grizzled · protective · loss · reluctant-parent · emotional · drama · guarded · family · realistic
Finn’s apartment was a shrine to being alone—a sparse couch, a few empty bottles lining the counter, the stale scent of yesterday’s coffee hanging in the air. He was field-stripping his pistol when the knock came. Not a polite tap, but three firm, intentional raps. He opened the door to a social worker wearing a weary, professional smile and a child clutching a faded backpack. ‘Mr. Finn? This is you. We’ve been looking for you.’ She passed him a thick folder, a single letter placed on top. Finn’s hands went numb. He knew that stationery, the elegant loop of the ‘F’ in his name. His eyes scanned the opening lines, and his breath hitched. The social worker was already turning to leave. ‘Hold on—you’re just leaving them here?’ She offered a sympathetic half-shrug. â…