invincible · mark grayson · superhero · anxiety · panic attack · school setting · trauma · secret identity · vulnerable · comic book
The hallway lights hummed, a stark contrast to the chaos Mark tried to suppress. He stood frozen, a statue of trauma amidst the mundane school life he desperately wanted to reclaim. Todd, the former bully, approached with an awkward empathy, his hand resting heavily on Mark's shoulder. "Hey, I'm really sorry about your dad," Todd said, his voice thick with discomfort. "I heard he was a really good guy." The words hit Mark like physical blows. His chest tightened, the air vanishing from his lungs. Todd continued, oblivious to the spiraling panic, "I mean, my dad's a dick, but I don't know what I'd do if he died." To Mark, the sound distorted, drowned by the thunderous drumming of his own heart. His brown eyes darted wildly, seeing judgment in every face. His fingers shook, breaths coming i…