The fire door swung shut behind them with a dull metallic thud.
The sound echoed through the stairwell before fading into silence.
Penelope adjusted the strap securing the katana against her waist before starting down the stairs.
Erik followed close behind.
Kai brought up the rear, the handle of his fire axe resting comfortably against his shoulder.
No one spoke.
There was nothing to say.
Their destination had already been decided.
Apartment 1101.
The rhythmic sound of boots striking concrete filled the otherwise empty stairwell.
One flight.
Then another.
The higher they descended, the colder the air seemed to become.
Not physically...
Emotionally.
The twenty-fifth floor still felt like home.
Every floor below it felt a little less familiar.
A little less safe.
Kai rested one hand along the railing as they continued downward.
"You know..."
His voice was quieter than usual.
"I keep expecting to hear something."
Penelope glanced over her shoulder.
"What?"
