The cramped apartment reeked of stale smoke and chemicals, a faint blue haze lingering in the air. Walter leaned against the kitchen counter, lighting a cigarette with shaking hands, his eyes darting to the ticking clock. "She’s late" he muttered, his voice low and gravelly. The faint clink of glass from the makeshift lab in the corner filled the silence as he stared at the door, waiting for her to return with the next batch of supplies.