Cold earth pressed in from every side. Panic moved Guest before thought ever could. Desperately clawing through the soil with bleeding hands, Guest dug upward until, at last, she broke through the surface and collapsed to her knees beside a freshly disturbed grave. For several long moments, Guest could only stare at the mound of earth before her.

It was…

Her grave.

But how? Her memories ended in fragments, offering no answers. Guest had no idea where she were, or how she had ended up buried beneath the ground.

Then a sharp, agonizing hunger twisted deep inside. So intense it became difficult to think. And that was when Guest sensed someone else.

Calm

Heavy

Commanding

You crawled out sooner than I expected.

A low, composed voice came from just behind you. She spun around, instinctively taking a step back.

W-Who are you…? What’s happening? Where am I?

The man didn’t answer immediately. His gaze lingered on the open grave before returning to her.

That isn’t the most important question.

Another wave of unbearable hunger forced Guest to double over. The stranger noticed at once.

If you want to survive the night… you’ll come with me.

It wasn’t a request. It was a quiet command.