Chapter 1

My name is Dylan Reed. I’m a senior college student on the track-and-field team.With graduation right around the corner, I started looking for an apartment near campus. After a few days of searching, I spotted an unusual listing on a rental app.The landlord’s requirements were simple: tenant must be healthy, reliable, and preferably male. The catch? Half rent, free utilities.It sounded too good to be true.I went to view the place just out of curiosity. To my surprise, the landlord—who called herself Marge—approved me on the spot and offered to sign the lease immediately.She lived in an old, standalone house. The exterior looked run-down, but the inside was clean and tidy. Marge explained that she lived with two young women and that the house was all female. She said they struggled with heavy lifting, lightbulb changes, water bottle replacements, and other physical chores. That’s why she preferred a strong, helpful male tenant.Two girls stood behind her.The older one was Lila, in

Chapter 2

The next day after work, I’d just gotten out of the shower when the doorbell rang.I opened it to find Lila standing outside with a toolbox, looking embarrassed.“Dylan, the bathroom pipe is leaking really badly. Could you come take a look?”I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed my phone and followed her next door.Sure enough, a pipe was leaking badly, and the floor was covered in water. Marge was out, and Maya was nowhere to be seen—only Lila, stressed and helpless.I knelt down and checked. The connection was just loose; it was an easy fix.I tightened it and mopped the floor for her.Lila kept thanking me. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”I smiled. “It’s nothing.”But right as I was about to leave, Lila suddenly asked, “Do you think my family is… strange?”I froze. “Why would you say that?”She looked down, her voice quiet. “We don’t have any men in the house. Everything’s harder for us. Mom always says we’re lucky you’re our tenant… otherwise people might take advantage of

Chapter 3

Over the next few days, I deliberately kept my distance.Whenever they asked for help, I said I had class, or a gym shift, or was busy studying.But the more I avoided them, the more they showed up.One night, Marge knocked on my door and said the light in the basement had burned out.“We have old furniture and important things stored down there. I can’t go down in the dark. You’re strong—could you check it for me?”My first instinct was to say no.Basements are closed-off by nature, and it was nighttime. I had a bad feeling about it.But Marge sighed sadly. “Three women living here alone… we have to handle everything ourselves. If you can’t, it’s okay.”She sounded so helpless. And I felt guilty paying such low rent. I finally agreed.Maya and Lila stood beside her, watching.Maya smiled. “Dylan, you’re the best.”Lila added softly, “Just this one time, please.”I took my phone and followed them to the basement entrance.It was at the end of the first-floor hallway, covered by a heavy

Chapter 4

When I woke up, I was strapped to the metal bed.My wrists and ankles were locked in restraints. I could barely move.Only one dim light bulb hung from the ceiling, casting the whole basement in a terrifying, eerie glow.I struggled and yelled: “Let me go! What do you want from me?!”From the darkness, Marge’s voice spoke.“Save your breath. This place is soundproofed. No one will hear you, no matter how loud you scream.”She stepped out of the shadows. Her kind, warm smile was completely gone.Lila and Maya stood behind her.Their expressions were cold and empty—nothing like the warm, friendly family I’d thought they were.Chills ran down my spine.“You’re not really family, are you?”Marge laughed. “Too late to figure that out now.”Lila opened a metal case beside her. Inside were medical devices and drugs.Maya held a file, quietly reading off my information.“Track athlete, consistent gym activity, no major illnesses. Excellent physical condition.” Her tone was disturbingly calm.F

Chapter 5

I woke up in a hospital bed.Two police officers were sitting beside me.When they saw I was awake, one immediately comforted me: “You’re completely safe now. All suspects are in custody.”That’s when I learned the truth.The police had been investigating this ring for a long time.In recent years, multiple young men had disappeared across the city and nearby areas. Most victims were healthy, had routine lives, and had responded to suspiciously cheap rentals, part-time job offers, or personal favor requests before vanishing.After a long investigation, authorities identified a cross-region criminal group that lured targets using low-cost housing, fake kindness, and helpless-girl traps.Marge, Lila, and Maya were not family. They were members of the ring.They changed identities depending on their target: sometimes landlords, sometimes neighbors, sometimes lone women in need—all to make their victims lower their guard.I was chosen because I was an athlete in peak physical condition, ab

Chapter 6

After I was released from the hospital, I moved out of that house immediately.Police sealed the property, and the case moved forward through the legal system. Marge, Lila, Maya, and the rest of their criminal network faced full legal punishment.When I looked for a new place, I never looked at price alone again.I verified landlord IDs, property deeds, and lease agreements. I checked neighborhoods, security, and property management. Before moving in, I shared my new address with family and friends. I no longer kept everything to myself.That experience changed me. I became much more careful and grounded.I used to think being young and strong meant I could tough things out. Now I understand: maturity isn’t blind confidence. It’s staying alert, respecting boundaries, and protecting yourself.Sometimes people ask me: “Do you have any rental advice?”I always answer seriously:Be extremely careful of rentals that seem way too cheap.Maintain boundaries if a landlord is overly nice or pus