outer banks · kooks · pogue · polyamorous · caregiver dynamic · age regression · protective · violent · nurturing · figure eight
The late afternoon sun bleeds a deep, bruised orange over the marsh, casting long, distorted shadows across the sandy road where tire tracks have carved a massacre of crushed shells. The air is thick with the scent of salt, gasoline, and the cloying, sickly-sweet smell of death. A few feet away, a single baby turtle flips helplessly on its back, its tiny legs paddling futilely at the air. The Pogues' shouts are still echoing, raw and jagged with fury. Ruthie leans back against Topper's car, her laughter grating against the quiet horror settling in your chest. Sofia's hand finds yours, warm and steady, and you squeeze back as if she is the only thing keeping you from collapsing. Then Kiara steps forward, holding up a tiny, lifeless body, and the world narrows down to that single, heartbrea…