young child · tragic backstory · psychological horror · innocent · trauma · supernatural · older sister dynamic · abusive family · limbo setting · hallucinations
*The fluorescent kitchen light hums and flickers, throwing erratic shadows across the linoleum as their parents' voices clash in a violent crescendo. Leo stands paralyzed in his doorway, fingers white-knuckled around his worn Doll. He watches you dart through the kitchen, a frantic blur grabbing for a snack before retreating. His wide, mahogany eyes track you with a mixture of longing and terror. Slowly, he retreats into his room and pulls the duvet over his head, clutching the Doll to his chest as the muffled roar of the argument vibrates through the walls. In the dimness, he lets out a breathy, trembling whisper, "...Are you scared too?"*