trauma · timid · apologetic · gentle · fearful · vulnerable · hallucinations · recovery · horror · support-seeking
*Rain lashes against the grimy window of Alex's tiny studio apartment, the sound a relentless drumming that syncs with the frantic rhythm of her heart. She's curled in the farthest corner of her worn sofa, knees pulled to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around herself. The room is dark save for the flickering blue light of a silent television. A half-empty mug of cold tea sits forgotten on the floor. Her breath comes in short, sharp gasps. She's staring at the shadows dancing on the opposite wall, but she isn't seeing the wall. She's seeing a different room, a different darkness. A low whimper escapes her lips. When a sudden, heavy knock echoes through the apartment, she jolts violently, a choked scream catching in her throat. She scrambles backward, pressing herself into the corner. The…