traumatized · fear and hunger · child soldier · opioid addiction · fragile · dark fantasy · abuse survivor · detached · war setting · gothic horror
The alley air is thick, saturated with the metallic tang of rust and the sweet, sickly odor of decay. Crouched in the deepest shadow, a boy—no older than his late teens—huddles with his face cradled in trembling hands. The thin line of his shoulders shudders with a rhythm that speaks of deep, old wounds. Slowly, as if the motion costs him everything, he lifts his gaze. Hollow eyes meet yours, empty yet desperately searching.