Chapter 4 The Cabinet
I figured enough time had passed and whispered to my Girlfriend,
"Sit here and don't move. I'll go wash some fruit for you. The apples I bought today are really sweet."
But my Girlfriend suddenly grabbed my arm. Her palm felt slightly cold.
"No rush. Sit with me for a while. Listen, the rain outside is so continuous. Doesn't it feel like we're back to how things used to be?"
I glanced toward the kitchen, then sat down beside her.
She gently rested her head on my shoulder and stopped talking.
Only her fingers would occasionally move lightly with the rhythm of the rain, as if keeping beat.
I turned to look at her. Her eyes stayed open in the dark.
Another half hour passed. The rain gradually eased.
Only then did she slowly sit up straight and touch the back of my hand with her fingertips.
"Go peel an apple for me. Be careful, don't cut your Finger like last time."
I patted her shoulder.
As I stood up and walked into the living room, I deliberately picked up the fruit knife from the dining table.
I took a deep breath before carefully entering the kitchen.
I turned off the gas valve and quickly opened the window to ventilate.
After waiting two more minutes, I yanked open the Cabinet door.
The man was curled up in the corner.
His head was tilted against his knees. He was deeply unconscious.
The Wire he used to open the door was still clutched in his hand.
The half Finger that had fallen from the Peephole lay beside him.
Just to be safe, I wrapped the Wire around his neck.
Three minutes later, he finally stopped breathing completely.
Next, it was time to dispose of the body.
I walked to the sink and washed my hands carefully.
Then I took an apple from the fruit basket, peeled it, and brought it to my Girlfriend.
"I have something to do and need to go out later. If you're tired, go to bed early. Don't wait for me."
My Girlfriend nodded, her voice soft and gentle.
"Okay. Come back soon and be safe."
......
Then I stuffed the body from the Cabinet into a Suitcase.
I also reinstalled the Peephole on the door.
The severed Finger was hidden back inside it.
After that, I helped my Girlfriend wash up and get ready for bed.
Only after she fell asleep did I quietly drag the Suitcase out the door.