"What would she have done if she'd seen us?" asked Alex.

"Who knows!" said Logan, "I don't want to hang around and find out either!"

"Are you going now?"

"Yes."

"I don't want to go yet," said Melanie.

Too bad!" said Logan, "We have to get home soon anyway. Our parents might notice we're not there."

"I wish they wouldn't do that," said Melanie, "I'm ten now. I can look after myself."

"Come on," insisted Logan, "If you don't come, I'll leave you here."

Reluctantly, Melanie turned and followed Logan and Alex. The dark passage stretched down and away ahead of them as their torches illuminated the cold, grey concrete walls. Dirt and dust crunched under their feet. Spider's webs brushed against their faces and caught in their hair. Their breath came white from their mouths like frost in winter.

And behind them, through the small glass window, the beautiful babies with their round innocent eyes, clustered together, close to the glass, to watch them go.