Charlie's Sacrifice

While Charlie was pounding harder, sweat rolling down his face, the tension rising as he heard silent footsteps approaching the first room from behind. Also, the conditions in the first room gradually brightened with Hunter carrying a portable lamp, even though Hunter himself was still in the second room.

Step by step, Hunter was finally in the doorway, between the second and first rooms. His vision was getting sharper. With the dim light from the portable lamp in his left hand, he felt he had enough control over the conditions in the first room.

There was nothing strange or suspicious that he could find in the first room. The condition of the entrance is still closed, no furniture has shifted from its original position. He remembered with certainty the conditions in the first room, as well as in the other rooms.

Except, he realized that he had forgotten to lock the door. But the door was still closed, he didn't think he heard someone open the door before.