N0 B0DY, N0 CRIM3 | Bang Chan

Shadow

Han became sick of his anxiety. So sick, he went to the doctor, explained the situation, and received a prescription for anxiety medication. It took some time before his body adjusted to it. His doctor warned him that the first medication he prescribed might not work for him, but so far, Han didn't have any issues. 

The first few days, he didn't feel anxious, just numb. A discombobulated feeling that made him feel like he was teetering between this reality and the next. He was glad when the medication had finally kicked in fully and his body seemed to adjust quickly. 

He couldn't hide the pep in his step. The world felt lighter when you weren't drowning in your what-ifs. For once in his life, he felt like he could control his thoughts. A collective calmness radiated throughout his body and kept his head treading above water. 

The past few days, everything had been okay, but there was something he couldn't shake. A nagging gut feeling, the prickle of the hairs on his neck, a sense that he was being observed. While he was outside in the city running errands, he couldn't get rid of the feeling. 

When he dealt with anxiety, every negative thought was amplified. His brain had been taught with worry. When he was outside, his anxiety used to increase. He wasn't safe outside. People could see him and observe him. Could they see his shaking hands? Could they hear his pounding heart? Were they aware of the bead of sweat that formed on his brow?

What if? What if? What if? 

Now that he was on his anxiety medication, that feeling had dissipated. He was fine for a few days until he felt like he was being watched. An influx of paranoia slithered up his back and it was starting to become suffocating. He kept his ears open and he scanned his surroundings frequently, but he could never find the root cause of it. 

He wanted to brush it off and pretend it was nothing. However, the previous events of this morning caused him to reconsider. He had been heading out of the Bella-Nova when the paranoia returned. Dread crept up inside of him as he crawled into the Uber he ordered. 

He struck up polite conversation with the driver. Out of the corner of his eye, a car was pulling out of a parking space. Han kept watch in the rear-view mirror as he sat behind the driver. The gray car followed them until it dropped Han off at the store. He climbed out of the Uber, thanked the driver, and glanced behind the car. 

The small gray car had tinted windows. No matter how much Han wanted to see who was driving it, he couldn't. The moment the driver realized Han knew he was being followed, they suddenly pulled out from behind the Uber and sped off. Han wanted to take the info to Chan, but he wasn't sure if he should worry about it or not. 

That's why he pushed open the door to a familiar family diner. He was hit by the overwhelming scent of peanut oil. The black and white checkered flooring and bright red booths sent waves of comfort flooding through him. This was the place where Lee Know was recently hired. 

In the background, 50's music played. There were a few booths taken by people. A waitress slid two bright red baskets with wax paper to a couple. They were filled with fresh steaming-hot french fries. She glanced over at Han and sent him a wave. He smiled at her and walked further into the building. 

The Rockin' Retro Diner had been around before Han was born. Tucked right outside downtown Chicago, it was his favorite place to eat. The waitresses wore firetruck red poodle skirts with a white shirt tucked in. A red necktie sat around their necks. Men wore black jeans with white shirts tucked in. They each wore bright red bow-ties. 

The owner, who was born in the 50's, wanted to create an ode to that time period. Walking into the diner was like stepping back into the past. Milkshakes were served in tall glasses with straws. Food was handed out in plastic baskets with waxed paper. There was even a working Jukebox in the back where you could pay to have your favorite old songs played. 

Lee Know secured a part-time job to pass the time. He worked in the back as a cook. Apparently, he informed Chan that he needed to feel like a part of society. He was tired of staying at home all the time. 

"Looking for Lee Know?" The waitress asked. 

"As per usual, yeah." 

She laughed and pointed to the back doors of the kitchen before she walked away. Han walked through the building and pushed open one of the rubber doors. He was hit by the smell of grilling meat and a loud sizzling. He called out Lee Know's name which caused him to glance up. 

Lee Know was used to Han showing up at the diner. The two of them were close, after all. Usually, Han didn't bug him until he was on his break, so the sight caused Lee Know's alarms to sound off. Han wasted no time explaining the situation. 

Lee Know nodded and continued to add burgers to the grill. He glanced at orders and placed another batch of fries into the deep fryer. The sizzling sound intensified as the potatoes slowly turned to a crispy golden brown. 

"You don't think it's because we kidnapped Kiera, do you?" Han frowned. 

What the pair hadn't realized was that the second cook came back from the bathroom. He caught the last thirty seconds of the conversation. His eyebrows furrowed for a brief moment before his eyes widened in shock. "Kiera Campbell?" 

Both Lee Know and Han froze in their spots. The second cook walked closer to them. "I mean that's who you're talking about, right? It's gotta be her! She's been in the news a lot lately and oh my god, you kidnapped the president's daughter?" 

Without a word, Lee Know picked up a section of the empty deep fryer, gripped the handle, shoved Han back, and swung. Hot grease flew through the air and landed on the man's face. He let out a screech as his hands went to his face. It seeped into his pores and destroyed every layer of skin. 

He cried out in agony while his face boiled. Skin oozed. Oil dripped. The hot oil that landed on his chest dribbled down, down, down. Angry red streaks sat behind them. He let out another wail of pain, but outside of the kitchen, nobody could hear him over the sound of Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock. 

"Shut up!" Lee Know hissed. 

Han glanced around searching for something to try and help defuse the situation. The man opened his mouth to yell for help, but Han was quicker. He grabbed an empty skillet and swung. A loud thwunk filled the air as it crashed into the back of the man's head. His body went limp and fell over face first. 

Han looked down at the man, the skillet in his hand, and glanced back down. "Oh my god, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you, I just wanted you to shut up!" 

Lee Know laughed and nudged the unconscious guy with his foot. "Don't worry about him, he was an asshole anyway. I've caught him trying to peek into the women's restroom a few times." 

"Do you think he'll remember?" 

Lee Know shook his head. "We better start screaming and freaking out now. If anyone asks, he tripped into the deep fryer, fell back, hit his head, and went unconscious." 

Han nodded. He placed the skillet back where he had gotten it. Lee Know hurried out of the kitchen to get help. Han glanced down at the man for a final time. 

"Never mind, I take my apology back. This is called karma for being a fucking pervert."