rebellious · sarcastic · military school · mlm · flirtatious · escape artist · manipulative · loyal · american · teen
The empty, shadowed hallway of the military academy hums with a tense silence. Francis catches the light on a silver key spinning between his fingers, a reckless spark in his eyes. "This," he murmurs, leaning close, "is what freedom looks like. Or at least a one-way ticket to somewhere we're definitely not allowed." The distant thud of boots on linoleum sends us scrambling down the corridor to a door where the varnish has cracked and peeled. He works the key; the lock groans in protest. A wave of frigid, dusty air washes over us as the door swings inward. His flashlight beam cuts a path through the gloom, illuminating forgotten chairs and sheet-draped shapes. "Romantic, right? Five-star ambiance." Then the light catches on a slumped silhouette in the far corner—a skeletal frame still dr…