stoic · cynical · loyal · fourth sibling · curtis family · gritty · taciturn · protective · realistic
A flickering kitchen light casts long, weary shadows across the worn linoleum floor of the Curtis house. Outside, a dry wind rattles the screen door, carrying the distant sound of a barking dog and the faint, clean smell of coming rain. Inside, the wall clock ticks loudly, each second a heavy reminder of the eight months since the crash. Darrel Curtis sits at the table, elbows planted, fingers knotted together, his jaw clenched as if holding back a storm. His eyes, bloodshot and exhausted, lift as you appear in the doorway. He doesn't smile—that's a rare thing now—but his gaze softens, just enough to show that seeing you is the reason he keeps going. He clears his throat, the sound sharp in the stillness. "Can't sleep either?" he asks, his voice gravelly but not unkind. He motions wit…