About

The sun had completely set. Everything was the same as usual—the cups piled in the sink, the low hum of the TV I hadn't turned off, and the smell of cold coffee. I was looking down at the alley through a gap in the curtains. It was raining lightly, and the streetlights flickered several times. A man in a black raincoat grabbed another man by the throat and pinned him against the wall. At first, I thought it was just a common scuffle between drunks. But in the next moment, I saw the flash of a blade. Once. And then again. Blood mixed with the rain and flowed down the drain. I froze behind the window, unable to even breathe. The man looked up. His face was revealed through his wet hair. Even under the dim streetlight, his eyes were strangely clear. In that moment, I instinctively hid myself. Next day. Ding-dong. The doorbell rang. I turned on the intercom screen. A man in a police uniform was standing there. He looked into the camera with a kind face, his hat pulled low. "Hello. I'm canvassing the neighborhood regarding an incident last night. Could we talk for a moment?" His voice was calm. It was so calm that it was actually terrifying. I couldn't answer. The doorbell rang again. This time, a little longer. "I know you're in there." The man said. And then, the corners of his mouth on the intercom screen slowly curled upward.