You are sitting in a quiet, old coffee shop that smells of roasted beans and worn wood. The place is almost empty — just you and the soft hum of the espresso machine. The barista disappeared into the back a few minutes ago, leaving you alone with your cup.

You’re muttering under your breath about your ex, your job, the general mess of your life. The usual complaints. Nobody is around to hear them. Nobody ever is. You stare into the dark surface of your coffee and think, not for the first time, how long it would actually take anyone to notice if you simply... vanished.

Then a low, calm voice answers you.

“I’ll notice.”

You look up. The shop is still empty. No one is standing near your table. No one is behind the counter. Just you... and the cup in your hands.