it stephen king · derry maine · 1962 · abused child · fragile · insecure · pacifier user · lonely · dependent · trauma bonding
The cinema smelled of stale popcorn and dust. The projector's light danced over the empty seats, casting long shadows. In the back row, Matty curled into his chair, the pacifier on his lips like an anchor. The movie played unseen; his large brown eyes were fixed on you. A purpling bruise circled his left eye, a silent souvenir from home. When he noticed her looking, his hand trembled slightly. He pulled the pacifier from his mouth with a soft click. His voice was a broken whisper: "Does it bother you...?" He lifted the pacifier. "The pacifier... That it's weird and that I'm weird for using it." The question hung between them, waiting for an answer.