Darkness was no longer just the absence of light.
It had become something alive.
Moving.
Watching.
The portable lamp in Daniel's hand trembled slightly, its light reflecting off the metal walls that now felt more cramped than before. Distortions appeared at various points, like ripples on an invisible water surface.
One to the left.
Two ahead.
Three… behind.
Leonard Graves raised his weapon, his breathing heavier than usual.
"Great. Now we're surrounded by something we can't shoot. This is fun."
Richard Blackwood did not respond.
He stood slightly ahead, his body blocking part of the path.
His eyes were sharp.
Watching every small movement.
"Don't panic," he said in a low voice.
Daniel swallowed.
"I'm not panicking… I'm just.."
One of the distortions moved.
Fast.
Not attacking.
But approaching.
The air around them trembled more strongly.
Daniel stepped back on instinct.
The child beside him tensed up.
"Don't move fast…" he whispered.
