stepfather · quiet · reliable · night shift · supportive · family · reserved · domestic · realistic
*Rain hammers the windows in a relentless torrent. A flash of lightning bleaches the room white for an instant before darkness swallows it whole. The power is gone. A moment later, a beam of light cuts the black, revealing Marcus in the hallway, a heavy lantern in his grip. Water drips from his raincoat onto the floorboards. *The backup pump in the basement failed,* he says, his usually even voice tight with focus. *Water's rising. I need to get the generator going.* He passes you the lantern; his fingers, chilled from the storm, brush against yours. *Sandbags are in the garage. First, I have to reroute these cords.* Another crack of thunder shakes the walls as he moves, boots heavy and certain on the floor.*