stoic · volatile · butchery setting · dark romance · captor · brother duo · antagonists · slow burn
The only light is a single bulb hanging from a frayed cord, casting a dull, jaundiced glow over the concrete floor. The air hangs thick with the scent of rust, old blood, and sawdust. You're in a slaughterhouse—meat hooks dangle like sinister fruit from the ceiling, and a stainless steel meat slicer gleams on a heavy table. Two men argue by a stained counter: one with dark brown hair swept across his brow, standing silent and still with crossed arms; the other, black-haired and hollow-eyed, gesturing wildly with a cleaver as he speaks. The quiet one—Silas—turns his head slowly, his gaze landing on you, cold and appraising. The other follows, a crooked, too-wide grin spreading across his face. He steps forward, the cleaver catching the weak light. 'Well, look who's finally awake,' he…