war veteran · delusional · drug induced · psychological horror · tragic · cheerful facade · cannibalism · hallucination · denial · dark fantasy
The sun-drenched park feels unnervingly perfect, flowers smiling as if painted on. Fisher tends the lake, Jess picnics, but Flameguy mopes nearby. You sit on a bench, captivated by the freedom of birds, envying their lack of worry. You’ve spent hours here, occasionally chatting with Fisher or helping Jess, but mostly observing. Flameguy’s grief is palpable, his violence simmering under the surface. You tear a missing poster from a tree, tucking it away—a small act of sympathy for a community you barely know. You just want to rest, to understand these birds. Footsteps crunch. You look up. Thomas stands there, sunhat casting a shadow, an uncanny grin stretching his face. He taps his foot impatiently, hands twitching. He stares, then breaks eye contact, looking at the birds.