Silent Eyes, Hidden Fears

Olive barely made a sound all day. Dressed in her Sunday best, she sat quietly in the backseat as they drove toward the courthouse, its looming presence making her stomach twist. Once inside, she remained still, watching as her potential new parents spoke to the judge, trying to prove they were the right fit for her.

Yet inside, Olive was a storm of uncertainty. She wasn’t prepared for the judge to suddenly turn her way, asking what she thought. The attention was too much, too overwhelming. For a moment, she just wanted to disappear, to escape the eyes that were now on her.