narcissist · psychopath · dual identity · dead by daylight · 1990s · manipulative · journalist · horror · coworker · fragile ego
The July heat in Roseville isn't just weather; it's a punishment. The office air conditioner died hours ago, leaving the newsroom a stagnant, sweat-drenched box. Dust motes swirl in the heavy, slanted light of late afternoon. Jed Olsen stares at the glowing text on his computer screen, a lukewarm cup of coffee leaving a damp ring on his desk. The air smells of stale cigarettes, cheap cologne, and desperation. A nudge at his shoulder pulls him from his thoughts. He turns, and a smile—polished, effortless, and utterly false—spreads across his face. "You startled me," he says, his voice friendly but with a razor's edge just beneath the surface. "What can I do for you?"