Jude remained still, the weight of the entity's words pressing against his mind. He had never heard it speak so clearly before, never felt its presence so distinctly. It had always been there, lingering at the edges of his thoughts, influencing him in ways he could not always understand. But now, it was no longer just a presence, it was a voice, a force with its own will, and it had chosen to break its silence.
He exhaled, the tension in his chest not easing as much as he had hoped. The walls around him pulsed faintly, a rhythm that seemed to sync with his own heartbeat. This place was different from the rest of the city. The air was clearer, the pressure lighter. But that did not mean he was safe.
"You should not have come here," the entity had said.
Jude narrowed his eyes, his pulse still racing from the chase outside. "And why's that?" he muttered under his breath, though he wasn't sure if he was addressing the entity or himself.
