Dillion's jaw tightened as he pressed his back against the cold stone wall, the corridor stretched ahead of them. The manor's eerie silence hung heavily in the air, broken only by the soft footfalls of the group.
Every step felt like a risk, and Dillion's heart pounded in his chest. This was supposed to be straightforward, sneak in, free the children, and get out without being seen. But nothing about Lord Cedric's manor felt straightforward.
Behind him, Martin moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the hallway as if it might swallow them whole at any moment. Dillion glanced back, his irritation barely contained.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Dillion whispered, his voice low but tense.
Martin hesitated, his brow furrowing as he studied the shadowy path ahead. "I… I think so. Lucas said..."
"Lucas isn't here, is he?" Dillion cut him off, his voice sharp with frustration. "We can't afford to keep getting lost. The longer we're in here, the more likely someone will notice us."
