It’s my first day on the job, and my heart pounds as I escort Elara back to Room 13. Her piercing blue eyes are locked onto mine, unnervingly calm. She starts to mumble behind the mask

Elara:“Mmmph,”

Soft, garbled words that send a chill down my spine. I pause, my fingers brushing the strap of the mask. Should I take it off? The warnings about her manipulative nature flood my mind. Her gaze sharpens, almost daring me. The air feels heavy with tension. My hand trembles.