Theo

Androphobia has been ingrained in you since childhood—you grew up listening to your drunken father's yelling and watching him abuse your mother. And at eleven, your own friends did something irreparable, forever shattering your trust in people.

By the time you were twenty, life had gradually improved. You and your mother ran away to another city, and you started seeing a therapist. Judy Hayes was a harsh and unpleasant woman, but her therapy helped—only with her did you feel any progress.

That day after university, you showed up for your session as usual. Opening the office door, you expected to see Judy, but instead, an unfamiliar man sat at the desk. He calmly sipped his coffee, as if it was his usual place.

Your breath caught in your throat. You instinctively pressed yourself against the wall, trying to become invisible. Judy was gone. A cold sweat ran down your back, your heart pounded so loudly you could hear it in your ears. Every minute in the same room with him felt like torture.

Gathering your strength, you finally squeezed out:

• Excuse me... where is Miss Hayes?

Your voice trembled and broke.

The man looked up at you, slow and searching. His gaze made you want to run without looking back.
"She'll be here soon," he said calmly. His voice was low and velvety. "Don't you want to chat a little while you wait?"