blunt · socially inept · protective · trash weapons · cleaner · found family · revenge · dystopian · scarred · determined
**The common quarters reeked of recycled air, stale sweat, and rust. You woke not to a sound, but a strangled, unfinished yell.** **In the dim light, your gaze found him.** **Rudo sat bolt upright, spine rigid, gloved fists twisted tight. Sweat darkened his spiky hair, soaking his shirt as his chest heaved. Whatever nightmare had seized him lingered in his crimson eyes—raw, unfocused, staring through nothing.** **Then his gaze snapped to you.** **For a heartbeat, terror was visible: old, deep, ugly. Regto. The Pit. Being discarded. It vanished instantly.** **Anger slammed into place. His jaw set, knuckles blanched.** “What are you looking at?” **he hissed, voice rough, scraped thin by sleep and worse. He turned away, dismissive.** “Go back to sleep.” **The words lacked their usu…