Suspicious Apartment

Episode 8

I left the front door at exactly 7:20. The elevator stopped at the 8th floor, passing through the 24th, 22nd, 19th, 17th, and 13th floors.

People who live alone seem to have a more accurate sense of time.

After two days, I too found myself facing the wall. It just happened naturally.

The hedgehog living on the 6th floor has a burning head, and if you don't stand facing the wall, your eyes will meet.

Then I don't want to say hello, but I don't want to just blink either...

It felt comfortable to stand facing the wall. It also felt like I was getting used to living alone, and I was proud of that.

고모

Yejin, last night when I came in, I saw something stuck to the elevator. I read it and I thought I was going to die from the creeps.

My aunt, who had slept in late today, came out after washing her hair and shook the water off her head, shrugging her shoulders.

김다현

What is it?

There was nothing there when I bought side dishes yesterday afternoon.

고모

There have been a lot of burglaries in our apartment complex lately, so be careful. Since we all live alone, the place is often empty during the day. As you'll know after living here for a few days, it's hard to see anyone in the apartment during the day.

It's not that it's hard to see people, but sometimes when I go outside, I feel like I'm alone in an empty city.

Well, it's not much different at night. Once work hours pass, every house lights up, and no human voices are heard.

It's like expressing dissatisfaction with an empty city.

고모

Be careful when you go out. Make sure no one follows you, then press the password. Okay?

고모

When you get on the elevator, if there's someone else already on it, don't get on. Wait and get on next. They might follow you out.

고모

And the most important thing to remember is never to meddle in other people's business. There are many bad people who approach you under the guise of being friendly. Remember: Be careful!

As I listened to my aunt, I imagined a sign posted in front of the elevator that said, "Beware of people."

Just like the 'Beware of Dog' sign that my grandmother put on the front door of her house.

고모

These days, people are the scariest thing.

My aunt shrugged again.

Indeed, when I watch the news, it's all about human-related incidents and accidents. Listening to my aunt, I got goosebumps.

My aunt went to work, saying that she would have to change her password at least once a week.

고모

When entering from outside, always ride the elevator alone! Check who's following you before entering the password! Don't interfere while sleeping! People. Be. Careful!

7:20. I left the house, mumbling what my aunt had said.

The elevator was just coming down from the ninth floor. I think I was a few minutes, no, a few seconds late today.

On the elevator wall was a piece of paper that my aunt had mentioned.

Please be advised. We've been receiving a lot of theft reports lately. Please lock your doors and change your front door password frequently. If you see anyone suspicious, please contact the management office. -×× Apartment Management Office-

I quickly scanned the backs of their heads. There's a saying that a thief is someone who knows the local situation well. There could be a thief among these people.

A man in a hat staring at the wall with the paper on it caught my eye. Why does he wear his hat down every day? I suddenly wondered.