As Alice, Sam, and Ryan regrouped outside the nondescript building, a palpable sense of frustration hung in the air. Despite their best efforts, the trail of clues had grown cold, leaving them with more questions than answers.
Alice's mind raced with possibilities as she contemplated their next move. She knew that time was running out, yet the elusive truth remained tantalizingly out of reach, a puzzle waiting to be solved.
"We need to think outside the box," Alice declared, her voice tinged with determination. "There must be another angle we haven't considered."
Sam nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed in concentration. "We can't afford to overlook anything," he remarked, his tone laden with urgency.
Ryan, ever the voice of reason, chimed in, his gaze fixed on Alice with unwavering resolve. "We should retrace our steps," he suggested, his words a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.