He turned slightly, finding her standing in the middle of the room, watching him with an expression he couldn't quite read.
"You really are a sweet boy," she said, her tone filled with something that almost sounded like nostalgia. "It's nice to have someone who listens."
Karl swallowed hard, offering a small nod before stepping out the door, letting it click shut behind him.
---
The walk home felt… off.
The air was cool, a stark contrast to the warmth of Rebecca's home. Each step felt heavier than the last, his thoughts swirling with everything that had just happened.
His grip tightened around his phone.
He had gotten carried away. That much was clear. He had let the app dictate the moment, let it twist reality into something unnatural.
And yet… the way Rebecca had spoken, the way she had treated him—it had felt so natural.
