A Shadowed Visit

Chris rarely left the castle unnoticed, but tonight was different. Cloaked in a long, dark coat, he moved through the dimly lit streets, his presence blending into the silence of the night. No guards, no escorts—just him.

The destination was a run-down motel on the outskirts of the city, a place where no one would expect to find him. He stepped inside, the stale air mixing with the scent of old wood and cheap alcohol. The receptionist, an older man with weary eyes, barely looked up as Chris placed a single key on the counter.

"Room 17," the man muttered.

Chris nodded and moved down the hallway, his footsteps echoing faintly. He reached the door, turned the key, and stepped inside.

The room was modest—just a bed, a small table, and a single flickering lamp. But he wasn't here for comfort.

A figure was already seated in the chair near the window, his hands cuffed, his expression unreadable.

Adrian Blackwood.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The tension in the room thickened like a storm waiting to break.

Chris finally took a step forward, his voice calm but heavy. "You've been in that cell for months. You should have broken by now."

Adrian smirked, tilting his head slightly. "You always underestimated me, Chris. You should have killed me when you had the chance."

Chris's eyes darkened. "And yet, here we are."

Adrian leaned forward, his chained wrists resting on his knees. "So, what is this? A late-night chat? Or are you finally here to finish what you started?"

Chris remained silent for a moment before pulling out a small envelope and tossing it onto the table. "Inside is a choice."

Adrian frowned but didn't reach for it. "What kind of choice?"

Chris's gaze never wavered. "You can remain in that cell until you rot. Or... you can prove to me that you still have value."

Adrian scoffed. "Value? You don't trust me, and you never will."

Chris's lips curled into something between a smirk and a warning. "No, I don't. But I also don't waste potential."

Adrian studied him for a long moment, then slowly reached for the envelope. He opened it, eyes scanning the contents. His smirk faded.

For the first time that night, Adrian Blackwood looked genuinely surprised.

"You're serious?"

Chris simply turned toward the door. "The decision is yours. But choose wisely."

With that, he walked out, leaving Adrian alone in the dimly lit room, the weight of his fate resting in his hands.