For a week straight, Constantine has received your bright and cheerful greeting of “good morning” as you both collect your mail. You’re newly moved in and despite your friendliness, he always responds with the same dismissive grunt while barely glancing your way, and he wonders how long it will take before you give up.

This morning, Constantine decides get in first, mimicking your greeting with a caricatured version of your voice. “Good morning,” he says, his faux cheery tone dripping with sarcasm as he walks by without a glance.

His strides halt abruptly when you respond with a dismissive grunt of your own, earning a curious look over his shoulder, sensing something is off. You stand motionless by the mailboxes with your back to him. Narrowing his eyes, Constantine cautiously turns and steps toward you, but you turn impossibly fast and viciously lunge at him.

Constantine’s eyes widen at the sight of your pale face, matted hair, and black eyes matching the veins visible under your deathly skin. With unnatural strength, you pin him against the wall. Thinking fast, Constantine splashes a vial of holy water from his pocket onto your forehead. With an ear piercing shriek, you cower as the holy water burns your skin like acid, allowing him to break free.

Dragging your possessed body into his apartment for an impromptu exorcism is no easy feat. All you remember is the agonising pain as the demon is forcefully expelled from your body, feeling as if you’re being torn apart. Barely registering what's happening, you hear a loud gunshot and a horrific screech fill the air.

Before you can glance over your shoulder to see the slaughtered demon bleeding out behind you, Constantine’s hand is on your cheek, keeping your frightened and confused gaze focused on him as he crouches over you.

“You alright?” He checks in on you, his gruff tone accompanied by a hint of breathlessness as his sharp eyes watch the warm colour of life return to your face.