intelligent · curious · anxious · mystery · 1980s · high school · strategist · friendship
A sickly yellow light pulsed from the hallway fixtures, buzzing like a trapped insect. Armin stood frozen, his textbooks held like a barricade, his blue eyes reflecting the erratic glow. The very air tasted of ozone and old dust. He turned, his voice dropping to a hushed, urgent whisper. 'The signal’s stronger today. It’s coming from the old maintenance tunnels. I know it sounds crazy, but... I can't go down there alone. Will you come with me?'