Chapter Text
Todd can still hear the sirens in the back of his head, ringing in his ears like a constant reminder. He hasn't spoken to anyone since the incident, since he watched Jeffery be dragged into the police car. Mrs. Smith, his social worker, says he's still in recovery. Todd doesn't know what that means. Mrs. Smith also tells him that it wasn't his fault. He doesn't know what that means either.
He's been in a “home" for a few days now, and the other kids don't even know his name. Todd's not very open at the home. Most kids aren't. He likes that.
Yesterday, Mrs. Smith informed him of the Dalton family. They were a nice rich family, a kid his age and a big fancy house. "Stable," she had told him with a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. This morning, there was a plan for him to meet the Daltons and move to their estate.
Todd didn't quite like this, and all the change happening around him, but it wasn't like he had much choice. Jeffery wouldn't be out of jail for at least a few months. And after that, he'd probably be in prison for many years.
Mrs. Smith drove him personally; her car was plain and forgettable, the kind of car you would pass on a road without noticing. Its interior smelled faintly of cheap coffee and cheap vanilla air freshener. Todd didn't think the smells worked together. Todd liked the beige leather in the backseat. It looked smooth, and expensive, compared to the rest of the vehicle. Though it was undeniably cold. The drive was long and uneven. Gravel crunched underneath the tires as they changed from a main paved road to a small dirt one. The trees stood tall on the wooded edges of the driveway, their leaves glowing red and orange under the sun.
“Are you excited?” Mrs. Smith asked. “Scared?”
Todd merely shrugged, eyes fixated on the warmly coloured trees outside.
Mrs. Smith was silent after that. The rest of the car ride was only the hum of the engine and the soft tapping of branches on the car's exterior.
When they finally arrived, Todd stepped out into the cool autumn air.
The Dalton property was huge.
Even in the autumn it was beautiful, beds of flowers blooming in rich reds and deep purples, vines crawling along the wooden trellises. Fallen leaves decorated the stone pathways, scattered yet neat. The air smelled faintly sweet, damp soil and crushed petals.
He walked up to the house with Mrs. Smith behind him, his eyes lingering on the colours.
The house itself stood tall behind the brightly coloured garden. White walls stretched upward, clean and smooth. Reflecting the sunlight so brightly that Todd had to squint. The windows were wide, polished to perfection. The entire place looked like a magazine and made Todd a bit embarrassed to walk up the clean stairs in his muddy Converse.
He stepped to the door, looking behind him to Mrs. Smith, before back at the door. He hesitantly raised his hand to knock, but before he could, the door swung wide open, revealing a woman that Todd assumed was Mrs. Dalton.
She was short, with soft features and a gentle posture that made her seem shorter than she really was. Her hair was long and brown, very well taken care of, cascading over her shoulders in waves. She was beautiful in a delicate way, looking at Todd in a strange way. It seemed like admiration, maybe even pity. Something nervous too.
He frowned at her unintentionally.
Mrs. Dalton quickly brushed her hands on her apron, as if she had been cleaning or cooking moments before, then stepped aside for him to come in.
The inside of the house felt even larger. The foyer opened wide around him. The ceiling stretched high overhead. In the corner stood a tall, expensive potted plant that looked like if he breathed on it, it could shatter. Underneath his feet was a red rug that seemed unusually clean, with an intricate gold pattern on its fabric.
Above all was the beautiful chandelier. Its glass crystals bounced light from the windows all across the room. He stared at it longer than he'd meant to.
“Todd, isn't it? I'm Coraline. Call me whatever you'd like, dear.”
Coraline patted his shoulder comfortingly. He didn't react much. Instead, his attention drifted past her.
A boy had entered the room, followed by a taller, older man.
Behind him, Mrs. Smith closed the front door, placing a comforting hand on his back. He didn't react to this either.
The boy was staring at him. Todd wondered if he had something on his face by the way all these people looked at him. The boy in front of him wore a neat suit, looking a bit stiff for the way his hair was styled. Wavy brown hair, matching his mother's, fell slightly over his forehead. Under it revealed sharp, curious eyes.
There was a smirk on his face. Not a friendly smile. A smirk. Todd could tell it'd been there awhile. His posture was strange too, tilted slightly with arms crossed. Todd frowned at this man as well.
The man behind him was clearly Mr. Dalton. He had the same eyes as his son, with white-grey locks and a taller build. They looked remarkably similar, though his face carried wrinkles.
Mr. Dalton stepped forward and held out his hand.
Todd stared a moment before shaking it. He didn't want to be rude, after all.
“You aren't even going to say hello?” The boy asked suddenly. His voice carried as much curiosity as it did venom.
“Charles, we talked about this.” Coraline reminded.
Charlie rolled his eyes dramatically, earning a sharp glare from his father. Charlie lazily stepped forward in a carefree sense, one hand outstretched towards Todd. Todd stepped back in sync with him.
“Charlie Dalton! Your new… brother.” He said, mumbling the last word as if it tasted bad on his tongue. Todd shook his hand as well, but Charlie instantly wiped it off on his pant leg.
“Charles, dear, why don't you show Todd to his room? Take his bags.” Her tone carried finality. Charlie grumbled something under his breath before taking the suitcase from Mrs. Smith. As they walked down the long hallway, Todd could see a small smile from Mrs. Smith's darkened face. He grimaced.
“Not much of a talker, are you?” Charlie asked as they climbed the staircase.
Todd only shrugged.
He didn't slow down for Todd, moving quickly through the halls of the household. He reached the bedroom, swinging the white door wide open.
Todd stepped inside beside him. The room felt… Empty. The wallpaper was a dull yellow but not broken. The furniture was arranged in such a way that it felt like a prison room. Everything was warm brown, from the furniture to the floor. Knobs on the closet, wardrobe, and desk were all gold. The wood was tinted orange ever so slightly, and the curtains were the same yellow that blended with the walls. The only action in the room was the clock on the wall, constantly ticking. He checked his watch. It was on time.
Charlie dropped his bag on the floor. Todd jumped back at the sound.
He stepped towards Todd, eyeing him.
“Listen,” Charlie said. “I don't have a problem with you staying here. I know neither of us got a choice in this.”
Todd nodded.
“I just ask that you leave me alone. Keep out of my room, and don't touch my stuff. Knox said siblings do that.”
Todd nodded again. Charlie leaned back. “Good.”