessly, racing blindly down dark hallways, desperately searching for any safe hiding place, "when I imagined daring escapes, this wasn't exactly what I pictured."

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[Less imagination, more running!]

I stumbled around another corner, nearly colliding with a tall, armored guard, his expression shifting quickly from surprise to fierce determination. He lunged instantly, grabbing for me but instinct surged faster, magic bursting violently from my palms, knocking him backward forcefully into the stone wall.

"Sorry!" I shouted breathlessly over my shoulder, sprinting onward, guilt briefly flickering within me. "Really hoping he survives that!"

[Stop apologizing and keep moving,] the system barked irritably.

My lungs burned fiercely, legs heavy and trembling, vision blurring dangerously from exhaustion. Every corridor looked identical now, blending together into a dizzying, endless maze of stone and shadow. Footsteps echoed loudly behind me, relentless, persistent.

Finally, desperate and exhausted, I stumbled into another small alcove, collapsing weakly behind stacked barrels. My breath rasped harshly, chest heaving painfully, muscles trembling uncontrollably.

[Stay hidden,] the system instructed gently, voice softer now, concern coloring every word. [We'll find another chance. Rest for a moment.]

I nodded weakly, leaning heavily against the cold stone wall, eyes closing tightly, fighting back tears of frustration and despair. My daring escape had become a frantic, exhausting chase, and now I was cornered again.

But beneath all the fear, exhaustion, and frustration, a stubborn spark of determination still lingered.

"I'll get out of here," I whispered fiercely, voice trembling but resolute. "Somehow."

[Of course you will,] the system replied softly, sounding oddly proud. [You're annoyingly stubborn like that.]