The hot sun hung high in the sky, its harsh glare bouncing off the cracked windows of the old apartment building.
David and Hailey walked side by side, the worn-out neighborhood silent except for the occasional buzz of a distant lawnmower and the dull hum of traffic.
The air was dry, thick with the scent of sweat, dust, and garbage. David could feel a wave of unease in the air, like they were being watched, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Hailey's apartment was just ahead, a decrepit building with peeling paint and rusted fire escapes that slightly resembled his former apartment.
David could see why she wanted out, this place was a breeding ground for trouble, a shit-hole, especially with men like the loan shark from earlier knowing where she lived. But it wasn't just the location; it was the quietness. Too quiet. His gut told him something was off.
"You live here?" he asked, keeping his voice low but alert.
