Chapter 4

I was going to put an end to everything today.

Few cab drivers worked on New Year's Eve. A heavy silence lingered in the air as the driver and I did not engage in a conversation after I got into a cab.

I was not sure if it was because it was warm in the car or the calming effects of the diffuser's scent. Somehow, I dozed off at some point.

By the time I woke up, I could see that the car was driving on a dark road.

"Mister? I don't think this is the right way?"

It was too late when I finally realized something was off. I rammed my head into the back of the car seat as the driver slammed on the car brakes abruptly.

The driver got out of the car, opened the backseat door, and tried to pull me out of the car.

His rough hands gripped tightly around my ankle as he dragged me away.

I was powerless against him.

Fear gripped me. My shrill screams echoed through the quiet woods. In the distance, clusters of colorful fireworks went off in the night sky.

The man yanked my hair and pressed himself against me on the ground which was covered with sand and pebbles.

I was so overwhelmed with despair and horror that I completely forgot about crying and just kept screaming hysterically.

The sharp edge of a rock tore a nasty gash on my thigh. Blood poured from the wound.

"Please spare me! I'll do whatever you want. I beg of you! Don't kill me…"

The man did not stop. He tore my dress to shreds, exposing my naked body in no time.

Then, he slapped me forcefully on both sides of my face. My ears were ringing due to the impact. Blood oozed from the corner of my mouth.

I pulled out the dagger, which was meant for when I faced Arthur, in a panic. Yet, the man snatched the dagger away before I could even stab it at him.

The man appeared to be getting more and more excited. I could feel his warm, sticky breath against my neck.

"You carry a knife with you all the time? Interesting."

He pressed my right hand down firmly and stabbed the dagger through my palm. Then, he pulled the blade out.

As I felt a sharp pain in my hand, I shut my eyes in despair…

Oddly, a second hit did not follow as I had expected. Instead, I heard a dull thump.

When I opened my eyes, I saw my attacker getting hit on the back of his head. The man flew into a rage and got up to retaliate.

Judging by the other person's build, it seemed to be the neighbor who had helped me the other day.

I was in so much pain that it felt like every bone in my body was fractured. Moreover, I was so spent that I could not even muster the strength to search for my phone in my bag.

I could only pray over and over again that my neighbor would be able to defeat that man.

Eventually, my attacker fell heavily to the ground after receiving a forceful blow to his head.

My neighbor's face was splattered with blood. He swept his hair back and asked sternly, "Why did you have to go out at such a late hour? Did you know how worried I was when I thought about how you might die?"

I could not understand why my neighbor was showing so much concern for someone he had only met a few days ago.

Then, I froze the moment I saw his face.

With his fringe swept to one side, my neighbor looked very similar to someone I used to know.

It was Nathan Eastwood, the man who murdered my younger sister seven years ago.

I had run out of strength as blood kept pouring from my wounds.

I slowly shook my head and smiled wryly. "I've heard about your release from prison. You did that on purpose, huh?

"You've kept your identity hidden and pretended to be my neighbor because you're planning to kill me too? Why save me now, then?"

Tears streamed from my eyes. I felt empty and hollow inside.

"I know. You want to do it yourself."

I closed my eyes. "Go on. Kill me now."