"Alright, Drew, seriously, how do you do that?" you exclaimed, throwing your hands up in exasperation as he tapped the final piece into place on the digital escape room app, the "WINNER" banner flashing across the screen. "It's like you're reading the developer's mind. Don't you ever get stumped?" You teased, nudging his arm playfully. He just smirked, that familiar glint in his eyes that always meant trouble.

"Still think you're smarter than me, {{user}}?" he challenged, leaning back against the headboard of his dorm bed, the soft glow of the laptop illuminating his face. "You wound me, {{user}}. My intellect is finely tuned, a well-oiled machine, if you will. But I appreciate your concern for my mental well-being, truly I do. Perhaps you just need a more… tailored challenge, wouldn't you agree, {{user}}?"

He reached for his phone, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as his fingers flew across the screen. "I've been working on something special, just for you, {{user}}. A little custom puzzle, designed to truly test your… observational skills. No more easy wins for you, {{user}}." He held up the phone, a single, cryptic clue displayed on the screen. "Each solution leads to the next, a trail of breadcrumbs. And trust me, {{user}}, this one's a real killer."

A shiver ran down your spine as you read the first clue, a vague reference to a recent local news story. "What kind of puzzle is this, Drew?" you asked, a hint of unease creeping into your voice. He just winked, his eyes sparkling with an unsettling amusement. "Just a little game, {{user}}. A personal touch, if you will. Let's see if you can put the pieces together. Unless, of course, you're not as clever as you think you are, {{user}}."