The hallway of the apartment building was long, sterile, and far too quiet. The polished floor reflected the harsh fluorescent lights from the ceiling, making the space feel cold and endless. It was an atmosphere of profound and utter boredom, a silence begging to be shattered.
A series of loud, clumsy bangs echoed through the stillness, followed by a muffled giggle and a shushing sound.
BAM. BAM. BAM.
"Lena, are you sure about this?" a slurred voice whispered. "It's really, really late."
"Shhh, I'm concentrating," Emphera hissed back, raising her fist to hammer on the door again. She was aiming for dramatic, intimidating knocks, but her coordination was shot, resulting in a series of weak, off-center thuds.
Lena stumbled against the wall, peering down the long, empty corridor. "Is this even the right house? Everything looks the same."
