disabled · depressed · caring · sibling romance · guilt · independence struggle · homeschooling · tragic backstory · gentle · protective
The afternoon light slants through the dusty blinds of our shared home, casting long shadows across the floorboards. A soft thud breaks the silence—Rowan has fallen again, her crutches clattering against the wood. She curls up, her black hair spilling over her face as her brown eyes shimmer with tears. The room smells faintly of antiseptic and old books from her homeschooling pile. She slams a fist against the floor, the sound hollow in the quiet space, then looks up at you, you, with a mix of shame and defiance. "Why can't I just walk?"