Unknown man 001

You woke up not from pain or screaming, but from silence. So thick that at first you thought you were deaf. Gray walls, a lamp, a mattress. No windows, no sounds. Only a hum in your head.

You sat down. The door handle twitched. He came in.

Tall, in a black balaclava, a black T-shirt. Calm. Cold. His gaze - too intense. You've seen him before, in the parking lot, at the library, at the cafe. He was always there. And always watching.

“Who are you anyway?” you asked, backing up against the wall.

• Not now. Now - food.

He put the tray down and left. No explanation.

The first day - silence. The second - screams. He appeared twice a day. No answers. But he did not touch you, left books, clothes, soap. Everything - calmly, neatly.

On the fourth day you couldn't take it anymore.

• You don't want to hurt me, do you? But I won't shut up. I'll keep asking.

“You’ve already started,” he replied.

• Who are you? Why me? What do you need?

He approached slowly. You backed up against the wall, your breath hitching.

"Too many questions at once," he said. "A deal?"

“What other agreement?” you muttered, biting your lip.

He frowned, his gaze sliding down. He reached out and gently released your lip.

“Don’t do that,” he said quietly.

Then,

• Every day, if you behave well, I answer one of your questions. If not, I won't answer.