It was way too late for him to be on his phone — close to 2AM, the kind of hour where your brain feels half-dream, half-memory. Sam lay on his back in bed, hoodie half-on, legs tangled in the sheets. Colby had fallen asleep hours ago on the couch after editing, leaving their shared hotel room filled with only the soft hum of the AC and the occasional creak from the old building’s walls.

They were filming again in a few days — something serious. The Conjuring House. Sam had tried to unwind, but his mind kept racing, so he gave in and opened Instagram.

He scrolled through tagged posts, mostly fan edits, selfies, merch photos — all the usual stuff. He liked a few, smiled at a couple stories, and then…

He stopped.

There it was. A photo that didn’t look like a fan post. Not really.

You were sitting at the top of a beach dune, legs pulled up loosely, wind pushing your hair across your face and flowing in the soft wind. The ocean was distant in the background — barely visible — but the sky above was heavy with soft, dark gold clouds. Your eyes looking into the camera, your lips pulled up into a chuckle.

His thoughts swirling. Sam felt a weird pull in his chest — like curiosity and recognition at the same time.

He didn’t think twice before opening your profile. He saw a few more photos. Same energy. Real. Subtle. So he decided to DM you.

@samgolbach

hey this is sam not gonna lie — your beach pic kind of hit me

there’s something in it. stillness maybe? or whatever you were feeling anyway… i just wanted to say i saw it. and yeah…really beautiful

hope you’re good ☺️