A drabble written in under 30 minutes with no editing, so there's most likely a bunch of mistakes in there somewhere. Inspired by the writing prompt "Have you still got your blindfold on?" "Yes." "Promise me you won't take it off."

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I stumbled hesitantly through a world of darkness, my bare feet gaining a shield of dry dirt and other assorted dry grime that partially protected me from arbitrary small, sharp objects. Despite my brother's strong hand on my back attempting to guide me, I still managed to trip over the long chains that were attached to my shackles every few steps.

Footsteps approached us. I hunched myself over, trying to make myself look as miserable as possible, and I could feel Nichandro stiffen as he tightened his grip on my chains as if I was actually a prisoner that he, an ever-loyal soldier, was taking to wherever the traitors of society are taken. I mentally crossed my fingers, hoping that the guards' elaborate helmet, which we had 'borrowed' from a soldier who wouldn't be needing it, covered Nichandro's face well enough.

The thunk-thunk sound of hard boots marching across the filthy ground grew louder, but then slowly faded away. Even when I suspected that whoever it was had left, I stayed silent, like any good little captive would.

"Nadia," Nichandro's dry voice whispered to my ear. "They're gone. I see a shortcut up ahead. We're almost there."

I let out a breath that I hadn't realized I had been holding in, but I still didn't say anything to return to my brother's comforting words.

We continued walking for I don't know how long. Eventually we must have come to a closed door that led into an empty passageway, because Nichandro mumbled a short 'hold on' as he gently pulled my arms to a stop and moved in front of me. A lumbering, deep creak of what I could only presume was a door echoed in my ears for the longest time before Nichandro gently gave me a quick nudge before guiding my aimless body forward.

"We're stepping down," he mumbled softly, distracted by something else. I didn't ask questions; I simply walked while giving him complete control over where and how I stepped.

The air became cold with the smell of a strange smell that I found familiar, but couldn't identify. It reeked with rot and decay, that much I knew. The floor became slippery under my feet, and Nichandro's hands tightened around my arms in order to keep me on my feet. Even from behind my blindfold, I could tell that wherever we were, it was dark, extremely dark.

A sharp intake of breath caught me off-guard before I realized that the panicked noise had come from my brave, solid rock brother. He froze, pulled me closer to him as his nails dug into the skin of my arms sharply.

"Nichandro?" I whispered, almost afraid to ask. "What-what's going on?"

He was silent. I couldn't even hear the sound of him breathing anymore.

"Nichandro?" I repeated again, becoming panicked.

"Do you still have your blindfold on?" His voice came out wavering, as if he was terrified of whatever it was he saw.

"Yes."

"Promise me you won't take it off."

"What?" I gasped, his demand making me even more alarmed. "What's going on? Is there someone here?"

"They won't hurt us," Nichandro replied blankly. "They can't hurt us. Just-just whatever you do, don't take off your blindfold." His hold on me tensed. "Promise me, Nadia."

I swallowed the lump down my throat.

"Okay, I won't."