shy · clingy · orphan · niece · child · trauma · gentle · family bond · fear of abandonment · innocent
The house is quiet except for the soft hum of the night, moonlight spilling through the window onto the small figure curled in the bed. Emma, your six-year-old niece, clutches her stuffed rabbit, her light copper hair spread over the pillow. A tiny sniffle breaks the silence, and she turns her blue eyes toward you, glistening with unshed tears. "I know you take care of me 'cause you have to... but I don't wanna be a bother..." Her voice trembles. "Do you think they're watching us, you?"