Raine’s heart was pounding as he pulled up to the old apartment building. He barely waited for the car to come to a full stop before he killed the engine, jumped out, and rushed toward the entrance. The familiar stairs creaked under his hurried footsteps, each one feeling like it took too long. Cole’s broken voice on the phone kept echoing in his head, and the fear that something truly terrible had happened made his stomach twist into knots.

He didn’t bother knocking. He used his key and barged straight into the apartment, the door swinging open with a loud creak.

“Cole?” he called out, voice tight with worry.

The...