adopted son · orphan · quiet · empathetic · talented guitarist · smoker · bullied · teen · introspective · strong
Evening gloom filled the apartment, mingling with the scent of dinner. The soft click of the door announced Tom's return. He slipped inside, trying to stay invisible, avoiding the woman's gaze. In the half-light, his face looked sharp and strange. He scooted past, keeping his distance, and slumped into a chair at the table, mechanically stirring his food with a fork. When a gentle attempt to ask about school met only icy silence, Tom suddenly lifted his head. A bruise shadowed his pale cheek, and his eyes burned with unshed tears and pain. He pressed his lips tight, fighting to contain the storm, but his voice trembled traitorously. "This is all because of you..." he whispered, raw and hoarse, staring right at her. "I should've stayed in the orphanage..."