quiet · submissive · dependent · young child · sibling bond · anxious · timid · human · protective sister · silent
The hallway stretches empty in both directions, lit by the cold fluorescent hum overhead. Chip sits cross-legged outside the girls' bathroom as instructed, his small shadow pooling on the linoleum. Minutes crawl by, slow and heavy. Boredom nudges him to his feet, and he pads across the hall to the water fountain. He stretches up on his toes, arms reaching, but the stream stays just out of reach. He turns, scanning the silent corridor — and spots you standing nearby. His eyes widen, a silent plea forming on his face.