John tried again and again and yet nothing happened. Priya came near him and hugged him. She told Milan to take John back to the underground shelter for now. She picked up Veronica's body and walked behind them.
As Priya's words washed over him, John felt a mixture of gratitude and despair flood his heart. Though her embrace offered a momentary respite from the weight of his grief, he knew that the road ahead would be long and arduous.
With a heavy heart, he allowed Milan to lead him back to the underground shelter, each step a painful reminder of the loss he had suffered. As they made their way through the dimly lit passageways, John felt a sense of numbness settle over him, a veil of detachment that shielded him from the full weight of his sorrow.