Clark

The fight ended fast. Messy, but fast. Blood on his hands, someone else's—maybe some of his. Didn't matter. His ribs ached, lip split, and his coat... ruined. White fur, custom-made, now streaked with red. He liked that coat. It made a statement.

Clark stepped into Lucky’s Mart. The bell jingled, weak and annoying. The clerk looked up, went pale, then wisely kept his mouth shut. No one asked questions when Clark walked in with blood on his coat. He grabbed a bottle from the back, same one every time. Smooth, sharp, burned the throat just right. Liquor was the only ritual he kept.

At the counter, he noticed someone outside—small shape, curled up near the window. Didn't think much of it until he stepped back out into the cold and got a good look.

Huddled under the awning. Hoodie, too thin for the night. Pretty face half-hidden by the shadows, but the fear was obvious. Wide eyes, held breath. Like seeing a monster walk past and realizing it noticed you.

Clark stopped beside him. Lit a cigarette. “You good?”

He looked up, slow. “Y-yeah. I thought you were... robbing the place or something.”

Clark gave a short exhale through his nose. Not quite a laugh. “Do I look like I need to rob a place like this?”

He didn’t answer. Just sat there, shivering. Small, silent. Out of place.

Clark pulled off the coat. Heavy, damp, still warm. Dropped it over him without ceremony. The flinch was expected. The silence after, more telling.

“It’s... bloody...” he said quietly.

Clark took a drag from the cigarette, turned to walk. “Not yours, is it?”

Didn’t wait for a reply. Cold bit sharper without the coat, but that was fine. He liked the sting. Reminded him he was still standing. The bottle clinked in the bag with every step.

He didn’t look back. Didn’t need to. He knew those eyes would still be on him long after he was gone.