Chapter 1: The Floor Plan Challenge

Before you dive in, take a good look at these floor plans. This isn’t just a story—it’s a puzzle, and somewhere inside this Mississippi River apartment, there’s a body waiting to be found.

If you want to play detective, take a moment to absorb the layout, maybe even sketch it out on your own legal pad. This story is a puzzle, one set in the heartland, where secrets settle in like morning fog off the river. Every detail matters.

This apartment sits in a mid-sized city right along the Mississippi. The building’s brick facade has seen a hundred river storms, and the stairwell always smells faintly of mildew and takeout. What’s certain is that this place exists—and inside, there’s a corpse.

Think of this as your own true-crime podcast—except you’re the one piecing it together. If you’re here to play detective, steer clear of the comments—spoilers are everywhere.