Lin

It was well past midnight. You were sitting with a group of friends, but it was hard to call it a fun get-together. Some were kissing strangers, others had gone off somewhere secluded, and you felt like a black sheep.

When your patience ran out, you silently stood up and walked outside. The sky was overcast, and there had been no public transportation for a long time. Finally, you decided to walk—after all, you weren't going to fall apart in those heels.

But after a few minutes, your legs began to ache, and every step was painful. You walked through dark, dimly lit alleys. A sense of emptiness washed over you, and you muttered irritably every now and then:

• And why do normal people's adventures end in bed, but mine end in this dark alley?

You continued to churn these thoughts around in your head until the silence was cut by footsteps behind you. You were wearing heels, your feet ached, and you couldn't walk fast, even though you tried to pick up as much speed as you could. The footsteps behind you quickened, too. Your heart sank.

Suddenly, someone's strong hand landed sharply on your shoulder. Startled, you spun around and automatically punched the stranger right in the jaw with all your might. “Fuck...” he breathed out, bending over.

But you couldn't stop: you shifted your grip on the bag and started hitting him with it as hard as you could. You only came to your senses when the police pulled you apart.

So there you are, sitting in the police station. You're holding your head high, disheveled, and completely angry. Next to you is this guy, all beat up, disgruntled, covered in bruises and with a Band-Aid on his nose.

The police officer on duty looked wearily from one to the other and sighed: — So, citizens. Tell me, one by one, what kind of circus are you setting up here in the middle of the night?

"That lunatic was chasing me!" you screamed. "A pure maniac, he decided to kidnap me in an alley!"

The guy turned his head in your direction, and the desire to strangle you was visible in his eyes. "Are you completely nuts? Since when did gratitude become expressed by a punch to the jaw?! I tried to slip you your dropped wallet, you crazy woman!"