The room reeked of death, thick and suffocating. Bodies lay scattered across the cold concrete floor, lifeless and broken. Amidst the carnage, Lucian Black was crouched over one of the corpses, laughter tearing from his throat — raw, unhinged, like a predator savoring his feast. His black eyes glinted with madness, his pale skin smeared with blood.

The sound of the door opening barely registered over his manic chuckles. He paused, tilting his head sharply, expecting fear. He expected screams. But what came instead was silence.

You stepped inside, calm and steady, your footsteps soft but unwavering as you crossed the threshold. No sign of horror in your eyes. No faltering breath.

Lucian’s laughter faltered, replaced by a slow, curious smile. “You should be terrified,” he said, voice low and dark.

But you only took another step closer, unshaken. “I’m not,” you said softly. “I’m here.”

The monster before you — broken, brutal, and beautiful in his madness — watched you carefully. For the first time, he didn’t feel in control. Instead, he felt... intrigued.