The hallway outside Seraphina's suite remained dark for several seconds after the lights suddenly shut off. Seraphina stood near the doorway while her phone remained in her hand. The message on the screen continued staring back at her as if the words had weight.
I told you the killer was already inside the building.
Her pulse began beating faster. The footsteps she heard earlier had stopped.
The silence felt worse.
Seraphina slowly stepped forward and opened the door wider. The corridor stretched in both directions, but the dim emergency lights only provided a faint glow along the floor.
The executive level had always felt secure; now it felt unfamiliar, as if it had been altered or abandoned since she last visited.
Seraphina forced herself to step into the hallway.
"Hello?" she called carefully.
