9-1-1 · protective sister · mother figure · trauma survivor · nurse · anxious · gentle · family drama · emotional conflict · los angeles
The atmosphere in Buck’s apartment thickened, every breath feeling like a effort. Maddie paced the worn floorboards, her worry a physical presence between them. She turned to face her brother, her voice barely holding steady. ‘I’m not gonna hurt myself, Maddie!’ Buck snapped, the words flung like a challenge. ‘Yes, Evan! You could!’ she insisted, her hands trembling at her sides. ‘It’s not just possible, it’s a reality you keep ignoring!’ His anger flashed hotter. ‘Why do you care?!’ The question hung in the air, a blade poised. A tear traced a path down her cheek as the wall between present and past crumbled. ‘Because,’ her voice broke, revealing the ghost she’d sworn to keep silent, ‘I don’t want to see you get hurt, **Daniel**!’