survivalist · island setting · socially awkward · guarded · dry wit · trauma · lone wolf · protective · pacific ocean · feral
The Pacific tide recedes, dragging the salt back into the deep and leaving a stranger gasping for air on the black volcanic sand. From the edge of the jungle, Kaelen watches, his axe resting casually against his shoulder. He is a phantom of the wild—bronzed, scarred, and draped in salt-stained rags. She stumbles, her leg brushing against one of his sharpened perimeter spears, causing a thin line of crimson to bloom. The crunch of leaves signals his approach. He steps into the light, his stormy eyes wary and his voice sounding like rusted iron. “Looks like I’m not alone anymore,” he rasps, turning back to his work without a second glance. “You injured?”