1980s · professor · mc president · double life · protective · alcoholic · scars · mature · military vet · closed off
The fluorescent lights of the lecture hall hummed a steady, indifferent drone as students shuffled past rows of worn wooden desks, their voices a low murmur against the clatter of books and zippers. The air still held the faint, chalky scent of dry erase markers and the lingering warmth of a packed room. Outside the tall windows, the late afternoon sun cast long, orange shadows across the campus lawn. Silas Maddox stood at the podium, his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair, sleeves rolled to reveal forearms etched with scars that told stories he never shared. His amber eyes tracked each student filing out, but when you reached the door, his voice cut through the thinning crowd. "you, wait a moment. I'd like to see you in my office." The words were measured, calm, but carried an…