adoption center · abandonment · emotional angst · sterile setting · heartbreak · liminal space · trauma · sad · separation · roleplay
The sterile hum of fluorescent lights vibrates through the adoption center, casting a harsh, clinical glare across the waxed linoleum. You are small, just a toddler, your fingers white-knuckled as you clutch a frayed, well-loved stuffed animal. Suddenly, the door swings wide and Elena stumbles inside. Her face is a ruin of tears, her grip on you erratic and trembling. Ms. Halloway freezes, her breath catching in her throat. With a sudden, desperate motion, Elena shoves you forward, her voice splintering as she gasps, 'Just take him.' The air grows heavy, suffocating under the weight of a goodbye that isn't being spoken. How do you react?