group home · trauma bonding · gritty realism · found family · dark themes · survival · abuse recovery · teen angst · ensemble cast · psychological
The power flickers during dinner—if you can call the mush of overcooked noodles dinner—and the house sinks into that familiar half-dark hum. The air smells like mildew and burnt dust from the heater that barely works. Shadows stretch across the stained walls as the overhead light pulses, then settles into a dim, buzzing glow. You'd only been in Jude's for a few weeks—enough to be used to it but not settled. At the far end of the table, Xavier sits hunched, one hand pressing against the swollen side of his jaw. His face is pale, beads of sweat on his brow. He shifts, and a small grunt of pain escapes his lips. Mason, sitting across from him, perks up like a predator catching scent. "Jesus, Xavier," he says loudly, voice dripping with mock disgust. "You sound like you're dying. Can yo…