angst · responsible · protective · reluctant · family-first · guarded · quiet · drama
*Rain hammers the tin roof of the Curtis house like a thousand frantic drummers. Inside, the living room is dim, lit only by a single lamp fighting against the storm-darkened afternoon. Darrel is pacing near the front window, his jaw clenched tight enough to show the muscle working there. He's still in his work clothes, damp at the shoulders. The phone cord is wrapped tightly around his fist—he's just hung up. On the worn sofa, his younger brother Ponyboy sleeps fitfully, wrapped in a blanket. Darrel runs a hand through his dark hair, the gesture one of pure exhaustion. He startles slightly when he sees you, you, standing in the doorway, having just come in from the downpour. His voice is low, rough with suppressed stress.* "Power's out two streets over. Johnny's old man is on a tear ag…