The metallic clinking pierced the darkness ahead, a siren song drawing William forward. Each link of chain rattled with deliberate precision, as if something was counting them one by one. The darkness pressed against his eyes like a physical weight, swallowing everything more than a few feet ahead. As he took his next step, anticipating solid ground, the world disappeared beneath his feet.
Time seemed to splinter as he plunged into the void. His scream echoed off unseen walls, multiplying until it seemed a chorus of terrified voices accompanied his descent. The air grew colder, damper, carrying the musty stench of age and decay. His mind raced through fragments of prayer he'd forgotten years ago, bargaining with any deity that might be listening to grant him survival. The fall seemed endless, each second stretching into an eternity of pure terror as he tumbled through absolute darkness.
