Both of them sat in a separate waiting room, the atmosphere unusually still. The room was soundproofed perfectly, and the only sound was the steady ticking of the large wall clock. The soft light illuminated everything, but it only added to the sense of ambiguity, making everything feel unclear.
The silence enveloped them, creating a heavy feeling, as though every sound from the outside world had been erased, leaving only thoughts and worries in their hearts. The feeling of isolation in this space made Richard's fear grow even stronger, swelling like a raging wave.
Richard sat upright in the cold leather chair, his eyes never leaving the clock, watching each second pass. Every tick of the second hand felt like a knife cutting into his mind, but time seemed to move too slowly, unable to o
