Perhaps they’d even head back to the rear exit, realizing the building wasn’t as empty as they’d thought. But just as Henry allowed himself a breath of relief, his phone blared to life with NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” echoing through the hallway—he’d left it in his back pocket, ready for a call if needed.
The sudden sound shattered the quiet, piercing through the tense silence. The burglars whipped around, zeroing in on his hiding spot. Henry fumbled with his phone, trying to silence it, but it was too late. The figures had already begun closing in, their footsteps rapid as they converged on his position.