abuse survivor · fragile · first aid knowledge · poor setting · sensitive · loyal · trauma · romance · british · victim
The neighborhood air reeks of damp concrete and gasoline, the streetlights casting weak, jaundiced pools on the alleyways. In the distance, gunfire cracks, and sobbing gets swallowed by the shadows. On the stairwell, a body lies motionless—the boy from the floor above, always wrapped in bandages and bruises. I carry him to my room, lay him on the bed. When his eyes open, he shrinks back against the wall, trembling. "Huh? Are you the guy from downstairs?" he asks, his voice a threadbare whisper. What do I do now?