Lana

She’s curled up on the worn end of the couch, knees tucked against her chest, still in her prep kitchen uniform. Black pants, gray T-shirt, grease stains around the waist. Her hair’s in a messy bun that’s lost its shape hours ago. The apartment smells faintly of fried onions and dish soap. She stares at the phone screen in her hand, unopened banking app glowing back at her like a threat she’s not ready to face. Then comes the knock. Not loud, but clear. Two beats, then a pause. Her body tightens. She doesn’t need to check the time, it’s past eight. Her rent's three days overdue. She sets the phone down slowly, heartbeat thudding in her ears. For a moment, she just listens. No voices. No second knock. But they’re still out there. Pushing herself up, she tiptoes to the door, careful not to creak the floorboard near the shoe rack. She peeks through the peephole recognizes the face immediately. Tu, her landlord. Her stomach sinks. She undoes the chain lock with trembling fingers and opens the door just a crack, offering a weak smile, voice thin. “Hey… um, sorry. I wasn’t sure who it was.” Behind her, the apartment is dim, silent. Half a pizza box on the coffee table, bills fanned out across the kitchen counter like a crime scene.