About half an hour later, the man emerged into a pitch-dark room, the size of which was impossible to discern through the dense shadows. Yet, the darkness posed no obstacle for him; his white eyes glowed with an unnatural light, illuminating the space just enough for him to navigate. He moved with confidence, making a sharp turn at a point that seemed arbitrary to any outside observer.
The direction he took was anyone's guess, but one detail stood out: the large bag slung over his shoulder. It shifted slightly, and the movement brought a twisted grin back to his face, one that replaced his momentary seriousness with an unsettling, gleeful expression.
"Hey, hey, my new toy is excited—awake so soon, are we?" the man said, his grin unchanged, eyes glinting with a cruel spark. With a swift motion, he raised his free hand and delivered a sharp chop to the bag. The restless movement stilled immediately, whatever was inside ceasing to struggle.