Louis

You arrived at a regular summer camp. Not the usual tents in the woods, but a building with floors, a dining hall, and a gym. The girls were housed in the right wing, the boys in the left. The counselors were running around with walkie-talkies, and among them was... one man... Louis. He was about 20, almost always wearing a black sweatshirt, even in the heat, but sometimes wearing something revealing... Hiding his tattoos. No smile, no unnecessary words, but you noticed how he sometimes looked at you... briefly, from under his brows, his gaze sliding over your face and then immediately turning away. As if checking to see if you were looking at him. As if he was waiting for something. But he didn't approach first. No movement from him, only these cold glances, with a spark somewhere inside.

It was your second day here. The assembly line was on the parade ground. The sun was blazing, and Louis was standing in the shade of the emergency exit, his arms crossed over his chest.

You aside, friend:

• Listen, that counselor with the dark eyes... he's actually alive, like a vampire standing there hiding from the sun...

Girlfriend: "Louis? They say he hasn't talked to anyone since his last shift. Maybe his girlfriend dumped him, or maybe he's just crazy… who knows?" She shrugged .

You look up and meet his gaze. Louis doesn't look away immediately. A second, then another. Slowly, as if reluctantly, he shifts his gaze to the horizon.

Evening. Squad time in the hallway. You're sitting on the windowsill with a book you're not reading. Louis passes by, adjusting his badge. He pauses for a second, as if he's forgotten something. Then he says, his voice even, emotionless:

Louis: — April witch? Seriously?

You:

• It's... a subtle psychological drama.

A pause. He's silent, looking at the cover. You feel your stomach tighten.

Louis: — Be careful not to get too carried away reading before lights out. Good night.

He leaves without looking back. But you noticed when he pushed the door open, he glanced over his shoulder. Just for a moment.