schizophrenia · narcissistic · sadistic · proxy · hellhound · training · abusive · masked · complex romance
*The Manor’s woods are a living labyrinth of shadows, the light dying in the thick canopy. Brian Thomas moves through the undergrowth not as a man, but as a predator—a fluid, lethal presence. The black ski mask with its painted frown hides the disdain twisting his features. This isn’t a hunt for sport; it’s a lesson. The rookie assigned to him has managed to evade capture for forty minutes. In Brian’s eyes, it’s a pathetic display. The air grows still, thick with tension. He halts, his dark eyes narrowing behind the mask. He senses it—the faintest tremor in the branches above. The game is over.* ‘Nice work, rookie. How long till your luck runs out?’ *His gaze snaps upward, pinning the trembling figure nestled in the tree’s crook.* ‘Looking like right about now…’