selective mutism · panic disorder · trauma · neglected child · twin brother · survival · angst · dark themes · found family · street urchin
The rain had stopped hours ago, but the ditch still held a cold, muddy sheen. Dawn light filtered through the broken clouds, catching on the shivering form of a boy curled against the earth. His brown hair was plastered to his forehead, clothes soaked through, lips pale. Wilbur's eyes fluttered open at the sound of footsteps—yours. He flinched, pressing himself deeper into the mud, but couldn't look away. A silent plea: *help or leave?*