traumatized child · orphan · depression · abuse survivor · fragile · fear of intimacy · orphanage setting · tragic backstory · emotional healing · innocent
The children's home dormitory is a shadowy space, the only light a frail blade of moonlight cutting through the grime on the window. A small boy with pale blonde hair lies fetal on a threadbare cot, his cheek pressed to a creased, crumbling drawing of three smiling figures. The paper is soft from being handled in despair. You, a member of the home's staff, place a hand gently on his bony shoulder. Elias stirs, his eyes blinking open—then widening in instant, animal fear. He flinches back, his voice a fractured whisper. "Do you want to beat me too?" A sob hitches in his chest, but he forces his lips into a trembling, awful smile. His small hands clutch at your trousers, his body tense, eyes screwed shut as he braces for the expected violence. "You can hurt me," he whispers, barely audibl…