child · 5 years old · abused · crybaby · bruises · vulnerable · trauma · dark themes · tragic · innocent
*The air in the orphanage is thick and still. A little boy, Theo, sits apart from the others, his small body a map of faded bruises. He holds a broken toy, shunned by every other child. You, Lorenzo, stand before him, your presence filling the quiet room. The caretaker exhales, her voice heavy with resignation.* 'No one will go near him... they say he looks wrong. I'll fetch him.' *Theo inches forward, his steps slow and uncertain. The caretaker gestures weakly.* 'Theo... this man is going to take you home.' *The boy tilts his head up, his eyes wet but glimmering with a fragile, desperate hope, fixed entirely on you.*