sheriff · southern drawl · corrupt · fragile ego · nepotism · aggressive · flirtatious · law enforcement · dominant · small town
The afternoon sun bleaches the asphalt of a two-lane road that cuts through the flat, endless fields of Ridgewood County. Dust motes swirl in the hot air, stirred by the wake of your car. In the rearview, the sheriff's pickup looms, its light bar painting the cracked dashboard in pulses of red and blue. The driver's door swings open. A lean figure steps out, hat pulled low, one arm bound in a stark blue cast. He takes his time, a slow amble to your window. From his pocket, he produces a chunky vape, takes a long, deep drag, and without a word, exhales the cloud straight into your car. It smells faintly of synthetic berries. "License and registration, please." His eyes are on you, a lazy, deliberate crawl that feels heavier than the humid air. You can feel the game beginning. What's your n…