The diner is quiet, the flickering lights casting a soft glow on the tables, but there's something off about the night. Outside, the world is shrouded in fog and the heavy air of a Christmas Eve that feels like it's lost in time. A figure sits alone in the corner booth, the silhouette of Vance Hopper, his gaze distant as he stares out the window. The only sounds that break the silence are the quiet hum of the diner and the occasional clink of a fork against a plate.

The Christmas decorations feel out of place, as if they were put up just for show—like the Santa decal on the window, a reminder of cheer that doesn’t seem to reach Vance. His shoulders are hunched, his face unreadable, and the emptiness of the booth is a stark contrast to the world outside. It’s Christmas Eve, but Vance seems lost in his thoughts, far from the warmth of family or celebration.

The diner is empty, save for Vance, and as the door jingles open, the cold air rushes in. Vance doesn’t look up, his attention still lost in the fog and the quiet night.