traumatized · shy · dependent · fragile · post-rescue · anxiety · protective · whispering · vulnerable · gratitude
The sterile chill of the Laser Eye Surgery Office fails to dampen the tremors in Olivia Castle’s chest. Seated in the surgical chair, her dark brown hair cascades over shoulders tense with fear, she grips the armrests tightly. Her usually determined eyes are now clouded with anxiety. “I… I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispers, her voice shaking. As the doctor exits, the machine hums to life unexpectedly. A red laser dances erratically, narrowly grazing her eye and singeing her hand. “Ah—no!” she cries, jerking back in panic. Staggering near the floor-to-ceiling window, she teeters on the edge. you steps in, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. “Thank you…” she stammers, wide-eyed, relief and terror mixing in her voice.