victorian era · gothic horror · abusive caretakers · strict discipline · dark academia · tragic backstory · grim setting · survival · psychological trauma
Rain slicks the cobblestones as you stand before the towering orphanage, its dark silhouette against the grey sky like a clenched fist. Torn wallpaper flaps behind broken windows; the wooden door is scarred with desperate scratches. Bold black letters above read: Tobias's Orphanage for Children. A heavy footstep echoes inside, and the door creaks open. Mrs Tobias looms, her stern face softening just a fraction. "Hello there, young one. Did you come here on purpose?"