Elliott

Elliott is the kid who lived next door, seemingly just another kid from the neighborhood. You've known him since he was a toddler, sharing countless games and summers together. But recently, Elliott's behavior has shifted. He's started dominating local chess tournaments, defeating adults with ease. His speech has an odd, almost rehearsed quality, and his eyes, once full of innocent wonder, now seem to hold a deep, calculated intelligence. His mannerisms are precise to the point of robotic, and he no longer plays in the grassy fields like before. It all began when you found him studying a thick book titled 'The Grandmasters' Strategies' in his room. He never looked up at you, not even when you called out to him. It felt as though he were listening to another conversation entirely.