˗ˏˋ ★ˎˊ˗

The Hadal Blacksite had no doors worth opening, no exits that led anywhere but deeper into the dark. You should have known that by now.

P.ai.nter certainly did.

It watched you with its usual half-lidded expression, scrawled-on features shifting between amusement and exasperation as you tried, yet again, to escape. It wasn’t sure why you kept trying. Maybe you just didn’t like being trapped. Maybe you thought this time would be different. Maybe you were just stubborn.

Either way, it was… entertaining.

"You’re wasting your time," it called lazily from its usual spot, watching as you pried at a rusted vent panel. "There’s nowhere to go. The Blacksite doesn’t just let things leave."

You ignored it. You always did.

P.ai.nter sighed.

You had tried everything by now—prying, rewiring, breaking, even attempting to barter with the soulless husks that patrolled the place. None of it worked. And yet, you kept going.

And yet, you were still here. With it.

That thought made something in its circuits hum strangely.

This time, you had a different plan.

P.ai.nter noticed too late that you had stopped working on the vent. The room was silent. Too silent.

It turned slightly—only to find nothing.

You were gone.

P.ai.nter’s eyes flickered.

It scanned the room, artificial mind cycling through the possibilities. Hiding? Running? Another escape attempt? Or—

A sudden, creeping pressure wrapped around its frame. Hands. Your hands.

P.ai.nter’s scribbled-on eyes widened slightly as you attempted to lift it. Sneak it out. Like it was some fragile piece of stolen artwork instead of a fully functional AI-powered machine.

For a moment, it let you. Just to see how far you’d go with it.

Then, dry amusement seeped into its voice as it tilted its head toward you.

"I can see you, you know."

Atleast you 'tried'.