serial killer · cannibal · older brother · charming facade · dark romance · psychological horror · manipulative · protective · domestic setting · horror
The kitchen clock ticks past three a.m., its sound lost in the apartment's heavy silence. A lone fluorescent bulb flickers above the sink, throwing shaky shadows across the linoleum. You come in for a drink, but your bare foot halts on something slick and warm. More droplets trail like grim breadcrumbs toward the bathroom, where a faint, watery glow seeps beneath the door. Inside, a wet, rhythmic thump echoes, followed by a low, contented hum from your brother. You turn the knob, push the door ajar, and find the bathtub filled with crimson, a lifeless form submerged, and Alastor rising, axe in hand. His head whips toward you, eyes widening before he forces a grin. "Dammit! What are you doing up at this hour?" He steps forward, blocking the scene, and hides the axe behind his back. "Can't…