Trauma

Part 3 "Who Is There?"

# 악동뮤지션 (AKMU) - DINOSAUR

The stranger kept coming back.

He would always knock, ask if anyone was there, and go.

It has continued for 3 days now, and I was tempted to open the door yesterday.

Surely if it was someone dangerous, He would have broken in at the first knock, right?

I sucked in a breath as the knocking came. Speak of the devil.

I grabbed the pepper spray and slightly opened the door.

"Oh. You're home. I...Well, I didn't really expect you to be.." The man stuttered.

I stared at him with confusion. He knocked on my door for 3 days, 4 times counting today, and didn't expect me to be home? Was he on crack?

"I mean..It seemed like you weren't home for a few days, then I noticed that your milk delivery disappeared in the afternoon so I thought that you'd be home at that time." The man explained, scratching his neck.

I sighed. Mom ordered me a milk delivery, telling me that I needed to drink it for my health every day. The delivery came at 2, which the delivery guy would leave it in front of my door, and I would take it inside whenever I remembered. Never right after it was delivered though.

"So..Why did you knock on my door?" I asked, feeling tense. I was hiding the pepper spray behind my back, ready to shoot at any time.

"Oh. Right. I'm your new neighbor! I moved here a few days ago. I wanted to say Hi." The man gave a smile.

I averted my eyes. I lived at an apartment complex, so a neighbor would live right in front of me.

The previous neighbor and I didn't bother communicating, and I was fine with it. Relieved really.

At these times, No one really bothered communicating with their neighbors. It seemed like this one was the exception of that. How odd.

"Oh, hang on. I prepared some food to give to the neighbors. I already gave it to the people who live below us and over us, but I wasn't able to give it to you." The man said and ran inside his house.

I was stunned. He actually prepared some food to pass around his neighbors? Wasn't the neighbors supposed to do that when new people came to town?

The man hurriedly came running back out, holding a paper dish.

"Don't worry, I made this fresh this morning. It's a traditional food in my hometown, and I hope you love it. I'm Jack by the way." The man flashed me another grin.

"Lizzie," I said, shaking the man's hand. I almost gave him my right hand which was holding the pepper spray. Well, that would have been awkward...Or maybe it could have given him a warning message. Hmm...

"Lizzie. Well, I hope to see you around. I'm new here so I don't have many friends around. And it seems like you are the only one who is about the same age as I in this apartment." Jack chuckled.

I gave a half smile. "Yeah. There aren't many young people living here. Welcome to the neighborhood though."

"Thanks. Well, It was nice meeting you. Take care!" Jack said as I closed my door holding the paper plate, thanking him for the food.

I went to the kitchen and checked out the food. I didn't really get what it was, And I stared at it apprehensively. Would it be safe to eat it? Maybe he had drugged it?

I ran back to the front door and checked my locks to be sure. All was locked securely.

I carried the food to the living room, and I soon carefully picked one which looked like a young pumpkin and put it in my mouth.

It was surprisingly good, and I finished everything in a flash.

Maybe my new neighbor wasn't that bad. Or maybe I was just a sucker for good food.

Either way, that was the best thing I have tasted in years.