Nick's breath slowed to nothing after he realised his mistake.
'Please keep walking!'
He knew better than to trust his hopes though.
The man's boots turned, and Nick was able to tell from the sudden squeak his boots made on the floor.
Then… one step after another.
Upward.
Nick had to move.
He spun on his feet, managing to stay silent, not making the same mistake he just did, and dived toward the corner of the end of the corridor where a sharp bend concealed the garbage chute and and old, out of service utility closet.
He flattened himself against the wall, half squatting behind the weathered cleaning utilities, and waited.
The seconds stretched on.
A shadow, the silhouette of the man slid up the stairs, and then his head rose into view.
Nick's pulse thudded loud in his ears, with him forcing every muscle in his body to calm down in exasperation.
He didn't move, and he didn't breathe.
Still, the anxiety gripped him.
