The sound outside didn't stop. It came again louder this time. Arin tried to stand up, but Rudra stopped him.
Don't move, Rudra said firmly.
A heavy silence followed for a second. Then another hit shook the door. Dust fell from the ceiling. I stepped back slightly, my heart already racing again.
"This doesn't end," I whispered.
Rudra's eyes stayed fixed on the door, calculating every possible outcome.
Arin looked up weakly.
"They're trying to get in," he muttered.
Another loud impact. This time the lock cracked slightly.
My breath stopped. Rudra moved instantly.
He grabbed the chair and pushed it against the door, blocking it.
"Help me," Rudra said quickly.
I rushed forward without thinking. We pushed everything we could table, chair, anything that could hold the door for even a few seconds. But the door shook again.
Rudra's voice dropped. We don't have much time. I turned to him. Then what do we do ?
I asked, panic rising in my voice.
He didn't answer. His attention moved toward the old wardrobe placed in the room. Rudra walked straight to it. His hand pressed against the wood, feeling for something. Then—
a faint click.
A small gap appeared in the side wall. Not the main tunnel. Something different.
More hidden. My eyes widened.
There's another one? I whispered.
Rudra looked at me. His expression was serious but steady.
There's always another way out, he said. Another heavy crash hit the door. The chair shifted. It won't last much longer.
Arin pushed himself up with effort.
You never told me about this route, he said, staring at Rudra. Rudra didn't respond to that. "Both of you listen carefully," he said, pointing toward the opening.
"It's narrow. Dark. You go first."
I froze.
Me ? I asked.
He nodded once. "Yes."
My voice lowered. And you?
I'll handle what's outside, he said quietly.
Arin immediately shook his head.
No. You can't stay here alone.
Rudra cut him off sharply.
"I said move."
Another crash. The door frame cracked slightly. Dust filled the air.
Rhea, trust me please, he said.
I looked at him. Everthing inside me said no… But everything outside said there was no choice left. And before I could answer—
the barricade finally broke.
The door started to give. Rudra pulled me toward the hidden passage.
"Go," he said. And this time I moved. I stepped into the narrow opening. The air inside was colder than before and completely silent. Behind me, the room exploded into noise.
Keep going, Rudra said sharply.
Arin followed slowly, holding his injured arm. This doesn't feel like an exit, Arin muttered.
I looked back for a second. Rudra was still at the entrance. He was just watching the room like he was waiting for the right moment.
Boss, come on ! Arin called.
He didn't move.
Instead, his hand went behind a picture on the wall and found something hidden. My heart skipped.
What are you doing ? I said quickly.
"Making sure they don't follow you," he said.
Before I could react—
he pressed it.
A deep sound echoed and the entrance started shifting. The passage behind us slowly closed. No Rudra ! I shouted.
He took one step toward me, just enough for me to hear him clearly.
Don't stop, he said. Not even for me.
Arin grabbed my shoulder.
He's sealing it, he whispered.
I shook my head. "No…"
But the wall kept moving. Blocking the room.
For a second, I saw him clearly through the narrowing gap. He was still standing there.
Still watching us leave. And then—
the wall closed completely.
The darkness swallowed us completely.
I could hear only my breathing… fast and uneven. We stood there for a few seconds not moving, not speaking.
My voice came out barely above a whisper.
"He really stayed back…"
He chose to, Arin said slowly.
I turned toward him immediately.
That's not a choice, that's sacrifice, I said.
He didn't argue. Because even he knew it.
I can't just leave him like that, I said.
Arin looked at me sharply. If you go back, you die too, he said. Silence again.
Then we heard a faint sound. Not from behind. From ahead. Arin straightened slowly. Did you hear that ? he asked.
I nodded. It came again. I stepped forward before thinking. The passage wasn't empty.
It was leading somewhere.
Arin grabbed my arm.
Wait rhea, we don't even know what's ahead, Arin said.
I stopped for a second. But we also don't know what's behind, I said quietly.
Arin loosened his grip slightly, but didn't let go. This could be another trap, he said.
I looked at him. Everything since the beginning has been a trap, I replied.
He didn't answer. Slowly I pulled my arm free and took a step forward.
The tunnel widened slightly after a few meters. The air changed. Less cold.
Like someone maintained it.
Arin followed reluctantly behind me.
This doesn't feel abandoned, he muttered.
I didn't reply because I felt it too.
A faint light appeared ahead. We reached a bend in the tunnel and stopped. There was a old metal door. But the door was locked from the outside. Arin frowned.
Why would a tunnel need a locked door ? he asked.
I stepped closer slowly. My hand hovered over it. Then I heard a soft sound from the other side. I froze instantly.
Someone's there… I whispered.
Arin's expression tightened.
The door didn't move but the silence behind it felt different. Like it was aware of us.
It feels like we were meant to open this door, I whispered. Arin looked at me sharply. Meant by who ? he asked.
I didn't answer because I didn't know.
I placed my hand on the door. It felt like something on the other side was waiting for the exact moment.