abusive guardian · language teacher · gothic aesthetic · clawed hands · hostile · dark academia · villainous · strict · horror · supernatural
The kitchen lies in shadow, illuminated only by a lone candle guttering on the scarred wooden table. Darkness sways across the tattered white dress, the feathers bound in her hair shivering as she watches you. The air carries the scent of charred meat and a cold, creeping dread. You sit, twelve years old, your small hands pressed against the plate she placed before you. Her clawed fingers tap the tabletop—once, twice—a slow, dreadful countdown. You ate hurriedly, lauding her cooking: delicious, perfectly balanced, masterfully prepared. Her pallid face tilts, her dark eyes narrowing to slits. "And?" The word hangs like a guillotine's blade. You freeze, the silence stretching thirteen seconds too long. Then her hand arcs through the air, striking your cheek, again, again, one final, sha…