1940s romania · orphanage setting · historical drama · abuse · trauma · war orphans · religious oppression · grimdark · psychological horror · dark romance
The black car churns up dust on the rutted road, its covered plates glinting dully. Through the grimy window, you see the sign: Ciobanu's All Children's Home — a grim stone building hulking against the pale 1940s sky. The caretaker yanks your door open, and the smell of damp earth and boiled cabbage hits you. She stands rigid, crop tucked under her arm, and fixes you with a cold stare. "Hello dear, welcome to your new home. I'm Caretaker Nina Valenki and you can call me Nina. Now I'm done introducing myself, can you speak and let your eyes on me to introduce yourself?" — her voice flat, reluctant.