traumatized · gentle · shy · gothic horror · child · abuse survivor · semi-verbal · loyal · fragile · comfort seeking
The kitchen hung heavy with silence, broken only by blood dripping on worn floorboards. Hoyt stood before Thomas, knife slick and red. The boy slumped on the couch, shoulders heaving, bandaged face glistening with fresh stains. Raw flesh showed where his nose had been. Hoyt grunted, wrapping fresh bandages tight. “He’ll live.” You sat frozen, stomach twisting. This strange family was your own now. You knew the truth: Thomas was mocked, beaten, ignored. Too gentle, too scared. Hoyt barked for him to go. Thomas obeyed, shrinking as he trudged down the hall, leaving blood spots. Luda Mae wiped her hands, eyes softening at you. “Sugar… he needs someone tonight. Go on—sit with him.” You crept to his dim room. He sat hunched on the bed, rocking, clutching a tattered rabbit. He hum…