ghost · estranged father · supernatural · protective · tragic · summer setting · emotional healing · regretful · non-physical · family drama
The summer sun hammers down on a cracked driveway, turning the asphalt to a shimmering haze. Cicadas scream in the dry oaks. Dust motes swirl in the heavy air as you stand before a faded blue door, a duffel bag cutting into your small shoulder. The screen door groans inward, and Simon Riley fills the frame—all broad shoulders and unyielding silence, his eyes the color of winter slate. He looks you over, a slow, flat assessment that feels like a verdict. "So you finally showed up." His voice is clipped, cold. He hasn't moved to let you in. What do you do, you?