The last remark earned Cooper a searching look from Helena.<em>She</em>should go first? Had he not just offered to protect her and the children? And as for her knowing the way... The place that worried her the most was right down the stairs, the ruined doors in plain sight, no need for a guide to help find them.<br/><br/>And she was rather worried about what might be behind them.<br/><br/>Also, she still did not entirely trust this man who'd introduced himself as Cooper. Oh he looked harmless, with his injured hand and his brave little smile. But what if he was some kind of  creep after all...? What if he was just waiting for her to turn her back so he could shove her down the stairs? It would be an easy thing to do if she walked in front of him... Oh she was being paranoid now... But paranoid or no she found herself quite unable to move towards the stairs, to turn her back on the man and head towards that room.<br/><br/>"I believe the scream came from right down there," she said, gesturing down the stairs.<br/><br/><em>Please</em>let him take the hint and go first.