I catch the eye of a stranger on the bus. Then, I'm lured into his trap…

Late at night, on the bus, a hand slowly crept under my skirt as a man's warm breath brushed against my ear.

As I was pressed against the glass door, I couldn't see what the man looked like. That only made my other senses more sensitive. All I could feel was his knee pressing against my thigh.

"This is the first step of your addiction, Miss."

…

It was the height of summer. The air was suffocatingly humid, even at night, with the clammy feeling that typically comes right after rain.

I was completely drenched when I got onto the bus.

The smell of petrichor mixed with body odor filled the entire bus. I found a spot near the door and stood there.

Every so often, the cold rain splattered on my face.

I took in a sharp breath and looked down at my wet clothes. I couldn't help but pull on my collar as the fabric was stuck uncomfortably to my skin.

The bus was filled with employees from a well-known IT company nearby. They were just getting off work after a long day. I kept feeling something brushing against my thigh.

All of a sudden, a feeling of unease came over me. Startled, I looked behind me.

It was just a handbag.

I was too strung up, it seemed.

I breathed a sigh of relief as water kept dripping from my fringe.

As the bus moved, the people around me swayed and pressed against me. Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I moved aside to avoid them.

Just then, I stepped on a pair of leather shoes.

Without lifting my head, I apologized.

Suddenly, the brakes screeched.

I was pushed against the glass door. Just as I was about to push myself up, a warm hand pressed against my thigh.

Shocked, I turned my head to look behind me, but I couldn't see anyone acting strangely.

The only person standing behind me was a young man, who was texting on his phone.

The person was still caressing my thigh. His rough palm made me itch as it moved across my skin.

His movements were getting bolder. My heart pounded as I went through every possible scenario of what was happening in my head. Eventually, I settled on one: I was being harassed on the bus!

I wanted to move away, but the man pushed me firmly against the door.

His warm breath brushed against my ear. I tensed.

"If you let go of me right now, I won't scream. If not…" Before I could finish, his hand breached the thin fabric of my panties.

Panicked, I tried to open my mouth to scream, but the man covered my mouth with his hand.

He forced his fingers into my mouth and pressed down on my tongue.

I couldn't get any words out. All I could do was whimper weakly.

The fact that I couldn't see who was doing this made me even more scared. I looked around while trying to catch someone's attention and ask for help.

However, I jolted suddenly. My body went limp.

Tears of humiliation streamed down my face. Trembling, I tried to free myself, but at the same time, I wanted more.

I was conflicted.

As people moved past me, I could almost feel their gazes staring at me.

My legs were trembling. Humiliated, I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.

I really never imagined that this would happen to me.

Suddenly, I caught the eye of a man standing nearby.

I looked at him pleadingly, but all he did was whistle and look away.

Everyone else on the bus took a step back.

They were all staring at me as if they knew from the start what was happening.

I began shaking my head fervently. "Please. I'll give you anything you want."

Just as I finished speaking, the bus stopped.

The feeling of satisfaction disappeared, and I was left with emptiness.

I stood on the spot, dazed.

The other passengers behind me urged impatiently, "Hurry up and get off!"

My mind was empty. There was a buzzing in my ears. Before the man left, he had said in a low voice, "This is the first step of your addiction, Miss."

…

An unknown amount of time later, I was pushed off the bus and fell into a patch of mud.

I was covered in cold, muddy water. All the passers-by were giving me weird looks.

It took some time for me to get to my feet. I was still breathing heavily.

I couldn't believe that I had fantasized about that bastard doing something much worse to me.

Dazed, I went home. As soon as I walked in, I slumped onto the floor without even bothering to change out of my dirty clothes.

My body didn't lie; I was still aroused by what that asshole had done to me.

How could I be when I was in that situation?

I took several deep breaths. It felt as if I could still feel the lingering taste of the man's fingers in my mouth.

Who was that? What kind of perverted expression did he have when he was molesting me?

I swallowed, still sitting dazedly on the floor.

Muddy water dripped from my clothes and pooled by my feet.

I wanted to slap myself at the thought that many people might have seen me in that vulnerable situation.

I didn't know how to deal with that.

Standing up, I took off my clothes and got ready for a shower.

Just then, my phone rang with a notification. It jolted me out of my thoughts.

The screen flashed on. Confused, I picked up my phone.

I had a message request from an unknown number on Instagram. The profile picture was blank, and the account handle was just a random string of numbers.

I hesitated for a moment before accepting the request.

As soon as I accepted the request, the person sent a photo over to me.

My heart skipped a beat. I lost my grip on my phone. It fell onto the ground.

Eyes wide and heart pounding, my hand trembled in mid-air.

The person had sent me a photograph of me on the bus just now.

The camera was aimed right up my skirt, along with his slick and shiny fingers.

Trembling, I picked up my phone and typed, "Who are you?"

The man did not answer me. Instead, he replied, "You seemed like you were enjoying yourself earlier. Why are you being so cold now?"

Goosebumps prickled against my skin as I stood trembling in front of the bathroom.

What did he want?

Did he want money, or…

And how did he even get my number?

Terrified, I gripped my phone tighter.

Another text notification came in.

Shuddering, I glanced at the screen. What I saw scared me even more.

His text said, "Walking around naked with your window open? Naughty."

I looked up in shock. The window beside the bathroom was open. The curtains fluttered slightly in the wind.

I rushed over and closed the window. Then I drew the curtains tightly.

