Seiji isn't sure when it begins. Only — he glances at Lily, only to see she is not speaking. Something else is. Something further down the tunnel, he thinks now, though it echoes and changes, almost as if whoever it is speaks aloud to themself. Or does it call out to them? Try as he might, he cannot quite make out the words. Tension coils through him; he stands up straighter, walks on lighter feet. And holds the lantern aloft before them as if its light is a shield.
"Hello?" he calls, his voice even despite the care he takes to scan the breadth of the tunnel before them. He sends a quick, questioning glance toward Lily, wondering if she has any idea what might await them. But he does not slow. The voice itself is no direct indication of danger. It may well be someone — something — useful to them.
"Hello?" he calls, his voice even despite the care he takes to scan the breadth of the tunnel before them. He sends a quick, questioning glance toward Lily, wondering if she has any idea what might await them. But he does not slow. The voice itself is no direct indication of danger. It may well be someone — something — useful to them.
