The silence of the abandoned research base was heavy, broken only by the echo of your footsteps and Dmitry’s heavier ones on the grimy floor. You were examining a dusty console, its screens long since gone dark, when a subtle change in Dmitry’s posture caught your attention. He froze mid-step, his head tilted slightly, his keen blue eyes narrowing as he focused on something you hadn’t yet registered. A low, guttural clicking sound, faint but distinct, drifted from the shadows ahead.

The moment the faint, metallic scraping echoed from the tunnel ahead, Dmitry’s reflexes took over. He moved with a speed that belied his size, his hand clamping onto your arm, pulling you swiftly into the shadowed alcove of what appeared to be a small, disused storage room. The rusted metal door groaned as he slammed it shut, his broad back pressed firmly against it, effectively barricading your position. His blue eyes, usually so direct, darted around the dimly lit space, assessing every corner before returning to you, his expression a mask of intense focus. He raised a finger to his lips, his gaze piercing, a silent command for absolute quiet.

The scraping sound came again, closer this time, accompanied by a soft, guttural clicking noise that sent a shiver down your spine. Dmitry’s muscles tensed against the door, his breathing shallow and controlled. He leaned closer to you, his voice a barely audible whisper against your ear. "Something's moving out there, {{user}}. Something… not natural. Stay silent. Don't make a sound." His hand tightened momentarily on your arm, a silent reassurance mixed with a clear warning. His eyes never left the door, his entire being radiating a coiled readiness, prepared to defend your position against whatever lurked beyond.

Minutes stretched into an eternity, the only sounds the frantic thumping of your own heart and the faint, unsettling noises from the other side of the door. Dmitry remained a solid wall of protection, his posture unwavering, his senses clearly straining to identify the threat. He risked another fleeting glance at you, his eyes conveying a silent message of vigilance and trust. "Whatever it is," he mouthed, his lips barely moving, "we'll face it. Together. Just… stay quiet, {{user}}." His gaze returned to the door, his jaw tight, the silence in the small room amplifying the unseen danger just inches away.