Chapter 6 — The Midnight Message

“Second, someone just came in, their identity is unknown.”

“Third, I called the police again, this time the real police, I clearly stated the emergency situation on the phone, they will arrive within fifteen minutes.”

Then he paused and added another sentence: "I'm on the second floor. Ms. Tran said the shadow was me, but after sending messages in the group, I never went down to the first floor." As soon as this sentence appeared, the group's suspicions were immediately retorted. The uncle on the fifth floor directly reminded Ms. Tran: "Miss Tran, please come out and say something. Tieu Ly said he didn't come downstairs, so who is the shadow you see? Please explain clearly." No one responded. Ms. Tran's profile photo quietly hung in the group member list. The last message was still "the police caught me" a few minutes ago. I stood by the window, holding the curtain fabric, looking down again. The street lights were dim, and the glass door under the building was actually slightly open. The sensor light is bright, there is not a single person in sight. The big door just opened wide like that. I let down the curtain and retreated to the middle of the living room. There were two voices in my head fighting. Tieu Ly has a point, the screenshots, timeline, and details are all clear. As of now, there aren't any problems. But inside I still feel scared. What about Ms. Tran? From beginning to end she was all "oh my god", "so scared", "I already did it". Although she is both obnoxious and obnoxious, she also likes to lie. But downstairs someone actually came in, the glass door was actually pushed open. Those are all truths that everyone can see. So who is the person who comes in? I suddenly thought of a possibility, the hairs on my back immediately stood up. If Ms. Tran hadn't called the police, she would have actually opened the door downstairs just now. So who is the person she opened the door to? After opening the door, she immediately retreated back to her room and said she was "so scared". Then make up a set of reasons. All signs showed that the person she opened the door to let in was absolutely not a police officer. Moreover, Ms. Tran is very dangerous now. Things became complicated. I quickly walked to the main door and checked the slide lock once again. Then I took out my phone and typed a line in the private message box with Tieu Ly:

“Did you see Ms. Tran open the door just now?”

This time he answered very quickly, with only two words: "No." I looked at Ms. Tran's profile picture again in the group chat, and the feeling of something wrong in my heart increased even more. Between Tieu Ly and Ms. Tran, there is definitely one person lying, or both are not telling the truth. But at this moment, there is only one thing I can confirm. Downstairs someone just came in. Although I am very safe now. But the fire at the city gate infected the fish in the pond. If it was really an accomplice in the crime, I wouldn't be able to fight it on my own. Tieu Ly. I quietly remembered many details of him tonight. At this time, everyone in the group was praising Tieu Ly for being calm and quick-witted. After about ten minutes, Tieu Ly reminded all members.

"I just saw them through the ventilation window in the stairwell. Three people, wearing uniform-like clothes, were going upstairs."

"I'm not sure what their purpose is, but it's definitely not the police. Official departures cannot go without a record."

“I recommend that people on lower floors follow the fire escape ladder at the back of the building and exit first.”

"That ladder leads to the alley behind the area, outside is the main road. Don't go to the door of the unit, the door of the unit is open now, but I don't know what's outside."

"People on the upper floors don't move for now. Wait for the real police to arrive. I have updated the location in real time with the staff receiving reports."

The group was silent for a few seconds, then Ms. 402 sent a voice message, her voice filled with determination: "I believe Tieu Ly. Ms. Tran's words from before or after don't match, I don't dare to wait any longer. There are elderly people in my family, I'll take my mother to the back road." Right after that, the girl in room 301 typed two messages: "I'm going too. I'm alone, I don't dare stay." The second news was a photo, showing her opening the door to her room. The lens faces the hallway, the hallway lights are on, there's not a single person in sight. But at the corner at the end of the hallway, you can see the fire door of the staircase is ajar. With someone leading, the group is like a dike that has been breached.

“302, I'm with 301.”

“501, I want to go too.”

“601, I'll go too, wait for me to put on my shoes.”

The message was so dizzying.

"One by one, don't rush. The upper floors don't move for now."

Tieu Ly naturally has the appearance of a commander. In the group, people kept asking questions.

“Are you there yet?” “Is the back alley safe?” “Can I get down the fire escape?”

Some people even started reporting floors, saying they were on the stairs. About five minutes later, Ms. 402 sent a voice message, panting and saying: "We're down! The back alley is empty! We ran out!" That voice message was like a fireworks signal, everyone was shocked. But the cloud of doubt in my heart grew heavier and heavier. The back alley is a one-way alley, accessible only from one end.