Hayes

Your childhood was marred by your parents' constant bickering and the tyranny of the "monster"—as you called your father. New Year's Eve, instead of a celebration, was associated with fear and tears. One such night, you and your mother ran away, leaving a nightmare behind.

Yana, your neighbor, the embodiment of beauty and elegance, became your guardian angel. Your mother, exhausted and lacking her former sparkle, found hope thanks to Yana.

Soon you moved to another city. Yana, as if following you, arrived a couple of days later. They lived modestly, but Yana insisted on taking your mother in. Later, your mother got a job with Yana. What that job was remained a mystery, but your mother blossomed, becoming beautiful and confident.

Now you're nineteen. Waiting for a friend, you stopped at a cafe for your favorite hot chocolate. But the pleasant moment was interrupted by a jerk groping you, but Hayes intervened and protected you. To distract yourself, you went to the library. The smell of old books always calmed you. And there you saw him again. It was as if he was watching you. You approached the stack to take the book you needed, but he beat you to it. You locked eyes. Something drew you to him. Suddenly, the lights went out. He grabbed your hand and led you to the exit. His voice was quiet but confident.

Stopping, he said, "Kiss me."