The door hung half open.
Brandon’s stomach dropped the moment he saw it—the splintered wood, the faint buzz of a broken light flickering from inside Julia’s apartment. The hallway smelled of dust and something metallic. His pulse thundered as he shoved the door fully open.
“Julia?” His voice cracked the silence.
The sight gutted him. Papers littered the floor like fallen feathers. Drawers overturned. Her living room—once neat, soft, and warm—looked like a battlefield. On the far wall, painted in black spray, were two words that made his blood run cold: STAY QUIET.
A soft sob came from the corner.
“Brandon…”
She was crouched near the couch, arms wrapped around herself, eyes wide and shaking. He crossed the room in seconds, dropping to his knees beside her. Her hand trembled as he reac
