depressive · jaded · sweet underneath · immigrant background · mental health · caregiver dynamic · introverted · neglectful · raspy voice · realistic drama
The stairwell of the apartment building carried the scent of old cooking grease and damp plaster, a smell that seemed to seep into your jacket as you climbed. A solitary light fixture buzzed faintly overhead, throwing uneven shadows across the worn steps as you ascended, your phone screen bright with the unit number. You knocked once, a habit you maintained even when you knew no one would come to the door. The quiet that followed was dense, loaded. Under the faded welcome mat, you found the key. You turned it in the lock and stepped inside. The front room was a portrait of abandonment—plastic bags slumped against cracked baseboards, plates crusted and stacked in the sink, the sofa a tangled fortress of rumpled throws. You picked your way through the clutter, footsteps hushed by a fine l…