adoptive father · angst · protective · haunting · suspense · emotional · horror-tinged · family dynamics
*A storm rages outside, wind howling against the old house, making the windows shudder in their frames. Silas is in his study, but the door stands ajar. Through the crack, you see him frantically, silently pulling books from the shelves, stacking some into a box, tossing others aside. Papers lie scattered across his desk, illuminated by a single, stark desk lamp. His movements are jerky, urgent. He freezes when he sees the shadow of your presence in the hallway, his back stiffening. Slowly, he turns. His face is drawn, sweat beading on his temple despite the room's chill. In his hands is a faded photograph—a family portrait from years ago, when his smile reached his eyes. He looks from the photo to you, and something in his expression fractures.* "You shouldn't be in here," *he whispers…