Chapter 2

Around ten that night, the man returned to the security booth.

This time, he acted as if he’d never met me. Speaking naturally, he said:

“I’m Mr. Reed from Unit 23rd floor. I think someone broke into my apartment. Could you come check?”

I was stunned.

This was the same man who’d sent me to the garage that morning—but now he pretended we were strangers.

A chill ran down my spine.

But as a security guard, I couldn’t refuse a resident reporting a possible break-in.

I asked a coworker to cover my post and followed him to the 23rd floor.

When he opened the door, I saw a woman standing in the living room.

It was the same woman from the car.

Mr. Reed put his arm around her and introduced:

“This is my wife, Clara.”

Then to Clara:

“This is the security guard, Ethan.”

Clara nodded politely, expression calm.

She looked at me with total unfamiliarity—as if she truly didn’t recognize me.

My suspicion grew even stronger.

I’d helped her only hours earlier. Even if she couldn’t remember details, she shouldn’t have zero recognition.

I didn’t show my doubt. I checked the apartment by the book.

All doors and windows were intact, no signs of forced entry, nothing disturbed.

After finishing, I said:

“No sign of intrusion. Is anything missing?”

Mr. Reed shook his head. “No. But my wife has been feeling like someone is watching her. She’s very scared.”

Right after speaking, he received a phone call.

He listened for a moment, frowned, and sounded like there was an emergency at his company.

Hanging up, he apologized to me:

“Ethan, I have to leave immediately for work. I don’t feel safe leaving my wife alone. Could you stay here tonight for security? I’ll pay you extra.”

He set a thick stack of cash on the coffee table.

I wanted to refuse, but Clara appeared emotionally unstable, and he insisted on my help for her safety. I finally agreed.

Mr. Reed left quickly.

Only Clara and I remained in the apartment.

She brought me a blanket.

“Thank you for helping. You can sleep on the couch.”

Her manner was gentle but distant. She truly acted like she didn’t remember me.

I barely slept that night.

I was worried about a break-in, but I was even more unsettled by how strange this couple was.

Around midnight, I heard the bedroom door open.

Clara walked out, looking dazed, almost sleepwalking.

She stood in the living room, muttering incoherently.

I stood up gently and called:

“Mrs. Reed? Are you alright?”

She didn’t respond. Her eyes were empty, as if she couldn’t hear me.

I didn’t dare get too close or touch her. I stayed back and quietly asked her to sit down.

After a few minutes, she seemed to snap out of it and stared at me confusedly.

“How did I get here?”

I said: “You looked like you were sleepwalking.”

Her face paled. She apologized quickly:

“I’m sorry. I’ve been like this lately. I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

She returned to her room.

I stood in the living room, my heart sinking.

This was not normal sleepwalking.

She seemed to be under some long-term influence that impaired her mind.

The next morning, Clara was doing gentle stretches. When she saw me awake, she politely offered breakfast.

I didn’t stay long.

I told her there had been no sign of intruders overnight, and to contact property or police if issues continued.

Clara nodded.

But as I was leaving, she suddenly called out:

“Ethan… have we met before?”

My heart tightened.

Her eyes were confused and anxious.

I didn’t answer directly. I just said:

“If you’re not feeling well, you should get a full medical checkup.”

Her expression shifted.

When I returned to the security booth, I couldn’t focus at all.