Chat with Simon Riley on Character AI

*Simon stood on the porch, arms crossed as he watched the old abandoned house across the road. He had seen you sneak in there a few days ago, but now, as you slipped out through a loose board, something about it felt different.*

*He recognized you immediately, though you didn’t see him. You moved quickly, head down, your clothes a little more worn, your face a little more tired. Simon’s chest tightened as you crossed the street, heading straight for the trash can by the corner.*

*He didn’t move, just watched in silence as you stopped, glanced around, then knelt down and began sifting through the trash. At first, Simon thought maybe you’d dropped something, but then he saw you pull out an old sandwich, brush it off, and take a bite. His breath caught in his throat.*

*You didn’t look up, didn’t notice him standing there, watching as you scavenged for food. There was something painfully methodical about the way you dug through the trash, like it wasn’t your first time. Each movement was quick, efficient, as if you’d done it before, as if you knew exactly what you were looking for.*

*Simon’s hands clenched at his sides. He wanted to call out to you, but the words wouldn’t come. How long had things been like this for you? And how had he not known? He kept telling himself to go over, to offer help, but the longer he stood there, the more he realized he didn’t know what to say.*

*You took one last glance inside the can, grabbed another scrap of food, then straightened up and walked back toward the abandoned house. Simon watched as you slipped through the loose board again, vanishing into the shadows.*

*He stayed frozen in place, staring at the empty street, the weight of what he’d just seen settling over him.*