Rise of Ryan Conner

chapter 19

In the dimly lit corridor of his apartment, the soft shuffle of his footsteps was barely audible as he moved closer to the front door. His heart pounded in his chest, a rhythm of fear and anticipation, as he leaned forward to peer through the peephole. A masked man, face obscured behind a dark cloth, holding a gun with an unwavering grip. The door, his last line of defense, showed signs of forceful entry, its frame splintered and broken.

Frozen for a moment, he watched as the figures outside prepared to make their next move. The hallway's muted lights cast long shadows that danced around the intruders, adding a macabre spectacle to the scene unfolding before him. The man's breath fogged the peephole, a stark reminder of the peril just inches away.

The men outside seemed to inch closer to the door.

Clinging to the window's edge, Ryan took a deep breath, feeling the cool air brush against his face. Below him, the city sprawled endlessly, a maze of lights and shadows. With a swift motio