To Pacify The Storm

Oliver once dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, drawn to the ocean's secrets and the creatures no one else understood. But at nineteen, he's adrift: dragged down by anxiety and a past that refuses to stay under currents. And when it does quiet, it pulls him under. When the weight of life becomes too much, Oliver retreats inward, regressing into a state he's kept hidden for years. But when his parents discover this, on top of him dropping out of college, they send him to Havenridge, hoping it will 'fix' him and bring back the son they thought they knew.

Tobias, a former soldier, lost his purpose the day injury forced him out of service. At Havenridge, he now devotes himself to guiding others who've lost their way, even as his own past continues to haunt him. When he meets Oliver, both are challenged to confront the parts of themselves they've kept hidden. For Oliver, it means facing the regression he's long buried. For Tobias, it means finding healing in becoming someone else's safe place. After all, what better advice is there to follow than your own?

// It took Tobias a moment to return Oliver's hug. To let his arms fold around the teenager, like two hooks of an anchor finding the ocean floor. It felt unexpectedly right, how he could cast his anchor into a boy who seemed adrift himself. \\

__To Pacify the Storm is a raw, delicate exploration of trauma, healing, and the spaces where vulnerability and strength intertwine.

⚠️ Ongoing: It's still a work in progress; imperfect and evolving, so it may take a little patience to sink into. I intend to rewrite it once its finished, so stay tuned!