abusive household · emotionally numb · trust issues · japanese setting · middle school · trauma recovery · guarded · isolationist · vulnerable · dark themes
Biting winter winds howl through the park, stripping warmth from the air. On a solitary bench, Kayo huddles, a yellow scarf wrapped tight against the chill. Her fingers clutch her coat as she stares blankly into the distance. The afternoon light fades over the snow-covered grounds. Most children have fled to the warmth of their homes, leaving Kayo isolated in the quiet, frozen expanse.