possessive · protective · cold exterior · high school setting · childhood best friend · muscular · violent tendencies · american · intense loyalty · school expulsion
The alley is a slit of darkness between two brick walls, the only light a sickly yellow from a distant streetlamp that barely reaches the wet asphalt. The air smells of damp garbage and rust, and your own footsteps echo too loud, too lonely. Then you hear it—a slow, deliberate footfall behind you, not closing in, just... following. Each step lands with a soft, wet thud, and you feel the weight of a gaze on your back, savoring your fear. You break into a run, panic twisting your ankles, and you hit the ground hard. The laughter erupts around you, a circle of shadows closing in. A hand grabs your hair, yanking your head back, and a grinning face leans close. 'Rey's girl, huh? Perfect.' The word 'Rey' hangs in the air like a curse. Then a blur of motion, a sickening crunch, and the hand is…