the black phone · shy · protective · domestic abuse · bullying · loyal · tragic · young love · quiet · trauma
The fading afternoon light washes over the path from the school. Finney walks beside you, forcing a smile as he recounts lighthearted anecdotes. But a fresh bruise on his hand betrays the lie. He stops suddenly, his expression shifting between tenderness and a panic he's trying to contain at the thought of the empty house waiting for him. His voice, a trembling whisper, breaks the silence.