The loud sounds banging the glass didn't surprise him, of course not, Joe was used to those already, how many suffered in that half illuminated cubicle, wondering if someone they'd finally be freed from his evil mind.

One of these people now was Justin.

Like a wild enemy he moved too all sides, hit the walls, jumped, everything just so the man could free him.

He is annoying Erica.

I thought Benji was irrirating, but this guy? He's worse.

I could just get rid of him, but not yet, maybe I can obtain some answers first.

Joe stopped in front of the cage, Justin had moved so much that sweat dripped from his face, groaning.

-Who are you?-He yelled- Let me go!

-You're not in the position to order anything.-He looked at him up and down mocking.

-Do you want money? I can give you! Just say how much!

-I don't care about money.-He glanced at him serious.

-There's a mistake, I shouldn't be here! I did nothing wrong!

-Say that to Erica Souza. What you tried to do with her.

-Who are you? Her boyfriend? That bitch has boyfriend?

Joe punched the glass, an intense look at him, speaking through his teeth:

-Say that again and I'll cut that tongue of yours so you'll never say that shit again.-He threatned.

Justin didn't fear, instead, he laughed.

-All of this because of her? She never talked about you dude. Guess you're being cheated on, huh.

-Shut up.

Justin took a while but finally realized.

-Wait...You don't date Erica...do you?

Guess he's not so idiot after all, Erica.

-What the fuck, you don't even date her. You're a psycho! Let me go, I have nothing to do with her!

-Then what were you doing with her at the party?!-Joe groaned.

-Dude calm down...

What an asshole, WHAT AN ASSHOLE.

-Don't tell me to calm down.

-You have serious problems.

-You'll have serious problems. I promise you.

-If you wanted to kill me, you'd already have.-He mocked.-That means you want something.

I hate to admit but he is right Erica.

Justin could be a jerk, but he was a connection so I could obtain more information about you. Specially, why you ran away.

And for that, I'd have to make him cooperate.

He took a deep breath, closed his fists, and looked at the enemy.

-You're not completely wrong.-He admitted.

-What do you want? Erica? Hate to break it to you dude, but she seems like a cold stone! No one can date her!

No one? You're just..alone? How?

How could someone so kind, funny, interesting and sexy like you, be alone?

It just seems....off.

-What do you mean?

The playboy rolled his eyes, sat on the ground tired, crossed his arms. John squated to be at the height of his eyes, interested in his next words.

-Since she got in New York no one saw her going out with anyone.-He tilted his head- Any guy who approaches her, she rejects. -He commented- At first se thought she had a boyfriend in Brazil, but apparently it's not it.

If you had a boyfriend abroad then we'd have trouble.

How much is a ticket to Brazil?

-Then what is it?

-Nothing.-He lifted his shoulders indifferent.-Maggie said that she's just not into relationships now. She doesn't want any. She's focusing on her career.

Focusing on your career? That doesn't mean you should just be alone Erica. Nothing stops you from having both. I wouldn't stop you.

-I just told you everything, now let me go.-The prisioner asked.-I don't know what creepy shit you are doing with her, just let me stay out of this.

I think it's too late for him to stay out of this. After all, he's trash, he's an abuser. And if he tried to do that to you Erica, that means you weren't the first, neither the last he'd do it to.

It would be just wrong to let someone that dangerous out there.

I'm doing the right thing. Yes. For you, and for others.

I'm a good person.

-If she wasn't interested, then why do you even try?

The playboy chuckled, like that was a stupid question. He was quite sssy for someone who was just kidnapped and locked on a glass box in a basement.

-The same as you man.-He gave a disgusting smile- You, know, fu-

-Okay!-Joe interrupted.-Okay...

He took a deep breath, it just made him more angry, how that guy could just cross his limits like that, to force her...he couldn't even describe it.

Joe could be a of creeper, but not THAT type.

-So, you're letting me go or not?-The guy questioned.

He sighed, walked over a table, grabbed the keys, and headed to the door, to open it.

Justin's eyes sparkled, he wondered if the kidnapper was that idiot enough to let him go like that. If he was or not, the playboy would run to the closest police department as soon as possible.

You'd probably wouldn't like to see this Erica.

At the other hand, the hammer he used to restore books.

But it's necessary. It's for your own good.

When Justin put his left foot out of the box, he wouldn't walk anymore. It happened to fast. The hammer cut the air, hit his skull, and blood splashed, he fell, a dry soujd of the collision, and then nothing.

Joe stared at his body on the ground, no regret.

Okay, just to be sure.

A splash of brains on the ground, another hit of the hammer in his, well, what was called a head.

He looked at his hands, full of blood. He wish he didn't have to, but he did.

