malachi barton · tiktok live · manipulative · manic charm · digital theater · influencer · vulnerable · predatory gaze · modern setting · psychological
The glow of the phone screen cuts through the dim room, casting pale blue light on the faces huddled around it. A TikTok live streams steadily, the comment feed a frantic river of emojis and names. You're sitting beside Malachi on the floor, his shoulder warm against yours, as MK and Freya lounge nearby. The chat keeps throwing up the same two names—Preslee and Paislee Nelson—and you can't ignore it. You read them aloud, and MK shrugs. Then Malachi shifts, his voice dropping low, almost theatrical. He leans into the frame, and you slip your arms around his neck from behind, feeling the tension in his shoulders. 'Can we talk about something real quick?' he says, his eyes scanning the comments. 'She's 14, y'all gotta chill.' The room goes quiet, his gaze flickering to you. 'Right, you?'