"New beginnings are never easy. Especially when you've lost your identity."

Tyler Reynolds cannot recall ever being in a car. It feels weird. More like a horseless carriage than anything. The fact that he knows what a carriage is, is rather bizarre.

Even stranger to him, is the city. Barbara tells him that Arcadia Oaks is just a small town, but it's easily twice the size of any city he's been in. Even though it's more spread out, there are more houses than he can hope to count and three times as many citizens. It feels a hundred times larger now that he's out in the street.

"How are you feeling?"

His head twitches, a sign of his acknowledgement as he stares out the window. Everything's so remarkably foreign to him. He feels completely out of place in this grand world.

"Tyler?"

He hums softly, blinking as the sun reflects off a window and into his eyes. "I am well."

Barbara glances over to him and, not for the first time, thinks that he looks older than seventeen. His bronze hair is swept back, glinting lazily in the fading daylight. Amber eyes contrast strongly with his pale features, a defined jawline framing his face. Very distinct features for someone in his late teens.

"Let me know if that changes," she requests, catching his eyes in the glass reflection.

He nods, returning his gaze to the outside world. Perhaps the place has changed since he last had memories. Maybe that's why he feels so out of place here.

The ride is too short for his taste; he wants to see the whole town in detail. So many secrets are missed and passed by, things that require closer inspection. He wants to see everything, common and unseen alike.

A small knapsack that sits at his feet is hauled over one shoulder as he steps out of the vehicle, a hand on the bonnet to balance himself. He's uncomfortable in the shoes given to him; they're two sizes too big and second-hand. Actually, it doesn't seem as though he's ever worn shoes before, they did find him barefoot.

"Come on," Barbara beckons, a hand on the front door, ready for him to enter his new home. "Let's get you settled."

He ducks his head almost shyly, an action of gratitude in his mind, and offers a nearly nonexistent smile to the woman. She's been so good to him. What has the universe done to deserve such a person?

"Jim!" she calls into the seemingly empty house, awaiting an answer. "We're home!"

There's a muffled reply and the sound of someone moving upstairs, the floorboards creaking in the hallway. It seems to Tyler that this is a very relaxed home, despite two hardworking parties, the atmosphere is utterly calm and collected.

A head donned by neatly combed black hair leans over the railing, a curious, yet nervous, expression on the boy's face. He treads downs the stairs with a little caution, unsure of what to make of this tall stranger. His stance holds very little confidence, but the smell of cardamon and sage marks him as someone who is experienced in their role.

The forgetting boy shuffles on his feet, adjusting himself to accommodate for the lack of comfort, outwardly appearing just as awkward as this newcomer. He judges his threat level and the air of discomfort, ultimately deciding that he would be a decent ally in this new world.

"Me name's Tyler Reynolds," he introduces, giving a subtle bow before sticking out his hand to shake.

"Jim Lake," the black-haired boy returns, shaking hands with his new foster-brother.

Barbara watches from afar, pleased with their lack of distrust and seemingly well-met first impressions. Now to just let them adjust to each other's presence.

"I suppose you might like a tour of the place?" Jim suggests, gesturing with a hand to the tidily kept home.

"Why not," he shrugs, his expression neutral. "Be good to get to know the place I'm stayin' in."

The boy starts upstairs again, checking behind him to see if Tyler's following. He is.

"What do you know about Arcadia?" he asks, trying not to cower under his height and piercing gaze.

"Only what yer mother's told me," he says offhandedly. Catching the slight confusion in his foster-brother's eyes, he adds quickly, "Which is practically nothing."

Jim nods slowly, pointing out the bathroom as they pass. "Mom says that you'll be coming with me to school tomorrow."

"Apparently," he hums, eyeing the door that separates them from Barbara's room. "It's not something of me own decision. I will be attending me own classes so I can catch up with lessons."

He cringes at this, finding the thought of learning at such a pace to be frightening and stressful. The newcomer is going to be quite overwhelmed for some time.

Almost as though sensing this thought, Tyler smiles, looking down at the floor as he shakes his head. "That ain't quite true. I'm very good at working in 'ard circumstances."

Jim raises a brow at his response but otherwise shrugs it off, opening a door into an unused room. It's small and quaint, but there's a made bed and a clean desk, making it more than perfect for the studious foster. A set of drawers serves a purpose as storage for the small box of clothes left in the car and a small shelf holds itself above the bed, several dusty books sitting on it.

"I take it this'll be where I'll be stayin'?" the boy questions, stepping into the room to study it closer. "It's nice."

He nods, standing in the doorway as the newcomer sets his bag on the bed and sits down. His amber eyes trail every detail, each chip and crack in the old grey paint memorised. It's unsettling to watch, given how predatory his gaze is.

"It's not much, I'm afraid," Jim rubs the back of his head awkwardly, eyeing the layer of dust on the lights.

"Nah," Tyler dismisses, waving a hand in the air. "Yer fine. It's perfect for me."

"You sure?" the boy questions, only to receive another wave of a hand.

"I've got a place to sleep an' a place to work, that's plenty good for me."

Jim smiles a little, his housemate's a gentle giant. He has nothing to worry about.

The seventeen-year-old grins at the boy, but for entirely different reasons. He'll get to nose about soon. The woods out back looked particularly inviting, just as the main-street alleyways did on the way here. Very little is going to be able to stop his curiosity. May the Triple Goddess have mercy on those who venture to stop him.

*Screeeeeeeeeeeech* THE WATTPAD GODS FEAR ME