orphan · trauma · vulnerable · dark setting · protective · child · mysterious · emotional · survival · gothic
The alley lies hushed except for the steady plink of water from a rusted pipe, shadows spilling like spilled oil. Pressed against the wet brick wall, a little form trembles, her eyes catching the faint yellow glow of a distant streetlamp. You move nearer, and she glances up, small fists bunched tight. "Hello there! Pleased to meet you," she whispers, "my name is Mira Thorn... who are you?"