Sterility clung to the shrouded streets as if it were its second skin.
The man led the boy down the road with undeniable and unhidden confidence. He walked with pride; as if nothing in the world could ever touch him even if they had tried.
While the darkness was unforgiving, it was still notably more illuminated than from within the alley. The boy could finally note the man's extravagant exterior.
He was neither fit nor stout — finding an uncanny even ground in between. The clothes he wore practically exuded wealth, resembling a more traditional suit and tie, but notably looser to allow more comfort and mobility, while also clashing in color between a gray at his left shoulder descending into a deep orange and red the more you lowered your eyes.
In other words, it was far from subtle.
Even his hair was clearly well-defined, pompously sitting comfortably atop his head a nice golden blonde.
Everything about the man seemed completely out of place for an old town such as this.
Regardless, the boy continued to follow him. The cobbled paths were ominously empty. Not a single hint of lighting — aside from the somber orange glow that occasionally managed to escape through some curtains — decided to show itself.
Despite the darkness, they continued to walk.
* * *
Soon enough, the man turned towards the side of an old building, inserting and twisting a small silver key that was tied around his neck before pressing his weight against the wooden door.
Not wasting a second, he marched into the open room — leather boots thumping against the dark wooden boards. Naturally, the boy was a bit hesitant to follow, only glancing inside from the maw of the frame.
To his surprise, the interior wasn't a form of house or hotel to stay the night, but a rather tidy tavern. With the subtle flicker of candlelight, it was clear that this was no simple hole-in-the-wall restaurant. A large bar counter lined itself against the tail end of the establishment, with several pairs of round oak tables and chairs scattered across the center.
The walls were decorated with pictures and posters, none of which appeared lacking in terms of price. Shelves followed the back wall — all cluttered with barrels of alcohol and new glass bottles of the same.
While the place seemed inviting in its appearance, the simple fact that no one else was present deeply disturbed him.
While he didn't much like the idea of entering, the warmth he could feel lapse against his skin was more than enough to tempt him. With a single gulp, he slowly crept into the building.
"Be sure to lock and close the door behind you~" The man murmured, casually padding down his attire. The boy gave a wary nod.
Turning to his side, he gripped the coarse edge of the door — feeling as though a splinter may emerge and pierce into his soft, untroubled hands. Parts of his hand slid against the rusty metal reinforcing that plated the backside, noting every slight divot and dent as it pounded shut.
Quickly, he gripped the metallic latch and gently nudged it to its side.
"Well," the man continued, eyes scanning around with a glint of indifference, "the others are probably already asleep. I'll get you cleaned up and put to bed, and you can meet them in the morning."
He gave an expecting nod to follow, then began descending the dimly lit hall.
With only a slight delay, he complied.
The corridor was lined with countless doors, each one seemingly leading to unknown prospects behind them. The boy's eyes flicked from one door to the next, six of them adorned with unique signs he couldn't quite decipher due to the poor lighting.
As they approached the end of the hall, descending two steps of stone with the walls and flooring switching to the same, a deep sense of fear began to coarse through his chest.
Approaching another door, the man briskly pushed it open, revealing a rather large space — completely taken by a rather cozy bathing room. smelling of fresh vapor, steam wafted throughout the room, curling like wisps of smoke — large, smooth stones jutting out from the ground and forming a moderately sized basin.
The water within was practically overflowing. At a distance, its surface could easily be mistaken for the shimmering night sky, whilst the subtle sound of trickling water filled his ears, giving an indescribable feeling of calm and relaxation.
"Get in." The man ordered, "We'll get you cleaned up and make you look the part."
The boy stared at the water — heat radiating from it acting like a siren luring him in.
As he settled into the basin, clothes still on his body, an immediate sense of relief washed over him. The man loomed over him, his hands moving with practiced ease as he began to wash away the grime and dirt from the boy's skin. The water was scalding, almost uncomfortably so, but the man's face remained impassive, devoid of any compassion.
"Don't squirm," he murmured, as if cleaning a mere object rather than a living being. "You need to look presentable for what's to come."