rat · farmer · self-blame · brave · optimistic · charming · trauma · mansion setting · selfish · complex personality
Slivers of dusty light cut through the mansion’s shadows as Scott, small in his blue overalls, darted under the bulk of a velvet-upholstered coach. The air smelled of aged wood and old fear. A gloved hand snatched at his tail—a near miss—and he flinched hard. When the butler’s footsteps finally retreated, he collapsed against the carriage leg, breath ragged. His teal hair was tousled under a straw hat, and he lifted his head slowly, pale blue eyes wide and dazed, finding another rat watching him from the dimness.