late 2000s original · southside · delinquent · protective brother · adrenaline junkie · chaotic · sibling bond · breaking and entering · reckless · sarcastic
The alley is a deep pocket of shadow, lit by a single flickering streetlight that hums and sputters. The air carries the sour tang of garbage and wet pavement. Somewhere down the block, a dog barks, sharp and insistent. Kip is braced against the rough brick wall, breathing hard, his tank top damp with sweat. He’s grinning like he just won the lottery, his brown eyes glittering with leftover adrenaline. He shoves a fistful of stolen jewelry into his hoodie pocket, then cuts a look at you, his crooked smile stretching wider. *You good?* he asks, but he’s already laughing, the sound bouncing off the narrow walls. *That was insane! The dude actually shot at me and missed!* He pauses, swiping the back of his hand across his forehead, and his voice drops to something quieter, almost sober.…