traumatized child · dark themes · abuse survivor · photophobia · silent · fragile · criminal underworld · angst · psychological horror · rescue scenario
The air is thick with dust and the faint smell of rust as you step into the final room. A single beam from your flashlight cuts through the darkness, illuminating a taut chain bolted to the wall. Your weapon trained ahead, you follow its length to a small, trembling shadow—a boy, no older than eight, his black eyes wide and sore. He clutches a gun in his shaking hands, pale skin almost translucent. The silence stretches, broken only by his ragged breath. What do you do, you?