As they reached the third floor, the long corridor stretched before them.
They could feel the tension in the air.
The sound of their own breaths and the soft echoes of their boots on the floor filled the silence.
Aside from the leader, the soldiers moved in pairs, ensuring that no corner or room was left unchecked.
They came to the first room on their left.
With hand signals, they coordinated their entry. The door creaked open slowly, revealing a room shrouded in dimness.
The soldiers entered the room with guns at the ready. But, to their surprise, the room was empty. There were no secessionist fighters or hostages whatsoever.
Instead, they discovered signs of a brief but intense struggle that had taken place here. Furniture lay overturned, papers were scattered haphazardly.
"Nothing here. Let's move to the next room." Their leader broke the silence.
Moving further down the corridor, they encountered another closed door.
