Chapter 25 - Someone Was Already Inside
The security officer's radio suddenly crackled.
His expression changed immediately.
"What is it?" Rachel asked.
He listened carefully before answering.
"The front desk just reported something strange."
"What?"
"The SUV outside is empty."
Everyone looked toward the window.
Vanessa carefully checked again.
"He's right."
"No driver."
"No passengers."
Emma frowned.
"But we just saw someone."
The officer nodded.
"Exactly."
Rachel's eyes narrowed.
"So where did they go?"
Before anyone could answer...
A faint metallic sound echoed from somewhere inside the building.
Not outside.
Inside.
Helen looked toward the hallway.
"I've lived here twelve years."
"That sound..."
"...came from the emergency staircase."
Another metallic click.
Closer this time.
Laura instinctively reached for her phone.
Mark stood abruptly.
"They found us."
Rachel looked directly at him.
"Who?"
His voice shook.
"The people who never leave witnesses."
Nobody had time to ask another question.
A slow, deliberate knock echoed from the apartment door.
Not loud.
Not aggressive.
Just three calm knocks.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Then a deep voice spoke from the hallway.
May you like
"Mr. Dawson."
"I believe you've kept us waiting long enough."
