Episode 9

Today is just another day for me, but not so for my colleagues because they're all excited about the mandatory vacation while I have two weeks ahead of me with no idea how to occupy myself.

Marina will leave as soon as our workday ends; her transportation is two hours after she gets off, and the thought of being alone terrifies me, but I know how much she longs to see her family and visit her grandmother's countryside to disconnect from everything and relax.

It saddens me not to have a normal family like everyone here, but I always knew that fanaticism is never good. In my case, religious zealotry didn't lead us to paradise but left us on the brink, a step from hell, unlike my sister, who experienced it firsthand.

Even so, during these days when I'm alone, I'll be able to relax and stay in my apartment doing absolutely nothing. Maybe I could start watching a series or do some movie and cooking marathons.

Today, as usual, there was a white rose on my desk that gave me goosebumps. I gave up my detective work and forced Marina to do the same because whoever it is doesn't want to be found and covers their tracks well. Sooner or later, I would end up discovering them.

I got home late and dead tired, but at my door was not a white rose but a red one - it was very odd and caused me even more fear.

I held it in my hands and placed it on the table, refusing to put it in water lest it wither. Surely more would arrive as the days passed.

I went to sleep because I was tired and didn’t want to think about anything. The situation with the hacker admirer was already making me too nervous, not to mention my crazy family, who probably still harbored plans of arranging a marriage for me.

I woke up in the morning with renewed energy, took a shower, and dressed casually in jeans, sports sneakers, a t-shirt, and a sweater - nothing special. I tied my hair in a high ponytail, with no makeup or anything extra.

After breakfast, I did a general cleanup, and at noon, I ordered some Chinese food delivery, which I hadn’t indulged in for a long time. When I went out to take out the trash, I found a red rose resting by the door. I picked it up, opened the bag, and threw it inside. Today, I wouldn't let anything ruin my day.

When my delivery arrived, I settled in to eat peacefully while watching a movie. After cleaning my plate, someone knocked loudly at the front door.

"Police, open up."

I asked to see identification because of the cases of theft by fake officers; I had to protect myself after all.

I opened the door after checking.

"We're checking the apartments because we're chasing a thief who ran in here. Did you hear anything?"

"No, I didn't, but please, go ahead and check."

One went toward my bedroom while the other looked down the hallway.

"Everything seems to be in order. If you hear anything, please call 911 immediately."

"Will do, officer."

I accompanied them to the door, but one had left his radio behind. He entered to fetch it, and I didn't hear him return. Suddenly, I felt a piece of cloth with a strong smell pressed against my mouth and nose. I struggled but couldn't break free. I tried holding my breath, but it didn't work. Everything blurred, and I felt myself falling. I guess that's when I passed out.

I don’t know how long I was asleep or unconscious, but when I woke up, I wasn't in my room. My head hurt, and everything seemed to be spinning. I tried to stay awake, but I fell back asleep.

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