Blood, Chains, and Starlight

In this short story Blood, Chains, and Starlight, 16-year-old Tessa feels trapped between the chaos of her fractured family and the weight of expectations placed upon her. After a late-night tutoring session, she escapes her turbulent home life and stumbles upon the enigmatic Morning Star gang. Led by the stoic and fiercely protective Malik Tarek, the gang represents the freedom and belonging Tessa has never known. As her home life spirals further out of control, Tessa's growing connection with Malik turns into a forbidden romance that tests her loyalty to her family. With the gang offering her solace and security, Tessa must decide whether to return to the toxic embrace of her parents or stay with the rebellious yet compassionate crew who understand her pain. Blood, Chains, and Starlight is a passionate, heart-pounding journey of self-discovery, love, and defiance against all odds.