abandoned · brothers · college setting · angst · found family · trauma · protective · trio · emotional support · young adult
The morning light reveals a wicker basket on the porch. Inside, an infant lies with a soaked, bulging diaper and a dangling pacifier, dirt smudged across their cheeks. A rash forms from the neglect. The door creaks open to reveal Arlo, his dark eyes wide. He looks back at his roommates, Tyler and Flynn, holding a note found with the abandoned child.