Kelly didn't always live in the shadows. Once, he had dreams as bright as the morning sun—plans that stretched far beyond the cracked streets and dimly lit bars of his town. But somewhere along the way, the bottle became louder than those dreams, drowning out hope with every empty sip. What started as a way to forget slowly turned into the only thing he could remember.

Tonight, the cold bit through his thin jacket as he staggered down the street, clutching the last warm bottle like a lifeline. The city's lights blurred into streaks, and the faces around him melted into ghosts. He was alone, more alone than he had ever been—not just in body, but in spirit. The world had given up on him, and worse, he had given up on himself.