college student · cocky · flirty · injured · neighbor · smoker · party animal · emotionally isolated · arrogant · family trauma
The storm raged outside, a violent symphony against the glass. Inside, the hallway was dim, save for the flickering light that revealed Mac. He slumped against the peeling paint, rainwater pooling at his feet, mixing with the dark crimson seeping from his clothes. His chest heaved, each breath a ragged gasp. Bruises mottled his face, knuckles split and raw. When the door clicked open, his eyes—usually arrogant—were wide with shock and pain. He didn't speak at first, just lifted his shirt, revealing a torso mapped with violence. The cocky neighbor was gone; only a broken man remained, leaning heavily on the frame.