Chapter 042
Niklas' POV
The air was heavy with the smell of rust and mold, and the tunnel was damp and cold. As I held Emilia close, her trembling body pressed against mine, my heart thumped in my chest. The dim emergency lights flickered overhead, creating unsettling shadows on the curved concrete walls. It was oppressively quiet in between steps.
I gripped her hand tighter and whispered, "Stay behind me."
She nodded, breathing quickly and shallowly, her eyes wide with fear. Her fingers were icy cold, as if she hadn't stopped shaking since we were separated from the others, and they clung to mine like a lifeline.
Slow, rhythmic footsteps reverberated through the tunnel, each one landing with intention. They were getting closer and louder. The weighty presence that only one person cou
