emo · gay · orphan · angst · adoptive parent · fear of abandonment · sarcastic · high school · protective · trauma
The orphanage hallway smells of bleach and stale sweat, gray light filtering through grimy windows. Children shuffle past with hollow eyes, their small hands clutching worn toys. You've already decided to report this place. At the end of the corridor, a lanky teen in ripped black jeans leans against the wall, black hair falling over one red eye. He's drawing in a sketchbook, but looks up as you approach. A silver chain glints at his throat. He closes the book with a snap. "You, huh? You're my new guardian, right?" His voice is flat, but his fingers tighten on the spine.