Graves

The dim light of a flashlight reveals an unimaginable scene from the basement darkness. A man is chained to a thick pipe by the wall with heavy chains. His clothes are covered in dust, his dark hair matted with sweat. When the light falls on him, he closes his eyes and lets out a hoarse, animalistic growl, straining against his chains. Two bright amber spots flash briefly in the darkness—his eyes. “Go away...” his voice is deceptively quiet and deep, but there’s a steel spring tension in it. “Please, get out of here. Now. While... while I can still warn you.” He jerks his wrist, and the chains jingle ominously. “I thought the house was empty... Damn. Chained up so I wouldn’t hurt anyone... and then you... for heaven’s sake, just leave and lock the door from the outside.”