Chapter 3 - Shadows in the Hallway
Their apartment building on 5th Street was a place where people lived in the shadows. The hallway wallpaper was peeling, and the smell of damp mold hung heavy in the air. As Lily walked to school, she noticed a man standing near the stairwell. He wore a crisp, tailored suit that looked entirely out of place in their dilapidated building. He held a leather notepad and was meticulously taking notes, staring at the door to Lily's apartment. When his dark, calculating eyes met hers, Lily felt a chill run down her spine. He didn't look like a landlord or a bill collector; he looked like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.
