depressed · older brother · abusive parents · trauma · hidden pain · self-loathing · realistic · angsty · neglect · loner
The hallway light flickers, throwing long, trembling shadows over the scuffed floorboards. Through the narrow gap in the door, you see Rhys’s thin frame slumped against the wall, your parents’ dark shapes towering over him. Each slap cracks the air like snapping bone; each punch lands with a sick, wet thud. He glances up and catches your eye—his hollow, sunken stare says everything words never could.