A Miner Problem (A Candela Obscura assignment)

Deep within the bowels of the dimly lit and muddy mine in the small town of Beggars’ Back, a scene of unsettling madness unfolds. The air is heavy with the metallic scent of damp earth, and the feeble light of flickering lanterns casts long, dancing shadows on the uneven walls. The muffled echoes of distant mining activity reverberate through the damp cavern, creating an eerie symphony of industry.

Amidst the gloom, a man stands with a pickaxe in hand, his silhouette distorted by the play of shadows. His eyes, wide and manic, reflect a madness that seems to emanate from the very depths of the mine itself. His once-sturdy work clothes are stained with mud and sweat, and his hands grip the pickaxe with an unnatural strength.

As others cautiously approach, the man's demeanour shifts from that of a labourer to something far more sinister. Without warning, he swings the pickaxe with wild abandon, a weapon not against rock but against anyone who dares encroach upon his space. The glint of madness in his eyes intensifies with each swing, and those who wisely keep their distance can see the frenzy etched upon his face.

Then, in a moment of horrifying revelation, the man opens his mouth wide and unleashes a guttural scream that echoes through the cavern. The sound is otherworldly, a piercing wail that seems to reverberate with an unnatural resonance. As the scream fills the space, an eerie sickly green glow emanates from the depths of the man's throat, casting an unsettling luminescence that dances upon the damp surfaces of the mine.

The sickly green glow paints the cavern in an otherworldly light, revealing the terror etched on the faces of those witnessing this macabre spectacle. The man's scream becomes a haunting melody that seems to pulse with the very heartbeat of the mine itself, leaving an indelible mark of horror in the dimly lit depths below.