The Devil's Embrace [Jikook]

Chapter 8 - M

Jimin tapped his foot anxiously as he sat at the edge of his seat, his heart racing as he stared at the flickering screen. The tension was palpable as he leaned closer, his fingers hovering over the mouse. He had been waiting for this moment, the moment when he could confront the shadow that was haunting him. Only God knows how long it had been happening.

"Show me." He whispered, almost to himself, as he clicked play on the CCTV footage. The screen flickered to life, but instead of the figure he dreaded to see, it revealed nothing but a blank wall. Frustration surged within him, a knot tightening in his stomach. He leaned back, his mind racing. How could this be? Had the camera been tampered with?

Jimin quickly rewound the footage, hoping for a different outcome, but the wall remained stubbornly in view. Panic set in as he realized that the one chance to identify whoever that was last night is gone.

"How is this possible? How long has this camera been like this, Sir?" The smaller asks, looking at man who was known to be responsible for security and the cctv control room in the complex.

"I looked at the footage from a few weeks back. I think this camera has been like this for months." He answered, clearly confused.

"Months? And none of you took the initiative to fix it?" Jimin's voice is slightly raised as he asks.

"We did, once. But the next day was like that again. I figured maybe the tenants were doing it for their privacy."

"Sir, this is the best complex in town. Do the tenants really have to worry about their safety? A man was in my apartment in the middle of the night. I could've been killed."

"I know, and once again. I apologize for this. Did he steal anything? Hurt you in any way?" The older asked, worry audible in his voice.

"No. He didn't seem to touch anything. And he didn't hurt me, too."

"Are you sure you have no idea who it might be? A friend playing a prank on you? Ex boyfriend turned stalker?"

"It's not my friend. And my ex-boyfriend... It's not him. He's crazy, but not that crazy. He wouldn't just come to stare at me in the middle of the night. Whoever that was, I don't know him. I don't know why he's doing this." The smaller answers, his voice panicked.

"You said you've heard him before  whispering things to you at night? That means he's been following you for some time. Had you reported it to police?" The man asks.

"I... I didn’t think it was that serious. I thought it was just a secret admirer, but it seems it's progressing to something worse." The smaller sighs heavily.

"This is bad."

"Yes. I... I really don't know what's happening. And I fear for my life. You guys need to up the security and put more cameras on every corner of this building. Our lives are not safe. What is the building owner saying about this?" Jimin asks. The man just sighs heavily and grabs a pen and a piece of paper. He copies a certain number and hands it to Jimin.

"I suggest you call the landlord. Maybe he might have an idea what to do. I'll be waiting to receive more information and orders from him." The elder explains, the smaller sighs as he looks at the number.

He glances at his phone, looking at the time. He tuts and sighs in frustration.

"Shit." He mumbles to himself. He was 20 minutes late for work.

How great, Mr. Jeon would be sure to throw a fit.

"I'll be sure to contact the landlord. Thanks for showing me the footage, and make sure you guys fix the camera. My life is at stake here." Jimin orders just as he gets out of the control room.