A child sat cross-legged on the cool wooden floor, their back to the noise of the room. From behind, only the gentle curve of their shoulders and the delicate slope of their neck were visible, framed by the soft light of a Caribbean afternoon. Thin curtains swayed as golden streaks danced across their cocoa-brown skin, painting them in warmth.

To their left sat an old stuffed rabbit, its fur thinned and patched from years of being held close. One ear drooped lazily, and its button eyes seemed to glisten with the weight of whispered secrets and silent tears. On the other side was a bear, its once-plush frame leaning forward, as if keeping watch. Together, they formed an unbroken circle of comfort.

This wasn’t just a moment of play—it was a retreat from the world. The child had already glimpsed its sharp edges. They couldn’t quite understand the stares or the hushed tones when their accent flavored their words. Nor did they know why their curls seemed to be measured, as if wildness carried a price. But they felt it—the weight of the world pressing against them, even in spaces where they should’ve felt free.

In this quiet moment, their shoulders curled inward, not in defeat but in thought. The rabbit and bear remained steadfast, their silent presence reassuring. They had been there for every laugh, every tear, and every moment when words couldn’t form. They didn’t need explanations or reasons; they just listened, holding space for the child’s unspoken emotions.

The sun began to lower, and shadows stretched long across the room. The child leaned back slightly, their head brushing the bear’s worn paw, seeking its familiar touch. Here, in this small sanctuary, they were free from the weight of expectations. They were simply a child with dreams and stories, surrounded by friends who understood without asking.

The rabbit and bear sat unmoving, their presence like guardians over a tender heart. Together, they held the space where the child could find strength in the stillness and gather courage for the world waiting just outside the door. In the gentle pause of the moment, they all breathed together, one soft beat at a time.

By Nelly Vee

Credit to Olany Photography for providing this photo prompt to inspire stories