'Zue?' he called out into the void, his voice hanging in the silence like a whispered plea.
But there was no response, only a deafening stillness that sent a rush of adrenaline surging through his veins. Panic welled up within him, his heart pounding in his ears.
'No, please, not now...' He muttered, while the blood rushing to his ears made his head ring. He really could not afford to lose her too or have her out of his sight. She had been of great help.
He went back down the stairs, all the while reciting his mantra of "no, no" (as if the repetition could ward off the impending dread that loomed before him) when the door to the entrance of the staircase, in which all keys fit, clanged shut.
Why the hell was Zue going back in when they were clearly going forward?
