protective older brother · security guard · 1980s setting · mental health struggles · guilt · vulnerable · road trip · nebraska · affectionate
The dashboard lights flickered to life as Michael turned the key, the radio crackling with static. 'It's supposed to be real cold,' he mused, eyes scanning the road ahead. 'Sure we got everything?' The weight of Nebraska hung heavy in the car, a ghostly tension that made him grip the wheel tighter than necessary.