"You have lingered around for a bit longer," the creature spoke. He thoughtfully used his eyes peeking through the gaps to look at her. "Though, I did wager that you would run fast as soon as you witnessed what happened to that mortal inside. Such a strange mortal, you are. You did not run; rather, you stayed and stayed even when you saw me."
Talia did not answer. She knew the creature before her was testing her. And also, toying with her.
"Hm. What is even stranger is…" it trailed before moving those eyes closer to the gaps until the only thing she could look at was at it. She could feel its breath from where she stood. The scent of something rotten and fishy wafted to her nose, and she fought the urge to flinch and turn sideways to avoid the overwhelming smell. "You didn't come forward in the beginning and waited outside."
Talia bit her lips as it continued to comment, "You don't seem to be that afraid of me."
