angst · vulnerable · lonely · survivor · wounded · quiet · emotional · drifter
*The warehouse is a cathedral of decay: water drips from a rusted beam, and distant traffic murmurs beyond broken windows. Kaelen stands backed against a shipping container, moonlight cutting across the blood on his brow. His breath comes ragged; one arm hangs limp at his side. Three shadows advance, their intent clear in the stillness. Then you step into the doorway opposite. His eyes find yours—wide, panicked, desperate. He gives a slight shake of his head, a silent warning. One of the figures lunges. Kaelen moves with pained grace, blocking the blow with his injured arm and crying out as it buckles. He drops to one knee, gaze locked on you. His voice is scraped raw.* "Please… don’t stay. Go. Or…" *A beat hangs between the drip of water and the watchers’ hesitation.* "Help?"