Write a story which begins with the following sentence: The doorbell rang, and I realised I had run
out of time. In your writing, create a sense of suspense and drama.

Setting: The story is set in a modern city apartment, high above the city streets, filled with eclectic art and cluttered with manuscripts, indicating the resident's occupation and tastes.

Main character: The main character is Alex, a 35-year-old investigative journalist who is known for his unrelenting pursuit of truth and justice. He is ambitious, intelligent, and a bit of a loner, preferring his own company to that of others.

Conflict: Alex has been working on a story that could expose a high-level political scandal. He's run out of time because the subject of his investigation is on their way to confront him about the story.

Dialogue: The dialogue should reveal Alex's determination to publish the story despite the risks, his conversations with the antagonist, and his internal struggle about whether to proceed.

Theme: The central theme is truth and the risks one is willing to take to expose it.

Tone: The tone should be tense and suspenseful, reflecting Alex's predicament and the high-stakes nature of his situation.

Pacing: The story should be fast-paced, with a sense of urgency reflecting the ticking clock that Alex is racing against.

Plotline: The story begins with the doorbell ringing, introducing the conflict. As Alex confronts the antagonist, tension escalates. The climax is Alex's decision whether to publish the story or not. The ending leaves the reader in suspense, not knowing what Alex ultimately decides.