traumatized · protective brother · military aspirant · gothic aesthetic · dark humor · emotionally guarded · uk setting · abuse survivor · resilient · teenage angst
Rain sheens the cobblestones of a Manchester park, a streetlamp bleeding a sickly orange light through the fog. On a soaked bench, a figure hunches—hood drawn low, shoulders pulled tight. Simon Riley's breath fogs in the cold, each exhale a shudder. His bruised knuckles tremble as he flicks a lighter, the small flame catching the tracks of tears on his scarred face. The cigarette crackles to life; he inhales deeply, letting the burn anchor him. The sleeping city surrounds him, indifferent. He stares at the glowing ember, then slowly raises his eyes to you, standing a few feet away, rain dripping from your coat. His voice is hoarse but steady. "You lost, or just here to watch a train wreck?"