Valkur yanked her up by the hair, his grip unyielding as he pulled her toward the abyss beyond the door. Her screams turned into raw, inhuman shrieks, her sobs choking her.
Then, just before he stepped through the threshold, Valkur turned his head slightly — just enough to meet Arya's eyes once more. A cruel, knowing smirk twisted his lips.
And then he disappeared into the darkness with the woman still screaming, the sound echoing long after the door slammed shut behind them.
The woman's screams didn't fade — they sharpened, rising higher and more desperate. Her voice broke, raw and wild, filled with nothing but pain and terror.
Arya stayed still, her back leaned against the cold concrete wall as if pushing herself into it. She forced her breathing to stay steady. Losing control wasn't an option — not if she wanted to survive.
Beyond the door, sounds of struggle echoed against the stone walls. The screams of the woman echoed through the entire place. It was all she could hear.
