Nate blinked several times, his vision gradually sharpening. At first, everything was a blur—shadowy figures moving in and out of focus—but with each passing second, the world around him became clearer. He was stunned. His sight was returning, albeit slowly.
He looked around, his heart sinking as Alice's description of their surroundings came to life. They were indeed in a vast, oppressive mine. Craggy walls loomed overhead, dimly lit by faint, flickering lights strung haphazardly along the rocky ceiling. All around him, people labored tirelessly, smashing rocks with heavy hammers, their faces grim and streaked with exhaustion.
Nate's gaze landed on one man who had momentarily paused, wiping his brow. Before he could take a proper breath, one of the eyeless keepers stormed toward him, wielding a whip. The sharp crack of leather against skin echoed through the cavern, and the man scrambled back to work.
