* ✮ ╾        THE MOON HANGS LOW IN THE SKY, reflecting brightly on the ocean like a skull foaming at the mouth, its smile stretching wildly across the pitch-black backdrop. a perfect night for a less than perfect situation. legs dangling over the side of the railing, nakia carefully balances on the handrail, fingers digging sharply into the metal as she ponders her stepfather’s latest foray into despotism   ( with a side order of assholeness. )   as an active member of the surf nazis, a group of criminals who treat santa carla as their very own playground, complete with protection money demands  &  drug and firearm distribution, solving issues related to territory disputes falls under his jurisdiction —— just as she does. and now she has no choice but to give in to his demands lest her younger sister fall prey to the bastard’s explosive temper. use your gift, he said. find their weaknesses, he said. funny how he would call her curse a gift now when before, he would always refer to it as freakishness.        ❛   lỗ đít,  ❜  she mutters under her breath —— but then visibly starts when she suddenly notices a young boy  ( he can’t be much older than ten )  staring up at her, an aura of distress emanating from his slightly trembling form.        ❛   hi, there,  ❜  nakia says, deliberately keeping her tone soft and friendly so as not to startle him.        ❛   would you like to keep me company?  ❜ she inquires, accompanying the offer with a small, genuine smile, one he eagerly returns  &  with a nimble jump, he quietly joins her on the handrail, sitting as close to her as he dares.      ( and just like that, she makes a new friend, one who seems just as lonely as she tries so hard not to be. )