The key snapped in the lock.
Brandon tried again, twisting harder this time, but the deadbolt wouldn’t budge. His nameplate still gleamed on the door—B. Hughes, Penthouse 12A—a cruel reminder of a life that had already shut him out.
He slammed his fist against the wood. “Come on!” The echo rang hollow through the hallway.
A note was taped just below the peephole. Management has repossessed the unit due to unpaid fees. Access restricted until further notice.
His breath caught. He patted his pockets, searching for his phone, his wallet—anything. But the moment he unlocked his banking app, the screen lit up with red letters: ACCOUNT FROZEN.
For a moment, all he could do was laugh. A sharp, broken sound that scraped against the walls before dying in his throat.
===
By evening, the rain
