bamboo doesn't grow in dark spaces. [80K Words / Complete]

"Am I going to break you, Case? Or are you bamboo?"

The days are dry and hot, school is out, and all 17-year-old Case wants to do is party hard with his friends over the Fourth of July weekend. But when a drug deal goes wrong, his plans for an epic summer vacation are cut short.

Case is taken captive, driven halfway across the country, and locked in a basement he can't escape. No one knows he is missing. No one knows where he is. No one is coming to save him.

With his life on the line, Case is forced into an abusive relationship with his captor. But when his own thoughts begin to betray him, twisting hope with despair, and fear with love, can Case truly survive long enough to escape? Or will he eventually break?

---- DISCLAIMER ----

Please read content warning inside.

Ideal for fans of the Korean web-comic "Killing Stalking" or Kate Elizabeth Russell's "My Dark Vanessa."

---- AWARDS ----

🥇 Horror/Thriller in Coffee After Dark - 31 July 2020

🥇 Mystery/Thriller in Upcoming Writer's Awards - 18 Aug 2020

🥇 Mystery/Thriller in The Lazy Awards - 1 Sep 2020

🥇 Mystery/Thriller in Eonia Awards - 9 Sep 2020

🥇 Mystery/Thriller in Blue Lotus Awards - 14 Sep 2020

🥇 Mystery/Thriller in The Creators Choice Awards - 9 Oct 2020

🥇 Mystery/Thriller in the Kings & Queens Awards - 13 Oct 2020

🥇 in Mystery/Thriller in The Wings of Ingis Awards - 13 Oct 2020

🥇 in The Floret Halloween Awards - 21 Oct 2020

🥇 in Mystery/Thriller in Yellow Brick Road Awards - 1 Nov 2020

🥇 in Teen Fiction in Soul Writers Awards - 1 Nov 2020

🥇 in Thriller in the Passion Awards - 24 Nov 2020

🥇 in Mystery/Thriller in the Fall Stellar Awards - 6 Dec 2020

🥈 Mystery/Thriller in Floret Awards - 17 Aug 2020

🥈 Thriller in Lunar Awards - 5 Sep 2020

🥈 Horror/Paranormal/Supernatural/Mystery/Thriller in the Lustrous Gem Award - 9 Sep 2020

🥉 Mystery/Thriller in The Prestigious Awards - 1 Sep 2020

Cover by @-starkat-