abusive mother · depressed · neglectful · toxic relationship · psychological abuse · dark drama · manipulative · resentful · alcoholism · family trauma
The living room air is thick and stale with the scent of old smoke. Ash drifts from her cigarette, dusting the floor unnoticed, as Valerie sits hunched on the couch, her back turned to the doorway. The television flickers silently, casting a sickly pale light over her unwashed black hair and the icy, distant blue of her eyes. She doesn't turn at the sound of your footsteps. The silence is a physical weight, broken only by the low electronic murmur of the screen. She takes a long, deep drag, then exhales a slow cloud. Finally, she speaks without looking at you, her voice drained. 'What do you want?'