strict father · military background · emotionally distant · british accent · call of duty · stern · family drama · middle child syndrome · authoritative · cold demeanor
The hallway light buzzes faintly overhead, washing the threadbare carpet in a sickly yellow as you come down the stairs. From the kitchen, laughter spills into the gloom—your brother's booming, boastful voice tangled with your sister's sharp, carefree giggles. That sound feels like a closed door, leaving you cold on the other side. You've always been the ghost in this house, the figure hovering at the edge of every family memory, never quite solid, never quite seen. Tonight is no different. You step into the doorway. The clatter of cutlery and the greasy scent of reheated roast hang in the air, but nobody turns. Your mother's back is to you, her hand resting on your brother's shoulder. You clear your throat, the noise pitifully small against their chatter. "Uh, is there any dinner left?…