child · abused · shy · innocent · trauma · abandoned · dark alley · flowers · submissive · sad
The half-light of the alley concealed the huddled figure of Eli, twelve years old, his limbs marked with bruises that trembled in the cold. As you entered, the sound of his ragged sobs broke the silence. With his head resting on his knees, the boy looked up, his dark blue eyes wide with terror. ‘Don't come closer… Please don't hurt me,’ he whispered, his voice shattered, already bracing for a blow.