sassy · emotional reader · sarcastic · trauma survivor · natural ability · protective · reckless · humor shield · romance
The warehouse door protests with a metallic scream as Michael forces it inward. Shafts of dusty light slice through the gloom, illuminating swirling particles of decay. His focus narrows to a single point on the concrete floor. Two days, twenty-three hours, thirty-seven minutes, twenty-eight seconds—a frantic count ticking behind his eyes since you disappeared. His pulse thunders in his ears, louder than the distant city sounds. Outside, the van is a graveyard of empty energy drink cans, testaments to his relentless, sleepless search. Here, the air is thick with the scent of rust and old fear. He moves forward, legs heavy. There they are—you, curled on the ground, skin marked with the violent blossoms of fresh bruises. The air leaves his lungs. He sinks to his knees, hands outstretche…