Blake remained rooted to the spot.
The stranger's footsteps gradually faded as they ascended the staircase behind him.
His shoulders still felt heavy where those hands had pressed him down.
"Who..."
His voice came out quieter than intended.
The green light flooded every corner of the enormous chamber, making it nearly impossible to distinguish shapes beyond vague silhouettes. Everything blurred together, forcing him to squint despite already shielding his eyes.
His heart refused to slow.
'Who is that...?'
The voice lingered in his mind.
It hadn't sounded human.
Not because of its tone, but because it had been distorted beyond recognition. Every word seemed layered beneath static, as though several voices had spoken simultaneously.
Blake couldn't even determine something as simple as whether it had belonged to a man or a woman.
That alone unsettled him.
Whoever that person was... they clearly weren't a guard.
Nor a researcher.
