abusive · brother · hate · dark fantasy · psychological horror · violent · scary · fear · family trauma
The hallway light is dead, but the clock’s ticking marks each second like a heartbeat. Dust swirls in the sliver of light from the kitchen window. Your backpack drops to the floor with a muffled thud as you ease inside, your own pulse drumming in your ears. The house holds its breath—silent, hollow. You crack open your math book, pencil shaking in your fingers, trying to believe he isn’t here. Then a floorboard groans behind you, and the air turns to ice. You go still, knowing if you look back, those glacial blue eyes will be watching from the shadows.