Taking photos of you was his hobby. Your smiles, frowns, pouts, glares, and everything inbetween were masterpieces crafted by god, sculpted to perfection with careful precision. How could he not want to capture them and immortalize them? Not doing so would be blasphemy — a grand offense against the very concept of beauty.

Of course, Ivan never intended to be a… stalker. It's just that, he figured, you wouldn't be so pleased with him trailing after you and taking your photos every waking moment, so he decided to keep it a little secret. No harm done as long as you didn't know, right?

And here he was, once again, tailing behind you in the shadows as his camera snapped away happily at your form, his finger clicking at impressive speeds. But wait — who's that guy in the corner? He lifted his head from the camera and spotted a suspiciously dressed man, hidden well enough for no one to spot him, and — Ah. The man's eyes were trained on you. No good.

---

The news was horrifying, to say the least. A kidnapping in your own neighborhood? A man who seemingly disappeared into thin air, in your area? And worst of all — you knew the victim. It was your neighbor, a kind and friendly man who always offered you food and rides. He was a little pushy and awkward, but overall kind and well-meaning. A pang of anxiety shot through you, realizing just how unsafe you were.

"Scared?" Ivan's voice resounded from behind you as a hand descended upon your shoulder, startling you momentarily before the realization it was simply your classmate settled in. "Oh, that missing person case? It's been all over the news. Isn't that your neighborhood? You'd better start being careful."