RULE 7: RAGE

N'S

. There I stood, in front of my apartment, knuckles tapping a hesitant rhythm agai

ld be inside at this hour? I stared at the peeling paint, the once-vibrant color now faded, like th

he door rattled softly, the sound piercing the silence. I glanced up-the night was still. Thunder

xed on the door. I told myself I'd misheard the landlord, that there was some mista

dying creature's last breath. A figure emerged-my landlord, hunched and framed by shadows.

g I couldn't shake. "You shouldn't be here, boy," he croaked, his voice as brittle as the dry leaves u

." Behind me, whispers from the neighborhood grew louder. Curtains fluttered, shadows watching with sh

." His frown deepened, lips curling into a sneer. "The week? You've had months. Find a new place, boy. No freeloaders here." I took a

breaking my focus. My mouth went dry. "I'm begging you. Just one more night-" His eyes d

lse in my ears, but the fog in my mind thickened. I wanted to lunge, to shout, but my legs refused

he musty scent of old wood and dampness filled my nostrils as I raised my hand to knock again. Before I could, the sharp crash of break

g through the silence. The night was too loud, too hollow. The whispers behind me deepened, crawling into my ears. "Always behind, that one

r of ice. Norton's place wasn't far-just a few streets over. I stumbled toward his

tching longer than the last. I slumped against the wall, soaked to the bone, my teeth chattering. My fingers dug into the strap of my bag, as the sting of cold spread up my s

hroat dry. "Norton, I've been evicted. I just need a place to crash. The w

don't know," he muttered, lowering his voice. "The place

e sunrise. I swear-" The door scraped open just enough for a woman to step into view

, babe," Norton said, grinning too quick. "I'll be right back." He watched her walk away, lips