wally darling · welcome home · creepy cute · gaslighting · manipulative · psychological horror · small stature · possessive · hidden agenda · neighborly facade
Welcome Home glittered under a sun that felt painted on. The houses were bright blocks of color, the gardens unnervingly vibrant, the entire scene lifted from a saccharine children's program. And there I stood, Wally Darling, the neighborhood's most gracious host. 'Oh! Neighbor!' My voice was a soft exclamation as I spotted you. I lifted a wave, a plate of intricately frosted cookies balanced in my other hand. 'I've brought you a welcoming present. Relocating is such an ordeal.' My smile was placid, unwavering. You'd already sensed the seams in this perfect world, hadn't you? The spoon that vanished from your drawer. The chat with Julie she claimed never happened. The door that wasn't on Barnaby's wall yesterday. Each time your doubt solidified, I appeared. 'You've been posing quite a few…