Titans (Outdated)

Chapter Lambda

Chapter Lambda

Cody Anthony sat with his back against the wall, clutching his knees. He was wide eyed and breathing heavily, almost to the point of shock. A lot had happened in the past few days so it was no surprise he was in this condition.

A week ago he was sitting with his family, working on his second grade homework, his dad was yelling at the TV because someone had missed a catch. His mom was on the phone in the other room, talking rapidly then laughing at something someone on the other line had said. Life had been simple, bliss. That's when everything turned for the worst.

The next day, when Cody had come home from school, there was a police officer sitting on the steps of his front porch. He was large, a lot taller than Cody's father. He was either bald or he shaved his head, Cody couldn't tell and didn't think it polite to ask. He slowly got to his feet and looked at a small piece of paper in his hand when Cody approached.

"What's going on?" He had asked.

"Cody?" the man asked. Cody nodded. The man sighed. He ran a hand over his baldhead. "Son, we need to talk." He had then begun to break the news about his parents passing away in a drunk driving accident. They were driving home after running some errands when a man, jumped the median and sped into their lane, colliding with them before his parents had a chance to realize what was going on.

"I'm so sorry," the policeman kept saying over and over, but Cody wasn't listening. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else registered in his mind. Everything was just a blur. The next thing he knew, he was standing at his friend's doorstep. The policeman explained that he would be spending the night here and the next day be transferred to an orphanage. He had nodded weakly and walked inside.

The next day, as he said he would, the same man took him to an orphanage Cody had passed by with his parent on numerous occasions. Cody didn't remember what happened between walking into the door and hearing the bell to announce his arrival and when he was lying in his new bed at the end of the day. He could remember bits and pieces. He remembered the nice receptionist telling him he would be 'very happy here.' He remembered his introduction to everyone in the orphanage. But then, even though Cody was surrounded by people that are in the same situation he is in, he still feel horribly alone. He had buried his head in his pillow and cried.

The next few days went by in a blur, Cody barely remembered making new friends and trying to have fun with them. They had all heard of his recent ordeals and were doing the best to be supportive. Cody tried to put on a fake smile and play along, but it was hard.

Three days after Cody had arrived at the orphanage, a woman approached him. Cody recognized her as the friendly receptionist he had met a few days ago.

"Cody," she said in a friendly voice. He walked away from the group he was talking to and approached her.

"Yes Ms. Summers?" Cody replied.

"There's a family here to see you," she replied, gesturing to the sitting room.

Cody bunched up his eyes in confusion. He had only been there for three days, why would anyone want to talk to him now, this early. He followed Ms. Armstrong to the sitting room where he saw a man in his mid-40s, well built with dark black hair and salt and pepper goatee. Cody guessed he had dyed his head black to stop the gray hairs from appearing. He also wore very small rectangle glasses. Seated next to him was a woman, about in her early-40s or late-30s. Cody was really bad at guessing ages. She had brown hair; almost the same shade as his own hair, only hers was a bit lighter. They both looked up at him and smiled as he walked in the room.

"Cody," Ms. Summers said in her sweet friendly voice behind him. "This is Darrell and Michelle Fellows."

"Hello," Cody said, waving a hand.