The Outcasts I - The Beginning

Go Touch Grass

(^ above is the picture of their home!)

---

After they had left Luke's room, the two boys continued to walk around the house. They went downstairs, and Luke took Delta outside to show him around.

"Well, since you didn't come here..." He hesitated to say 'normally'. "... in, uh, the usual way, I'm gonna show you the outside!"

Delta couldn't help but chuckle at that, and nodded, "Alright, that sounds good."

Luke smiled a bit awkwardly, unsure if he had said it right. But regardless, the two headed to the front door.

Walking out of the door and coming to the outside, Delta saw a dilapidated gravel road in front. The distant path led to what he assumed to be the road, surrounded by trees and tall grass. The 'lawn' was unkempt and clearly not taken care of.

Taking a few steps into the path, following behind Luke, Delta couldn't help but wonder about the strange house and its inhabitants. Why were they all there? Why was it so secluded from everyone else? How did anyone even find this place? Why did they choose to make this place, of all places, their home?

"Alright, I think we're far enough." Luke said, turning around. Delta followed quickly, unsure of what else to do.

The large, long house before him seemingly had three floors judging by the windows. It was a pale yellow, though Delta couldn't tell if that was the true color of the house or not.

The home was dilapidated, shown by the vines and moss coating parts of the roof and sides. The roof was worn down, and the more they looked, the more abandoned it really seemed. Some of the windows on the third floor had been broken, and he could see exactly which rooms were being occupied judging by the light coming from them.

The brick encasing it was old and worn down, coated in dirt and leaves. But it continued to hold the house up. The door was slowly rotting, and the handle seemed almost broken - but still usable.

Luke waved Delta over, "Come on, I'm gonna show you the rest of it." He said, smiling softly.

Delta nodded, and followed quickly. Their head buzzed with questions, but he wasn't sure if he wanted them answered.

Moving to the right side of the house, Delta saw two large busses and a small car parked. His eyes widened slightly in surprise as he glanced at Luke, "Wait, why do you need a whole bus?" He asked, turning.

Luke chuckled, "We have a lot of people here. If we all had cars, it would be too much money. So, mom settled for buying two busses for transportation, and she kept her old car for work." He explained.

Delta was still a bit confused. How many people live here that they need two whole busses and a car? But st this point, they gave up on questioning it further as Luke began to move on.

Leading him to the backyard, Luke continued to make small talk, "So, how'd you end up getting here?" He asked with a smile.

Delta thought for a moment. He wanted to explain the interdimensional travel, but was also tired as hell. "Well, I've got magic, so I technically used that." He replied. He knew it made no sense. But he was too tired to keep explaining the same thing over and over again.

Luke nodded, a bit puzzled, but let it go. "Alright then? Uh, you got any siblings?" He asked.

Delta's mind froze. He hadn't expected that question. What was he supposed to say? 'Yes, but he's dead'? Or should he just say no?

"... uh, yes, but he's... away." Delta muttered, looking at the ground.

Luke could tell that it was a sensitive subject. He assumed that his sibling had left for college or something.

A silence fell for the rest of the walk as they finally came upon the backyard.

The backyards grass was much more trimmed than the front of the house. There was a small sandpit close by, filled with toy shovels and dump trucks. The forest in the back was enchanting and curious, giving Delta the urge to go explore it.

Looking back towards the house, Delta saw the small awning where the door was. The roof covered it up, and there were hooks all over the wall, holding up rain coats. The cubbies for their boots were right under it. Next to the hooks was a few large baskets full of outside toys, like jump ropes and big balls.

The house looked a bit cleaner, as there was a bit less dirt on it. However, the vines and leaves were stronger and thicker than ever, crawling up the other side of the house.

Looking back to the forest, they could sense some type of magic in it. They weren't sure what kind of magic, but it existed in multiple different places.

Delta looked into it, as he suddenly felt his other appear next to him.

"Want me to check it out?" The bravery soul, who was nicknamed 'Beta', whispered to him.

Delta shook his head, whispering back, "No, it's fine."

Luke turned around, surprised, "Huh? You say something?" He asked, unsure if Delta had been talking to him or not.

Quickly making up a lie, Delta answered, "Uh, I was asking how long the forest has been around. Was it always your backyard, or did it just appear?" He asked.

Luke nodded, smiling, "It's been here as long as I can remember, so I think it's always been here!" He answered cheerfully.

Delta nodded as Beta disappeared, going back inside swiftly. Beta was unsure if Luke could see him, but didn't really feel like socializing with new people at the moment.

Heading back inside through the back door, the two entered the kitchen.

Karma sat at the kitchen table, helping some of the kids with their homework. Upon seeing the two enter, he waved, giving a smile before turning back to continue helping the kids.

Delta and Luke politely waved back as they walked to the living room. Beta peeked out behind Delta's back to get a look at Karma, sensing his ghostly energy and soul.

Karma, seemingly sensing the same, swiftly turned around. The two made eye contact.

Karma waved, smiling politely before turning back to the kids.

Beta was surprised, but turned back quickly. He whispered to Delta, "Can he see me?"

Delta glanced over to his counterpart, and whispered back, "I dunno. Go ask."

Beta looked back at Karma one more time, before deciding against it. He didn't feel like it. He'd figure it out later.

Delta felt his other go back in, and he couldn't help but smile a bit to himself.

Once they entered the living room, Luke turned around to face them. He put his hands on his hips, a wide smile appearing on his glowing face, "Alrighty, that's the whole house! Got any questions?"

Nodding, Delta asked, "Just one. Why is there three stories?"

Luke nodded, "That one was decimated pretty bad, so we don't use it anymore. There are a few usable rooms up there, but there's not much, which is why I didn't bother showing it to you," he explained.

Delta nodded back, "Alright, thank you. Anything else I should know?"

Luke hummed as he thought, "Uh.. no, I don't think so." He replied cheerfully as he walked to the couch. He offered for Delta to come sit next to him.

Delta gladly took the opportunity, and sat next to him. The two continued to talk for a little while as the kids watched TV nearby.