As the night's darkness began to blanket the city, Li Chen returned home after a long day. He entered his house with a sense of unease; something felt amiss. The air was thick with tension. His instincts flared, and he strained to listen. And then he heard it, faint but unmistakable: muffled screams coming from inside.
Li Chen swiftly moved through his home, following the sounds of distress. As he got closer to his bedroom, the screams grew louder. His heart raced, and he burst through the door.
Zhang Mei was alone in the room, terror etched on her face. Her hands were tied, and she was gagged. Her eyes met Li Chen's with a mix of relief and fear. But before he could react, his eyes scanned the room, and a chilling realization hit him. The window was shattered, and masked men stood before him, their expressions hidden behind dark masks.
