Chapter 2

2

There were only eight of us in the group buy chat. Our building was fairly new, and not many units were occupied yet. Six floors, four apartments each, and only ten families had moved in so far, mostly single guys. Three of us were on the fourth floor: me in 401, the mysterious family in 404, and 402, a regular single guy.

After 504's message, 402 replied:

"Don't be crazy. You think he actually, you know… killed his own son?"

601 chimed in:

"You never know... A few days ago, I saw the guy from 404 kill a cat."

402 seemed shocked: "Dude, stop messing with me!"

302 countered: "So what if he killed a cat? That doesn't mean he'd kill a person! And it's his own son!"

601 quickly explained:

"First, that's not what I meant. I'm saying he might have violent tendencies.

Second, his relationship with his wife seems…strained. I’ve never seen them together.

And finally, has anyone actually seen his wife?"

That got everyone thinking. I racked my brain, and even as a neighbor on the same floor, I’d never seen her. 504, 402, and 302 all confirmed they hadn't either. Everyone agreed it was weird.

Finally, 302 suggested: "Should we call the police?"

But 504 hesitated: "What if it's nothing? Isn't that wasting police resources?"

I thought he was the one most concerned about the situation.

As everyone debated, 402 said: "This is ridiculous. They live right next to me. I'll just go ask."

504: "Okay, be careful. And see if you can figure out what's going on."

601 and 302 told him to be polite and just express concern, not accuse anyone of anything.

I was wide awake now. I jumped out of bed and tiptoed to the front door. Because of the fire escape landing, our peepholes didn't face each other's doors. I didn't open the door, I just pressed my ear against it.

I heard a door close. That had to be 402. He was polite enough to knock gently instead of ringing the doorbell.

Then, something strange happened. There was no conversation. I didn’t hear 404’s door open, but I distinctly heard it close again.

I was baffled. That was it? Were they whispering? Or was something else going on?