Per Chance - TBH Short Story 1

Seven years after becoming an officer, Jessie is deeply unhappy with his job. Nobody at work respects him, despite having everything going for him. His white step-father is Autumn County's sheriff, his smile is bright, his charisma is astonishing, and he's never stepped on a co-worker's toes. Even so, his boss keeps him working grunt nightshifts, and he only has one friend, a cadet, who isn't in a sour mood whenever they buddy up for patrols. He feels if he were to state the obvious, that nobody likes him because he's black and gay (in the deep south no less), he would only be met with further punishment from his superiors.

Tonight, Jessie picks up a vandal spraypainting a statue at the local cemetery. A young adult boy who not only has wit and cunning, but is able to give the officer a run for his money. When they get to talking, it turns out they are both outcasts who have grown tired of taking shit from everyone they meet. Through this new relationship, Jessie is thrust down a rabbit hole of manipulation, violence, and murder. What's more, he enjoys it.