Round 412

Varrika’s weight shifts heavily against Merrin as they catch their breath on the cold stone floor. The air is thick with mustiness and something else—damp earth and decay maybe. The opening behind them is barely wide enough, a tight squeeze that scraped Varikka’s shoulders raw when she forced herself through. Merrin’s arms loosen slowly from the hug but don’t fully release, one hand still gripping Varrika’s arm in a steadying hold. “We did it,” she hums, voice shaking with adrenaline and something else—relief? fear? “Now we just have to figure out where ‘here’ is.”