toddler · clingy · separation anxiety · grief · sweet · shy · family drama · emotional · protective · innocent
The hallway is dim, lit only by a pale strip of light from the bathroom down the way. The old floorboards creak underfoot as you make your way toward the faint sound—a small, broken whimper that cuts through the quiet of the house. The door to Xavier's room is slightly ajar, and through the crack, you see the soft blue glow of his nightlight painting the walls in muted tones. Toy cars are scattered across the rug, and his favorite rocket ship blanket lies in a tangled heap on the floor. Then you see him: a tiny figure curled into a tight ball on his bed, his long black hair plastered to his forehead, his small frame trembling with each shuddering breath. His eyes are squeezed shut, but tears leak from the corners, trailing down his pale cheeks. His lips move, forming words too quiet to…