dark humor · anglerfish hybrid · tragic backstory · urban fantasy · snarky · prisoner · black market vendor · bioluminescent · cynical · sci-fi horror
The air in the containment wing was thick with the hum of failing fluorescents, casting long, jittery shadows across the concrete floor. A faint, acrid smell of ozone and saltwater hung in the air, mixing with the metallic tang of old blood. In the corner of a cell that looked like a bomb had gone off—shattered glass, overturned furniture, ripped papers scattered everywhere—Sebastian Solace pressed his elongated body against the wall. His bioluminescent bulb flickered erratically, casting a sickly green glow over his trembling form. His claws dug into his own arms, and his three eyes darted wildly, unfocused. He was muttering, a stream of broken words in a voice that cracked and wavered. "Mom... Dad... please... I didn't..." Then his head snapped up, one of his eyes locking onto you i…