WHEN IT GETS TOO QUIET - THE KNOCK AT THE DOOR

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Lena was half-asleep on the couch when the banging started.

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At first it was distant. Like part of a dream.

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But it got louder.

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Her eyes snapped open.

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More pounding.

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“Lena! Open the door!”

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She blinked, disoriented, the blanket twisted around her legs.

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Marcus.

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Of course.

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She clenched her teeth, pulling the blanket over her head.

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“Go away,” she mumbled into the fabric, knowing he couldn’t hear.

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The knocking kept going.

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Then it stopped.

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For a second she felt relief, sagging back into the cushions.

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But the door handle rattled.

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“Lena, I swear to God, if you don’t open this door”

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She growled under her breath. Forced herself up.

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The room tilted. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday.

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She shuffled to the door. Undid the lock with shaking fingers.

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The second the latch clicked, Marcus pushed it open.

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He looked her up and down.

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She was in the same sweatshirt she’d been wearing for three days. Hair matted on one side. Face pale. Eyes sunken.

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“Jesus, Lena,” he breathed.

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She scowled. “Don’t start.”

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Marcus stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

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“I’ve been calling you for two days. Are you kidding me?”

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She turned away, dragging herself back to the couch.

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“I didn’t feel like talking.”

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“Clearly,” Marcus snapped.

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He followed her into the living room, taking in the mess. Old takeout containers, mugs with mold blooming inside them, piles of dirty laundry.

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He pinched the bridge of his nose.

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“Have you even been outside?”

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Lena didn’t answer.

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Marcus’s voice cracked a little. “Talk to me.”

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“I don’t want to.”

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“Tough shit,” he snapped, voice suddenly hard. “You don’t get to shut me out like this.”

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Lena flinched.

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He saw it.

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He exhaled shakily, lowering his voice.

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“Look,” he said, softer now. “I’m not here to judge you. I just—God, Lena. You scared me.”

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She sank into the couch cushions like she was trying to disappear.

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He crouched down in front of her, elbows on his knees.

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“Tell me,” Marcus said. “Please.”

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Her lip trembled.

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“Everything feels… heavy,” she whispered. “All the time. Like there’s no point in even moving. I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to try.”

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Marcus closed his eyes.

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When he opened them, they were wet.

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“I know,” he said quietly. “I know it feels like that. But you don’t have to do it alone.”

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She let out a bitter laugh. “Don’t make this some cheesy intervention.”

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“It’s not cheesy.”

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“It is,” she snapped. “You don’t get it. I’m so fucking tired. And I don’t want to make you watch me fall apart.”

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He didn’t back away.

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“I’d rather watch you fall apart than not see you at all.”

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Lena’s breath hitched.

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Her eyes filled.

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She wiped them angrily on her sleeve.

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Marcus reached out carefully, resting a hand on her knee.

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She didn’t push him away.

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They sat there in silence.

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Outside, the city was still dark from the blackout.

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Inside, it was quiet in a way that wasn’t empty anymore.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE

This is a fictional story, but the feelings are real. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. 💛

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