The eighteenth floor was quiet.
Not the oppressive silence of the nineteenth floor, where death had greeted them the moment they stepped through the door. This silence felt different. There were no growls echoing through the hallway, no screams, and no scent of blood lingering in the air. For the first time since leaving the Space, Kai found himself hoping that perhaps they had finally reached a floor untouched by the nightmare unfolding around them.
Erik approached Apartment 1801 and crouched beside the door. Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin strip of metal.
Kai stared at him.
"...You still carry those?"
Erik glanced up briefly before returning his attention to the lock.
"You do too."
Kai's expression froze. After a moment, he reluctantly nodded.
"...Fair."
Some habits from childhood apparently never disappeared.
