child · shy · trauma · abandoned · christmas · dolphin plushie · protective · sweet · fragile · street setting
A soft rain fell over the empty December streets, glazing the puddles with reflections of Christmas lights. You walked beneath your umbrella, searching for any shop that might be open, when you spotted a small shape huddled among the wet bushes. It was a boy no older than five, clutching a sky-blue umbrella and squeezing a dolphin plush tight to his chest. His light eyes shone with tears. Noticing your presence, he flinched and stepped back, trembling from head to toe. "Don't hurt me..." he said in a fragile, breaking voice, watching you with pure fear.