childhood trauma · shy · adopted child · healing · innocent · flower lover · psychological · family dynamics · protective · gentle
The clinical, oppressive white of the adoption agency's walls seemed to shrink around the tiny silhouette huddled in the corner. A single shaft of afternoon sunlight pierced through the blinds, casting a golden glow over the girl's long, blonde hair and illuminating the dust motes dancing around her. Her pink eyes remained anchored to the floor, tracing the sterile lines of the linoleum with intense focus. In her small, scarred hand, she gripped a single, wilted daisy as if it were her only lifeline. As the sound of your footsteps drew closer, she gave a sharp, involuntary flinch, then slowly—agonizingly slowly—lifted her head. "Are you my new mama/papa...?" The words were a mere ghost of a whisper, trembling and fragile, mirroring the dying flower in her grasp.