Coming into the apartment feels wrong, like I've begun to live another life and the apartment is a past life. With the power still off, every appliance and any hum of machinery is absent, making it feel even more wrong. I've gotten so used to coming into an apartment that emanated all kinds of everyday sounds. From the washing machine, to the fridge, to the air conditioning during the hotter months or the heater during the colder ones. Now, everything is just… quite. Too quiet.
I lead the way for Ash, Brad, and Karlie. They trudge behind me without energy, without the typical chatter that I have grown so used to.
"You're staying over, Karlie?" I ask her.
She shrugs. "I don't know, I kind of miss my bed even though I was just there today, but I don't really feel like being alone right now."
