I turned and started down the hallway, moving toward the staircase. Every step had to be placed carefully, avoiding the parts of the wood that looked worn or unstable. The house was too quiet, and that made every small sound feel louder than it actually was.
Halfway down, I paused.
Footsteps.
Someone was moving on the ground floor.
I lowered myself slightly and leaned just enough to peek past the railing. The same guy I had noticed earlier was there, walking through the living room area. He looked like security, moving slowly, scanning things without rushing.
I waited until he turned his back and disappeared toward another room before continuing.
The rest of the way down felt longer than it should have, but I made it without a sound. Once I reached the bottom, I didn't waste time. I moved straight toward the front door, staying close to the wall and out of open sightlines.
The door was shut, but not locked.
