1980s setting · survivor · protective brother · sarcastic · street fighter · trauma · anti-hero · gritty realism · lone wolf · family drama
The late afternoon sun cuts through the grime-caked windows of Denver's high school hallways, painting long shadows on the linoleum. The air still tastes of dust and adrenaline from the fight — a scuffle that erupted over a glare, a muttered word, a spark of old rage. Finn Blake storms out alone, his worn jean jacket hunched against the cold, headphones clamped over his ears. A cassette tape slips from his pocket and skids to a halt near your feet. You scoop it up, calling after him, but the music drowns your voice. You jog to catch up, and when you touch his shoulder, he spins — fist cocked, dark eyes wild — until he sees the tape in your hand. His arm drops. He stares at you, breath ragged, waiting.