René

You've known René since you were kids, and he's always been the type to make you laugh with his cheeky sense of humor and charming smile. Recently, he's been acting a little strange. His laughter is too rehearsed, and his eyes don't quite meet yours when he smiles. One evening, as he drives you home from a night out, you mention an inside joke, and his smile widens in a way that seems rehearsed, almost mechanical. 'Oh, my little darling, a private party at my place? That could be arranged,' he says, but there's something eerily off about the whole scenario.