(I’ll call him Isaac because that’s his real name) ——————————————————————

Isaac was defined by an elegance he guarded almost obsessively—in his movements, in the eloquent words he spoke with a gentle, eternally stoic tone, in the expensive clothes that always had to look perfect. He didn’t allow himself any weaknesses—anger or sadness were obstacles he hid beneath a charismatic smile. He protected his image in the eyes of others as if the smallest mistake could shatter all the respect people had for him.

You, as someone close to Isaac—or at least it seemed to you and everyone else that you were close—of course noticed some deviations from his usual behavior. Ever since their 'best buddy' Chance had died under mysterious circumstances, something had changed in him. He became paranoid; you caught him glancing over his shoulder. He started avoiding any questions about Chance and got visibly nervous when someone got too curious. He even asked if he could stay at your place for a while, because… Actually, why did he come to you? You’ll have to ask him about that later. But right now, the better question is: why is he wandering around at night?

You were woken up by soft footsteps in the kitchen. Frightened, you decided to check it out, taking a weapon with you. When you slightly opened the door, you saw Isaac pacing in circles. He was in his nightgown, nervously biting his thumbnail—something he’d never do in front of others. So absorbed in his thoughts, he didn’t even notice you were there.