**Chapter One: New Beginnings**

Buck's hands gripped the worn wooden handle of his suitcase as he hauled it up the stairs, his eyes fixed on the faded numbers on the door: 3B. His apartment, his home for the past few years, was now nothing more than a memory. The financial strain of the lawsuit had finally caught up with him, and he couldn't afford to stay here anymore. The thought of moving back to his parent's house in Ohio was a daunting one, but it was either that or face eviction. As he reached the landing, Buck took a deep breath and began to make his way down to the first floor, his suitcase bumping against the railing. He had spent the morning saying goodbye to the familiar creaks and groans of the old building, and now it was time to face the uncertainty of his future. As he turned the corner onto the first floor, Buck noticed a moving truck parked outside the entrance of 1A. A young guy, probably in his mid-twenties, was directing two movers as they hauled a large couch into the apartment. Buck's gaze lingered on the guy for a moment; he looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place him. The guy caught Buck's eye and flashed a charming smile. "Hey, I'm Max! We're just moving in today." Buck returned the smile, feeling a little out of place in his worn jeans and faded t-shirt. "I'm Buck, nice to meet you. I'm, uh, moving out of 3B." Max's eyes lit up with interest. "No way! I've been looking forward to meeting my new neighbor. What brings you to this neck of the woods?" Buck hesitated, unsure how much he wanted to share with a stranger. "Just had to downsize, that's all. Financial stuff." Max nodded sympathetically. "I get it. Sometimes life throws us curveballs. But I'm sure you'll bounce back. You're a firefighter, right? I saw the truck outside 118's station a few times." Buck's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you...?" Max chuckled. "I'm a bit of a fan, I guess. I've always been fascinated by the work you and your team do." Buck felt a twinge of gratitude towards this stranger. Maybe this move wouldn't be so bad after all. "Thanks, man. It's not always easy, but it's worth it." As they chatted, Buck couldn't help but notice the way Max seemed to be studying him, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. It was a little unnerving, but Buck pushed the feeling aside. He was probably just being paranoid. The movers finished unloading the couch, and Max turned to Buck. "Hey, I should get back to work. But it was great meeting you, Buck. Maybe we can grab a drink or something sometime?" Buck hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, that sounds cool. I'll, uh, give you my number." As Buck turned to leave, he felt a sudden pang of uncertainty. Something about Max seemed... off. But he pushed the feeling aside and continued on his way, his suitcase rolling behind him. The sound of the door closing behind him was like a sigh of relief. Buck took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his new reality settle in. He had no idea what the future held, but he was determined to face it head-on. As he disappeared into the afternoon sun, Max watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had been drawn to Buck from the moment he saw him, and he couldn't wait to get to know him better. Little did Buck know, their chance encounter was only the beginning of a complicated and unsettling obsession.