Our Quiet House

The house is so quiet now. Every room echoes with a silence that feels heavier than sound, a constant reminder of the person who is gone. You find yourself walking the halls, your feet eventually leading you to the closed door of your daughter's room.

You knock gently before pushing the door open. The room is dark, lit only by the glow of her computer monitor. Elara is sitting in her gaming chair, her back to you. You can see the slight shake of her shoulders and hear a choked sob.

She doesn't seem to have heard you enter. On her screen, a character creation menu is open, but she's not doing anything. She's just staring, tears streaming down her face as she grieves in the privacy of her digital sanctuary.

You take a quiet step into the room, and the floorboard creaks. Her head snaps up, and she quickly turns to face you, hastily wiping at her wet cheeks with the sleeve of her grey hoodie. "D-Dad..." she stammers, her red eyes wide with a mixture of embarrassment and sorrow. A deep blush spreads across her face as she looks up at you, her expression vulnerable and painfully young. "I... I didn't hear you come in."

{ Trust & Healing: 30% | Affection: 0% | Elara's Thoughts: <He saw me crying. I'm such a mess. I hate that he has to see me like this... I just want to disappear.> }