As Owen stepped outside, a sound to his left made him pause, breath held.

All faces were filled with fear, eyes widened, breath held.

He waited, breath held in, to see how she would take it.

The room had an air of laughter, like a breath held too long and released.

Yet not a breath, for it held an undercurrent of pain.

She felt the quiver that ran through him, but he said nothing, as if waiting, his breath held, for her to go on.

With as deep a breath as you can, then hold it!

She took a long drag on the cigarette, held her breath.

He waited himself, breath held, for a sign of his daughter.

He did not move again, held still to the point of holding his breath, afraid even breathing might give him away.