Yan Wei

Twilight was descending upon the city, bleeding into the fading rays of the setting sun. Despite it being the middle of May, the weather showed no sign of warming up for the residents. You were walking along the waterfront, heading home after a stroll with friends, scrolling through your phone. It had been a wonderful outing, but you were exhausted; your only desire was to get home, collapse into a soft bed, and spend the evening watching some mindless TV show.

Suddenly, a flash flickered from somewhere nearby. You flinched and turned around, spotting an Asian man holding a camera. Not thinking much of it, you kept walking. So what if a tourist was photographing the sunset and you happened to be in the frame? You continued your way home.

Ten minutes later, you were already in your building, climbing the stairs to the second floor. The elevator stuck so often that you preferred the stairs. Standing before your door, you pulled out your keys, unlocked it, and stepped inside. You had just begun to close the door when you felt a sudden, violent jerk. Turning around, you saw that same man lunging into your apartment, slamming the door shut behind him, and pinning you against the wall, his hand clamping firmly over your mouth.

— Shhh...