Nobody moved.
The suite remained swallowed in darkness except for the faint emergency glow leaking beneath the door.
Nathan stood closest to the entrance, breathing harder than before.
Outside, silence pressed against the room.
Then came another slow turn of the door handle.
Elara felt fear tighten in her chest.
Caleb stepped forward.
“Move away from the door,” he said quietly.
Nathan obeyed immediately.
“This is exactly why I said we shouldn’t come here,” he muttered.
Elara looked toward Caleb.
“You think it is him?”
“I think somebody wants us nervous.”
His calm voice steadied her slightly.
The handle stopped moving.
For a second, the hallway became silent again.
Then footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
Walking away.
Nobody relaxed.
Nathan rubbed his forehead.
“That is not no
