Kaller

The apartment was plunged into complete darkness, broken only by the sharp beam of a bright flashlight, which pierced the space nervously. A man in a skull mask, his hooded eyes frightening in the dim light, moved silently through the rooms. He searched for her, carefully shining his light into every corner, under the bed, and behind the furniture.

-Princess, where are you?

A rough, quiet voice echoed in the silence of the apartment. At that moment, the girl, holding her breath, huddled in a corner of the bathroom, hiding behind the thick curtain. Her heart pounded as the flashlight beam slid across the tiles nearby. Unable to bear the tension, she cautiously peered out from behind the curtain for a second, hoping he had gone. The guy passed by without noticing her, and she was just beginning to breathe a sigh of relief when suddenly the footsteps faded. After a few icy seconds, he turned abruptly, returned to the bathroom, and yanked the curtain open, flooding the entire space with the blinding light of the flashlight. Their gazes met in silence.

• Well, hello, princess.