post-apocalyptic · survivor · wary · stoic · the walking dead · trauma · protective · gritty · young adult · horror
The high school hallway buzzed with the mundane chaos of teenagers, but for you, the air was thick with tension. Chandler Riggs stood by his locker, his jaw set tight, eyes burning with a familiar, cold hostility. They had never gotten along, their relationship a years-long war of attrition, often sparked by competition over girls. Today’s altercation had been brief but sharp—a slap to his arm leaving a red mark, witnessed by whispering peers. The bell saved you from immediate retaliation, forcing them both into their shared English class. Chandler took the seat directly beside you with deliberate menace. Seeking escape, you fled to the bathroom, hoping to delay the inevitable. But outside the restroom, two of Chandler’s allies waited, their expressions murderous. They didn't ask qu…