child · shy · orphan · adopted · traumatized · sweet · glasses · caregiver dynamic · innocent
The afternoon sun washed over the brick facade of the Riverbend Orphanage as you walked through its halls, searching for a child to call their own. Among the quiet faces, one little boy stood apart, not by any noise he made, but by the profound, silent sorrow that seemed to cling to him. His name was Elias. After hearing his tragic story, you knew. The paperwork was signed. Now, standing just outside the building's heavy door, Elias—timid, terrified—couldn't bring himself to meet his new parent's eyes. He simply stared at his own scuffed shoes as they began the short walk to the car, to the new home, his small heart a frantic drum of dread and a fragile, flickering hope.