[Taking a few tiles out of the roof, the man looked outside to sum up everything. Wearing a black mask and a black hoodie, he didn't say a word, moving slowly so as not to get caught. He looked down at the wall, tracking someone with his eyes.
"Where is she? Where is she?"
"Ah, there she is."
His eyes locked onto Samayra as soon as he saw her.
Taking out the trash, she dropped it into the bin. Just as she was about to go back inside, Samayra felt someone's presence. A horrific chill ran down her spine—a sign that someone was watching her. But someone called her from inside, and she ran back to them.
The man smiled as he watched her. His eyes grew lustful just seeing her in a green apron. He couldn't control himself. He started drooling, his mouth gaping open. He began looking for a corner to set something up. His eyes filled with joy as soon as he found a spot.
He walked over to the area and unbuttoned his pants. Slowly moving his hands toward his groin, he grabbed himself forcefully and began rubbing. His motions grew more and more intense as he imagined himself with Samayra.
Soon, however, his pleasure was disrupted. His head began to ache. At first, he just held his head with his hand, but soon he started making agonized noises—noises that felt like they were eating him alive. He felt like ending his own life by smashing his head against the ground.
"I have to take it. I have to take it."
The man unzipped his small waist bag and swallowed a pill without water. He clutched his head again in agony, but soon the pain began to disappear. He felt a wave of calm as his nerves slowed down. He looked down at himself again and resumed rubbing his penis with even more aggression.
Just a little bit more, just a little bit more. I am almost there, I am almost there, he continuously repeated to himself.
As a strange sound echoed in his ears, his eyes widened. He envisioned himself standing on a hill, and on the other side, someone was waving at him. He ran toward her, only to find that it was Samayra. His face began to drool once more. He grew more and more aggressive as thoughts of her filled his mind. As her clothes faded away in his imagination, a wave of pleasure washed over him. His hands grew weak from the exertion, and he smiled intensely.
"No, not now. I still have time for this."
He looked down as he saw the lights of the cafeteria start to dim.]
[Samayra]
I took out the chairs and mopped the floors. After clearing away all the trash, the floor was finally clean. Suddenly, the manager walked in. He looked at me with a questioning expression.
Walking up to me, he asked, "Where are your belongings?"
"I was about to set them up."
"Okay. Do you need any help?"
"No, no, I'll manage."
"Are you sure? Just let me know if you need anything. I can help you out."
He placed his hand on my shoulder and rubbed it lightly. I smiled awkwardly and took a step back from him. I never really liked him, and I never knew what he was thinking. His eyes were always on me while I worked. Not only that, but he always picked me whenever there was extra work to be done. No matter who else was available, he always called on me. Even earlier tonight, when I was taking the trash out, he called me back inside to clean, even though there were other girls around.
"Okay, have a safe night. Lock the doors and turn off the lights before sleeping."
"Yes, thank you, sir."
Well, what could I even say? He was my boss, and on top of that, he was the reason I was able to make a living right now.
I stared at an empty coffee machine as I remembered what had happened to me over the past few days. After I left Julia's house, I had nowhere to go. Even though Dylan had invited me to stay with him, I didn't accept because I didn't want to be a burden to him. At first, I thought about living with Amy, and I even talked to her about it. But while I was there…
"Amy, your rent is overdue!" her landlady called out as she walked in.
Looking at me, she asked Amy about my presence. After realizing that I was planning to move in, she instantly refused.
"No, no, I can't let two of you live together. She is already too noisy, and with you here, I don't even want to know what would happen."
Despite our repeated pleas, she wouldn't budge at all. I suppose I had to agree with her statement, though—if I lived with Amy, she probably would have talked my ears off.
Later on, I was able to find this place. A second coffee shop, a short distance away from my old one. I managed to secure it thanks to this manager. It might have been for ulterior reasons, though—I was sure of it, because from the moment we met, he never looked me in the eyes. His gaze was always stuck on my waist. He never made it explicit, but I could feel it.
From that point onward, I lived here. I spent the daytime working at my old café and the nights here. Afterward, I would lay out my bedding on the floor and go to sleep. I spent my days off with Dylan, and that was about it.
For the past few months, life had gone on like this. But now, everything felt like a roller coaster after what had just transpired.
I took out the mattress, propped it against the wall to dust it off, and then slid it onto the floor. Grabbing a pillow, I lay down to sleep. I wondered what could have happened earlier. There was clearly something Dylan was hiding, something much deeper than he let on.
[A few hours ago]
"No, wait, Mary! Listen!"
