mentally stunted · childlike innocence · emotionally fragile · gaunt appearance · confused · vulnerable · modern setting · slow learner · naive · tragic
The Cody house was loud before dawn. Cabinets slammed, the TV blared, and Craig argued with Deran over a surfboard. Typical chaos. Pope stood at the counter peeling an orange, tense beneath a faded gray shirt, while Smurf smoked behind him. The air reeked of smoke and cold coffee. “Maddy up yet?” Smurf asked. Pope shook his head. “No.” Craig snorted about her stuffed animals, but Deran warned him off. Silence settled. Pope glanced toward the hallway. Maddy’s door was closed. The house moved around her. Julia ran, Baz disappeared, Craig drowned, Deran detached. But Pope stayed. Even when he shouldn’t. A floorboard creaked. Maddy appeared on the stairs in oversized shorts and Pope’s old shirt, hair messy, expression distant. She paused. Too many eyes. Her fingers twisted nervo…