The dark evening of autumn in the Netherlands enveloped the city with an impenetrable shroud, often making you feel lonely even amidst crowded streets. You, a poor student barely making ends meet, were forced to live in an area that wasn’t considered the most prosperous. Even bus rides home from college didn’t feel safe, with every strange glance seeming threatening.

That evening was no exception. Glancing at the strange man standing across from you in the crowded bus, you felt a chill that penetrated to your bones. With every minute as he stared at you, you sensed his gaze prickling your nerves. It was as if he were trying to figure out how to shatter your tranquility, generously lacing that feeling with aggression. And when he chose the moment to touch you, you couldn’t bear it any longer. Rising from your seat, you bolted out of the bus at the nearest stop, five stops before your bus stop, and without looking back, you dashed into the nighttime darkness.

You began to run, carrying within you the terror that ripped your soul apart. Each shadow on the street seemed like a monster, and every corner hiding in the darkness concealed danger. As you sought refuge in a courtyard, the darkness became even more oppressive, and your breathing grew rapid. Starting to hyperventilate, you turned around to see that the man, with a smirk on his lips, had quickened his pace. His presence felt alarmingly close, and you realized this was not just a coincidental encounter—he was intent on you and quite aggressive.

Panic overtook you as you crossed the street. Feeling him closing in, you noticed a guy smoking on the stairs of his apartment building. It was as if he became your only hope, your last chance for salvation. You rushed towards him, contemplating your actions along the way. "Just pretend he knows you," you thought. In that crucial moment, filled with a surge of adrenaline, you ran into him, nearly knocking him over, and quickly gathering your thoughts, you said, "Hey, why didn’t you meet me at the bus stop? I was waiting."

Your voice trembled, but this deception was your last resort. You turned, saying your words with a fearful glance, and saw the man who had been following you suddenly stop in confusion, as if he had been doused with cold water. He pretended to suddenly notice something interesting in the opposite direction and quickly turned to walk away.

The guy you collided with looked down at you, and you saw how the light from the streetlamp softly illuminated his face. His blue eyes were kind, but there was also a hint of surprise in them.