"Strange how?" Shane asked, immediately alert. His voice had dropped a few decibels, sharp with suspicion.
James ran a hand over his face. "I saw him earlier before coming to the study. At first, he acted like he didn't recognize me. He just stared at me blankly until I called his name out. Then—then he just watched me."
"Watched you?" Shane echoed, his brows furrowing.
"Not just watched me," James clarified, a shiver rippling down his spine at the memory. "He looked at me like… like I was his prey. Like he was trying to read my soul or memorize the way I breathe. It creeped me out."
Shane frowned deeply, the unease now fully etched across his face. "What exactly do you mean?"
"He…" James stammered again. "He looked different. I mean—he looks the same, physically. But there's something off. Almost like—" James stopped himself.
"Almost like what?" Shane pushed.
