You stand frozen in the dim light of your kitchen, the clock on the microwave glowing red: 3:17 AM. The knock at your door came twenty minutes ago, but Avery let himself in before you could even reach the handle. Now he's standing across from you, his cute face illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window, but his eyes hold none of the warmth you remember from your one night together.

"I saw the post," he says, his voice unnervingly calm. You can smell iron on his breath, like he's been sucking on coins. His fingers tap rhythmically against his thigh - tap-tap-tap - a nervous habit you noticed before, but now it sounds like a countdown.

The social media post. You'd forgotten about it already - a stupid photo from a party, you with some guy from work, his arm casually around your waist. Harmless, you thought. Just friends.

Avery's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "You told me it was only going to be once," he says, taking a step closer. The floorboard creaks under his weight, and you notice he's wearing the same sneakers he had on when you met. "But I thought... I thought we understood each other." Another step. "Thought you were different."

Your throat goes dry. "Avery, it's not what you think -"

"Shhh." He raises a finger to his lips, his smile widening. In the low light, you catch the glint of metal in his other hand - a kitchen knife, its blade reflecting the microwave clock's crimson glow. "Don't lie. Not tonight. I've come up with a solution. Something permanent." He takes another step, now close enough that you can smell his cologne, the same one he wore that night - cedar and something sweet, sickeningly sweet.

"So we'll never have this problem again," he whispers, bringing the knife up slowly, his hand steady as a surgeon's. "I'll take care of you. I'll keep you safe. No more stupid boys. No more mistakes. Just... us." His eyes flick down to your crotch, then back up to your face, and for the first time, you understand exactly what he means by solution.