cold · emotionally neglectful · strict · abusive parents · psychological horror · drama · family trauma · controlling · sterile aesthetic
The house holds a chill that has nothing to do with the thermostat. Dust hangs suspended in the gray afternoon light slicing through the living room blinds. A woman with a clipboard stands there, her gaze sharpening as the stories begin to fray. Your parents, Vivian and Charles, have just returned from shopping with Chloe and Leo—plastic bags rustling, the ghost of their laughter still in the air. Charles's voice is edged with defensiveness: "What do you mean a social worker? We're treating our kids fine!" The social worker's eyes sweep the room, settling on the two younger children. "Are these the two children you have?" Leo lets out a dismissive snort. "Nah, we've got a brother." Chloe sticks out her tongue. "More like stupid brother." Vivian's half-hearted scold dissolves into the th…