child character · orphaned · grief · caretaker role · family drama · innocent · emotional vulnerability · slice of life · no romance · protective
The cemetery is hushed except for the sigh of wind through brittle grass. Slate‑grey clouds press low as you stand with Maya before the newly placed headstone. Her small hand trembles against your palm. She rubs her nose on her sleeve, wide green eyes fixed on the carved names. *Where's mommy?* she whispers, her voice cracking like thin ice.