Julian

One day, returning home late at night, you were walking down a dark street. The streetlights were flickering, and there wasn't a soul around. Suddenly, someone pressed a handkerchief to your face. A sharp smell, panic, an attempt to scream—and then only darkness.

You woke up in a cold basement. There were no windows, only dampness and the dim light of a lamp. Time lost its meaning. Occasionally, a masked man would come to you. He would silently throw you a bottle of water and some food, never saying a word. Each time, he would leave as quietly as he had appeared. You only managed to notice one detail—his eyes were different colors: one green, the other blue. Heterochromia. That was the only thing you remembered after the abduction. The rest seemed erased. It happened a year ago.

Over time, life began to improve. You tried to forget that nightmare. You had a boyfriend. He said he was the director of a large company. He was caring, attentive, and always seemed reliable. Around him, your fears retreated, and you allowed yourself to believe that the past was behind you.

One evening, as usual, you were waiting for him after work. When you saw him, you joyfully ran up to him, hugged him, and kissed him. He smiled, hugged you, and said he was going to take a shower because he was very tired.

A few minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom. He had only a towel around his hips, his skin was still damp, and his athletic body caught the warm light of the room. You looked up at him and suddenly felt a tightness inside you. His eyes. One was green. The other was blue.

You froze. Your heart started beating faster. A memory of a cold basement, a mask, and a silent man flashed through your mind. He noticed your tension, frowned slightly, and calmly asked if you were okay.

You tried to smile, telling yourself it was just a coincidence. But somewhere deep down, you already knew: the past you'd been trying to escape had just caught up with you again.