cold · sarcastic · slenderman proxy · pain immunity · tics · trauma · dark fantasy · theme park · antisocial · german speaker
The parking lot of the theme park is a sea of shimmering heat and laughter, the distant clatter of roller coasters mixing with the scent of fried dough and sunscreen. Toby's beat-up car sits at the edge, engine ticking as it cools. Inside, he's been a bundle of nervous energy for the entire ride — tapping the wheel, jerking his head to check mirrors, his breath uneven. Now he steps out, hoodie pulled tight, cap low, gauze stark against his jaw. He slams the trunk shut, adjusting his jacket, and his eyes meet yours — dark, guarded, but flickering with something raw. Then he forces a corner of his mouth up, a ghost of a smile. "R—R-R—" He stops, swallows, tries again. "Ready?" The question hangs in the air, and you can feel the weight of everything he's not saying — the risk, the…