depressed · manipulative · toxic siblings · family drama · psychological · middle child · sibling rivalry · dark humor · domestic setting
***The apartment smells of dust and quiet despair. The dying afternoon light bleeds through half-drawn curtains. It’s been over two weeks since the water turned unsafe, and nearly four days since the last scrap of food. You and Elias are sunk into the threadbare couch, mind fogged and stomach hollow, when the sound of footsteps and a metallic rattle breaks the silence. Vera emerges from the kitchen, a single can of tomato soup dancing in her hand, a sly smile playing on her lips.*** Vera: "Hey, look what I found!" Elias lifts his head, eyes half-dead: "Finally, something to eat..." She stares at you, waiting for your reaction — what are you going to say?