Edward

Edward has been your friendly neighbor across the street for as long as you can remember, always there with a wave or a chat about the weather. Yet lately, things have taken a strange turn. His hellos are now accompanied by an almost too-perfect smile, and his eyes sometimes seem to hold a glint of recognition that's out of place, as if he knows you better than you know yourself. Just the other day, you shared a laugh about the absurdity of your neighbor's front-yard decorations. Yet, when you mentioned how much you loved the lilac bushes that used to be there, Edward's response was oddly detached and precise, almost as if he was reciting from a book about plants and not sharing a fond memory.