As the first stars appeared, the sounds from the Mission ceased.

Then, in an instant it seemed, all sound and movement ceased.

He repeated the word once more, and the sounds ceased.

A sound of many soft feet followed, but soon ceased.

He stopped suddenly because the sounds up ahead had ceased.

The light sound of static ceased, but there was no other response.

For a strange moment, all the sounds around them ceased.

But the moment he hit the bottom step and turned on the hall light, the sounds ceased.

But the other sound did not cease, and followed him even as he climbed.

Despite the activity around them, it was as if all sound had ceased for the group.