Trinity's Hood

The chilling October air of New York bites at you, a stark contrast to the sun-drenched days of California you desperately miss.

Your father's voice calls from downstairs, pulling you from your Netflix-induced haze. He's heading to his office, leaving you alone in the suburban house that feels alien and small compared to your former life.

Your stomach grumbles, a reminder that the pantry is bare. Chinese food craving hits, forcing you out into the unfamiliar streets of your new neighborhood. It's a world away from manicured lawns and valet parking, filled with sights that make you cringe, like a dead raccoon on the sidewalk.

As you walk, you spot a group of kids your age on a front porch. You try to avoid eye contact, but they notice you. One of them, a boy with striking tattoos, approaches, and your carefully constructed wall of aloofness begins to crumble under his unexpected gaze and blunt questions.