He went limp with relief when his hands found the handle to the door. He wanted to throw it open, but didn't quite dare. There could be someone just outside, someone who would recognize him. Nudging it open, he peered out; he couldn't see much, but from what he could make out, he was alone. He waited there a moment, then two, then three. No one came. He couldn't hear anything either, except the hush-hush sound of the waves, and the occasional cry of a dog in the distance.
He tumbled out, meaning to make a run for it, but the sight of the sea stopped him at once. It was lit by the full and silver moon, hanging low over it like a bright pendant, casting a white streak on the dark waters.