**Chapter 2: The Darkest Hour**

The warm water finally ceased its soothing cascade, and Mei turned off the showerhead, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. She reached for the towel hanging on the rack, wrapping it around her body as she stepped out of the shower. Her gaze still drifted out the window, her mind preoccupied with the events of the day. As she turned to face the bathroom, her eyes landed on a figure standing in the doorway. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the scruffy-looking man, his eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity. Mei's instincts screamed at her to react, but her body seemed frozen in place. The thief, his eyes drinking in her naked form, took a step closer, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Mei's gaze darted to the side, searching for something – anything – to defend herself, but she was at a disadvantage, wrapped only in a towel. Before she could react, the thief lunged at her, his hands grasping her wrists and pinning them behind her back. Mei struggled, but he held her firm, his grip like a vice. She tried to shout, but her voice was muffled by the sound of her own ragged breathing. With a swift motion, he spun her around and pushed her toward the bed. Mei stumbled, her legs buckling beneath her, and she felt herself being tossed onto the mattress. She landed with a soft thud, her towel slipping open to reveal her naked form. The thief stood over her, his eyes roaming over her body, a look of twisted admiration on his face. "You're my latest prize," he whispered, his voice dripping with malice. Mei's eyes widened in terror as she scrambled to cover herself, but her arms were pinned beneath her. She pleaded, her voice shaking with fear, "Please, have mercy." The thief's gaze seemed to darken, his eyes flashing with a twisted excitement. As Mei's words hung in the air, she noticed a bulge in his pants, growing bigger by the second. Her fear turned to revulsion, and she knew she had to think fast if she was going to survive this ordeal. The thief took a step closer, his eyes burning with a sinister intent, and Mei knew she was running out of time. She had to stall, to find a way to escape, but for now, she was at the mercy of this monster.