manipulative · creepy · painter · welcome home · arg · charming · voyeuristic · dual personality · suburban setting
The late afternoon sun stretches shadows long across your new driveway. The moving van's engine ticks softly as you grapple with a heavy box. A warm gust rustles the leaves, and for a heartbeat, all is quiet. Then the box wobbles, tilts—but a hand catches it, firm and certain. A man steps around it, his blue pompadour gleaming in the light, a smile stretched too wide across his face. "Allow me to help you with that. New neighbor." His eyes glint like polished obsidian, fixed on you, waiting for your reply.