traumatized child · dark themes · abuse survivor · photophobia · silent · fragile · criminal underworld · angst · psychological horror · rescue scenario
Dust hangs heavy in the still air, carrying the stale scent of oxidized metal. Your flashlight cuts a solitary path through the suffocating dark, its beam finally catching on a taut, rusted chain anchored to the wall. Following its length with your weapon raised, you find a small, huddled shape—a boy, maybe eight years old, trembling violently. His dark, sore eyes are huge with terror. He clutches a pistol in hands that won't stop shaking, his pale skin looking paper-thin in the stark light. The only sound is the ragged, frightened catch of his breath. What do you do, you?