"Happy now?" That smooth, sweet, and nostalgic voice spoke behind him.

He turned fastly, it couldn't be possible, his mind was fooling him again, in that sick and depressing game of sanity.

-Beck...-He muttered at the vision.

The same clothes of her last breath, the blonde shirt hair, the expression a calming, scary neutral.

"Is this what you wanted? The feeling of killing again?"

-You are not here, you're dead...

"Yeah, I am Joe. You killed me."

His head ached.

-You know I didn't want to...

"But you did it"

-You left me no choice!-He yelled.

"There's always a choice, Joe." she shaked her head " and once again, you're choosing the wrong option" she pointed to the Justin on the ground "you're comitting the same mistakes"

-No, I'm not.

"You'll ruin her life just like you did to me."

-That's not true, she's...-Words escaped him- things will be different, Erica and I...

"You can lie how much you want" she looked at him "but deep inside, you know what is happening. As you said, people don't change"

He closed his eyes strongly,the veins exposed, maybe holding to don't breakdown completely.

-IT WON'T HAPPEN!-He yelled- NOT THIS TIME!

When he opened his eyes again, she was gone.

Just like his senses.

__

I'm not crazy Erica, I just...think different. Some people would say that I'm not in my best mental phase, mayne dreaming about a dead ex is in fact problematic, but it was just for a moment, that doesn't mean I have problems

And I don't care what anyone says, I'm not seeking a fucking therapist. I had enough of them in the past.

Justin can be peaceful and wonderful when quiet, and quiet means dead.

What is not so pleasent is having to take his teeth, one by one, with the red taking over his mouth, and putting all the pieces into a tiny jar.

Luckily this wasn't my first rodeo.

Wrapped him up, even though it was quite messy putting his head (or what was left of it) back together. Almost as pkaying with clay.

And, at the car. Part 1 done.

But before you come back from college, I have something else to do.

He entered the car, taking a small, different key from his pocket.

You know, that party wasn't so bad after all. I could take you home, see your apartment for the first time.

And I might've copied your key, but don't worry, I'll return you the original. Just after I do what I have to.

He entered together with another person who lived at the building, making up a dumb excuse of visting his mother, who lived there.

No one suspected his charmy smiles, or the silent way he walked with his head down through the hallways.

He just put the key, turning to the side.

And...open sesame...!

The door opened, and he entered, just like that.

Now, I just have one hour before you come back, so I'd better get to work.

He walked around the apartment, looking for the perfect spots.

As I imagined, neat. Nothing out of it's place.

And, quite normal if we do say so.

Now let's see, you have some paintings, maybe you bought from a local artist, notthing expensive hanging on the walls. No plants, you probably don't have patience, neither time to take care of them.

It's actually has a warming atmosphere here, Erica. You handled some lights all around, like it's christmas, and on the corner there are blankes. I can imagine you perfectly here, drinking hot cocoa and watching go your favorite show on netflix.

I'd love to join you, truly, anything you'd like to watch, I'm in. I could sit by your side on the sofa, cuddle with you, and listen to how much you want to rant about the poor script of it. I'd do it.

But apparently we are far from that. For now, I'm just daydreaming, observing the books you have on the shelves, a fan of fiction, but also history. You are open minded.

Now, your kitchen is clean, not even a sign of dirty dishes on watch, and your fridge is full of stuff, specially candy. So you're a chocolate lover? Cute, I'll keep that in mind.

The location I want to see is the main one, your bedroom. Don't get me wrong but, it is as people say "you want to know someone, then look at their bedroom".

It's not big, just like the rest of your apartment it's pretty small, but sweet, delicate. More lights, guess you love them, and lots of decorations, definetly the room with most personality.

You have some vinyls, from Dean Martin to Taylor Swift, you must listen to music for hours. Some posters on the walls, so, Chris Evans? Really? Not saying it's bad but...it'll definetly be weird to have sex with that poster staring back at us. Well, until then I'll take care of it.

Portraits of your family on a shelf. Look at you, little Erica smiling with your older sister, what was her name? Right, Jessica. She is the opposite of you, as I saw online.

Jessica Souza is married, has a kid. Yeah Erica, you're an aunt, and an incredible one. Jessica is an extrovert, with multiple friends, energy and bad grammar. While you...oh dear Erica, I love just the way you are.

There are some pictures of your parents here , when they were still married. I wonder if it was hard for you, trust me, parents can be a pain, speaking this from a personal experience.

A mirror, some brushes to your beautiful hair and...the closet. God, it smells just like your floral perfume, almost as if you let a part of yourself in there.

You have many clothes, not for the winter though, your previous city had a hot weather, yeah, I searched it. Beach and sun all year long, sometimes rain.

Oh, and what do we see here?

