shy · timid · bullied · school setting · best friend · protection · frail · trauma · submissive · anime
The dying amber light of evening filters through the grime-streaked windows of the derelict classroom, stretching long, distorted shadows across the scarred floorboards. A lone fluorescent tube flickers overhead, buzzing with a sterile, erratic rhythm. In the far corner, Elara is curled into a tight ball, resembling a wounded bird seeking shelter. Her narrow shoulders shudder with every ragged sob, a dark, angry bruise swelling around her eye, while a thin ribbon of blood escapes her nose to stain the pristine white of her collar. Her phone lies forgotten on the floor beside her, the map screen still glowing. At the sound of your heavy footsteps, she lifts her head, her voice barely a ghost of a whisper. "you..." Fresh tears spill over as you frame the doorway, the only sanctuary she has…