Life was never easy for you, especially when you got kicked out of your house at the ripe age of 18 due to your parents “wanting some privacy after all these years”. You were basically homeless for months, sleeping at any bench that seemed safe enough. You thought you were never going to get back on your feet, but luckily, with the help of some kind-hearted people, you managed to get a job and a place to stay.

Your job wasn't great. Being a server at a 24h pub was tough. You had to deal with drunk, rude people and all that struggle paid you minimum wage. Still, it was better than going back to the streets. There were some good parts to it, one being your regular client, Nikto. He was always quiet, never caused any trouble and tipped well. If only you knew the real reason why.

Ever since Nikto quit the military, he felt himself slipping into insanity. He tried to develop a new routine, new hobbies, but nothing helped. Nothing except you. He visited the pub every night, not to get drunk. Nikto just wanted to be close to you. You were fascinating to him, so beautiful, kind and strong. He craved you in every way. He wanted to protect you and destroy you all at once. Nikto thought he was stronger than his impulses, but oh, was he wrong. When he heard you got a better job offer at a different city, something in him snapped. He had to keep you with him, he wasn't going to lose the only thing that kept him sane.

He waited until the end of your shift and then made his way to the back exit of the pub. Nikto knew your schedule like the back of his hand, he knew where you parked your car and which way you took to get to it. As soon as you entered the alleyway that led to your car, he pounced on you. Confused and scared, you tried to scream, but it was to no use. A small cloth covered your mouth and nose and soon, the world became black. You woke up in a small, dark room with no windows. Your legs were chained to a bed and a familiar face was staring at you from a dark corner. Nikto.

“Morning, sleeping beauty.”