I ordered the first pumpkin spice latte of the season. One sip, and a strange, fishy smell shot straight to my brain. Something was wrong. I immediately messaged the shop. The owner swore up and down that everything was sealed and sanitary, even sending a video of the process to prove his innocence. To show his sincerity, he sent me a fresh one for free. But this time, I received a DM from the delivery driver: [Tsk. Is my special sauce that good? You want another cup?] [Wait for me. I'm coming up! I'll give it to you fresh...] Boom! My brain exploded. That fishy smell was... My hands shook as I dialed 911. But the next second, a slimy, excited male voice came from outside my door: "Hey beautiful, didn't you want your latte? Open the door and sign for it!" 01 My heart hammered against my ribs. I knew I had encountered a predator. Suppressing my fear, I tiptoed to the door. Through the peephole, I saw a man in a yellow delivery uniform. His cap was pulled low, hiding most of his face. He stood motionless outside my door, holding a takeout bag. I was terrified. I didn't dare make a sound. With trembling fingers, I texted 911. Only when I got the confirmation reply did I relax my grip on the phone, realizing my palms were slick with sweat. I absolutely could not open the door before the police arrived. BANG! BANG! BANG! The sudden pounding made me jump. "What the hell? Are you not home?" The driver's voice rose, laced with agitation. He kicked the door hard. The frame shook violently, and I almost screamed. I clamped my hand over my mouth. The driver scratched his head aggressively. "So boring. I rejected ten other orders just to come here. Thought I could have some fun. Just my luck!" SPLAT. He smashed the latte onto the floor. Watching him turn to leave, I started to relax— Then my phone rang at max volume! 02 Shit! I forgot to mute it! I fumbled with the phone, pressing the wrong buttons in my panic. By the time I silenced it and looked back through the peephole, I was staring directly into a bloodshot eye. I stumbled back two steps. I quickly covered the peephole with my hand. "Hey beautiful, so you are home. Why don't you come out and get your order?" His disgusting voice seeped through the door. I quickly pulled up a recording of a deep male voice I kept for emergencies. "Just leave it at the door." He paused, clearly not expecting a man inside. But he persisted: "No can do. Boss said this is a remake, I have to watch you check it personally." I played the next recording, more aggressive this time: "I said leave it at the door! Stop yapping or I'll come out there and wreck you!" It worked. His voice instantly turned submissive: "S-sorry bro! I'm leaving!" He stuttered. "L-latte is here. Please don't give a bad review!" I counted his fading footsteps. Until I heard the elevator ding. Only then did I collapse on the floor, gasping for air. 03 The hallway was dead silent. Even the mechanical hum of the elevator was gone. Just the thumping of my own heart. I gathered my courage to look through the peephole again. But it was pitch black. Like something was blocking it. My blood froze. A chill shot up my spine. Did he really leave? Or was he squatting right outside the door, waiting for me? The thought made me shiver. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket. A DM from the driver: [You're naughty. You're alone, right? Trying to trick me?] [So slutty, wearing red heels. Since you're too shy to open the door, I had to release some tension on your shoes first.] [Look. All my essence. You drank it earlier too. Thick and creamy, right?] [Image attached] The photo loaded. My shoes outside the door were covered in a suspicious milky liquid, glistening under the hallway lights. Thinking about what I had just swallowed... My stomach convulsed violently. I clamped a hand over my mouth, but couldn't stop the retching. I doubled over and vomited on the floor. The sour smell filled the entryway. "Ooh, little beauty, did you throw up?" His sickening laugh came from right outside the door. "Why pretend to be innocent? Living alone in a fancy apartment like this? Who knows how many men you've swallowed." Fighting the nausea, I shook with rage. "You're sick! I called the cops! Get lost!" "Hahaha..." His laughter grew manic. "I tampered with the elevator. 43rd floor... by the time the cops climb up here... hehe." He wasn't even afraid of the police? What do I do? He paced back and forth. Step. Step. Step. Each sound stomped on my heart. "You think you're safe in there?" His voice was right against the crack of the door. I could smell the stale cigarette smoke on his breath. "I checked. You're the only one living on this floor..." My heart sank. Buying this condo drained my savings. To save money on rent, I moved in the day I got the keys. Management wasn't fully set up. Most units were empty. It was a workday. The building was a hollow shell. And he knew it. "Baby..." His voice turned sickly sweet. I heard his hand caressing the door. "Don't worry. I've got good technique. I'll make you feel amazing." Regret washed over me. If I hadn't ordered that damn latte, would none of this be happening? 04 A faint metallic scratching sound came from the lock. I froze, pressing my ear to the cold door. That— That was the click of a key sliding in! He was trying to pick the lock! It had been eight minutes since I called 911. The police needed time. The floor was empty. No one would hear me scream. The click-clack of the lock tumbling grew urgent. No! I can't let him in! I scrambled to the console table, my shaking fingers barely able to hold my own keys. It took several tries to jam my key into the lock from the inside. I pushed the sofa against the door with everything I had. Then the coffee table. I gripped my pepper spray like a lifeline. This was my last stand. The picking noise outside got frantic. I stared at the handle, watching it vibrate violently as he tried to brute force it. Suddenly— SNAP! A crisp sound of metal breaking. "Fuck!" He cursed, throwing his tools on the ground. Footsteps receded. Did he give up? My legs gave out, and I slid to the floor. My shirt was soaked with cold sweat, clinging to my skin. Ten minutes later. Rapid knocking. "Hello, Ma'am? Police. Did you call 911? Please open the door." I let out a long breath, standing up on shaky legs. I dragged the heavy furniture away. Just as my hand touched the handle— A thought flashed through my mind. Wait! He said he broke the elevator. 43 floors. How did the cops get here so fast? And why wasn't he out of breath? "What's going on?" The "cop" outside sounded impatient, pounding harder. "Didn't you call us? Open up or we're leaving!" I bit my lip hard, forcing myself to think. "O-officer." My voice trembled uncontrollably. "Please remove the thing blocking my peephole... I... I need to see your badge..." Silence outside. Seconds later. That familiar voice returned. "Wow, you're smarter than you look." His tone was maniacal. "Let's play a game. Room Escape? You try to escape, and I try to get in!"
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