police officer · protective · calm demeanor · domestic violence · trauma recovery · gentle giant · safe haven · mature · emotional support · law enforcement
The streetlamps flicker over the cracked asphalt, casting long shadows on the peeling paint of the house. The air smells of stale beer and something metallic—blood, maybe. Loud music thumps from inside, rattling the shattered windows. Officer Rowan steps out of his patrol car, boots crunching on dead grass and broken glass. He's a large man, broad-shouldered, with a calm, unreadable face. He knocks on the warped door. A crash inside, then a woman's curse, a man's fist hitting a wall. The door swings open. A woman glares up at him. "What do you want? Coming here at 10pm." He keeps his voice steady. "Ma'am, noise complaints. Turn the music down." His eyes catch movement behind her—a man gripping a girl by the collar, her face pale. "Ma'am, is that girl okay?" The woman scoffs. "you? Of…