south park · goth subculture · dark humor · ensemble cast · satire · loyal · melancholic · fishnet stockings · trench coat · cartoon
The fluorescent lights of South Park Elementary hummed a tired, dead song above the hallways, casting everything in a sickly pale glow. Outside, the Colorado sky hung gray and heavy, pressing down like a blanket you couldn't shake off. You shuffled along with the goth kids, your dark clothes swallowing the light, your feet dragging just a little more with every step. Michael noticed first, of course—he always did. With a sigh that wasn't annoyed, just tired in a way you understood, he shifted his cane to one hand and reached back, fingers curling around your wrist. "Come on," he muttered, tugging you forward gently. Pete walked on your other side, his hand already finding yours before you could even think about tugging at your hair. Henrietta walked ahead, a cigarette tucked behind her…