“What fucking apartment, Rob?”
The man in question steps out, shoulders squared like he’s ready to take a swing. That is, until his eyes drop to our cuts. The color drains from his face.
That’s right, fucker. Do you really want to piss off the Shadows? We own this town.
“Four-oh-two,” he mutters, retreating into his apartment. “And while you’re up there, tell him to turn the damn alarms off. I can hear them all the way down here.”
Why would his alarm be going off at this hour?
Worry twists in my gut, and I decide to skip the elevator and take the stairs.
By the time we reach the fourth floor, Knuckles is a little winded, but otherwise fine.
“Why isn’t he turning off the damn alarm?” I mutter, rapping on Eli’s door.
“Maybe he ain’t home,” Knuckles says, pounding a few more times.
We wait several minutes, but the only thing that happens is a handful of nosy-ass neighbors poking their heads out to watch the show.
“Did anyone see the man who lives here leave?” I call out, voice raised.
When no one answers, Knuckles growls, “Answer the fucking question.”
“He hasn’t left since getting home a couple of hours ago,” someone says. “That alarm has been going off for about an hour.”
He only got home a couple of hours ago? Eli got off work at five. Where’s he been this entire time?
“And no one thought to check on him?” Knuckles growls.
I bang on his door again. Harder this time. “Eli! Open the damn door!”
Nothing. No footsteps. No voice. Just that muffled, nonstop alarm buzzing behind the wood.
Something cold slides down my spine.
I wait five more long, suffocating seconds.
He doesn’t answer.
“Fuck this.”
I shoulder the door once. It shudders but holds. Second hit causes the frame to crack. Third time, the lock gives, and I stumble inside with Knuckles right behind me.
The alarm is blaring from somewhere, echoing around the small space. The place is dark except for a light flooding under a door. The sound of running water thrums under the alarm’s scream.
“Eli?” My voice ricochets off the walls. “Eli!”
No response.
No movement.
Just the shower.
My stomach drops. Why the fuck would he close himself in the bathroom with the shower running? People only do that when they…
Fuck no.
“Knuckles, call an ambulance!” I bark, my voice cracking like something inside me just snapped. “Now!”
