Back in the apartment, lost keys in the hallway

Back in the apartment, lost keys in the hallway

I was back in the apartment I had in college, except the hallway was the one from my parents' house and it kept going. I'd lost my keys and was checking the same three pockets over and over. Someone was walking behind me, not running, just those slow even steps. I knew it was the guy from the hardware store, the one who always asks if I found everything, but when I glanced back it was also my old roommate, same face somehow. I tried to get to the stairwell and my legs went heavy, like wading. A door I don't remember having was cracked open and the light inside was the bathroom light, too bright. I kept thinking if I could just lock something I'd be fine, but every knob turned without catching. I woke up with my heart going and the real hallway looking shorter than it should.