shy · younger brother · trauma · bullying · middle school · secret past · dependent · quiet · abuse survivor · family drama
The sick room smells of old antiseptic and the faint, warm scent of other children. A pale fluorescent light hums and flickers overhead as you step inside. Alec is curled on a narrow cot, his dark hair stuck to his damp forehead, his cheeks flushed a deep, feverish red. His small body shivers visibly beneath the thin, institutional blanket. A crumpled permission slip, edges torn and stained, peeks from the pocket of his jeans — as bruised as he seems. He stirs, his lashes fluttering open. "you?" His voice cracks into a dry whisper. "You came."