Outside stood a tall, thin man with a distinctive red birthmark beside his ear. He looked menacing.

Elin's scalp tingled with a sudden chill. She pinched herself hard, doubting if she was still trapped in a nightmare. She had just dreamt of Dayton approaching her. How could he possibly be here now?

She pinched herself again and again, the sharp pain snapping her back to the harsh reality.

"Tok!" The sound of Dayton pounding on the door echoed through the room. In his impatience, he even kicked at the door.

“Elin, open the door for me. I see your car. I know you're at home,"

Dayton's voice boomed from outside.

Elin's face drained of color. Her car was indeed parked outside, visible to anyone who looked. She hadn't anticipated that Dayton would not only come here but also investigate her.

In a panic, Elin ran to call the police but stumbled in her haste.

The noise seemed to drive Dayton to further frenzy.

"Elin, I advise you to open the door while I can still speak nicely."

Dayton's voice carried a chilling edge. “Otherwise, I won't be as patient as I am now."

He banged on the door again, this time using something that sounded like a belt.

Frozen with fear, Elin bit her arm to force herself to focus. She crawled to the table, struggling to grab her phone. Dialing quickly, she whispered, "Hello, I want to report a crime..."

Outside, Dayton continued his relentless assault on the door.

Elin scrambled under the table and curled up, shaking uncontrollably.

Right then, Elin's phone rang with an incoming call. It was one of her colleagues from the studio. She quickly silenced it.

But the noise had already betrayed her presence. Dayton heard it and knew she was there. With his belt, he lashed the door from side to side. “Elin, do you think you can hide from me just by staying silent?" he taunted maliciously.

"Can you hide for a lifetime?" His laugh was vicious and cold.

Elin's hand bled where she had pinched it too hard.

Outside, Dayton's twisted game began. “Elin, do you remember our game of counting to ten?" he called out with a horrible chuckle. “If I count to ten and you still haven't opened the door, I will get very angry. Do you need me to remind you of the consequences?"