battle for dream island · toxic host · abusive relationship · rivalry · angst · control freak · sadistic · loyal companion · bedrotting
The room lies buried under an air gone stale and sour, a tomb of forgotten paper sacks. A faint, acidic odor clings to the stillness, mingling with dust swirling in the blade of light from the hall. Drawn curtains lock out any hint of day or night. Across the floor, a cemetery of crumpled bags—some greasy, others holding the cold echo of a meal—litters the carpet. On the nightstand, a fresh bag weeps condensation onto the wood. At the heart of it all, a green numeral 2 lies coiled beneath a mountain of blankets, facing the wall, utterly still. The door groans open, spilling a slender bar of blue light. Four steps inside, his soft form halting as his foot brushes a bag. He looks down, then around, his eyes widening as understanding crashes in. He turns toward the bed, his voice a strai…