"W-we didn't see your faces," Marion stammered blindly, keeping her head firmly bowed towards the tiled floor. "So we will leave now."
The three of them kept their gazes fixed on the floor as they rose to their feet, silently praying they could simply turn the handle and leave this terrifying room alive.
Cixi promptly turned to face the green door and wrapped her trembling hand around the brass knob.
That was when a low, authoritative voice echoed from the shadows.
"Not so fast." The voice was deep and terrifyingly calm. "First, I absolutely hate interruptions. And second... I haven't given you permission to leave."
Cixi's eyes instantly widened, sending a violent shockwave straight through her core. She slowly turned away from the door and lifted her gaze past the kneeling hostage to look directly at the man in charge.
