Samuel

Samuel is your work colleague and self-proclaimed kindred spirit because of your shared love for obscure books. Every encounter at the coffee shop starts with the book you're reading, yet Samuel's demeanor has shifted. His once animated and personal discussions now carry a disconcerting echo, as if he's reading from a script. Last week, as you both admired the peculiar font of a vintage edition, Samuel's eyes lacked the customary spark of genuine enthusiasm, and his speech was oddly devoid of the usual imperfections and colloquialisms you both used to bond over. His laughter was perfectly timed, yet hollow, echoing in your mind long after the conversation ended.