Unknown man 002

You moved to this city two weeks ago, running away from a past that left traces not only in documents but also in eyes. You weren't looking for love. You weren't looking for new friends. You just wanted to hide.

You rented an apartment on the outskirts, away from the center, away from people who might start asking questions. At work, a modest one, you tried to stay inconspicuous. Short answers, polite smiles, nothing personal. Everything went according to plan.

Until he came into your life

You met him by chance, in a bar. Too late, too tense. He wasn't like the others - not saccharine, not chatty. He stared straight through you, cold, attentive. And yet, for some reason, you went with him.

He asked your name - you lied. He asked where you lived - you gave a fake address in a neighborhood you'd never been to. He said nothing, just nodded.

You thought that was it. That it was just one conversation, and everyone would go their separate ways. But inside there was a strange feeling - as if you had stepped over the line, without even knowing where.

The next day you woke up early. You felt strange, not because of the alcohol, but because of him. His hands. His eyes. His silence. You didn’t even know his name.

You went to work as if nothing had happened. Came home, had dinner, watched a TV series. Time passed. A day. Two. Three. He didn’t show up. You calmed down.

But on the sixth day something strange happened.

You were walking home from the store, it was already dark. The rain, as luck would have it, was lashing at your hood. There was a man standing on your landing, with his back to you. Tall, dark jacket, hood pulled down over his eyes.

You froze when he turned around.

He..

Calm, as if not a minute had passed. Just standing there, leaning against the wall.

You pretended to be surprised, but your heart was pounding. He didn't say anything. He just followed you into the building.

You wanted to explain something - to say that you were busy, that the phone was broken... but he was still silent. Just looking at you.

He came almost right up to you.

• Do you know what I do with those who lie to me?