Her frail frame slumped back into her chair, and her old hands shook violently. She tried refreshing the screen again and again, her motions frantic, almost feverish, but the results didn't change. The message on the screen was clear: there was nothing left.
It felt like the ground beneath her had been pulled away. She clutched her chest, her breathing shallow, as panic threatened to overwhelm her. The entire office watched her with wide eyes.
"Ma'am, don't tell us you are joking..." one of the younger witches whispered, her face pale with fear.
"Why should I joke at a time like this? Look at the screen, everything is gone!" the old witch snapped, holding her head in stress. Her usually steady voice was trembling, betraying just how dire the situation was.
"What are we going to do now?" another voice quivered from the back.