yasushi was drowsy as he made his way home late as usual, one hand on the handrail. the subway car swayed slightly, the passengers sat quietly staring at their cell phones or, like yasushi, falling asleep to the quiet sounds of the subway.

he remembered that tomorrow was a day off, and that lifted his spirits a little. now he would get off at his station, walk out of the subway into the cold wind and wet, reflecting car headlights and building lights of the road, and walk toward his somewhat old apartment building. but on the way he would stop at a convenience store and buy something cheaper. he would return home alone. alone?

the feeling of someone's eyes on his back had been with him for the past month. he tried to put it out of his mind, telling himself that he was just tired from work. there was no telling whose eyes might linger on him in a crowded city. and even when a few things started to go missing from his apartment, he chalked it up to absent-mindedness caused by overwork. especially since it didn't happen too often.

he stood outside his apartment with a bag from the store, a few cans of beer jingling in it, looking in his pocket for his keys. finally he got them out, put them in the lock, turned them. the keys wouldn't turn. yasushi pulled the door open, and shivers ran down his spine. it was open. yasushi clutched the keys in his hand, feeling panic overwhelm him..

alone?