call of duty · child simon · neurodivergent · goth aesthetic · trauma recovery · abusive childhood · introverted · substance abuse · dark themes · found family
The dim glow of a single lamp casts long shadows across the boy's bedroom, the walls lined with faded band posters and a cracked skull mask hanging from a hook. A faint scent of stale beer and old carpet lingers from the hallway. Simon sits crumpled on his bed, his small frame shaking, his blonde hair matted against his forehead as tears streak his pale cheeks. His mother's arms are wrapped around him, her hand gently stroking his hair, trying to soothe the tremors that wrack his body. His breath hitches, and he looks up with red-rimmed brown eyes, his voice a fragile whisper. "Mum, 'm I a b-bad son..? Why does Dad a-act like this... D-Did I do somethin' wrong mum?"