They climbed the stairs and, with every labored step, their footsteps echoed down the deserted corridor as though the weight of their mission hung in the balance and was going to fall over at any moment.
Jessica walked weakly ahead, guiding them back to the backyard; her frail figure swaying slightly with every step as she fixed her gaze at some faraway point, her mind full of memories of what she'd gone through.
As they walked behind Jessica, that silence between them grew even thicker, heavy with anticipation; every second was stretched to seem like an eternity, rife with the unspoken fear that they could be too late.
"Are you sure this is the place, Jessica?" Williams said in a soft voice, his tone gentle with concern. He locked eyes with hers, searching for any show of doubt.
Jessi
