Peter slowly opened his eyes, only to be greeted by a darkness so complete it seemed almost tangible. It was not the ordinary darkness of a room at night but an oppressive blackness that swallowed everything around him. The air felt heavy, stale, and thick with the smell of damp earth and age, as though the place had not known fresh air for years.
He drew a cautious breath. It was a mistake.
Dust rushed into his lungs, burning his throat and chest. He doubled over, coughing violently as the coarse particles scraped against his windpipe. Each gasp for air only pulled more dust into his mouth, leaving a bitter, gritty taste on his tongue. Tears welled in his eyes as his chest tightened, and for several agonizing seconds he struggled to catch his breath.