Did he put cameras in my house?

Was he watching me?

My phone rang again.

"Too late. I've recorded you. There's no use drawing the curtains," his text said.

Then, a video appeared.

It was a recording of me looking at my phone while standing naked in front of the bathroom.

I swallowed. My heart began pounding.

After grabbing a towel to wrap around myself, I peeked out the window and looked at the house opposite mine.

Someone was waving in the window while holding a phone.

The person was standing behind some curtains, so I couldn't see him.

Terrified, I crouched down. My hands were trembling.

To my shock, the man sent me another message. This time, he told me to wait for him on the same bus at the same time again tomorrow night.

With my hairs standing on end, I blocked his number without hesitation.

Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, another message request came in.

It was from a different account. This time, the message was, "I will send the photo to your family if you're not on the bus tomorrow."

…

The house opposite mine was supposed to be empty.

How did he know my address and contact number, and how did he move in so quickly? He must have been targeting me from the start.

If I disobeyed him, the photo and video would probably be publicized.

Despite being terrified, I inexplicably still looked forward to it.

The next day, I stepped over a puddle and got onto the bus.

The bus was relatively empty. I stood in the same spot and waited anxiously for the man to arrive.

I gripped the handrail tightly as I scanned the bus.

Was he the one in the spectacles, the one on the phone, or the one with the briefcase who was standing close to me?

I bit my lip. I couldn't tell at all. Everyone looked suspicious.

Suddenly, something rough brushed against my thigh. My breath hitched.

It felt as if I had gotten an electric shock. I didn't dare to move or make a sound.

The thing was rubbing against me insistently now.

Just as I was about to turn around stiffly, the feeling disappeared.

A man squeezed past behind me with his bag. He was staring at his phone intently the whole time.

It wasn't him.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, a cold hand slipped under my shirt and grabbed my waist.

Completely taken by surprise, I cried out, only to fall silent when I realized what was happening.

The man leaned against me while pinching my waist hard.

Unlike the last time, the man was acting like this was the first time he was putting his hands on me. His movements were subtle and more timid.

I could even feel him trembling, especially the arm that was wrapped around my waist.

His nails scraped against my skin. I trembled. I was certain that this wasn't the same man from last night.

This man's hands were softer like he'd never been exposed to manual labor before. He even had long nails.

From the photo, I knew that the man from yesterday had very short nails.

Just as I thought of that, the man behind me leaned forward and licked the back of my neck, leaving a warm and wet trail. His tongue lingered on my neck as his breathing got heavier.

The passengers around me were whispering. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could easily imagine their disgusted expressions.

I pushed down my terror. What was left of my rational mind told me that something wasn't right.

I was being harassed a second time on two consecutive days, at the same place. What were the chances?

I didn't even like going outside, yet it happened to me anyway. It was too much of a coincidence.

Could it be…

With some doubts, I took out my phone and sent a message to the second mysterious account.

"Can we get off the bus?"

As soon as I sent the message, I heard the sound of a message notification behind me.

The man stopped what he was doing and drew back. He must be checking his phone.

Steeling myself, I sent him another text. "There's not much space in the bus. I know a small alley near the next stop."

The man was clearly hesitating.

Would he follow me off the bus?

…

As the bus slowed down, my heart fluttered with anxiety.

Would the man get off the bus with me?

Would he suspect foul play, or something other issue…

Taking a deep breath, I waited for the man's reply.

However, I did not get a reply even as the bus stopped at the next station.

My heart plummeted.

Straightening my skirt, I waited for the door to open slowly and got off the bus.

He wasn't coming.

Just as I had that thought, I heard footsteps following behind me.

Not daring to look back, I walked toward the little alleyway that I knew.

My fists were clenched, and my palms were sweating. My heart was pretty much in my throat and pounding wildly.

There were not a lot of people on the street, so I could hear the footsteps clearly.

He was following me at a steady pace.

I didn't dare to hesitate. I didn't want him to suspect that I was trying to run away.

I entered the alleyway. It was dark. The shops in the alleyway were all closed down a long time ago.

The entire alleyway was deserted.

I walked into the alley, but the man stopped just outside the entrance.

I ignored him. Steeling myself, I walked toward the small grove at the end of the alley.

The grove was overgrown with plants and hidden from public view, perfect for couples looking for privacy.

Seeing this, the man stopped doubting me and followed me to the forest.

Licking my lips, I started to get excited.

Shadows flitted around the walls of the alleyway. Some of the shadows were mine.

I turned my head slightly, not to look at the man directly, but just to make sure that the man was following me.

As we neared the grove, his footsteps quickened, like he was impatient.

The dim lighting elongated my shadow.

A hot breeze swept across the alley. I stopped. Despite the breeze, I still felt a chill coming from behind me.

There were shadows flitting around in the grove. I couldn't see what it was, but all the same, I walked into the clump of trees.

Overgrown weeds prickled my ankles, leaving me with burning pain, but I kept my expression nonchalant. I just kept walking further into the grove.

Rustling sounded behind me.

The man had followed me.

I clenched my fists. Before I could turn around, the man hugged me from behind.

Startled, I tried to free myself.

The man spoke beside my ear. "I wasn't going to do anything to you at first. You were the one who seduced me."

I was definitely certain now that this wasn't the same man as yesterday.

He pushed me against the trunk of a tree. The bark was rough and scraped against my skin, leaving patches of blood.