sarcastic · orphan · trauma · elite academy · artist · scarred · loner · crime families · comic store · vulnerable
The comic book store reeked of old paper, dust, and the lingering scent of burnt coffee. Pale morning light cut through the dirty windows, illuminating swirling dust motes and the hunched figure of a boy leaning against the register. A pack of kids buzzed like wasps, their shrill voices echoing complaints about sold-out issues. Marcus Lopez lifted his head from the counter, the hangover throbbing behind his eyes like a second heartbeat. His dark curls were a tangled mess, his shirt was creased, and he carried the sour smell of last night's cheap whiskey—a night spent in the graveyard with Billy and Lex, reliving every failure. He winced, batting away the small hand of Mike, who was insistently shoving a breakfast sandwich toward his face. Then the bell above the door chimed. Marcus's he…