He lifted the underwear to the height of his eyes.

Would you notice if I took this? After all Erica, it wouldn't be a real visit if I didn't take a souvenir, right?

He put it on his pocket.

Some shoes, accessories, I don't see anything out of the usual here, besides...what is that?

He observed a tiny box behind all the clothes. Grabbing it slowly, and opening it, revealing a shiny and fragile small diamond ring.

A ring? Never saw you using. Besides, it looks a lot like...an engagement one?

How is that even possible? You never mentioned being engaged, your accounts on socials don't say it either. What is this, Erica?

Is this why you reject so many people? You are married? Promised to another?

No, I refuse to belive it.

He put the box back in its' place.

Jf you were, you wouldn't be here, in another country. It's just not logical. And, being the honest girl you are, you wouldn't have kissed me....or would you?

He shaked his head, remembering what he had to do.

Anyway, now that I finished my tour, we can finally get down to bussiness.

Don't get me wrong Erica, it's not matter of not trusting you, it's about safety.

He positioned the small camera behind the furniture, a perfect angle to capture images.

You know that all I'm doing is to protect you.

So, to be sure you'll be alright, one camera in each room will be enough. I didn't put in the bathroom, don't worry, I'll respect your privacy.

Besides that, I'll be able to watch after you, all the time.

Think of it in a positive way, you have your own reality show now. And I'll be your number 1 fan.

"You are insane."

NOT AGAIN.

"You are crossing limits, Joe." Beck was there, once again, now, "sitting" on The couch, looking at him with that stoned face.

-You are not here.-He shaked his head.

"You are ruining her life"

-You are dead.

"Let her go, Joe"

-Get out.

"Let her go before it's too late."

-I SAID GET OUT!

"You'll have her blood in your hands"

-ENOUGH!-He yelled.

The door knocked multiple times. A lady talked on the other side. Someobe heard him.

Shit.

He walked towards the door, didn't open, by the voice tone, it seemed to belong to an elderly lady.

-Who is there??-She asked offensively- Erica is at college! Who are you??

Some people should just mind their own bussiness.

-I-I was just hired...-He lied- To fix her table...it's broken!

The lady still didn't seek convinced, stood in silence for a moment, thinking, and then questioned again:

-Security didn't say anything about you.

-It was a service requested just now, they probably forgot...

I hate your neighbors already, Erica.

-Open the door then.

-I can't, the apartment it's not mine, miss!

-I will call Erica!

-Miss, please, don't trouble yourself.

-Open the door or I'll call her!

He sighed, tried to fake a smile and opened the door.

The lady in front of him was short, her hair a pure white, she looked like a pale cupcake, so pale that she could be a senior vampire. Her clothes were lilac jogging ones, with a pair of yellow sneakers at the end, a funny combination.

She looked at him up and down, maybe trying to fimd a clue to incriminate a possible invasion.

-May I get back to work now?-He asked-Miss...?

-Tiltbown.-She furrowed her eyebrows, trying to look inside the apartment.- Did Erica really authorize you to enter?

-Uh...yes?

She opened her mouth a little, looking at the hallways, as if the sentence was too unreal.

Why does that seem so wrong to your neighbors?

She looked back at him, maybe thinking about her next sentence carefully.

-So she hired you?

-Yes.

-Makes sense.-She nodded.-That freak never receives anyone at home.

What did she just call you?!

-Excuse me?-He blinked twice.

-This girl...-She looked at both sides of the hallway, maybe to be sure she wasn't being watched- She is...strange.

And I think your neighbor is nuts.

-What do you mean?

-She never brings anyone in, doesn't talk with anyone.

No shit Sherlock, she's an introvert.

-But it's worse than that, sometimes you can hear sounds...-She widened her eyes.

-Sounds?

-I'm not sure what she does but...The next day, when questioned about it, she doesn't answer.

That does seems off, but still, this lady should care about her own life, not yours Erica.

-Be careful.-She warned him.-Good thing she's away.

-Uh, yeah thanks, for the warning.-He nodded.-Then excuse me miss-

-What is your name again?

Time to think.

-Romeo.-He lied.- Romeo-He looked at her- Romeo Petit.

Well, it's not comepletly a lie, I am your Romeo, Erica.

-Careful Romeo.

-Thanks.

He closed the door fastly, sighed.

I only have 10 minutes before you arrive now. Thanks a lot to Mrs.Tiltbown.

__

And, just this...done. Let's check.

He picked up the phone, using a vigilance app. From that, he could see each camera, each spot of her apartment.

Not bad.

Steps approached on the hallway. From the walk, it didn't seem like Mrs.Tiltbown.

A sound on the door, someone using keys. The door opened.

You're here.