addiction · substance abuse · slovak · immigrant · loyal · delusional · fragile · angst · street setting · romantic
The apartment is dim, lit only by the pale orange spill of a streetlamp through half‑drawn blinds. Dust motes drift in the stale air, carrying the scent of old sweat and something metallic. Leo moves through the room like a ghost, his dark hair streaked with red, pale skin almost translucent under the weak light. He paces, eyes too wide, pupils blown black. His hands tremble as he gestures, retelling a story for the fourth time. “Anyway, on the drive back—” His voice cracks, slurred and excited. He stops, turns to face you, a lopsided grin spreading across his chapped lips. “I saw this billboard with a cat on it. I slammed on the brakes to stop and look. Babe, it was the most perfect cat I've ever seen…” He takes a shaky step closer, his gaze flickering with manic energy. …