Chapter Text
* 1 *
Honestly, what were you even doing here?
You are standing in the hallway of an unfamiliar apartment complex across town and staring at the entrance of a stranger's suite. Engraved on the metal door handle are the letters R.F.A, and above it is an electronic keypad. You didn't have the password.
This isn't right, is it? They never said anything about a code.
You step back and glance down the hall nervously. Only one other person is there, slouched against the far wall and texting, partially hidden from view by a decorative potted plant. He pays no mind to your awkward loitering. Maybe he's locked out of his apartment and getting a hold of a roommate to let him in. It didn't matter. You look back at the keypad.
As if on cue, your phone vibrates. You open up the messenger.
Unknown: Are you there? ^^ See. Nothing strange.
You scoff. Yeah, of course - nothing weird about a stranger leading you to a random apartment across town in hopes of returning a lost phone... Suddenly, summarizing it like that makes you feel really stupid for even agreeing to do this. You're a young woman who should know better than to listen to strangers, especially ones who request you to go to unknown places—alone! Your face grows hot from embarrassment.
You look back down at your phone and see another message.
Unknown: Is there a password lock on the door?
Yes, but did you really want to tell them you see it? As far as you know, no one is here to contradict you. The only other person in the hallway hasn't so much as glanced up from their phone since you've stepped off the elevator.
You answer: Hmm. Don't see one.
Maybe they will leave you alone if you lie. You already imagine returning to your apartment, climbing back into bed, and sleeping off the rest of the day as if to erase what you'd done out of poor judgment.
Unknown: That's strange. There's really nothing? There's nothing to put in the password?
You answer: There's nothing.
Unknown: … You sure?
You answer: It's not here.
Unknown: Really? That's weird. I see with my own eyes that...you are standing in front of a password door lock. Are you gonna continue lying?
Your breath catches in your throat. No, they're just trying to mess with you... Haha, very funny. But your heart beats faster and your nerves quiver, ready to set you sprinting down the hallway at the slightest noise.
You answer: What?? You can see me?
Unknown: Haha... Yes. I guess that's it then. Plan failed.
Enough of this! In one jittery motion, you pocket your phone and turn on your heel to leave, but your pathway to the elevators is now blocked by a lean figure in a black leather jacket, bright eyes catching yours and holding you in place. It was the man waiting just down the hall! You didn't hear him get up or even approach – you must have been too distracted by the alarming messages to notice. Idiot. You were a complete, irresponsible fool.
“The plan failed,” he says in a distorted voice. “I have to find someone else.”
“Who the hell are you?” Your feet feel rooted to the ground. Come on. Move!
“You don't need to know, but... what should I do with you? I'd like to let you go, but you already know me.” There's amusement in his eyes, and you imagine he's smiling behind the black mask he's wearing over his nose, mouth and neck.
An icy finger of fear traces up your spine and causes you to flee on instinct. You barely make it to the elevators before he's on you. Strong hands grab your wrists and forcefully pull you back onto his chest while clamping a hand over your mouth. A scream catches in your throat as you feel his cold fingers bind your lips shut. You try to punch, scratch, bite, and kick, but every blow lands with little impact.
“Sorry, but you'll have to come with me,” he whispers in your ear as you struggle against him.
No, no, no, your mind screams. An exit. Where? The stairs. Over there!
Your heart is beating wildly. You keep fighting in hopes of creating an unbalance that would topple you both to the floor. The moment never comes, but it distracts him enough to loosen his grip on your mouth. You seize the opportunity and bite down hard.
He cusses loudly as you push away and spring towards the stairwell doors.
So close!
All the air leaves your lungs in one sharp gasp as he drops you to the floor. He turns you over as you suck in ragged breaths. The taste of copper pennies fills your mouth as he straddles your body, pinning your arms with his knees and putting his weight against your stomach.
“I could just get rid of you,” he spat, clearly annoyed by the inconvenience you're causing him, “but that'd be a shame. You're so cute.”
Something warm trails down your face to your neck. Your nose must be bleeding. It's hard to stay focused when everything suddenly becomes hazy.
“You can be my assistant,” he continues, but looks to the side as if distracted. “Right... He said he has an assistant. I'd like one too. Should I use... you?”
Making his decision, he pulls a syringe from his pocket and uncaps it. Eyes wide with panic, you try once more to free yourself but to no avail.
“I'll be good to you,” he coos while injecting the pale liquid into your veins. You whimper weakly at the sudden pain. It's like fire. Tears sear your eyes. “Come with me.”
No, you answer, but you never make a sound. It's in your head.
The drug courses through your veins, carried along quickly by your panic-stricken heart. The fire gives way to a comforting warmth, relaxing your muscles and smothering your thoughts in a soft black blanket. You can still see, but colors blaze vibrantly while lights are tinged with a prism-like aura.
He is still over you, but his grip softens now. His silvery hair shimmers with a pinkish halo. Those bright eyes are an electric green under the drug's influence. White noise spills from his mouth.
“This is exciting. I'll be nice. I'm a much better person than him...” he promises.