Liam sat on the cold tiled floor, his back against the wall, his head slumped forward in defeat. His hands were trembling slightly, his mind running in circles. Each passing minute in that room felt like hours. He felt like a prisoner, trapped not just by the four walls around him, but also by his mother's will and the chaos of everything happening outside. His chest was tight with anxiety, and his breath came in shallow bursts.
Suddenly, a faint sound cut through the silence. Footsteps.
Liam's head snapped up, his heartbeat quickening. The footsteps grew louder, closer, until they stopped right outside his door. Hope lit up in his eyes like a spark in the darkness.
"Boss," came a soft voice, muffled but familiar.
"Liam, are you in there?"
Liam's eyes widened in recognition. It was James. Relief washed over him like a warm tide.
"James!" Liam rushed to his feet, almost stumbling as he hurried to the door. His palms smacked against the wood.
"James, open the door, hurry!"
