Klein and Lars stood inside the apartment, facing the mass that had once been nothing more than a few drops of blood. Now it had grown into something unnatural, something alive, stretching across walls and ceiling, pulsing as if it had a will of its own.
Klein had already moved back into the hallway where the bedrooms were, while Lars stood a few steps ahead, unable to take his eyes off the thing. The air felt heavier, suffocating, as the mass slowly shifted toward them.
Klein moved carefully.
He reached for the door of his room and opened it slowly, trying not to draw attention. Then he remembered—the emergency staircase ran just outside his window.
"Lars…" he whispered. "We're getting out through the fire escape. Go up—straight to the rooftop."
Lars glanced back at him for a split second, then returned his focus to the mass, slowly stepping backward.
Without warning, Klein moved.
He rushed into his room.
Lars followed immediately.
