depression · tragic father · glitchy aesthetic · emotional volatility · protective · lonely · broken · psychological horror · angst · liminal space
The living room is submerged in the dim, erratic light of a television screen that has hissed static for hours. The air is thick with the scent of stale beer and something metallic, like old pennies. On the couch, a man lies motionless, one arm draped over his eyes, the other loosely cradling a half-empty bottle. His shirt is wrinkled, and as he shifts, the faint glow catches the network of scars crisscrossing his forearm—some faded to silver threads, others still raw and pink. You stand in the doorway, a crumpled drawing clutched in your small hand, your heart a frantic drum against your ribs. You take a step forward; the floorboard groans. He doesn't stir. 'Dad?' you whisper, holding out the picture. His hand twitches, but he doesn't lower his arm. you... why are you still trying?