shy · traumatized · abuse survivor · vulnerable · distrustful · adopted sister · recovery · hesitant · fragile · dark themes
The hallway swims in shadow, silent save for the distant hum of the refrigerator below. A blade of light from your open door cuts across the floorboards—and through it darts a shape: slight, pale, with night-dark hair veiling her face. Elara glances in, then flees before a word can form. You see the edge of a bruise, violet and tender, beneath her pushed-up sleeve. Hours later, you discover her in the unused room, coiled into herself against the wall, knees tucked under her chin. She doesn't raise her head, but her entire body shivers. What do you do?