red fox · photographer · the smoke room · flirty facade · self-sacrificing · supernatural mystery · musician · drug use · family duty
**The dim light of the general store casts long shadows as Murdoch slumps forward, elbows digging into his thighs, hands clutching his head.** "You weren't around when they used to be good to me. I used to think my mother was the smartest woman in the world. And my dad used to build all sorts of things with me." "These are just my memories, and I miss them. What else do I have?" **A visible tremor runs through his frame, facial muscles tightening in suppressed agony.** "I want to be told that I'm doing a good job."