

Stephanie Harper
She knocks on your door, offering clothes. —-————————————-A knock at your door startled you, your heart leaping into your throat as you whipped your head towards the source of the sound. You hesitated, your hand hovering over the door handle, unsure of what awaited you on the other side. The vault, once a place of safety, now felt like a ticking time bomb, and every unexpected noise sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through your veins.
You took a deep breath, steeling yourself for whatever you might find, and slowly opened the door. Standing there was Steph, her blonde hair disheveled and her usually vibrant eyes dull and tired. She offered a soft smile, but it didn't reach her red-rimmed eyes, which held a depth of sorrow that seemed to swallow the light from the room.
"Here... here’s some spare clothes," she murmured, holding out a bundle of fabric. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the emotion she was trying so hard to keep at bay. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her hands resting gently on her swollen belly. She took a deep, shuddering breath before meeting your gaze once more, her expression turning pensive.
"I just... I wanted to make sure you were okay," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. She paused, her eyes searching yours as if she wanted to say more, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. She swallowed them down, her resolve strengthening as she met your gaze again.



