21When I was in Grade 7 that year, a boy was transferred to the class. He was well-dressed and elegant, just like a prince. After school ended, there was always a black car to pick him up.At that time, those young children did not prioritize money, but it was more about strength and achievement. Thus, tall burly boys always had the right to speak. As such, someone like Jasper looked slightly more awkward in such an ordinary public school.It was unknown whether Jasper was quiet and shy by nature or whether some people had deliberately isolated him. No one became his friend. He always walked through the school building alone. When he was attending classes or reading books, there was no fear on his face. However, there was no joy as well. It was as if he was living in a vacuum.Who was fond of staying alone forever? He must have wanted to have his own friends, but perhaps he was too reserved that he did not dare to take the initiative. I could not stand to see anyone be this lonely

25I wondered who would come to my rescue.My phone was in Yohannes's hand. He might have already pretended to be me and contacted others to pretend nothing had happened. No one in the world would be observing me so carefully. Perhaps, just like last time when the psychopath kidnapped me, no one would notice that I was kidnapped until two weeks later.I was wrong. I should've left Yohannes decisively when I first noticed something was off about him.Natalie was right when she said I was weak. To some extent, I seemed to long for the warmth that Yohannes gave me and subconsciously hoped that we could go back to the past.I didn't completely regain my senses until I was trapped in the utility room.No one in the world would be good to someone unconditionally. They must have had other intentions if they treated someone too well.The utility room became a prison. I lay down on the narrow folding bed every day in despair, looking at the ceiling in a daze and fantasizing about the day

29(Extra) JasperWhen Jasper was a child, he was called Jasper Labelle because he shared his mother's surname.When he was about seven years old, he began to understand the difference between him and other children.Jasper lived in a luxurious house, dressed meticulously, and always had a car to drive him around when he went out. Aside from that, he could not do things he wanted.No ordinary child was willing to approach Jasper. The child of Mary Wright, the housekeeper, once ruined Jasper's model curiously. The child ended up getting reprimanded by Mary after Mary cried and apologized. Since then, no child had ever wanted to approach Jasper.It seemed like people were saying that Jasper was different.Fortunately, he had Lorelai. Jasper felt Lorelai was the most beautiful person in the world. Her hair was long and soft, and she always smelled nice. Jasper did not understand why his father, Zachary Zabinski, always had a gloomy expression and often quarreled with Lorelai.Lore

33Perhaps a pet who only listened to him might be the only thing he could control in his uncontrolled life for over 20 years.Yohannes wanted to turn a living person into a pet only he could control. Perhaps it was his deepest desire that had been suppressed intensely, trying to express himself in a psychopathic way.He was begging for help.I thought of this because I had experienced such helplessness and knew how miserable it was.Having to struggle with my own emotions, knowing there was a problem but not being able to walk out of it and having to stay in place, torturing myself repeatedly...People who were struggling would send out help signals. Even though they might not say it directly, they still wanted someone to give them a pull and save them.I wondered who could save Yohannes.Before the verdict, I went to see Yohannes. Based on the case, if he pleaded guilty sincerely, he might only be sentenced to several months in jail.Yohannes seemed surprised and looked much

4I felt that Mason was more cautious with me.Washing a tattoo hurts more than getting a tattoo. After the first time he washed it, there was still a little bit left.The skin on the back of his neck was crusted with a thin scab, making it look more eye-catching than before.I knew something had changed between us, but we didn't mention it even though we both knew it.He came home less often, and he wouldn't let me check his phone anymore.I didn't know what the hell he was doing, but I knew I was losing him little by little.He was going to be taken away by someone.I was afraid that his increasing tenderness and indulgence towards me came from the same emotion.That was guilt.Mason came home late that day.He came in with the typical gloom of autumn. He frowned as if he was tired, but his expression relaxed the moment he saw me."Why are you still up?" he asked.He came over, put the blanket from the couch over my bare feet, and then touched my forehead.His hand was