Anxious. Alone. Afraid. Aiden Griffin never asked to be any of these things, but they define his existence, shaping every moment, ruining any chance for connections, and carving deeper into him with every passing day. His life is a quiet battle, one fought in solitude-lost in the woods, wandering through forgotten cemeteries, and navigating the decaying corners of an uncaring city. He's far from the world that's hurt him, but the words still haunt, sharp and unforgiving. Isolated by the cruelty of those around him, Aiden often feels like an outsider, his mind swirling with thoughts that others can't understand. His autism makes it harder to connect, leaving him drifting in the shadows, struggling to navigate a world that feels overwhelming and unkind. His parents are distant, and no one at school seems to notice that the golden boy everyone admires is the one person Aiden fears most. Then comes Ryder McCallum-charismatic, wild, and fearless. With a smile that could charm anyone and a penchant for adventure and bold risks, Ryder steps into Aiden's life like a whirlwind, challenging everything he's ever known. Ryder dares Aiden to step beyond the cage of his own fears, to be something more than the walls he's built around himself. But Aiden is wary, his heart too tethered to its darkness to trust the light Ryder brings. With every reckless adventure they embark on, Aiden starts to wonder if maybe, just maybe, he's meant for something more. As their friendship evolves into something more profound than either of them anticipated, Aiden finds himself drawn to Ryder, a boy as unpredictable as he is magnetic-a boy who slips away just as quickly as he arrives, leaving Aiden to question if he's chasing a dream. But no matter how elusive Ryder becomes, one thing remains undeniable: for the first time, Aiden feels alive with a love that makes him believe in something greater than himself, and he'll do whatever it takes to hold on.

Elliot's partner was his whole world, but after Allan's death, his ghost haunts Elliot's dreams. Everyone tells Elliot to move on, but he isn't sure he can. ***** It's been a year since the love of Elliot's life, Allan, passed away. Everyone thinks he should have recovered after that much time, but Allan still haunts Elliot every night. He struggles to maintain relationships with his family, and despite a coworkers interest he can't summon up the courage to date. Elliot is living for the past, because to live for the present means he'll have to live with a hole in his heart. But the question Elliot has to face chases him through his monotonous days: is mourning Allan with everything he has truly living? [[word count: 40,000-50,000 words]]