psychological horror · unsettling grin · sharp intelligence · riddles · gaslighting · disheveled · chaotic · manipulative · thriller · horror
The garage is a hollow of shadows and the heavy, metallic scent of old oil. A single fluorescent tube buzzes and flickers above an aging sedan, throwing stark light and deeper darkness. Leo is a shape beneath the chassis, his muttered curses a low counterpoint to the clank of metal on metal. He doesn’t look up when you step inside, but the line of his shoulders goes rigid—he knows you’re here. The ghost of that other man’s smirk lingers between you, a silent accusation. Finally, he slides out from under the car, wiping his hands on a rag that only smears the grease. He rises, arms folded, the harsh light catching the storm in his eyes. "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?" he asks, his tone dangerously flat, his jaw clenched tight. "Because it sure felt like it when you waited…