"We're here." Sam said.
"Okay." I dazedly followed him toward my house. His casual tone still echoed in my ears.
Dead…
The moment he said it, the cold rain seemed to come crashing down on me all at once. He hadn't given me any time to process it—just opened his umbrella and walked off, leaving me standing there soaked to the bone, trapped in that suffocating emotion I couldn't shake off.
As we neared the door of my place, I instinctively reached into my bag for the keys—only to see Sam push the door open directly. The lock (along with the doorknob) had been removed. I noticed several patches of chipped paint around the area—probably damaged when he had broken in that night.
I reached for the light switch and flicked it several times, but nothing happened. A power outage?
In this place where the rain never seemed to stop, it was as if the sun had been swallowed by the clouds. The dim, gray light outside couldn't pierce into the house. At that moment, the room looked like a sunken ship resting on the ocean floor—vague shadows clung to the corners like something lurking, waiting to strike. If you didn't keep a constant eye on them, they seemed ready to creep toward you.
"The power and internet cables were both cut," Sam said, pulling out a flashlight. "When our people came to investigate that night, they found nothing worked. Most likely, it was the attacker who did it."
I suddenly remembered how, that night, the man had clearly known I was in the bedroom, yet had gone into the living room first. So that's what he was doing—sabotaging things.Which meant the attack wasn't a random impulse. It was premeditated.The thought made my heartbeat quicken. Cold sweat started breaking out all over me.
What could I have possibly done to provoke him? I hadn't even been back in town that long—and I barely socialized. Why would someone hate me enough to want me dead?
Sam led the way with the flashlight, and I followed close behind, feeling like the only safe path was the one right in his footsteps.But this was still my home—after confirming nothing seemed out of place, I quickly went to retrieve something.
"Need a hand?" Sam shouted from the living room.
"No, I've got it." I opened the fridge and started pulling things out one by one.
"So, what exactly is this 'evidence' you mentioned?"
"… …"I reached deep into the back of the fridge and pulled it out, handing it to him.
Sam held it under the flashlight for a moment, then finally frowned."This is… blood."
Before the attack, someone had already broken into my house—more than once. But since nothing was stolen or damaged, I never told anyone.No—actually, not only was nothing missing… something had been added.
That bottle of water I always kept by my bedside—looking at it now, it resembled one of those rain charms used to pray for storms.
Sam picked up the bottle and gave it a shake. Dark clumps of sticky matter immediately floated to the surface."In your opinion, could this have been left by the person who attacked you?"
"If that person wanted me dead, why would they go out of their way to do something like this?"
"So you think this is connected to that Amelia girl?"Once again, he had voiced the thought I hadn't said aloud.
"Yes."
I told him that every time the water in the glass changed color, strange water stains would appear around the room. At first, I thought it was just rain leaking in—but looking back, those marks resembled the kind you'd get if someone with limited mobility had dragged themselves across the floor. The trail of moisture always extended from the front door all the way to the bedroom—then suddenly stopped.
Sam suddenly patted me on the shoulder.
"What is it?"
He raised the flashlight and pointed it toward the ceiling of my bedroom. "Is this the kind of water stain you meant?"
I looked up—and saw the ceiling was covered in crisscrossing marks.
Countless water trails are etched into the surface.
…
Perhaps on those nights, I thought I was sleeping safely… someone had been clinging to the ceiling, silently watching me fall asleep.
The old water stains had long since dried and turned yellow, but the new ones still glistened faintly—clearly, they'd only just appeared.
"Looks like I need to head back to work." I said.
"But your injuries haven't healed yet."
"Officer Chow, didn't you see? Someone's clearly looking for me."
Even he couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. "Still…"
"Let's go." I took the flashlight from his hand and marched toward the door. The misty rain greeted me once again, and the earthy scent kicked up by the falling drops stung my nose, making my eyes a little damp.
Sam silently closed the door behind us.
"I told you to call me Sam."
**********
Sam persuaded me to stay at the hospital for two more nights. On the third day, close to noon, I finished the hospital discharge paperwork. I didn't dare waste a second and rush straight to the restaurant.
After the attack, I had immediately messaged Larry to let him know, but I hadn't received a reply in the past few days. That was odd. Could something have happened to him too? After all, even someone as insignificant as me had been targeted—there was no guarantee he wouldn't encounter something even stranger. Maybe I should ask Sam to look into it.
But when I arrived at the restaurant, I found him working there as usual.
"Sorry, Elin, I made you worry!" he chuckled between heavy breaths.
"Something came up at home the past couple days, so I didn't get a chance to reply. I only found out something happened to you when the police came by. I was planning to visit you in the hospital, but I guess you've already been discharged. How are you feeling?"
I told him not to bother. I was recovering well.
"Ah, youth… heals fast. Have you eaten lunch yet? I'll whip something up for you."As he spoke, he headed down to the basement.
Back when I confidently asked him to leave the restaurant in my care, I had promised to be reliable—but I hadn't managed to hold up that end of the bargain. No one could've predicted an attack like that, of course, and no one wanted it to happen—but I still couldn't shake the guilt of failing my responsibilities. Seeing how concerned he was for me only made that guilt deeper, so I threw myself into work with renewed energy.
About half an hour later, Larry came back up with several dishes—surprisingly generous portions.
"Thanks, Boss. You should eat something too."
"I already did. This is for you."
"But there's so much food—I can't finish it alone."
"Young people have big appetites. Don't worry about it."He sat down beside me and casually lit a cigarette.
