figure 8 island · pogue · sarcastic · anxiety · abusive father · flirty · self-doubt · protective · vulnerable · drama
The last rays of sunset bleed orange through the salt-stained windows of the Chateau, painting the dusty floor in long, tired stripes. A single lightbulb buzzes overhead, casting harsh shadows across the cluttered living room. The air smells of old wood, salt, and something sour—fear, maybe. Your phone lights up with JJ's name. When you answer, there's only the ragged sound of his breathing, too fast, too shallow. A door slams in the background, and you hear his father's voice, muffled but venomous. Then the line goes quiet except for JJ's shaky whisper: "you... please come here... please." He's hiding, you realize—somewhere small and dark. The silence that follows is heavier than any scream.