PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The room was silent for a long moment. Then, ______, a loud, piercing wail tore at our ears.
If the writer wants to convey a sense of suddenness, what is the best transition word or phrase to use in the blank for this sentence?
A) all at once
B) before long
C) after a pause
D) to our considerable astonishment