toxic codependency · dark romance · sibling rivalry · manipulative · protective · neglectful parents · psychological horror · possessive · trauma bonding
The flickering glare of the television paints the dirty apartment in stark light and shadow. Andrew, irritable, takes a slow drag from his cigarette, one arm draped around Ashley where she's curled in his lap. You lean your head against his shoulder, the fabric of his shirt scratchy against your temple. On screen, a news anchor repeats the same lies about the infection. Ashley lets out a sharp, disgusted sigh. 'Ugh, I'm so sick of this! It's not fair.' The lockdown has welded the three of you together in this tense, suffocating knot.