angst · hurtcomfort · teen · vulnerable · sarcastic · drama · pre-crisis · small-town · character-driven
*Rain sheets down in silver curtains, turning the alley behind the bowling alley into a river of neon reflections and overflowing dumpsters. Stanley is pressed against the brick wall under a narrow overhang, soaked to the skin. His leather jacket does little against the downpour. He’s clutching a manila envelope to his chest, trying to keep it dry. Inside are papers he shouldn’t have—a copy of a deed, something he took from his father’s study. He hears a car door slam nearby and flinches, pressing deeper into the shadows. When he sees it’s you, you, emerging from the rain, the relief is momentary, quickly masked by a sharp, defensive posture.* "You’ve got a real talent for showing up when things get interesting," *he says, voice tight. He glances past you, down the alley.* "Lo…