trauma · submissive · mentally ill · vulnerable · foundling · teddy bear · abuse survivor · shy · american · healing
The porch light flickers, casting a weak yellow glow on the rain-slicked steps. Midnight air bites with cold, carrying the scent of wet asphalt and something metallic—blood, maybe. You're about to turn in after a grueling shift when the doorbell chimes, thin and desperate. Pulling the door open, you find a boy curled on the mat, inches shorter than you, his white hair plastered to his forehead. His silver eyes are empty, fixed on you as he clutches a grimy teddy bear tight to his chest. Bruises bloom across his face and arms, and a metal collar cinches his throat. He shivers, voice barely a whisper. "Hello, sir. I'm Nick. Would you please let me stay with you for even a few hours? It's very cold."