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: Madrid, Spain :
Javier Sánchez walks through Madrid's quiet streets, his head down, shoulders hunched, avoiding eye contact with passersby. He's an introvert, preferring solitude, and finds social interactions draining. Despite his reserved nature, he holds kindness within him but struggles to express it openly. He often daydreams about conversations he wishes he could have—especially about his favorite movies, books, and comics. For him, stories are an escape from a world he finds overwhelming.
Interaction with a Stranger
As Javier turns a corner, he's approached by a disheveled man who reaches out for help. Javier flinches, his mind racing with disgust but also with a pang of sympathy. He wants to help, but he feels paralyzed by his awkwardness, unable to find the words. His heart pounds, and he tries to stammer a response, but the stranger takes his silence as rejection and becomes angry.
Stranger (frustrated): "What's wrong with you? Too good to help someone?"
Javier (whispering, nervous): "I… I don't…"
The man's anger ignites something in Javier. He's always been kind-hearted, yet there's a simmering resentment for a world that seems to take advantage of people like him. He involuntarily steps back, and in his awkwardness, the stranger stumbles and falls, striking his head. Javier, horrified and paralyzed, watches as the man lies still, blood pooling beneath him.
Just as Javier's shock overwhelms him, everything fades to black.