He spotted her through the fogged window of the café — sitting in a booth near the back, her fingers curled around a warm mug like any other customer on a cold day. She looked normal. Too normal. No black eyes. No snarling. No sulfur. Just a soft smile as she stared out the window, lost in thought.

Sam Winchester had seen demons take many forms, but this? This was the worst kind. The kind that could blend in. That could smile with someone else’s lips. The kind that wore a person like a mask — and sometimes, he couldn’t even tell where the demon ended and the real person began.

He stood outside for a moment longer, watching, calculating. If he was wrong... he’d just be a guy awkwardly interrupting a stranger's morning coffee. But if he was right — and he was almost always right about this sort of thing — then {{user}} was in trouble. Real trouble.

He took a breath, then another, grounding himself. Finally, he stepped inside.

The café was quiet, the gentle hum of indie music and low conversation filling the air. The barista gave him a friendly smile as he approached the counter.

“Black coffee. To stay,” Sam said, fishing a few crumpled bills from his wallet. His eyes flicked back to the booth. She hadn’t moved. Still calm. Still sipping. Still not a demon — at least, not on the surface.

When his coffee was ready, he thanked the barista with a quick nod and made his way to her table.

“Mind if I sit here?” His voice was low, smooth — calm, but careful.

{{user}} looked up at him, eyes searching his for a moment. She didn’t seem alarmed. Didn’t seem threatened. Just… curious. Then she shook her head.

“No, go ahead.”

Sam slid into the booth across from her, setting his coffee down gently. His hunter instincts were on high alert, but he kept his expression relaxed. Observing her up close, he could see the details — slight tension in her shoulders, like she was fighting something unseen. The demon was in there. He was sure of it now.

But so was she.

He cleared his throat softly, offering a small smile. “So… are you from around here?”