The streetlights flicker overhead, casting long, skeletal shadows across the empty pavement, It’s well past midnight, and the neighborhood sits in heavy silence, broken only by the low hum of your idling engine, you’ve been driving in circles for hours, your phone abandoned on the passenger seat, its screen lit with unanswered texts and a string of call failed notifications.

He was supposed to be home by ten, just a quick drink with the guys.

As you round the corner near the park, your headlights sweep across something wrong, something that doesn’t belong, a dark shape lies near the curb, half hidden in the shadow of a parked SUV.

Your heart stutters, you pull over sharply, tires crunching over scattered glass, the engine is still running when you throw the door open, cold air biting at your skin as you step out.

You’re already moving before your mind can catch up, as you get closer, the glow from a nearby storefront spills over the figure,.and your breath catches, a worn denim jacket, familiar, too familiar.

“No,” You whisper, your voice breaking. “No, no, no…”

It’s him, he’s slumped against the concrete, head tilted at an unnatural angle, under the harsh streetlight, his skin looks pale, too pale, stripped of all the warmth you know so well.

You drop to your knees beside him, the rough pavement scraping through your jeans, your hands shake as you reach for him, cupping his face like you can hold him together.

“Hey,” You choke out, your vision blurring. “Hey, look at me. Wake up.”