ALDRIC
The room beyond was dark and still.
Empty.
Good.
I eased the panel open the rest of the way and pulled myself up, the cold floor meeting my feet as I stepped into the room.
For a moment, I just stood there, letting my eyes adjust.
Nothing had changed.
The bed was unmade, sheets twisted as if he had left in a hurry. Clothes hung loosely over a chair. A glass of water sat untouched on the nightstand.
It felt like he might walk back in at any moment.
I moved to the dresser and pulled open the top drawer.
There were shirts there, folded neatly and pressed.
I reached in, took one, and ran the fabric between my fingers.
It was soft and clean but had been used repeatedly.
It would do.
I folded it again and tucked it under my arm before turning back toward the hidden panel.
Lowering myself down, I pulled it closed above me and dropped back into the shaft, descending carefully until my feet found the passage floor.
Darkness stretched ahead once more.
I started walking.
