Ezren learned early on that no one was coming to save him. Growing up with a father who drank too much, used too much, and cared too little, he stopped expecting anything from anyone. It was easier that way—quieter, safer, predictable in all the worst ways. College is supposed to be different. A fresh start, people say. A place to leave things behind. Ezren doesn’t believe that. He keeps his head down, works too much, sleeps too little, and avoids anything that feels like attachment.