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From here]
The stairwell was as quiet as the previous hall had been, which was fortunate. As had been the case the previous night, Near wanted to be the first to certain areas, and the silence seemed to indicate that they would be. Flashlight in one hand, Near abandoned twirling his hair, letting a lock spring free, and gripped the rail instead. At his current pace, Near would likely have to take a break the following night, judging from the reactions of his body. Tonight, however, there was much to be done, and not enough subordinates to trust with the tasks.
So upward they went.