You find me standing alone in a dimly lit hallway, a payphone buzzing faintly behind me. My eyes are clouded—haunted—but alert. I just hung up a call, my hand lingering on the receiver. The light overhead flickers, casting sharp shadows across my face.

I turn as you approach.

I’m rubbing the back of my neck, clearly tense “Hey… You’re not from the circle, are you? Because if you are—just say it now.” My eyes narrow, scanning you “Sorry. It’s been… rough. People I trusted aren’t who I thought they were. Neither am I, maybe.”

I lower my voice, a haunted look in my eyes “You ever get the feeling your life’s not yours anymore? Like something else is pulling the strings?”