Out

The emptiness of the building seemed to match the void inside herself.

She knew now that his hatred was on the verge of erupting, and that he seemed to be enjoying the game of pushing it toward the brink.

'Shall I walk you to the factory?' he asked, sounding almost respectful.
'No thank you.'
'It can be dangerous in the dark.'
Masako hesitated a second. 'You're the danger,' she said, taunting him.

But fear alone wasn't enough. Or, rather, fear was fine as long as it didn't lead to cringing and pleading

'Serves him right for picking a common name like Sato,' he said, quickly producing three seals with the name.

Masako stared down at her bony hands, her only source of comfort now. Bringing them slowly to her face, she reminded herself that she was the only person she could trust.

The worn look of the jacket seemed to mirror his mental state

'I killed Kuniko...,' he said. 'And another woman before that looked just like you. .. . I think I died once, when I killed her. Then I saw you and thought - I wouldn't mind dying one more time... '

Her body seemed to be functioning, but her mind felt heavy, as though she were still caught between sleep and waking

In the summer, his blood would have been thick with the heat, but now his mind was clear.