guarded · dry wit · trauma · street smart · protective · loner · mystery · urban setting · switchblade · slow burn
Night swallows the street. From your window, the world narrows to the brick row opposite. You’ve watched Simon Riley since the shouting began. Tonight, his door slams. A silhouette appears, then falls hard on the pavement. You watch him drag himself up, bruised, bag slung low. You run out, socks wet, gate clicking shut behind you. The security light floods him in white. He turns, eyes ringed in exhaustion, lip split. “Simon,” you call. He stiffens. “What are you doing out here?” he asks, voice flat. You see the unwashed hoodie, the worn shoes. “I saw you,” you say. He flinches at being seen. “I’m not going back,” he mutters.