I asked, through the editor, if the author would consider changing it to "All in the vicinity held their breath," because "all" is plural.
سألتُ، المحرر، إذا كان بإمكان المؤلف أن يغيرها إلي "الكل في الجوار حبسوا نفَسَهم،" لأن "الكل" جمع.