Darkness didn’t close in on Nyra.
It settled.
Not heavy. Not suffocating.
Just present, like the space had been waiting to be occupied, not discovered.
The panel sealed behind her with a soft click that echoed farther than it should have.
Nyra didn’t turn back.
No point.
Five minutes.
That was the line now.
Not time.
Decision.
Her eyes adjusted slowly, pulling detail out of shadow inch by inch.
Narrow passage.
Concrete again but smoother than the corridor outside.
Less worn.
Maintained.
That told her enough.
This wasn’t abandoned.
This was used.
Her steps were quiet as she moved forward, one hand grazing the wall lightly not for balance, but for texture.
Smooth.
Too smooth.
No cracks. No dust buildup.
Cleaned.
Regularly.
Nyra exhaled slowly.
“They’ve been here a w
