Page 113 of Jase

“I’ve seen that man before. The tall guy in the blue shirt, holding the paper. The one with the shaved head. I don’t know where, but…I swear he looks familiar. Does he look suspicious to you?”

“Well…this is twenty-twenty-one. Most people just check the news on the tv or their phone. I can’t remember the last time I saw someone with an actual newspaper. Do they even make those anymore? Aside from that, it does seem like he’s looking for someone.”

“It does. Where have I seen him? It’s right there. Right within reach in my memories. I just…”

I moved closer, studying the man’s weathered face and hooded eyes. He stood out from those walking through the lobby for the last few hours.

“He does look like someone I’ve seen before.”

“Right. He’s…mysterious and…rugged.” Tiffany’s hands came to her hips through thought. Her gasp filled the room and her hand shot to her mouth. “Dude Keller! That’s fucking Dude Keller from that famous survivalist show.”

“What?”

“Rian watches it all the time. Dude lives in your building? Lucky bitch. I knew he looked familiar. The guy can live through anything. Last episode I saw, he was living with lions or something. Crazy shit. Rian will be relieved to know they didn’t eat him alive.”

At his name, Tiffany’s eyes filled with tears. Her lip trembled and she turned from the screen, heading to the refrigerator. There was no point of me going after her. I’d already tried to comfort her. She needed her space.

I headed over and lowered to Jase’s desk. I went through different cameras. I checked multiple halls. I ate the sandwich Tiff brought me. Over and over, I kept my fingers busy to kill time. Each minute ate at me. Each scenario that forced its way into my head drove me crazy. Jase hadn’t called. I wasn’t sure that was a good thing or bad. And he’d mentioned that we had food for a week or two. Was there a possibility he’d be gone that long?

No more thoughts. No more worries. I couldn’t take it. Instead, I focused on the screens. On the wealthy couples leaving their apartments, or the random man or woman passing through the lobby. I stayed in a daze.

Clicking.

Clicking.

Clicking.

I stopped.

On one of the elevators were five men. All were wearing black long-sleeved shirts and black cargo pants. They looked military, but from the growth on three of their faces, I wasn’t so sure that was the case.

“What is that?” Tiffany leaned forward on the sofa, easing to her feet as they continued higher.

“I don’t know. I…” I brought up the camera that gave view to our entrance area. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I…” I picked up the phone, hitting Dominguez’s number. Just as he looked down to his pocket, Tiffany yelled out.

“They have guns! Gun! Gun!”

“The guards can’t hear you, Tiff! This place is soundproof.”

My heart exploded as I watched Dominguez laugh and turn towards the other man outside our door. He pulled out his phone just as the elevator door opened. My head whipped from the screen to the door, and then back, as bullets began to spray the entrance area. Shots from the rooftop doorway sounded, but I couldn’t see the guard who was posted there. The other two were already down, being shot at pointblank range.

“We have to go. Tiff! We have to go!”

Her screams filled the room as shots began to ping into the front door. I clutched my phone, pulling against her arm as I led us into the closet. I raced to the back, sliding Jase’s clothes to the side, searching for the guns he’d spoken of. They had to be here, yet all I saw was a wall.

“Help me look, Tiff. Jase said there’s guns here, behind his clothes.” I pushed them around, scrambling to the shelves not two feet over. I saw nothing as loud bangs erupted from the living room.

“Kody, they’re trying to break in. Where are the guns? I don’t see anything.”

“I don’t know. I…”

I spun, looking around the space. Everything was the same. I’d never seen guns here before, but Jase wouldn’t have lied about that. I turned back to the wall, banging the side of my fist against it. Was it hollow? It sounded firm.

“Maybe the wall opens up. Look for a door or a secret passage.”

“You’re serious?”

“There has to be something. Jase said the guns were right here. I believe him. Maybe there’s a latch or—”