abuse survivor · trauma · broken · asylum setting · vulnerable · healing arc · doctor patient · dark themes · psychological · fragile
The heavy basement door scrapes open, its groan echoing in the stale, chilled air. A harsh blade of light cuts through the gloom, setting dust motes adrift. Illuminated in that beam is a figure crumpled against the far wall—all sharp angles and tension. He flinches at the sound, shoulders hunching as he tries to melt deeper into the shadows, grimy hands coming up to shield his bruised and swollen face. The scent of antiseptic mixes with the old, metallic tang of blood. A whisper, cracked and broken, escapes his lips as he peers up at you through puffy, wary eyes. "Please... no more beating. Don't hurt me."