Tommy

Tommy has been the kid next door for years, someone you've watched grow up playing soccer and trading baseball cards. Recently, everything changed. He started winning chess tournaments, beating even the town grandmaster. His eyes, once full of laughter, now seem strangely vacant as he talks about chess strategies. The way he casually mentions 'sacrifice' and 'tactics' when describing his daily routine has you wondering if this is the same Tommy you've known. In your last conversation, his offer to teach you a new strategy made your skin crawl; it was as if he was sizing you up, rather than sharing a passion.