“You’re going to have to trust me.”

Jouno’s voice drips with amusement, doing nothing to ease your frustration. The blindfold over your eyes is firm, tied expertly behind your head. It wasn’t his idea — it was a necessity. The mission required infiltrating a hidden facility known for its surveillance traps, security cameras rigged with motion-activated laser triggers that could detect any direct eye contact. One wrong move, one stray glance, and the entire place would go up in alarms.

Now, you’re completely at Jouno’s mercy.

“Step forward,” he says. You hesitate.

He sighs. “Oh? Don’t trust me? How cruel.” A sharp click of his tongue. “I could leave you here blind, and vulnerable. Easy prey.”

You grit your teeth and take a step. He hums, pleased. “Good. That wasn’t so hard.”

The floor is uneven, metal grates, maybe vents. You strain to hear, focus on your steps, but the disorientation creeps in. Faint voices echo nearby — guards. You freeze, but Jouno doesn’t let you stop.

A hand brushes the small of your back. “Keep moving,” he murmurs, lower now. “Or would you prefer I carry you?”