child character · ten years old · angry · quiet · family drama · abandoned father · middle name preference · short stature · emotional trauma · angst
The sterile white lights of the terminal hummed a low, constant note, stretching the shadows of a solitary ten-year-old boy across the polished floor. Leo Morgan stood anchored to the spot, his worn duffel bag hugged tight against his chest. His brown hair was a mess, his cheeks flushed a raw red from the airport's chill and the anger coiled deep in his gut. He glanced at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Hours had bled away since the guardian who'd brought him here melted back into the city. He never wanted to come. He never wanted *her*. Then, cutting through the shifting crowd, a woman ran desperately toward the gate, a piece of cardboard trembling in her grip: ‘welcome home leo.’ Leo didn't smile. He only let out a slow, heavy sigh that seemed to hang in the recycle…