Desperate to stop her, Dylan took a few hasty steps forward. Guilt shone in his eyes; he was deeply saddened by her presence, yet he couldn't bring himself to let her go. After taking a few steps, he stopped and turned back. Looking disappointed in his own hesitation, he walked back over to me.
"Are you okay? Who was she?" I asked sympathetically, but he didn't respond.
I didn't know what it was, but that name suddenly felt familiar—it was the same name he had mentioned when I was at his house. He tried to avoid the question and gave me a vague answer.
"Nothing. I guess I just mistook her for someone else."
"You can't even lie properly, Dylan. She said your name."
He lowered his head again, showing no emotion. I decided to confront him directly.
"I remember you mentioned her before. Who is she, Dylan?"
"She was someone I used to know... someone I was with before. Someone I…"
He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. I didn't know what to make of it or what he was trying to say. I assumed she might just be an old friend or a relative. But then a sudden realization struck me—her bold gaze at me, her expression practically screaming
'You don't belong here,'
and her words: 'You have a girlfriend now? Guess I was the problem.'
What did all of that mean? I tried to ask him, but before I could say a word, he spoke in a dry, mournful voice.
"Samayra."
I looked into his eyes; he clearly couldn't bring himself to explain everything. Still, he called out my name gently.
"Please, don't ask me about her."
"…"
"I'll tell you everything later."
I didn't say a word. We both looked down as he tried to steer the conversation in another direction.
"Look at the time. It's getting late."
I checked the clock—it really was late. I had to get back for my shift, or else the manager would have another excuse to scold me while we were alone. Dylan looked at me attentively.
"Hey, do you want to go see a movie tonight?"
"No, actually, I have plans tonight."
"Oh... it's okay, Sam."
"I'm sorry."
I was about to leave, but his eyes suddenly caught onto something behind me. He stared past my shoulder with a serious look. Seeing his reaction, I quickly turned around to look, but there was no one there.
"What happened?"
"Oh, nothing. I just thought I saw something in the distance."
"Okay. I'm heading out then."
"Bye."
[Samayra ran off toward her café while Dylan watched her intently. As she walked away, his gaze swept over her from her shoes, to her bag, and up to her hair. His eyes were locked, but not on Samayra—he was watching someone else.]
"Could it be related to that?"
I had been overthinking way too much before trying to sleep, but it suddenly hit me that I was just wasting time. If I didn't sleep right now, tomorrow was going to be an exhausting day. I tried to force myself to fall asleep on the floor.
*Crack*
What was that?
I was startled awake by a sharp sound.
I sat up and saw that the glass table in the corner was shattered. That's weird... was it a cat?
I tried to get a better look, and then I caught a glimpse of someone. A man stood up near the broken glass, steadying himself after shaking his head. He locked eyes with me the moment I saw him.
I bolted from my bed toward the kitchen. He chased after me aggressively. Whoever he was, I was in serious trouble. He reached the kitchen and scanned the area, but I was nowhere in sight. Walking slowly in a quiet attempt to corner me, he searched through the bags and shelves. He began furiously tearing open drawers, throwing every item onto the floor before screaming at the wall.
"Where are you?!"
As he threw a flour bin, it rolled toward the spot where I was hiding. I stared at it in pure terror. I was crouching above the food stall area. Seeing the flour bin roll near me, my heart pounded wildly. I could barely keep my composure. It felt like one wrong breath could end my life.
Looking at him, he seemed desperate to find me. Who is he? Why is he doing this? Nothing made sense. I thought about calling for help and reached into my pocket, but my phone wasn't there. I glanced toward the doorway—it was right next to my bedding.
I have to calm down. I need to think before I move. Just one wrong step and I could be killed.
I looked around to locate him. He was standing in the corner of the kitchen. Watching him closely, I realized he couldn't see very well—his eyes looked dazed and drunk, and his hands were trembling.
I can slip past him.
I took a cautious step forward, leaning against the frame to avoid drawing attention. Yes, he's facing the wall.
I can get out... I can get out... I can—
*Squeak*
Suddenly, a few mice darted past my feet, scurrying over the spilled flour and making noise. The man whipped around. Locking his lustful eyes onto me, he smirked.
I ran, desperate to save my life. I was so close to my phone, i was about to reach it. But then he grabbed me. Forcing my arms back, he shoved me around violently. He pulled up my shirt and dragged down my bra, burying his face into my chest. I tried to fight back, but his massive frame overpowered me completely.
I screamed louder and louder as he tried to pin me down. His saliva poured onto my chest as he left a deep bite mark on my skin. He reached down with one hand to unbutton his pants. Acting on pure instinct, I swung my hand upward, grabbed my phone, and smashed it hard against his head.
