Darkness swallowed the underground room.
For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
Then Captain Ryan’s voice cut through the silence.
“Flashlights. Now.”
One by one, beams of light flickered on, chasing away the darkness.
Marcus counted quickly.
“Ryan?”
“Here.”
“Ethan?”
“Here.”
“Rebecca?”
“I’m here.”
“Emily?”
A shaky voice answered.
“Here.”
“Zach?”
“Right beside her.”
Marcus let out a quiet breath.
Everyone was accounted for.
“So whose footsteps did we hear?”
No one answered.
⸻
Ryan motioned for two security officers to check the corridor.
They approached cautiously, weapons lowered but ready.
The corridor was empty.
The heavy steel door at the far end remained open.
Marcus turned toward the staircase.
“The basement door.”
Ryan tried his radio.
Nothing but static.
“Dead.
