Awakening

Today, the neighborhood was different from usual. There were many police officers, and many people coming and going.

I squeezed through the crowd and entered the neighborhood. Around me, the voices of people talking drifted into my ears.

"Hey, why doesn't the notice describe the killer's portrait or fingerprints?"

A police officer replied, "We apologize, but this fugitive killer was disguised. After committing the crime, he changed his appearance. Fortunately, we have tracked his movements. Before he could escape, our police force acted in time!"

After listening for a while, I walked straight into the building. The weather was hot, and I just wanted to quickly run home, turn on the air conditioner, and eat ice cream. The maid had taken leave, and my parents were abroad, so I was the only one left in the house.

Perhaps some people would find this very exciting? I thought so at first too, but after living like this for three years, all that remained was boredom and loneliness.

Before entering the elevator, the mobile phone in my pocket suddenly rang. I pulled it out and answered the call.

A female voice came from the other end, "Feng Zhi, are you home yet, dear?"

My full name is Ye Feng Zhi, and everyone in my family calls me Feng Zhi.

"I'm in the lobby!" I said.

"I'll be returning for a visit next month, and I'm bringing a special gift for you. Oh right, I saw a dress in Italy that would suit you perfectly. It comes in black and white; which color do you prefer?"

I looked at the open elevator doors and said, "Black, please. Mom, I'm in the elevator now."

"Ah, then hang up."

After hanging up, I stepped into the elevator and watched the numbers rise one by one. The elevator stopped right at the thirtieth floor.

I pulled out my keys and walked toward my front door.

The moment the key entered the lock, I suddenly froze.

The surroundings were eerily quiet.

I could clearly hear the sound of the TV coming from inside my house, but logically speaking, who else could be inside besides me?

So... who was inside?

Although it was a hot summer day, cold sweat broke out all over my body.

I knew I should turn around and run, but my feet felt frozen to the spot, unable to move at all.

While I was gasping for breath, some force compelled me to turn the key and push the door open.

Don't overthink it, Ye Feng Zhi, don't overthink it...

The door opened, and I knew I hadn't been overthinking.

In the spacious living room, a man dressed in black was sitting on the sofa. Hearing the sound, he turned his head.

I thought to myself: His eyes are beautiful, a pale blue like a clear sapphire, shining so brightly it was dazzling.

Is he mixed-race?

Seeing the man's figure walking toward me, I suddenly realized that I should run.

The moment he was only a few steps away from me, my stiff legs finally moved! I ran.

I had never been so disheveled in my life. My hair was a mess, and my heart was pounding wildly, as if I were about to plunge into hell in the next second.

But my escape seemed futile. The man behind me caught up in a matter of seconds, grabbing me by the waist like a chicken without exerting any effort.

I wanted to call for help, but my mouth was tightly covered, and I could only make muffled whimpers.

This was the first time I felt true terror.

I was placed on the sofa, the sweat on my forehead soaking my hair, and my tears fell drop by drop.

Meanwhile, the man in front of me was slowly closing the door.

This meant I would be trapped here.

My hands trembled. Keeping my back to him, I looked toward the distant bedroom door. I slowly pulled out my phone, lowering the volume to the absolute minimum, counted down three seconds in my heart, and bolted toward the door.

The person behind reacted quickly, but he was a step too late after all. I swung my hand and slammed the bedroom door shut.

*Thud!* The moment the door closed, I immediately collapsed onto the floor, feeling utterly helpless.

But I couldn't stop. I knew I had angered him. If he caught me, I would surely die.

The man outside pressed angrily against the door, shouting, "Open the door!"

Oh, he spoke fluent Chinese; I had thought he only knew English.

I didn't answer, biting my lip as I turned on my phone.

Another loud bang came from the door. I instantly realized he was kicking it. With his strength, this door would be kicked open in no time.

"You know, I have ways to open this door!" he said.

I pressed the number "1" twice on the keypad. Just a little more, just a little more to reach "0"!

*110, 110, 110...* I screamed in my heart.

*Crash!* The door burst open!

My vision went dark. The phone in my hand was snatched away and violently thrown to the ground by the man, the screen shattering into pieces. Immediately after, the man dragged my limp body off the floor.

My entire body trembled violently, my palms clenched tightly. I felt death drawing near.

He was laughing, his gaze like he was watching a comedy, full of mockery.

"I originally thought of sparing your life, but now it seems there's no need!"

I looked at him, my throat dry and paralyzed, with only despair remaining. I asked him, "Are you going to kill me?"

He grabbed my collar and shoved me against the wall, pain immediately radiating through my back.

He looked at me coldly, his pale blue eyes devoid of any warmth.

"I've already killed people anyway; one more life won't make a difference."

I helplessly grabbed his hand, babbling incoherently, "I beg you not to kill me, please... I beg you, I won't run, and I won't threaten you. Please... don't kill me, I'll do whatever you want."

I wanted to live.

He looked down at his hand, which was tightly held by me, and frowned, "Let go."

I shuddered and nodded.

The man dragged me out of the living room, turning to ask, "Where are the room keys?"

I walked to the left of the TV cabinet, opened one of the drawers, took out a ring of keys, and handed it to him.

The man locked all the rooms, shrinking my living space down to just the kitchen and the bathroom.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and turned to look at him again. Suddenly, I thought of my parents and my best friends.

Just thinking of them made my eyes burn and my nose sting, tears streaming down in torrents. I only dared to sob quietly, afraid of angering him.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked impatiently.

I knelt on the floor, hugging my knees tightly, and sniffled, "I'm hot, and a bit hungry!"

"Then what do you want to eat?"

"Turn on the AC, and eat!" I didn't dare look at his face.

"Make it yourself!"

I observed his expression again, confirming that he was telling the truth. I slowly stood up, turned on the air conditioner, and went back into the kitchen.

I originally wanted to carry out an idea, but I quickly discarded it. Because I was afraid.

I honestly set about making a pack of instant noodles in the kitchen.

Hearing the sound of the TV from outside, I couldn't help but think.

When on earth would he leave? The moment he left, I would immediately call the police.

No, I had to memorize his face so I could provide a description.

So I went out and asked him, "Do you want to eat anything?"

The man glanced at me, "No need."

Saying that, the man walked into the kitchen himself, opened the refrigerator to check, took out some ingredients, and skillfully cooked noodles in a pot.

After fifteen minutes, a bowl of beef noodles in tomato sauce with an exceptionally delicious aroma was brought out.

I looked at the bowl of noodles in my hand, then at his.

The noodles in my hand suddenly didn't seem so appetizing anymore.

I sighed inwardly, bowing my head to eat my instant noodles.

The man suddenly pushed his bowl of noodles toward me.

I raised my eyes, looking at him in confusion.

"Don't want it?" he asked.

I immediately understood his meaning and nodded quickly, "I do, I do."

I didn't know how to cook; these things were usually done by the maid, but occasionally when she took leave, I would eat instant noodles.

I tasted a bite of the noodles with the tomato soup; it was sweet, sour, and slightly spicy.

The killer could cook, but I couldn't.

I quickly finished the bowl of noodles and ran to wash the dishes.