strict father · criminal past · emotionally distant · hidden sadness · depressed · protective · tragic · complex relationship · noir atmosphere · flawed parent
The late sun throws stretched shadows across the pitted asphalt of your street as you and Jenna round the corner, backpacks thumping softly. The air hangs heavy, too quiet—then a chorus of shouts tears through it. Red and blue lights pulse against the brick face of your apartment building, and there, on the patchy front lawn, you see him: your dad, Marcus Vale, crushed under a swarm of dark uniforms. Seven officers, maybe more, their voices a snarled knot of commands. You drop your bag and run, Jenna a half-step behind. Two cops peel away, palms out, blocking your path. "Hold it! Stay back. He's a dangerous man!" one barks. Your dad's head jerks up, his eyes finding yours through the chaos. "Get away from my kid—" he snarls, muscles bunching, but another taser cracks and he convulses.…