World Apocalypse: Apocalust

Chapter 28: Chapter XXVIII - The One Who Knocks

"You can’t be serious," Sage muttered.

Noah shook his head and face-palmed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to collect himself.

They had spent the last several minutes moving through the apartment as quietly as possible, carefully approaching the door without making a sound, only for Levy to announce their presence to the people outside anyway.

Levy looked between them, seemingly offended by their reactions. "What?"

Sage stared at him.

"You just shattered the flowerpot."

"I know."

"After he just placed it on the shelf."

"I know..."

"They definitely know we’re here now."

"i know..."

Levy’s expression slowly shifted as he glanced toward the front door. Another knock sounded, loud enough to make him wince.

Knock.

For a moment, none of them moved. Levy’s shoulders stiffened as the reality sank in.

"...Okay," he whispered, scratching the back of his neck. "Maybe that one was my fault."

Sage closed her eyes and took a slow breath, as though she were reconsidering every decision that had led her to this apartment. Noah lowered his hand from his face, the faintest hint of exasperation still lingering in his expression.

Then his attention shifted toward the door.

He picked up the faintest movement from the other side, something subtle that wouldn’t have registered before his awakening. Someone was still standing on the other side, close enough that Noah could make out the faint shifting of their weight.

Waiting.

Noah’s amusement faded.

"How about we put a hold on that," Noah whispered. "Whoever’s out there knows we’re in here."

They turned toward the door, their weapons ready. Whatever thoughts had filled the room moments earlier had disappeared, replaced by the uneasy realization that someone was waiting just beyond the other side.

Then came another knock.

This time, it was softer—almost polite.

Noah stepped closer to the door, his spear held loosely at his side as he listened. The silence beyond it was almost as unsettling as the knocking itself. Whoever was outside hadn’t tried the handle or attempted to force their way in. They were waiting.

Sage moved beside him, bow ready, while Levy hung back with his knife drawn.

Noah glanced through the peephole again. The hallway was empty, yet the shadow remained.

"They’re still there," Noah whispered.

Sage’s eyes narrowed. "You can see them?"

"Not exactly."

Levy looked toward him. "Then how do you know?"

"Their shadow. Must not be as smart as they think they are."

As if responding, three soft knocks came from the other side.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

They stared at the door as a voice slipped through the narrow space between the frame and the wall.

"I’m not here to hurt you."

The three exchanged glances. The voice on the other side remained calm—almost unnervingly so. Noah’s eyes lingered on Sage and Levy for a moment before slowly shifting back toward the door.

"Then why are you hiding?"

Silence.

For several seconds, no one responded. Then the shadow shifted, a figure slowly stepping into view.

A woman appeared on the other side of the peephole. She stood beneath the flickering hallway light, her face partially obscured by the hood of her jacket. One hand remained visible at her side, empty and open.

She gazed directly into the peephole as though she could see exactly who was on the other side.

"I wanted to make sure you were alone," she said.

The woman tilted her head slightly.

"And judging by the flowerpot..." Her eyes shifted toward the bottom of the door. "I think I scared someone. I apologize; that wasn’t exactly my intent."

"Would you mind opening the door? I’d rather not speak through a piece of wood."

She emphasized the word wood.

Noah studied her through the peephole, trying to determine whether she was telling the truth. Then she spoke again.

"I’m looking for someone."

Noah’s eyes narrowed.

"Who?"

"Marcus."

Noah’s eyes narrowed at the name. Levy shifted beside him while Sage drew closer to the door.

"You know him?" the woman asked.

"No," Noah answered immediately.

Sage glanced at him.

The woman remained silent for a moment, as though weighing his response. "Are you sure? I’m pretty positive I’m at the right apartment."

Noah stayed budge beside the door.

"Nope. No Marcus here. Just me and my buddy."

"Hey, I’m buddy," Levy added.

Sage shook her head, while Noah couldn’t help the faint smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

A quiet sigh came from the other side.

"I figured you’d say that."

Noah’s amusement faded. He exchanged a quick glance with Sage, then looked through the peephole again.

She hadn’t moved. At first, nothing seemed different. She stood beneath the hallway light with the same calm posture, her face partially obscured by the hood of her jacket. Then Noah noticed something.

One hand was no longer empty. A handgun rested loosely at her side, partially concealed by her jacket.

Noah’s eyes narrowed. He slowly pulled away from the peephole.

"She has a gun," he whispered.

Sage’s expression immediately hardened, as did Levy’s.

For a moment, none of them spoke. Then the woman knocked again.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"You can stop pretending he’s not here," she said calmly. "I know Marcus is inside."

Noah stared at the door, saying nothing.

A low chuckle came from the other side.

"Alright," the woman said. "So you wanna do this the hard way."

Noah’s eyes narrowed. He turned toward the peephole, intending to get another look at her. He barely had time to lean forward when a sharp crack sounded.

Something tore past his face.

The peephole exploded inward as a bullet punched through the door, splintering the wood and embedding itself in the wall behind him.

Noah flinched and stumbled backward. Sage and Levy reacted instantly.

"Move!"

They scattered away from the door, ducking low as another muted crack came from the other side. Sage grabbed Noah by the arm and pulled him toward the kitchen while Levy sprinted ahead, putting as much distance between himself and the entrance as possible.

The gunfire was strangely quiet. Whatever weapon the woman was using, the suppressor reduced the shots to little more than sharp pops, preventing them from carrying much farther than the apartment.

Noah glanced back as they reached the kitchen.

The peephole was gone.

A small hole now punched clean through the door, giving whoever stood outside a perfect view into the foyer.

Noah’s stomach dropped.

"Shit."

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