Murat didn’t move for a while. He just stood there, trying to think. Trying to remember. But every direction looked the same. Every path led into the same darkness. He picked one. Started walking. Slower now. More careful. But it didn’t help. The cold had gotten worse. It bit at his fingers, crept into his arms, settled deep in his chest.
His breath came out sharper now, visible in the beam of his flashlight. “How far did I go…” he whispered. No answer. Just the echo of his own voice. He kept moving. Minutes passed. Or maybe longer.
Time didn’t feel clear anymore. His legs were starting to ache. His throat felt dry. Every step felt heavier than the last. Murat stopped again, leaning one hand against the wall. The stone felt colder than anything else. He closed his eyes for a second. Just one. Trying to steady himself. Trying not to panic.
Because the truth was starting to settle in now. If he didn’t find a way out soon he might not make it out at all.