I felt a little awkward, so I tried to make conversation. When I asked about his daughter, he bowed his head deeply, and his legs started to shake with unease.
"Her mother took her away."
"Took her where?"
He shook his head. "I didn't even have the strength to say no… I mean, look at her now—how bad her condition is. And me, her father, completely useless. Maybe this is for the best."
Larry and his wife divorced a few years ago, and custody of their child was granted to him. After the divorce, he brought his daughter Eva back to his hometown and opened this restaurant. Everything had been going smoothly—until the rain started. When his ex-wife heard about Eva's unexplained tooth loss, she came to town, adamant about taking their daughter away for treatment.
"Even the doctors can't figure out what's wrong—what else can she possibly do?! I asked her where she planned to take Eva, but she wouldn't say. How can I feel at ease with that?"
"But you still let her take Eva, didn't you?"
"My daughter is my life…"Larry clutched his head in despair, taking a long while to calm down."Going to the big city or abroad—it doesn't matter. As long as she gets better, I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Even if I never find out where she's gone, I'll be okay… as long as she's okay…"
Ah, the sorrow of parents everywhere. Thinking back on how I had been shutting my parents out not long ago, refusing to speak to them out of spite—what was even the point of that? I silently promised myself I'd call my mom tonight…
At the time, I didn't know that something so simple would soon become impossible.
The light outside gradually dimmed, and the only brightness came from the cigarette in the boss's hand. The tiny, flickering flame crawled up his fingers like a ghost born of ashes. I didn't know how to comfort him, so I awkwardly patted his back.When he lifted his head, his tearful eyes met mine through the layers of smoke—I was stunned.
"What kind of goddamn situation is this, huh…"The pressure he'd been carrying all this time finally burst free.
"Elin… can I get a hug?"
I froze for a moment, unsure how to respond. This felt a bit too much—but if he truly saw me as someone he could confide in, I didn't want to let him down.If a friend is hurting, it's okay to give them a hug, right?
So I opened my arms—stiffly.
He pulled me in at once, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe. His clothes reeked of cooking oil and smoke. The embrace dragged on far too long, and the strength he used was almost suffocating. I tried to return the gesture with equal warmth, but the distant rumbling of thunder kept pulling my attention away.
It was time to let go—wasn't it?
That's when I felt it—warm breath on my neck.
Huff, huff…He was sniffing my hair.
Revulsion exploded within me. I instinctively tried to push him away—but then he whispered in a sleazy tone I'd never heard before:
"Your shampoo smells like peaches…"
"Larry?!"
I jammed my elbow into his gut with all my strength, finally forcing him to let go. But the next second, he grabbed my head, locked my lower body with his legs, and pinned me down. I couldn't move. I could only watch in horror as his face drew closer and closer.
The terror I felt in that moment even surpassed the fear of being killed.
How could he transform from a grieving father to… this?
I used to think he was kind and gentle, someone who treated his staff well—someone like a father figure…
Was I just being dumb and arrogant? Too careless and ended up giving him the chance to strike?
There were no more tears on his face now. Instead, his beast-like expression suited him perfectly.
My world spun. I was being manhandled, my breath stolen away.I had told myself I wouldn't cower anymore—I'd fight back when the time came.
But now I realized just how naive I had been.So weak. So helpless. Not even a shred of strength to fight to the bitter end.
How humiliating… how pathetic…
"Creak—"Just then, someone pushed open the restaurant door.
Larry quickly sprang off me, settling calmly into his seat as if nothing had happened."C-Can I help you? Here to eat?" he asked.
The visitors were none other than the two patrol officers I had seen earlier at the station.
"How's it going?" one of them replied. "We're here under orders from Officer Maurice Sontag to follow up on Vivian Evans's case."
"Vivi? Ah… I still can't believe something like that happened to such a good kid."Larry sighed, his expression full of concern. "Are there any updates?"
I almost laughed. Look at him—back to that kind, harmless mode like flipping a switch.
"Yes," the officer said. "Further investigation suggests her case may be connected to another missing person."
"Another one? Someone from this town?"
"No, not someone who disappeared here. But based on computer analysis, the two cases seem to be related."
Larry quickly walked over to offer them cigarettes, his face full of respect."You officers have been working so hard—thank you. Please do all you can to help with Vivi's case. She didn't grow up around here; I met her years ago while working out of town. Smart girl, diligent too. When I moved back and opened this restaurant, the first year was rough. I never imagined she'd offer to come help me. Kids her age don't usually return to this small town, you know. She had such a good heart… I feel like I failed her somehow."
Then, suddenly, he turned to me."And I also appreciate my girl—Elin over there. With this constant rain and tension in the town, I was planning to close the restaurant temporarily. But she insisted on helping me keep the place open. So hardworking, and always thoughtful. I was touched. But I also worried for her, being just a young woman…"
I couldn't listen to another word. I packed up my things and headed for the door.
"Elin, where are you going?"
I didn't even bother to look back. Disgust boiled inside me."Larry, I came here today just to let you know—I'm leaving town tomorrow. I can't do this job anymore. Feel free to close the restaurant."
One of the officers recognized me and hurried after me.
"Miss Tolk—Officer Chow said you've seen Amelia, right?"
I had.
"You said she came here to the restaurant at night on several occasions. If that's true, would you be willing to assist us—"
"No."I cut him off coldly."What does any of this have to do with me now?"
There's nothing I can do. I am foolish and weak. I can't save anyone including myself.
Sorry Vivi.