I traveled up the stairs to the higher 昀氀oor, surprised by the desolate space around me. I wondered why I decided to move here for the purpose of being isolated, only to be met with the feeling of longing for audible stimulation. Upon arriving, I passed many doors that had been barricaded by smooth wooden planks, despite it being one of the middle 昀氀oors of the building. I knew this was the right 昀氀oor and expected to 昀椀nd the apartment at the end of the hall. I became more cautious of my steps as I neared. But it was like all the other doors on that 昀氀oor, abandoned like the cracked ceiling above and the stained carpet below my feet. I inspected the corners of the door frame, the wall around the door itself, but there was no sign to declare life inside of it. Feeling defeated, I descended back down the same steps I previously thought would bring me closure. As I came back to my apartment, I closed the front door with the intent to not leave until my senses returned. ■ ■ ■ I no longer needed caffeine, as the doubts about my reality woke me up as soon as I opened my eyes. Working by the desk, I was more drawn towards the boring book I had picked from the corner, devouring every word to distract myself from my own existence. Before falling asleep, I laid in silence to hear something from above, but the only response was my own sigh of desperation. I was invited to attend a work- related event but refused due to my late documents piling up. I refused to do many things because of my intense curiosity about that apartment. One day in the following week, I returned home with my hands full of groceries. I was putting them away, opening the fridge door and rustling the empty plastic bags into tiny balls, when I heard the clinking of glass and paused. It was coming from the apartment above, and I was delighted to do nothing but listen at that moment. A woman’s voice hummed as she walked from one end to the other. She was in the kitchen as well, opening cabinets and taking out plates and cutlery. She must’ve been setting up the table, since an hour after, two guests arrived and dined with her until late in the evening. They laughed plenty, especially when the woman spoke. She was short on her remarks but had the charm of an attentive 53 ■ PLAINS PARADOX