Vein thrived in silence. The muted glow of the penthouse's many surveillance monitors painted his face in cold, artificial light, his sharp eyes scanning the screens with calculated focus. Among the grainy images, one face appeared over and over-Xia Fei. Whether it was him walking home late at night, browsing through books in his favorite shop, or sitting alone in a café, the pattern was clear. Someone else had been watching him too closely, for too long.
Vein had been observing the stalker for weeks now. A thin, nervous man with sunken eyes and jittery hands, always lurking just outside Xia Fei's line of sight. At first, it had been subtle-quick glances, fleeting shadows. But now, it was escalating. Vein had seen him following Xia Fei from a safe distance, lingering near his apartment, and even watching through his windows late at night.
That was enough.
Vein's gloved fingers tapped against the desk, his expression blank as he made his decision. This wouldn't be a warning. It would be a solution.
---
The warehouse was as filthy and forgotten as Vein expected, filled with the scent of rust and stale air. The stalker sat hunched over a rickety table, eyes darting nervously as he shuffled through piles of photographs. Xia Fei's face stared back from every angle-smiling, unaware, vulnerable.
Vein stepped forward, the creak of his leather shoes breaking the silence. The stalker's head snapped up, eyes wide, but before he could react, Vein was on him. A swift, calculated movement-pistol raised and aimed with unwavering precision.
"I know what you've been doing," Vein's voice was low, steady, devoid of emotion.
The stalker's mouth opened, trembling hands raised in a pathetic attempt at defense. "P-please! I... I wasn't going to hurt him!" he stammered. "I just wanted to see him! I love him!"
Vein's expression didn't change. He pressed the gun to the man's forehead, his gloved finger tightening around the trigger.
"I hate liars."
A muffled shot echoed through the warehouse, the silencer absorbing most of the sound. The stalker's body crumpled instantly, a single, neat hole in the center of his forehead. Blood pooled beneath him, dark and slick, but Vein didn't spare it another glance.
No hesitation. No mistakes.
With methodical efficiency, Vein wrapped the body in thick plastic, securing it tightly before dragging it to the trunk of his car. The drive back to the penthouse was completely silent.
---
The secret room in the penthouse was colder than the rest of the space, its sterile atmosphere preserved with meticulous care. Vein wheeled the plastic-wrapped body inside, his eyes flicking over the other occupants. Rows of industrial storage units lined the walls, each housing remnants of threats long since handled. Some of the older bodies had begun to degrade, the plastic sagging under the weight of decay, but the new addition would fit in perfectly.
Vein placed the stalker's corpse in an empty slot, locking the heavy latch with a sharp click. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, masking the underlying scent of decomposing flesh. He stood there for a moment, ensuring everything was in its place before exiting and locking the door behind him.
Xia Fei would never know. He didn't need to.
---
The next morning, Vein left a neatly written note on the desk:
"You're finally able to go out now."
When Xia Fei stumbled into the kitchen, hair tousled from sleep, he frowned at the note in confusion. "Wait... seriously? Just like that?"
Vein, seated at the dining table, sipped his coffee calmly. "The situation has been resolved."
Xia Fei narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping into his expression. "And how exactly did you solve it?"
Vein's gaze met his without hesitation. "An answer is not needed."
Xia Fei exhaled in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "You're so damn cryptic," he muttered. "But... thanks, I guess?"
Vein only offered the faintest of smiles. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."
Xia Fei didn't press further, but as he turned away to start his morning, Vein's eyes flickered toward the locked door down the hall.
There were some truths Xia Fei would never have to know. And Vein intended to keep it that way.
___
short chapter but yeah! ð¯