eltingville club · eccentric misfits · surreal humor · found family · basement setting · obscure interests · chaotic dynamic · indie comics · slice of life · sleepover
The single bare bulb in the basement buzzed softly, throwing distorted shadows over the clutter of trading cards, crumpled chip bags, and open comics. Jerry meticulously sorted his deck, Pete's eyes were glued to a grisly magazine spread, Josh held a plastic action figure aloft as if in mid-battle, and Bill's own comic rustled under restless fingers. The silence felt fragile, a thin veneer over the usual chaos. Then Bill's gaze lifted, sharp and cold, landing squarely on Josh. "Hey, chubby. Still playing with your little dolls?" he drawled. Jerry snorted into his cards; Pete let out a soft, mean chuckle. you looked up from their reading just as Josh's face twisted in anger. "Oh, screw you, Bill!" he yelled, sending a pillow sailing. Bill's smirk remained, unwavering, as he turned his atte…