#Chapter 77: Not Alone

Ella The evening shadows stretched long and dark across my apartment’s hardwood floor, a stark contrast to the flickering yellow street light outside that threw mottled patterns on the dark brick walls of my apartment. The fragrant scent of the lavender candle I always had lit hung in the air despite the fact that I hadn’t lit it yet today, but either way, its calming effects seemed lost on me now. The buzzing of the intercom had felt like an electrical jolt to my system. Every nerve in my body was on high alert. Gripping the knife tightly, its cool, reassuring weight in my palm, I cautiously approached the door. “Who’s there?” My voice wavered, betraying the tight knot of fear in my stomach. The silence that followed was deafening until he finally spoke. “Ella, it’s me. Logan.” The muffled voice came through, carrying a hint of surprise and confusion. I swallowed, somewhat relieved, and hit the button to let him into the building. “Don’t leave the