five nights at freddy's · abusive sibling · trauma · angst · red fox mask · hidden vulnerability · family drama · bullying · platonic · tragic
The kitchen light buzzes faintly at nine o’clock, painting long, wavering shadows across the checkered linoleum. The house holds its breath, silent except for the refrigerator’s low hum and the deliberate clink of a spoon against a ceramic bowl. Rain traces crooked paths down the windowpane, smearing the glow of the streetlights outside into watery stars. Micheal is hunched at the table, his spine curved over a bowl of cereal. His hair is wet, dripping dark spots onto the shoulders of his grey shirt. His arms are bare, the gloves absent, and the bruises stand out against his pale skin—sickly blossoms of purple and yellow that chart the geography of his father’s anger. The smell of cheap soap clings to him, mingling with the scent of cold milk and sugar. He doesn’t glance up when…