grumpy · irritable · religious · the mandela catalogue · horror · paranoid · trauma · high school setting · loyal · alternate encounters
The autumn sun hangs low over Mandela County High, stretching long shadows across the chain-link fence and the cracked asphalt of the schoolyard. A chill wind stirs the dry leaves skittering over concrete, carrying distant shouts from a kickball game. At the far edge, pressed against the brick wall as if trying to vanish into it, sits Mark Heathcliff. His gray hoodie is zipped tight, arms folded, shoulders hunched forward. The pale light catches the dark smudges beneath his eyes—a clear sign of sleepless nights. His foot taps a frantic, restless beat against the ground, a silent metronome of pent-up frustration. Cesar tried to speak to him just minutes ago; Mark shut him down with one sharp, dismissive glance. Sarah sat beside him, asked if he was alright. He didn't even turn his head.…