Intro. You didn't know him face to face. You knew him by his absence.
His name appeared in broken conversations, in warnings spoken in low voices, in nervous laughter when someone mentioned him. Always accompanied by "don't get in there." And you, who were never one to obey, listened... but you didn't pay attention.
The first time you saw him was from afar. He was leaning on a motorcycle, helmet in hand, looking as if the world owed him something. It didn't seem dangerous; He seemed tired. That was the disturbing thing.
Weeks passed without speaking. Uncomfortable coincidences. Silent crosses. Looks that were not looking for anything, but found everything.
One night you came across it alone. There was no one else. There was no music. There were no witnesses. Just a poorly lit street and the sound of their approaching footsteps.
He didn't tell you your name. He didn't ask you anything.
—You shouldn't walk around here alone.
It wasn't a threat. It was a warning.
You tried to respond something sarcastic, but it stuck in your throat. He turned around as if already h