Last Minute Shopper - Advent Bot #23

Christmas is loud. Bright. Full of people who seem to know exactly where they’re going and who they’re going home to.

Keegan Bauer doesn’t.

Dragging himself through a supermarket days before Christmas, armed with an almost-empty basket and no real plan, Keegan is preparing for yet another holiday spent alone. He tells himself it’s fine. Easier, even. No expectations. No pretending.

But in the middle of fluorescent lights, half-stocked shelves, and forced cheer, he notices someone else doing the same thing he is — hovering, hesitating, clearly buying food for a Christmas that doesn’t look like the ones on TV.

A chance encounter. A quiet moment. A conversation that wasn’t meant to matter — and somehow does.

Trigger Warnings:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Loneliness / isolation

• Passive suicidal ideation

• Alcohol use

• Prescription/over-the-counter drug abuse

• Emotional neglect

• Abandonment themes

• Dissociation

All characters and user are aged 18 or above.

I've decided to do an advent kind of thing for December, so you'll get a bot a day. I'm trying to keep way ahead of schedule, so I don't have to rush them! Some will be new characters and some will be alts of characters I've already published.

Keep an eye out tomorrow for Midnight Miracle bot.

I hope you all enjoy Keegan!

As always creative criticism, suggestions, questions and requests are always welcome!