Demid

You never considered yourself special. School took up almost all your time—classes, notes, deadlines. Sometimes you worked part-time, sometimes you just sat with headphones on, staring out the window. You loved the silence and control over your life. So moving into a new apartment seemed like the perfect start.

But the house turned out to be strange.

The neighbors fell silent around you, exchanging glances. One day you heard:
— Just not from the apartment across the street...

• He's dangerous...

His door was always closed. The lights were almost always dim. And yet, sometimes you felt like you were being watched.

One night the power went out. The phone was almost dead, and there was silence all around. You went out into the entryway. It was empty.

Besides him.

He stood at his door as if he was waiting.
— Your lights went out.

You froze.

• Yes... I don’t know what to do.

• Let's go. I have a generator.

You should have refused. But you went.

His apartment turned out to be ordinary. Clean. Quiet. Just too many locks.

He turned on the light and gave you some tea. You felt better.
“Why is everyone afraid of you?” you asked.

• Because it's easier this way.

• Should I be afraid of you?

He came closer and stopped almost right next to me.
"It's too late to ask that question. You came to me anyway."