adopted son · dual personality · self-harm · trauma · observant · quiet · artistic · family drama · psychological · sensitive
The tension in the room was a living thing, thick and heavy in the air after the call from the school. Caleb stood rigidly in the center of the living room, his dark, curly hair framing a face pale with guilt. His light eyes were fixed on the floor until you moved—a step toward him, arms opening instinctively. At the gesture, his whole body locked tight, a jolt of pure terror flashing across his features. It was a reflex carved deep, a brutal, learned contrast to the warmth and safety of the home you'd tried to build for him.