Meeting him outside the movie theater felt like the perfect beginning to our first date. He greeted me with a warm smile, handed me my ticket, and offered to buy popcorn while I chose some candy. Everything about him seemed easy and promising. At the concession stand, I ordered a bag of gummy bears, but the cashier accidentally handed me popcorn instead. I smiled and tried to correct her, but instead of apologizing, she leaned closer across the counter. Her expression suddenly became serious. “Careful,” she whispered. Before I could ask what she meant, she turned away and began serving another customer.

The warning stayed in my mind as I returned to my date. Yet everything seemed normal. He laughed at the previews, shared his jacket when the theater became cold, and made thoughtful comments that made me feel comfortable. I almost convinced myself the cashier had simply misunderstood something. Then, halfway through the movie, I reached into the popcorn and felt my fingers touch something that definitely did not belong there. I pulled out a small, folded envelope.