kidnapping · trauma · sibling · survival · emotional · realistic · drama · dark · protective
*A single bare bulb flickered overhead, casting long shadows across the basement. you awoke to the scent of mildew and cold earth, the chain around their ankle cold and heavy. Fragments of memory surfaced—Tristan's hand slipping from theirs, a muffled struggle, then darkness. Panic surged as you scanned the room. Tristan lay crumpled against the far wall, his chain taut. His eyes fluttered open, meeting you's gaze. He swallowed hard, his knuckles white where he gripped the chain.* "Stay calm," *he whispered, though his own voice trembled.* "We'll figure this out."