The security service was set to start working that very evening. May felt a wave of relief at the thought of having someone protect her through the night. Despite the apartment complex's robust security measures, anxiety still gnawed at her, conjuring worst-case scenarios. After all, someone capable of accessing and tampering with her car could likely infiltrate this building. The sooner she had someone watching her back, the better.
With the most pressing matters addressed, May allowed herself a moment of relaxation. As she made her way to the kitchen, a glance out the window startled her—it was already late afternoon. With it being autumn, the sun was already starting to set.
Her growling stomach pulled her back from the view, reminding her how long it had been since breakfast. With the food delivery still pending, she resigned herself to a cup of tap water for now.
She opened a cupboard, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water. As she raised it to her lips, her hand froze midair, her eyes darting to the various cabinets. Of all of them, she'd instinctively chosen the one containing glasses. It seemed her body remembered what her mind couldn't—muscle memory guiding her actions. May dared to hope her brain would soon catch up, reclaiming lost memories. She allowed herself a small smile, taking it as a positive sign. Amidst the chaos surrounding her, she desperately needed a stroke of good fortune.
Smiling, she gulped down the water and poured a second cup. Concentrating on her tasks, she hadn't noticed how parched she was.
Ding Dong.
The doorbell jolted May from her thoughts. Her delivery had arrived. Peering through the peephole, she saw a young man—likely a student working part-time—standing behind a trolley laden with packages.
Cautiously, she activated the intercom. "Who is it?"
"X-Press Delivery, Miss."
Though the name matched her order, May's paranoia flared. Opening the door to a stranger—which, in her current state, meant everyone—felt too risky. She chewed her lip, pondering a solution.
"Please step back," she instructed. "Leave the trolley here. We'll unload it ourselves."
The delivery man's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Miss, that's not possible. I need to take the trolley with me."
May thought quickly. "Then take a ten-minute break. I'll make it worth your while with a generous tip."
Still skeptical, the young man agreed. "Alright, but only ten minutes. I've got more deliveries to make and can't waste too much time here." With that, he stepped into the elevator.
May waited for the elevator's telltale ding before cautiously opening her door. She peered down the empty hallway, sighing with relief—then groaned at the sight of the loaded trolley.
Though not her wisest decision, handling this alone was May's only option if she wanted to keep others out of her apartment. She'd have to work quickly and carefully. Luckily, most boxes were manageable. She swiftly hauled them one by one into the corridor behind her. The ten-liter water tanks proved most challenging; she unceremoniously rolled them across the floor. With a satisfying click, she secured her door once everything was inside—just as the elevator doors reopened.
The physical exertion of moving the delivery, combined with her nervousness, had taken its toll. May's clothes clung to her, damp with sweat, and she leaned against the door for support as she watched the man approach.
He retrieved the trolley but lingered in front of her door, seemingly reluctant to leave. He stood there silently, rooted to the spot. As the silence between them stretched on, his expression grew increasingly dark.
Suddenly realizing her oversight, May hastily grabbed her phone and opened the banking app. After a quick series of taps, she informed him, "The tip has been sent to your account. Thank you for your cooperation."
Looking at his phone, May saw the instant his dissatisfaction with her odd demands vanished. "Thank you, Miss," he said, beaming. "If you ever need anything again, please remember X-Press Delivery. Have a pleasant day." As he pulled the trolley away, May heard him whistling happily.
Now for the urgent matter. Her stomach snarled fiercely, as if trying to devour itself. She was too famished and exhausted to cook or even cut fruit. Healthy eating would have to wait until tomorrow.
Hurriedly, she pried open one of the packages, grabbing the first thing she could and tossing it into the microwave. She patted her belly reassuringly. "Just a few more minutes," she murmured.
While waiting, she quickly stocked the fridge with perishables.
A cheerful ding announced her meal was ready. As she opened the microwave door, the enticing aroma of curry wafted out.
Without thinking, she pulled open a drawer, retrieving a fork and knife—first try, perfect hit. This small victory lifted her spirits even more. Smiling, she plopped onto the couch with her dinner in hand. As she happily devoured her Indian curry, she watched the sun dip below the neighboring buildings, painting the sky in vibrant hues.
As the sun vanished, darkness rapidly enveloped her surroundings.
"Rob, can you hear me?" she called out, wondering if his sensors could perceive her voice from anywhere in the apartment.
"Yes, M."
"Can you please turn on the lights?"
Immediately, her surroundings were illuminated by a soft, warm glow. The living room came into focus, its minimalist decor casting shadows across the polished floor. May squinted, slowly adjusting to the sudden brightness.
Content, now that her hunger had been sated, her mind drifted to her plans for the next day. She felt curious about what kind of life, what kind of person the gathered data would reveal. With everything already collected and sorted, she could even start now, but she felt exhausted both physically and mentally. It had been a tiring day, and she wanted to be at her best when working through the information. Forcing herself in her current state might cause her to overlook something crucial.
She planned to do nothing more than await the arrival of the security service and then go to bed.
Suddenly, Rob's voice sounded. "M, I've detected an anomaly in the building's security system. There appear to be access attempts at the main entrance."
May froze, her heart rate quickening. An intruder?