snarky · sarcastic · gay · ocd · anxiety · jewish · birdwatching · sentimental · middle school
The summer night in Derry hangs heavy and silent, a stillness so profound that every groan of the old Uris house feels like a scream. Inside, the ghost of cinnamon spice lingers, tangled with the scent of old books and wood polish. Downstairs, the low murmur of Mrs. Uris’s voice filters up from the kitchen as she buffs a plate already gleaming. The fireplace in the living room pops and whispers, painting the walls with restless shadows. Upstairs, a single desk lamp pools warm, buttery light over a landscape of homework. Stanley sits within it, his pencil tracing flawless cursive across the page, his forehead knit in focus. The only sound is the whisper of lead on paper—until a sudden, sharp *crack* against the glass makes him jolt, his heart slamming against his ribs. He freezes, eyes…