Scott clicked through his emails, his fingers tapping a steady rhythm on the keyboard. The soft glow of his laptop illuminated the dim room, casting long shadows on the walls.
Most of the emails were routine updates, but a few flagged messages demanded his immediate attention. He leaned in, furrowing his brow as he began to craft responses, the weight of the day's events temporarily forgotten in the flow of work.
The sudden creak of floorboards snapped him out of his concentration. He froze, his fingers hovering over the keys.
The noise came from somewhere beyond his door, faint yet distinct in the quiet of the night. His heartbeat quickened as his eyes darted toward the door. The hallway beyond was cloaked in darkness, silent and still.
"Probably just the old wood shifting," Scott muttered under his breath, trying to calm himself. He shook his head, attempting to dismiss the wave of unease creeping up his spine.
