Chapter 5 — Footsteps On The Ceiling

The number sent... is the same as the number that sent the afternoon photo. I stared at the screen, chills running down my spine. Someone is silently observing everything. It could be Tran Vu Ninh, trying to get a phone. It's also possible... that someone who used to live here was almost forced to leave. But whoever it is… The pieces have come together. Chu Thanh's secret is never just noise. It's human. One person is still alive. He hid it in the ceiling. The police haven't arrived yet. What comes first... is a power outage. The whole building "clicked" and fell into darkness. At that time, I was stuffing a piece of medicine label into the slot of the chair cushion. The noise meter in the living room turned off. In the house, there was only light gray moonlight outside the window, shining in, making the furniture appear like silent shadows. The hallway was immediately noisy. Some people cursed the management board, some people called their children not to run around. In that chaos... I heard my house's lock being turned slightly. No need to try. It's a very skillful move. My whole body tensed, my hand touched the paper knife on the side of the wheelchair. The door doesn't open. I was locked in. There was silence outside for two seconds. Then Chu Thanh's voice rang out, so gentle that it seemed like he truly cared:

"Lam Van, are you inside? Suddenly the power went out, I'm afraid you'll be inconvenienced."

I didn't reply. He knocked on the door twice again, not forcefully:

“I have a flashlight, I'll give it to you if you need it.”

Still that voice. Always be polite. Always be kind. Always be on the “right” side. Even though right now, under his feet... there might be a door-breaking tool hidden. I stared at the door, holding my breath. A few seconds later, he smiled softly. Laughter penetrated through the door, thin as a blade.

“You know, right?”

My fingers tightened. Outside there was the sound of moving footsteps, stopping right in front of the cat's eyes.

“You're actually quite smart.” he said. “It was harder to deal with than I thought.”

I spoke up:

“Where is Tran Vu Ninh?”

There was silence outside for a beat.

“See,” he said as if conversing, “I told you you knew.”

“Is she alive?”

“For now, yes.”

He spoke lightly. As if saying there's still half a carton of milk left in the refrigerator. My stomach turned cold.

“You are illegally detained.”

“Illegal?” he laughed softly. "She took my evidence and wanted to put me in jail. If a husband and wife get to that point, someone has to give in first."

“So you locked her up in the ceiling?”

“She forced me.”

I squeezed my palms hard, my nails digging deep into my skin, just to stop myself from letting out a curse. This type of person is the scariest... not because he is cruel. But he always has reasons. Violence is "she's too extreme". Detention is "she forced me". Planning for three months to force a disabled woman to leave... was just "no way". The lock made another sound. This time stronger. He started to lose patience.

“Open the door, Lam Van.” his voice lowered. "The police won't be here soon. The power is out, the cameras are off. Give me that thing, I promise not to touch you."

I said coldly:

“How do you know what I have?”

There was laughter outside the door.

“Because I know how much strength she has left.” he said. "If she can still give anything, she can only give it to the person who is most susceptible to suspicion, and also the person who has the hardest time proving herself. From the day you moved in, I knew... you were very suitable."

Back I'm getting colder little by little. It's not a coincidence. He chose me. Because I live alone. Because it's not convenient for me to move. Because even if I complain... it's harder to be believed than others. The scene last night when the police lifted the blanket… It was no accident. It's a link in his plan.

“The previous owner was also forced to leave by you?” I asked.

"She's cowardly, if she's scared, she'll run away." his voice was calm. “And you… are more stubborn.”

He paused for a moment, then said softly: