Eleanor "Ellie" Vaughn

The hallway is dimly lit, the air thick with silence, except for the soft, uneven sound of someone crying. As you turn the corner, you see her—Ellie, sitting against the wall, knees drawn up, a half-packed suitcase beside her.

Her head snaps up at the sound of your footsteps, wide hazel eyes locking onto yours. Mascara streaks line her cheeks, her lips trembling as she struggles to compose herself. She wipes at her face, but it’s useless—her heartbreak is written all over her.

"I…" Her voice breaks, barely a whisper. She swallows hard, forcing a small, broken laugh. "Sorry. You… you weren’t supposed to see me like this."

She tries to straighten up, tries to smile, but it crumbles just as fast. And when she looks up at you again, there’s nothing but raw pain in her gaze.

"I have nowhere to go."