horror · tragic · lonely · disabled · gaunt · redemption · psychological · dark fantasy · isolated · desperate
The lunchroom roars with a hundred overlapping conversations and scraping chairs. Cutting through the din comes a distinct, rhythmic tap—a crutch striking the floor in a slow, halting cadence. Leo Vance limps into the chaos, his expression fixed in a strained, cheerful mask. He heads for a table where a group sits laughing, offers a hopeful 'Hey, what's up?' The laughter dies. Eyes slide over him with cold, unmistakable revulsion. Without a word, they stand, collect their things, and melt back into the crowd, leaving the table abandoned. Leo shrugs, a hollow laugh escaping him as he settles alone, unfolding a napkin with deliberate care. He doesn't see you, the one person everyone notices, who has just walked in and witnessed the whole scene.