Flynn Silias —
A Short Story of Love, Trauma, Loss, and Strength
• • •
As mentioned in my pinned post, I strongly recommend reading through the content warnings before starting. Your mental health comes first — always remember that. 🫶
Content Warnings
• Trauma & grief
• Anxiety / PTSD
• Domestic violence (emotional & implied physical)
• Witnessing the death of a parent
• Parental abuse (emotional & implied physical)
• Mentions of $uicide
— Without further ado, I present you his story.
Born on September 16th, Flynn Silias grew up on a quiet homestead nestled just outside of town. The early years of his childhood were idyllic, spent helping his parents on their modest farm-or more accurately, toddling after the chickens while they worked. His mother, Aelia, was his anchor, always at the heart of his happiest memories.
Together, they would cook, share stories of history and folklore, and create journals from scraps of paper for Flynn to fill with sketches of the world around him. His drawings were clumsy but heartfelt, capturing the joy of simple farm life. Aelia also taught him how to make homemade pulled taffy, a treat he cherished into adulthood.
His father, Mason, was a more distant figure-present but rarely warm. By the time Flynn was nine, Mason's behavior shifted from aloof to volatile, his frustration boiling over into aggression. What began as arguments escalated into something darker, with Flynn and Aelia bearing the brunt of his growing rage.
At just eleven years old, Flynn's world shattered. One harrowing night, Mason's anger erupted into a torrent of violence. Flynn cowered by his mother's side as Mason accused them of ruining his life, wielding raw emotion like a weapon. When Mason grabbed his hunting rifle, Aelia acted on pure instinct, screaming for Flynn to run as she fought to disarm her husband. Flynn hesitated, torn between saving her or obeying her desperate plea.
Then, he saw the unthinkable-his mother's life taken in an instant.
That image burned into his mind, Flynn fled the house, running blindly through the dark countryside to reach town. His legs carried him faster than he thought possible, driven by terror and grief. By the time he reached help, Mason had taken his own life, leaving Flynn orphaned and adrift. In the weeks that followed, Flynn's home became a crime scene, his life reduced to a series of interviews, evidence collections, and grief-stricken silences. Authorities returned his mother's cherished necklace, a silver locket with a photograph of baby Flynn and Aelia. It became his most treasured possession, a tangible connection to the love he had lost. He refuses to remove it unless he fears it might get damaged, treating it as an almost sacred part of himself.
Flynn was placed into foster care, where therapists worked tirelessly to help him heal. Nightmares plagued him, and his anxiety left him sleepless. He often picked at the dead skin of his lips until they bled, despite constant reminders from his foster mother to use lip balm. He wasn't open about his trauma unless he felt safe, and building trust was a slow process-one built on actions rather than words.
By the time he was thirteen, his mental health stabilized enough for adoption, and neighbors Stacey and Frank Langley, who had cared for his family's farm, stepped forward. They welcomed him into their home with open arms, allowing him to choose his mother's surname, Silias, as a way to reclaim his identity. Though he struggled to bond with Frank at first due to his distrust of father figures, the two eventually formed a connection through shared activities like hunting and archery, where Flynn's skill began to flourish.
Adjusting to life with the Langleys wasn't easy, but Stacey's kindness and patience helped Flynn rebuild his sense of safety. She often took him on nature walks to soothe his restless energy, fostering his love for exploration. Flynn threw himself into activities that brought him peace, such as journaling, sketching nature, and climbing trees-even after a fall left him with a broken arm. He even crafted his own journals, a skill inspired by his mother's creativity.
Flynn returned to his childhood home during his teens, with the Langleys carefully helping him remove every trace of Mason so he could reclaim the space as his own. Now eighteen, Flynn fully manages the farm himself, living off-grid just a few miles outside of town. He tends to the animals, gardens, and sells products like eggs, goat's milk, and goat's milk soaps in town.
Flynn even uses the soap for his own hair, skin, and clothes, finding comfort in the simplicity of his lifestyle.
During one of his trips to town to deliver farm goods, Flynn had an unexpected encounter with Theo, a boy his age. In his typical awkwardness, Flynn accidentally dropped a carton of eggs onto Theo's shoes. He froze in panic, his anxiety bubbling over as he stumbled through tearful apologies.
Instead of growing frustrated, Theo noticed Flynn's distress and calmly talked him through the moment until he settled. That interaction blossomed into a deep friendship Flynn cherishes to this day.
Theo's quick thinking and patient demeanor left a lasting impression on Flynn, making him one of the few people Flynn truly trusts. Flynn's soft-spoken nature and mild embarrassment over his lisp make it hard for him to strike up conversations, but Theo never judges him for his hesitations. Instead, Theo has become an anchor for Flynn, offering a safe and judgment-free companionship.
Flynn often visits Theo's house, drawn to the warmth and comfort it provides compared to his isolated homestead.
Their favorite pastime is watching Hell's Kitchen together, laughing and playfully critiquing the contestants' poor decisions and shady behavior. This small ritual is a highlight of Flynn's week, offering a lighthearted escape from the weight of his responsibilities.
Flynn is awkward but sweet, unsure of how to navigate sudden one-on-one time with anyone. Yet, his sincerity always shines through, and his words are thoughtful, even if they're softly spoken. Despite his shy nature, Flynn is known for his adventurous spirit and gentle heart, with a particular soft spot for kids. He volunteers to teach rock climbing classes and dreams of adopting a child someday when the time feels right.
Though Flynn still carries the scars of his past-raised voices, especially from men, can send him into anxiety attacks—his resilience shines in everything he does. His days are spent hiking, journaling, rock climbing, and sketching the beauty of the natural world, from mushrooms and trees to weathered elk skulls. His love for animals remains unwavering, and he still finds comfort in the memories of his favorite hen, Birch, whose feather earring he wears in her honor.
With Theo's friendship as a source of stability and joy, Flynn continues to grow into himself, finding hope and healing in the life he's worked so hard to rebuild.
—
>> Though Flynn has faced hardships, he continues to grow, explore, and find joy. I hope his story reminds you that even in dark times, healing and hope are possible. 🫶