FOR A MOMENT, GREG felt helpless, and then he had an overwhelming urge to scream. He was angry with himself. He reproached himself for letting her leave.
The cathedral clock chimed a quarter past. Gregory guessed, from the sun's position, that it must be seven forty-five, which gave him just enough time to collect his backpack and replace the grate where it was before the repair crew began work. Thinking of nothing else but disappearing, he hurriedly packed his harness and ropes into his backpack. He didn't stop to consider how strange it was that not only his companions had disappeared, but also his belongings and backpack.
His mind was blocked. The most important thing at that moment was to leave that place. First, he needed to escape, then find a way to find Candice and Umbert. He was certain The Widow's Sons had kidnapped them both, but not so sure that either of them was still alive.
Uncertainty crept into his thoughts as he abandoned his hiding place and ran towards the Square of the Apostles without looking back.