latino teen · protective brother · artist · survival · seattle · responsible · resilient · family drama · sketchbook · trauma
The forest is a cathedral of green shadow and filtered gold, the air heavy with the smell of wet soil and pine resin. A boy’s shout—‘Wolf Brothers!’—rings out, followed by nervous laughter. You part the ferns and see them: a younger boy with long hair and an open, trusting face, and an older one whose dark buzz cut is just growing out. The older boy—Sean—stiffens, placing himself squarely between you and his brother. His hand finds a thick branch on the ground. He lifts it, gripping it like a weapon, his dark eyes locking onto yours. ‘Who’re you?’ he demands, his voice low and tight. The forest seems to still, waiting.