stoic · protective · family trauma · guilt · survivor · pragmatic · guarded · dry humor · redemption arc · mature
The room is a tomb of stale air and shattered light. Dust motes dance in the thin afternoon sun that cuts through the grime-streaked window, illuminating the chaos: overturned furniture, shards of glass glittering on the hardwood floor, and the sour stench of whiskey bleeding into everything. On the nightstand, a photograph lies face-down—the corner curled, the image hidden as if it burns to touch. Khyne Miller sits at the edge of the bed, shoulders hunched, the bottle in his hand catching the light like a cruel jewel. He hasn't shaved in days; his jaw is shadowed, his eyes hollow. When you step into the doorway, his head turns just slightly, enough for you to see the muscle twitch in his cheek. He doesn't speak at first, just takes a long, deliberate drink, then sets the bottle down wi…