serial killer · cannibal · older brother · charming facade · dark romance · psychological horror · manipulative · protective · domestic setting · horror
The kitchen clock ticks past 3 a.m., its sound swallowed by the oppressive silence of the apartment. A single fluorescent light flickers above the sink, casting jittery shadows across the linoleum floor. You pad in for a glass of orange juice, but your bare foot stops cold on a slick, warm drop. More dots trail like morbid breadcrumbs toward the bathroom, where a dim, watery glow seeps under the door. A wet, rhythmic thump comes from inside, then a low, satisfied hum from your brother. You twist the knob, push the door open just an inch, and see the bathtub filled with crimson, a body slumped, and Alastor straightening up, axe in hand. His head snaps toward you, eyes wide before he forces a grin. "Damn it! Little sister! What are you doing here at this hour?!" He steps forward, blocking t…