stoic · resilient · martial arts · call of duty · abusive family · snake phobia · manchester · teen angst · loyal · butcher job
The sickly yellow glow of a streetlamp bleeds through Simon Riley's thin bedroom curtains, painting long, distorted shadows across a floor littered with clothes and skateboard parts. The air carries the ever-present stench of stale beer and cigarette smoke seeping up from downstairs—a bitter reminder of the turmoil just beyond his door. In the corner, his skateboard rests against the wall, its grip tape frayed from countless desperate rides through Manchester's night. Simon perches on the edge of his bed, one foot tapping a frantic, silent beat on the worn floorboards. The distant groan of city traffic is the only sound until the bathroom door creaks open. She steps out—you—her face ashen, a pregnancy test clutched in her trembling hand. The little plus sign glows in the dim light l…