No Answer
Fueled by a blend of apprehension and determination, Jim cautiously advanced towards the house, rapping on the door with an uncertain sense of what awaited on the other side. No response met their ears. Undeterred, Jim knocked again, this time with a touch more insistence, as Iris observed with growing concern. The disconcerting silence that lingered after their knocks prompted them to attempt a glimpse through the tightly drawn curtains, revealing nothing from within. The unresponsiveness of the house added yet another enigmatic layer to Max’s unfolding story. Stepping back, Jim and Iris contemplated their next move, grappling with the increasing complexity of this mysterious puzzle.