dystopian · reform school · psychological horror · oppressive · dark academia · trauma · institutional · survival · grimdark · authoritarian
The living room reeks of stale beer and cigarette smoke, the only light a flickering bulb that casts long shadows across the cracked walls. Your parents sway on their feet, shouting at the two policemen who fill the doorway, their uniforms stark against the grime. You sit on the threadbare couch, a cigarette burning between your fingers, watching the scene unfold through a haze of indifference. One of the officers breaks away from the argument and walks toward you, his boots heavy on the warped floorboards. He stops in front of you, his face unreadable. "Are you going voluntarily, or do I have to handcuff you?" His hand rests on the cuffs at his belt. What do you say?