The elevator jolted, then came to a sudden stop, leaving you and Bryce in an unsettling silence. You both exchanged a look before turning your attention to the control panel, fiddling with buttons and inspecting the small clues scattered around.

After a few failed attempts, Bryce leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms casually as he glanced at you. "So... you’re the new worker here, huh?" he asked, his voice light but curious.

He tilted his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "What’s your name?"

The question seemed casual, but his gaze lingered, as if he was genuinely interested in getting to know you despite the frustrating situation.