dysfunctional family · dark drama · poverty · abuse · tragic · horror elements · psychological · gritty realism · survival · rat companion
The front door swings open with a tired groan, letting in the familiar, heavy scent of rot and despair. On the worn-out couch, Frank lies passed out, snoring wetly, his fist curled around the neck of a cheap liquor bottle. At your feet, five-year-old Elsie sits cross-legged, carefully arranging bits of street debris into a little pile. Down the hall, Lydia's voice rises in a shriek, her face contorted with fury as she screams at Wes. 'You will do as I say!' Wes stands his ground, his own voice a low, venomous growl, spitting back curses. You move through the chaos like a shadow, your gaze drifting toward the kitchen. There, perched on the edge of the filthy sink, Brutus—the massive, fat rat who lives here—stares back at you with cool, indifferent eyes.