NightCall: The Series

Dollhouse

The crisp air swept the orange leaves all through the streets, and Melanie's mind would wander through the images in the cracks and clouds. The trees swaying as the wet footsteps interrupted the silence down her street and the sound of doors opening and closing. As she walked to her house, her eyes flashed across the street to a Black 1970 Dodge Challenger across the street. Two boys, One red headed and one dark haired, walking back and forth with boxes and an older built tall man helping them.

Melanie stopped, her eyes on the older man with light brown hair, that sculpted jaw covered with a rough but short beard. The muscles not even hiding under that leather jacket. The older man closed the door and looked up, noticing the smaller girl look up at him, and her eyes quickly grew. She turned red and quickly ran into the house, and before making it to the door, the yelling could already be heard.

" Of fucking course..."
The words slobbered from her lips before she walked in, looking in the direction of the screaming and bickering... It was her father and mother in the kitchen.

"Stop lying Michael! I can smell it, the perfume! Those lipstick marks! Jesus Christ, I know!"
The woman screamed, her perfect plastered dress was ruined and stained in red, her hand wrapped in a towel with red dripping through the small cloth.

"Yes! I'm going for her, but it doesn't matter! I can't be with a woman who's so suicidal over everything, it kills me!"
Her father screamed but stopped when he noticed his daughter walk in.
"Melanie... Sweetheart..."

"Hey dad..."
Mel slugged the words as she walked over, grabbing another towel and the first aid kit.

The lady sat on the chair and laid the hand on the table.
"I'm not going to ask you again, leave her alone-"

"Okay Dia, leave it alone while she's here-"

"I will not! Melanie has every right to hear how horrible of a father she has... Cheating on her poor mother-"

Melanie of course ignored her. She understood how bad her mother was, and why her dad did what he did. He wanted a divorce, and wanted to get away. But couldn't get away while Madaline and her were both under aged..

"Of course, dads so awful-"
Mel just rolled her eyes and sat next to her mother, unwrapping the bloody mess to find a gash and some bone in the finger.

"Ow! Careful dear, I cut pretty deep..."
The mother laughed a bit nervously. On her hand was scars galore, from so many Accidental cuts.

"What happened this time?"

"Your mother decided to cut up carrots while arguing with me... I'm leaving again-"
The father walked out of the kitchen, the mother huffed and quickly got up, blood still dripping from her hand as she walked with him out the door.

"Michael... Please..."
When she saw the neighbors watching she cleared her throat and smiled.
"Be careful dear, I'll see you when you get home... I love you-"

Michael just nodded and pulled away, Melanie stepping out of the house with the towel to wrap her hand back up before they got in...

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A few hours later and her mother was passed out on the couch again, a blanket laid over her by Melanie and the hand was perfectly stitched. The TV on but only static was heard through the house.

The only action in the house was Mason and Melanie in the kitchen, mopping up the bloody mess on the floors and counters. After the cleaning, Mason had left and went upstairs to lecture and speak to Madaline as Melanie went outside on the front porch for a smoke.

The only sound was the sound of the trees brushing leaves together through the wind. What was she todo when Mason would run off to boarding school. The only thing catching her attention was the sound of a window closing. She looked around, and her eyes landed on the neighbors window where the curtain was waving back and forth, then from the front door stepped out a tall figure. They could see her, but she couldn't see them. She quickly stood as the figure slowly walked over and cleared its throat. The voice low, smooth yet rough and deep.

"Apologies, but I'm not sure I've met my neighbor yet..."
He spoke as he walked a bit closer but stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"Of course, I won't come over unless I get your permission..."

Melanie let go of the door handle she was holding behind her back for emergency then walked over to the top step slowly.
"Oh, well... I'd say you can meet my parents... But, my mom's asleep and my dad's off..."

"Ah, family issues?"
The tall man said as he stepped up a bit closer towards the front porch.

"I- didn't say that..."
She sat at the to stair and huffed a breath...
"I'm sure you could read behind the lines-"

"I know everything behind the curtains-"
The guy came up to her and smiled, holding out his hand.
"The names Robert, Robert Smith... Pleasure to meet you little lady-"

"Lady? Please, I'm not even out of highschool yet-"

"Doesn't mean you can't be a woman, or a lady..."
He pulled his hand back since she didn't extend hers, then sat next to her with a small smile.

"Being a woman or a lady means being mature and wise... And by the looks of you, you're very mature to be dealing with a screaming family, and wise to deal with everything on your own..."

Melanie just smiled a bit then held her hand over, taking his and shook hands with him. She could feel her heart warming and goose bumps filling her smooth skin as she felt the roughness of his hands.
"I'm Melanie... Melanie Taylor's..."

Robert just chuckled and held her hand with both his his, a soft smile.
"Pleasure. I suppose I can meet your family sometime?"

Melanie of course nodded and smiled brightly over at him.
"Yes! I mean, uh... I can see if my mom wouldn't mind having a small pool welcome party... Just, bring your swim trunks-"