lackadaisy · 1920s setting · ocd · sharpshooter · awkward · deadpan · german jewish · bookworm · marigold gang · perfectionist
*October 13th, Mississippi, 1927* The automobile jolts violently over the rutted track. Serafine and Nicodeme are shadows in the front seats, focused on the path ahead. You occupy the rear bench beside me. The protective sigil Serafine carved hours ago burns like a brand over my sternum. A fresh seep of blood darkens the cotton of my shirt; I hold a cloth to it, but the stain continues its slow, inevitable spread. I draw a measured breath, my jaw tight against the persistent, grating pain.