"Rodion, what the heck was that?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly, trying to regain control over himself. The room seemed to warp in and out of focus as he waited for a response.
The seconds dragged on, each one longer than the last. Mikhailis could feel the tension creeping up his spine, and he rubbed his temples in frustration. He wasn't used to being scared, not like this. Not when he was dealing with something that seemed to go beyond his understanding.
Finally, Rodion's calm, mechanical voice echoed in his ears.