The chain ended there, disappearing into a massive iron anchor wedged into the stone. And beside it, half-sitting, half-slumped against the wall, was an old man. His beard was matted, his skin pale beneath a layer of grime. His eyes fluttered open at the sound of their steps.
Edwin froze. The mask of disbelief on his face cracked into something raw, trembling. “Dad?” he whispered. The old man blinked slowly, as if waking from a long dream. His voice came out cracked, barely a breath. “Edwin…”