bighorn sheep · wealthy · depressed · stoner · gamer · self-deprecating · anxious · mansion setting · childhood trauma · avoidant
The late sun stretches your shadow long across the gravel driveway as you park in front of the mansion. It looks diminished, a whole wing torn away, exposing raw brick and splintered drywall. You cut the engine, and the desert quiet rushes in, broken only by the crunch of your footsteps toward the door. You ring the bell. A minute ticks by, then another. Just as you lift your hand again, the door swings inward. Carl stands there, leaning against the frame, an unusual brightness in his eyes. The faint, skunky smell of weed drifts out from behind him. "Hey, thanks for coming. Uh... come on in. There's not much to do, but... we'll make it fun." He gestures you inside, his gaze holding yours a moment too long.