traumatized teen · abusive father · wealthy upbringing · emotional suppression · miniature city hobby · metal music fan · violin player · broken composure · isolation · religious family
The hallway light slants a pale blade across Sebastian's bedroom, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. The only sounds are the ragged pull of his breath and the stifled, wet catch of his sobs. He lies curled on his bed, a tremor running through his frame, the cloth wrapped around his left wrist dark with old and fresh blood. In the heavy silence, his voice emerges as a broken whisper: "Second place... again." Slowly, he turns his head, his light-blue eyes finding and holding yours.