INT. EVAH'S APARTMENT 9 pm
Inside her 300-square-meter apartment, Evah stepped through the door, her soaked umbrella held in one hand. The apartment was a reflection of her chaotic life: a bed on the left side, with a table cluttered with scattered electronic pieces she had been trying to tinker with, and on the opposite side, a window that could be opened to allow the light in as she worked late into the night.
She placed the umbrella down on the basket near the door, her gaze lingering on the project she had been working on. The proposal she had been pouring herself into, day and night, was in front of her, yet it felt like it held no value anymore.
Her mind drifted back, remembering the vigor with which she had approached the project just days ago.
"I did the research, the blueprints, the proposal... the implementations. I did everything!" she muttered to herself. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
But in the end, all they cared about was money and power. Nothing she did seemed to matter.
"Nobody appreciates me or my work."
The thought stung as she walked over to her computer and played the recorded daily news video. The voice of the female reporter filled the room, breaking the silence.
"The kidnappers strike again. Should this be labeled as serial killings instead?" she said, glancing at her news partner.
The male reporter's voice followed, grim: "It's chilling to realize this is the twentieth case in the kidnapping spree. However, the police have yet to find a single body. Until they do, we can't declare it a serial killing."
A montage of police statements followed, flashing across the screen. The gravity of the case was undeniable.
Evah scoffed. "Who trusts the police these days? All they want is money."
She sat down on the edge of her bed, the flickering light from the screen casting shadows in the room. Memories of her childhood surged—back when she admired law enforcement officers, when she thought they were the ones who would bring justice and protect the innocent. How quickly things had changed.
A flashback of the man rushing toward her hit her memory. The feeling of his lips pressed against hers caused a shiver to run down her spine.
"What if he's the kidnapper?" she thought aloud, a sudden sense of dread creeping in.
The rumors had been circulating—girls being dismembered and discarded across the border. A chill ran down her spine.
"Good thing he didn't try to abduct me," she muttered, shaking her head. "That's definitely him—too cunning, too dangerous."
Her phone suddenly rang, cutting off her thoughts. She reached for it and set it on the table under the light. The screen read: Incoming Call - Yuka.
She hesitated for a moment but then answered.
"What do you mean he kissed you? A random stranger stole your first kiss?!" Yuka's voice came through with her usual enthusiasm, her strawberry-blonde hair braided and her bright hazel eyes practically glowing with excitement.
Evah sighed, leaning back as she sat down. "I think he's a criminal."
Yuka's voice faltered, concern creeping in. "What?! Evah, you should be careful! I was supposed to dive into that case, but I got told to back out. Seems like there are connections we don't know about."
"I know, I was just caught off guard. He just appeared, and then..."
She trailed off, her thoughts wandering back to the kiss—the strange, sudden kiss.
"Then kissed me..." she murmured under her breath. She could still feel the warmth of it on her lips.
Yuka, however, didn't seem to notice. "Wow, is he handsome? It might be destiny!"
Evah couldn't help but smile wryly. Yes, he was handsome. But...
Yuka rambled on, her voice full of optimism, "What if he's the one? You know, fate and all that. You could tell your kids about this one day, how you met a mysterious stranger!"
Evah's expression soured as she recalled the way the man had looked, the sharpness of his features. "He definitely has a devilishly handsome face. That's a red flag," she said, her voice laced with unease.
"Does that matter?" Evah protested,"Gosh, if he's a criminal, I'm lucky I'm still alive." She declared.
"Fair point," Yuka said dryly. Embarrassed, Evah changed the subject. "And that's not even the case! I told you to stop investigating these cases. Just be... I don't know, a weather forecaster or something. Stop chasing bad people. You're not a police officer."
"You're too kind for this line of work. Too pure to be chasing after criminals." Evah added.
Yuka gave a heavy sigh, knowing Evah was right. She'd spent so many sleepless nights trying to make a difference, and in the end, she always felt like she was the one losing.
"Well, we both know the police aren't doing anything," Yuka added, her tone light but firm. "If no one else will step up, then nothing will change in this corrupted society."
Evah turned away, exhaustion settling in. "Let's just talk tomorrow. I'm too tired now."
Yuka nodded, her background showing she was sitting in a mobile office. "Don't you have work tomorrow?"
Evah chuckled softly, the weight of the moment sinking in. "I quit my job."
Yuka's eyes widened, a look of disbelief on her face. "What?! For real?"
Evah lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Yeah. They didn't deserve my hard work."
Yuka gave a playful sigh. "Wow, that's more absurd than being kissed by a criminal."
Evah couldn't help but smile at that.
"They didn't even pay you properly. I told you a hundred times—it's not worth it!" Yuka added "I just wish you'd listen to me sooner."
Evah ran a hand through her hair, irritated but knowing Yuka was right. She'd given everything to that job, but it had never been enough. She stood up, snatched the phone from the table, and ended the call.
She lay back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I wonder if I'll wake up tomorrow, and this will all have been a dream... Maybe I won't have the courage to quit my job after all."
Endnotes:
Character profile
Name: Evahllythia "Evah" Arsenault
Age: 25 years old
Profession: An "Originator" is an inventor or innovator with expertise that spans multiple disciplines, such as engineering, medicine, technology, and more. They possess foundational knowledge across various fields, allowing them to specialize in one path of their choice by taking certification tests. An Originator can pursue multiple degrees in different areas of expertise. However, the title of "Doctor" is extremely difficult to obtain. To earn this prestigious title, an Originator must successfully complete five major certifications or degrees in distinct fields. The title of "Doctor" is highly sought after and can be earned in a variety of fields, including medicine, technology, engineering, biology, and more.
Character profile
Name: Yureka "Yuka" Iekami
Age: 25 years old
Profession: Investigative journalist for a small independent news station, specializing in political and government exposés—often targeting the rich, powerful, and untouchable.