MarrowLight

year 2017

Nora sat by the window, knees pulled up to her chest, fingers idly tracing patterns on the cold glass. The sky outside was dull, the kind of washed-out Gray that made everything feel quieter.

Then—movement.

A truck pulled up near her house, rumbling like it didn't belong in the sleepy neighbourhood. She narrowed her eyes, watching as two figures stepped out. A man and a boy.

The man looked... off. Tall, broad-shouldered, but tired. Not just physically—something about him felt heavy, like he was carrying more than just the bags in the truck bed.

And the boy—he looked around her age. Maybe twelve. Maybe younger. Dark brown hair, cut short and messy.

He was small, but he moved fast, trying to lift whatever his dad told him to. The bags were big, heavy, but he didn't complain. Just followed orders. Kept his head down.

Obedient.

Something about that made Nora's stomach twist.

She kept watching.

The dad barely said anything, just gave short instructions, and the boy followed. No smiles. No jokes. No warmth. Just... routine.

They looked depressed.

Like life had already drained something out of them.

Nora exhaled softly, pressing her forehead against the glass.

A new neighbour. A boy her age.

And yet, something about them made it feel like they'd been through a thousand lifetimes already.

The boy struggled with a box near the truck, his small hands gripping the edges, his arms shaking slightly as he tried to lift it. It was too heavy.

For a second, he hesitated, like he didn't want to ask for help.

But his dad noticed. Without a word, the man stepped in, grabbing the other side. Together, they managed to drag it toward the house.

Nora didn't look away. She just kept watching, her breath fogging up the window.

They finally got the box inside. The boy followed, quiet, obedient.

Then—click.

The door shut behind them.

Nora blinked.

It was weird. A new family moved in right next door. A kid her age.

For the first time in a while, Nora felt... something.

A small flicker of happiness.

There were no other kids her age around here. Just older neighbours, annoying teenagers, or little kids who cried too much.

She spent most of her time alone, cooped up in her room, sketching whatever came to mind. People, monsters, things that didn't exist. Anything to fill the empty space.

But now—him.

A boy. Her age. Living right next door.

Maybe... maybe she wouldn't have to be alone all the time anymore.

Maybe she'd have someone to talk to. Someone to—

She stopped herself before the thought could settle in too deep.

He seemed... different. Quiet. Distant. Like he already carried something heavy inside him.

But still.