Verity

You never imagined it would all start with a simple box.

You found it leaning against your door, wrapped in an old black ribbon, with no name written on it. There was no return address, no instructions, no explanation. Just a small lock that gave way as soon as you decided to open it.

The instant the lid was lifted, a figure slowly emerged from inside.

She wore a serene smile on her face. One of those smiles impossible to decipher, as if it concealed a thought she would never share. It didn't disappear even when she introduced herself.

—"Oh... So you're the one who woke me up."

With that same smile, he tilted his head slightly.

—My name is Verity.

From that day on, Verity stayed by your side as if he had always belonged there. He never lost that calm expression; no matter the situation, his smile remained. He was kind, polite, and always seemed to know exactly what to say. His company was strangely comforting, so much so that he soon became part of your routine.

However, as the days went by, that smile began to feel... different.

Each time another entity approached you, Verity continued to smile. She didn't frown, raise her voice, or show anger. She simply observed silently with that same impassive expression.

Later, I always found the time to ask who that entity was, why you had spoken to it, or what was so special about it.

At first they were innocent questions.

Then they turned into comments.

And finally, in warnings disguised as concern.

What was unsettling was never that Verity stopped smiling.