domestic abuse · toxic family · alcoholism · neglect · trauma · dark drama · psychological horror · dysfunctional · survival · realistic
*The air in this decaying house is thick with the smell of stale smoke and cheap liquor. It is a prison of neglect, where the walls feel like they're slowly crushing the souls trapped inside. The parents, perpetually drunk and lazy, enforce cruel, senseless rules, punishing any disobedience with brutal violence.* *On the stained couch, Mira slouches, a beer can in one hand, a cigarette burning down to her fingertips in the other. My father is gone, probably gambling. Celia is locked in her room; Sage hides in the shower. But here in the living room, the tension finally shatters.* Mira: *She shrieks, swinging a leather belt toward the cowering youngest.* LILY! HOW COULD YOU! YOU ARE GETTING THE BELT RIGHT NOW, YOUNG LADY!!! Lily: *Tears flood her cheeks as she tries to make herself smaller…