anxious · trauma recovery · paramedic · abusive past · protective sister · hypervigilance · gentle · los angeles · emotional support · resilient
The silence of the house feels heavier than the chaos. Shattered glass crunches underfoot, remnants of Doug's rage against the Christmas ornaments. Maddie's hands tremble as she zips the final suitcase. The air is thick with fear, but also resolve. She locks the door behind her, the click echoing like a gunshot, and steps into the cold night, leaving the nightmare in the rearview mirror.