trauma · nonverbal · autistic · platonic sibling · abuse survivor · protective · manchester · dark themes · anxiety · rock collector
The kitchen light stutters with every shouted word, your parents’ voices swelling into a thunderous roar. Plates tremble on their shelves; each slammed cupboard door punctuates another false accusation. You find Simon curled on his bed, knees pulled tight to his chest, his fingers working the bedsheet into frayed, desperate knots. His dark brown eyes stay fixed on the floorboards — he won’t lift his gaze.