The sudden stop came as a shock.
But for many, it was a welcome surprise.
Aside from buying them a few more seconds to breathe, the momentary reprieve had become particularly helpful for the likes of Lawrence and Renee Hale.
From the moment the children ran off to the entrance, they hadn't stopped trying to get the magical orb in their son-in-law's office to work.
Their worry for the children had already gone past reason and straight into desperation. Renee, in particular, had pushed herself further than she should have. Her fingers dug into her own arm, knuckles turning white as she used the sharp sting of pain to keep her mind from freezing under the pressure of dragon fear.
It was the only thing keeping her moving.
It shouldn't have been necessary to begin with.
