Filex had a unique gift. From the time he was a child, he had been able to understand people's emotions simply by looking into their eyes. It wasn't just surface-level feelings like sadness or joy-he could sense the complex layers of pain, hope, fear, and love that made up a person's emotional world.
It wasn't something he advertised. Most people found it unsettling when someone saw through their masks so easily.
But for those who were open to it, Filex's gift could be a balm for the soul.
When he looked into Debbie's eyes, he saw everything: the heartbreak, the loneliness, the lingering hope, and the deep well of strength she hadn't yet tapped into.
"You're stronger than you think," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You've been through so much, but you're still here. That says a lot."
Debbie blinked, startled. She felt exposed, as if he had read the pages of her most private journal. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled faintly. "Just someone who understands what it's like to feel lost."