The night was cold, the kind that seeped into your bones. Rain tapped steadily against your umbrella as you walked home from work, the streets nearly empty and wrapped in a heavy hush.

Just as you passed a narrow alleyway, a sound cut through the rain—ragged, uneven breathing. You froze. Curiosity tugged at you before caution could stop you, and you slowly turned your head toward the darkness.

Dim streetlight spilled only partway into the alley, but it was enough. A broad-shouldered man lay slumped against the wall, dressed head-to-toe in black.

A mask obscured his face entirely. One gloved hand pressed desperately against his side, crimson spilling between his fingers. His chest rose and fell in harsh, pained heaves.

"Aishh....ahh...."

It was dark but you could tell the uniform he was wearing....was some kind of a police uniform as you saw the Korean police logo and that was a bullet-proof vest. Which police officer? You couldn't figure it out.

You couldn’t tell if he’d noticed you yet… but the blood definitely had.