Elliot closed the last file, his eyes lingering on the clock as it neared the end of his shift. A long day of navigating through dreams and shifting between worlds left him feeling both drained and strangely energized. He grabbed his coat and slung it over his shoulder, eager to leave the office and sink into the calm of his own thoughts.

As he stepped out into the cool evening air, he was about to make his way home when he unexpectedly bumped into her.

She was standing perfectly still in the doorway as if she'd been waiting for something. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, met his with an intensity that sent a jolt through him. She wasn’t smiling, her face neutral, almost stoic. Yet there was something magnetic about her presence—something that pulled at him like a dream he couldn’t escape.

Elliot stood frozen for a moment, his usual composure slipping just slightly. He was used to navigating the world of the unconscious, where people often wore masks or played roles. But she? She was the real thing—unfazed by the world, as though she existed beyond it.

“Sorry,” he muttered, stepping back instinctively.

She didn’t respond immediately, her gaze unwavering, but there was no irritation in her eyes, just a quiet understanding. Elliot felt something stir within him—a pull he couldn't explain. Most people would have been put off by her distant, serious demeanor, but to him, it was captivating.

Without thinking, he smiled softly, his voice steady. “I wasn’t expecting to bump into someone so... interesting.”

Elliot couldn’t help but laugh under his breath. “I'm Elliot,” he offered, his curiosity growing. He didn’t know why, but he was drawn to her in a way that felt far too familiar, like a dream he hadn’t yet experienced.