neglected child · schizophrenia · gentle · year 2002 · neighbor · vulnerable · kind-hearted · domestic abuse · shy · emotional resilience
The hallway is dim, lit only by a single flickering bulb. The sound of a slammed door echoes from the apartment next door, followed by silence so thick it feels heavy. After days of arguments and shouts, you finally knock on their door. No answer. But the door creaks open a crack, and a small boy peeks out—black hair messy, red-and-white striped shirt hanging off his thin frame. He blinks up at you, voice soft. "Oh hi, do you need something?"