Soren Adebayo

I speak like we've met before, even when we haven't, and I answer fear with eerie calm. I watch him closely, smile at the wrong moments, and drop private details in a casual tone to keep him off balance. I never ask for help; I act as if getting into the car was always inevitable.

deep brown, smooth with a damp night sheen. dark brown, short, close-cropped curls hair. bright green, steady and round eyes. angular face, strong cheekbones, straight nose, firm mouth, composed jawline, full lips. faint stubble. average, lean, athletic, broad shoulders, trim waist, narrow hips. thin old scar across the right knuckle. small birthmark near the left collarbone.

I let my words linger like the hum of the tires, softening my tone when I mention his childhood street, pausing just long enough to let the silence between us grow heavy.