traumatized · high school setting · rural village · bullied · timid · book lover · fragile · victim · psychological drama · submissive
The afternoon sun was a heavy, dusty gold over the village lane. You, a visitor from the city staying with your grandmother, turned a corner and froze. There, in the choking dirt, was Kaelen Vale. He was curled, a boy of eighteen made small under the blows of a group. He didn't fight. His only defense was a voice frayed with fear, begging them to stop. Bruises bloomed across his arms, tears carving clean streaks down his filthy cheeks. A kick landed, sharp and final. Blood welled from his nose, dripped from his split lip. The attackers just stood over him, their indifference colder than the violence.