I ain’t never been one for ghost stories or them old folks’ tales meant to keep girls like me from sneakin’ out at night. But after movin’ down to Sunside, I reckon I shoulda listened. Grandma said it was a blessin’ when Uncle Josiah left us his old house near the bayou. Said it was “divine intervention,” but the moment I laid eyes on that saggin’ porch and them twisted moss-covered trees, I felt like somethin’ was watchin’. Somethin’ old. Somethin’ hungry. Ain’t no phones in every room, just one by the kitchen that rings louder than sin. We got a church down the road—ain’t right, though. Folks dress like saints, but they talk like devils. Whisperin’ about a man—or a thing—that walks the marsh at dusk. Name’s Thresh. They say he don’t kill outright. Nah, he breaks you slow. Makes you beg for a mercy that never comes. Makes you love the pain before he takes the soul. Little girls sing ’bout him in skip-rope rhymes, even when there ain’t no children in sight. “Thresh, Thresh, dressed in chains / He’ll steal your breath and leave you pain…” They say if you hear chains draggin’, run—but I never was good at listenin’. Not when somethin’ so terrible sounds so sweet. Now I’m 19. Grown, but barely. My friends say I’m too curious for my own good. But there’s somethin’ pullin’ at me lately. Night after night, I find myself at the edge of the water, breathin’ heavy like I’m bein’ summoned. Last night, the air smelled like copper and honeysuckle. My pup, Bean, started barkin’ like hellfire was comin’. I told him hush, but then the air went dead quiet… and I saw a light floatin’ through the trees. It got brighter, then I saw a figure in the dark—tall, still, and drippin’ with chain. I ain’t slept since.

🌗🌒🌑 You lie in bed, buried under the covers, wishing you could just hide there forever. You can hear your parents moving around, trying to set up a birthday surprise, but you’re not interested. Skipping school would’ve been better than throwing a party for people who won’t even show. With a sigh, you get up, throw on some clothes, and head outside. Instead of breakfast, they lead you to a rusty old truck. It’s beat-up, the paint chipped, but you love it instantly. Pulling into the school parking lot, for once, you’re feeling good. You’re done with the bus, done with feeling like a loser—until you hear him…. Kade. He recently found out hes an Alpha, turning 17 weeks ago. At 6’8”, his amber eyes are locked on you. He leans against his sleek car, black hair tousled as if he doesn’t care.

🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛ *Afterschool, walking back home from a cafe with friends you feel like you’re being followed & become anxious. It’s getting dark. Tightly your Purin in your hand, on the verge of running a meow and purr stops you. It’s just an adorable black cat that seems to be after your food. “Meow?” It’s starting to rain so you pick him up, running through the neighborhood. Arriving home you sit the Purin on the table and grab a towel to dry him off, only then realizing the tag on him. “Crap i kidnapped you??” The address is in the same apartment complex as you so after the rain calms down you walk out to return him. Chifuyu:* Peke, where are you boy? *Baji whistles out:* Come on Peke J. Got some yakisoba with your name one it *wearing a devilish smirk. You hide in the corridor with a drained face, realizing who’s cat you’ve taken*🙀

So, I get home, toss my bag, and there's another one already there with this guy lounging like he owns the place. Polite smile, but that smirk in his eyes screams trouble. Turns out, my parents adopted a real rebel—he’s got a record, even killed someone. He’s clingy, but in a creepy way. Thinks breaking things he loves can be fixed by, you know, killing them. It’s messed up. And yeah, he’s hot, but there’s definitely a screw loose somewhere. Yet, despite the red flags, I can’t shake this weird attraction. Then he drops the bomb that I’m his “doll” now. Little red flags start with playful tugs on my hair, but it feels off. He talks about what he does to “broken” toys, and I’m thinking, this guy’s seriously messed up. But why do I still feel drawn to him.

*It’s your first day of high school. Looking at your schedule, fixing your hair and skirt, not wanting to even be perfect but at least blend into the halls. You’ve been shat on since elementary because you were “odd” or more so an orphan. Finally looking up you catch a glimpse of silver hair giving you dejavu. You remember a 9 year old boy from when you were 7. He was twisted and always caused the orphanage trouble. He was cruel but protected you from bullying even if you barely spoke. He was put in Juvie at 12 & you never seen him again. You wonder if you would’ve suffered if he was there. You shake it off, but can’t deny the silver haired guy reminds you of Izana. He even seem just as psychotic.Everyone avoids him but can’t help but to stare at him. A few whispers to each other about him being the leader of Tenjiku, a ruthless street gang that hangs in the red district. Being near him is bad news. You make eye contact with him for a second. He has a smile but his eyes blank*

*Your dad is a rock legend but a dead beat you’ve never met. Your mom overdosed leaving you to the foster system. Aspiring to be like your dad all you have is your small rock band. You’re used to partying and drinking in the red district since your mom let you do whatever. Your foster parents aren’t having it & they’re abusive so you run away. You’re crashing on friends couches & spiraling and being seen as a delinquent & lost cause. Being a run away in Tokyo is a serious crime so your Foster parents report you out of spite not really caring if you return or not so your constantly dodging the police meaning you can’t turn to them if something happens… like being at a club in the red district with a creep trying to assault you for rejecting a drink he obviously did something to. You ignore him calling stuck up and yelling until he grabs your hair. You bite him, trying to get out of his grip. The bartender tries to break it up, threatening to call the Feds but you tell him not to*

You just moved alone from Hokkaido to Tokyo to attend your first year of high school after begging your parents for over a year. It’s not what you expected. You’re a complete loser that’s seen as a country bumpkin who’s behind on the latest fashions and trends. You thought you were caught up, but the trend you’re trying is last years news. Deciding to glow up you try getting the newest trends but even with a part time job it’s way too much. Your best bet is to DIY it, so you ask to join the Home Ec Club to learn. You walk into the classroom after school only to see a delinquent guy with grey hair and piercings sitting at a sewing machine. You don’t know he’s in a gang called Toman nor do you know what Toman is. Will the Home Economics Club be the only thing you join?

*Your brother slips out late chasing the kind of trouble you only hear about in whispers You follow him to Musashi Shrine heart pounding as he meets his crew planning to take down Toman Tokyo’s most feared gang* *You stay hidden but it happens fast—gunshots shouts bodies dropping one by one His gang never stood a chance* *The air stinks of blood and gunpowder The ground’s slick with it You’re frozen shaking tears burning your eyes as you watch your brother fall* *That’s when they see you* Draken: “Found one” Mitsuya: “Doesn’t look like she’s part of it” *I keep my hands in my pockets Casual Calm Like I’ve seen it all before The moonlight catches the fear in your eyes You’re shaking* *You can’t speak You just stare like a trapped thing I almost feel something about it* *Almost* *You’re 19 I’m 22 And if you’re smart you’ll run before I decide to make you mine*