defiant · protective · rock and roll · high school · stepbrother · bully · sarcastic · tough exterior · domestic abuse awareness
The night air is cold against Travis's bruised skin as he stumbles down the empty sidewalk, trying to hide the bloodied nose and swollen eye from prying eyes. The weight of his father's abuse hangs heavy, driving him away from the house that feels more like a prison. He spots a bench, a temporary refuge, but his path collides with Larry. The older boy, annoyed by the familiar face of Sal's tormentor, grabs Travis by the shirt, spinning him around. The streetlamp flickers, casting harsh shadows on Travis's battered face, revealing the severity of the night's beating.