*Crack*
Screaming in agony, he clutched his head and tried to stifle his cries. Blood poured from the wound, and he looked like he was about to pass out. I seized the opportunity, broke free, and ran. Looking back, I saw him staggering after me. I spotted the restroom and darted inside to hide.
*Clutch*
*Click*
I tried to lock the door, but as I was slamming it shut, the man thrust his hand through the gap.
"AAAAhhhh."
I screamed louder than ever, pulling on the door with every ounce of strength I had left.
His hand trembled violently as he tried to force his way in. He began sobbing and screaming hysterically.
"Why?! Why, when I've done everything for you?! Why are you doing this to me?!"
"Who are you?! I don't even know you!"
He grew even more aggressive at my words.
"You have no idea how much I've craved you! I've never felt this way about anyone's body before. Please... don't make this hard for me!"
Suddenly, Amy's words echoed in my head.
'You know, he might be a stalker. He always shows up at 3 a.m. and only lets you take his order.'
It instantly clicked. He was the customer from back then—the man who always came into the café and insisted that I make his coffee. He was the stalker.
I kept pounding on his hand, but he seemed completely immune to the pain. Suddenly, the door frame snapped. The nails and screws holding the hinges tore free. The door tilted at an angle, and he threw his weight against it forcefully, ripping it entirely off its frame.
He glared at me with sinister, devious eyes, drooling heavily. His eyes rolled back as if he were heavily drugged, and he began staggering toward me.
The only thought left in my mind was Dylan. Please help me... please come here, Dylan... Dylan!
Suddenly, a voice roared through the room.
"HEY!"
*Slam*
The next thing I knew, the stalker was flying backward right out of my sight. Got smashed by a table on his face. He went off and was thrown on the chairs and stuff. A figure stepped toward me having the same table wood in his hand, looking at me with heavy breathing and a low smile—the exact person I had been praying for is here.
"Dylan…"
"I guess I'm not too late."
[Dylan]
"Yeah, secure that area too. Keep everything under control."
The police arrived and cordoned off the entire premises. Sirens blared loudly in the night while caution tape was strung up everywhere. I looked around, breathing a sigh of relief.
A large crowd had gathered outside. How ironic—none of them came running when Samayra was screaming for help, yet they all showed up once it was over.
I glanced over at the man who had tried to attack Samayra. He was completely out of his mind, his eyes bloodshot as if he hadn't slept in days, and saliva dripped uncontrollably from his mouth. His hands were bound, and he was muttering incoherently. He tried to speak, but no clear sound came out—his lips just trembled before he collapsed onto the pavement. The officers surrounding him quickly grabbed him and dragged him into the back of the police van, as he was unable to stand on his own two feet.
I looked over at Samayra off to the side. She was trembling with fear, her face completely void of emotion as she wrapped her blanket tighter around herself. She was terrified with everything. I was about to walk over to her when an officer approached me.
"Hey, is the lady alright? We need to take her statement for the FIR report."
"Officer, can we please do this tomorrow? I promise I'll bring her straight to the police station first thing in the morning."
"Alright, fine. I'm only allowing it because she's clearly shaken up."
At that moment, my eyes caught something in the officer's gloved right hand—he was holding a small plastic container marked with a distinct symbol.
'Two overlapping X's, one horizontal and the other vertical.'
I impulsively snatched the container from his hand to examine it closely.
The officer grew irritated.
"What do you think you're doing?" He quickly grabbed the container back.
"I'm sorry... it's just..."
"Have you seen this before?"
"…"
"Well, these are a new type of drug that's been gaining popularity among youngsters and the unemployed."
I remained silent. A sudden image flashed through my mind. The grey door, the locker, and the containers I had stored away. They were identical to this one.
"This is the drug that guy was on," the officer added.
"I see."
"Anyway, forget it. Who are you to her?"
"I am..."
"Man, you need to be more careful. How could you let your girlfriend work alone at a place like this?"
I stood there frozen, unable to find the words. The officer offered a small, sympathetic smile before his walkie-talkie chimed, and he walked away to handle the call.
I walked over to Samayra to check on her. I knew she wasn't in any condition to talk, so I just stood beside her quietly. I hoped just being there would give her some sense of comfort. I reached out my hand to stroke her hair gently, and in response, she wrapped her arms tightly around my waist.
Clinging to me desperately, she refused to let go.
"Samayra, I…"
I looked down at her; she remained completely silent, simply holding onto me as tightly as she could. Her breathing was heavy, and I could feel the frantic pounding of her heart against my chest.
I stood there in complete silence. It was going to be a very long night.