Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: *walking down the stairs* Hey, kiddo, how was your day? ^^

Sam: ^^;

Sarah: Pretty okay, I guess. ^^;

Sam: *clears his throat loudly*

Todd: Hello to you, Sam. :P

Sarah: *puts her bookbag down* Sooo... how're YOU doing?

Todd: Oh, y'know, I'm okay - still failing at finding a job. I'm not bitter about it, though - I'm sure I'll find SOMETHING eventually. :P

Sam: ...

Sarah: Yeah, I guess... eventually... *to Sam* So, whaddaya wanna do? <_<

Sam: I'll I wanna do right now is wait for my parents. *whispers to her at quietly as he can so Todd can't hear* You should make sure to get on your dad's good side before you tell him about... y'know... >_>

Todd: *picks up on mumbling, but thinks nothing of it*

Sarah: *mumbles something that sounds vaguely like "I know," before looking around for anything else that needed to be done* ... >____>

Todd: Sarah, are you okay? You look a little shifty.

Sam: ...

Sarah: Just trying to find something to do... D:

Todd: Well, you and Sam are always playing around - uh, I guess that's not an option now, though... er... we could talk. We don't really... talk too much. <:/

Sam: Good idea, sir. Now then, I'll go wait outside for my parents. *leaves*

Sarah: *watches Sam leave* bye... *looks back at her father. she really wasn't looking forward to this...* ...hey, um, dad? I gotta tell you something. D:

Todd: Oh yeah? *takes a few steps closer to her* Like what? :P

Sarah: Mmhh... *lightly rubs her arm, careful not to somehow hurt herself* ...remember how i said people at school are being stupid...?

Todd: *he drops his smile - his face was now completely straight* Yeah... what about that?

Sarah: *mumbled, and very quickly* Wellthey'rekindofbeatingmeuptoosometimes. <_____________<

Todd: *he is still keeping a straight face. Now his words come out quiet - there is the smallest hint of anger in his voice* ... They're hurting you, Sarah? At school?

Sarah: See, this is EXACTLY why I didn't wanna say anything, because now you're gonna get mad, and... nothing GOOD ever happens when you get mad! D:>

Todd: *his brow is furrowing* They shouldn't be doing that to you, Sarah - they shouldn't be doing that at ALL!

Sarah: Well, DUH. Do you think I want them to? D:> I already talked to the people at school, they said they'd deal with it...

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Sam: Well... he's considered taking you and your mom to Europe with us, so... you won't have to worry about them, maybe... <:/

Sarah: ...So I won't have to tell him, then. :D

Sam: ... That still doesn't seem okay...

Sarah: ... :/ *sighs* Okay, fine. I'll tell him when I get home... maybe...

Sam: Good. >:( Now let's get off this roof, I'm getting nervous. >_>;

Sarah: Right.. *gets up, and looks over the edge to see if it was safe to climb down--it wasn't. they were a few stories up* Jeez... how did we end up THIS high?? D: We're gonna have to go back, Sam...

Sam: Well, okay. <:/ *he turns around, glances back at Sarah, then walks across the roof*

Sarah: ... *follows Sam across the roof, eventually catching up and getting ahead of him, leading him along the safest path, until they got to a low enough building to climb down from*

Sam: Okay... time to go to your house until my mom and dad can pick me up. :(

Sarah: Yup... By the way... I'm not telling dad anything until you leave. I'm not gonna risk dad freaking out with you around.

Sam: Well, okay... *doesn't like the idea of a psychotic ex-hunter going ballistic with him around*

Sarah: ...Thanks, by the way. I needed the wake-up call... gotta stop acting like a kid. >:/

Sam: Yeah, you really do - you're a teenager!

Sarah: Stop reminding me. D:

Sam: Hee. :P

*they arrive at the house*

Sarah: ...hoo boy. Um. You wanna stay out here or do you wanna go inside? :/

Sam: I'll... go inside with you.

Sarah: Okay... *opens the door into her house and lets Sam in* Hey dad, we're here!

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Sam: D8 !! *he runs over to her and, grunting from the strain of it, he helps her back up*

Sarah: *is helped up, and lays back on the roof, panting from the near-death experience. was it a near-death thing though? she didn't even know how high up they were* huff... oh my gosh, I'm sorry... that was really... really stupid...

Sam: Well, now you have to tell me about the arm. For being stupid, at least. >:/

Sarah: *joking half-heartedly* Well, you DID catch me, sooo... *sits up, and sighs* ...swear you won't tell anyone, okay?

Sam: I won't, I promise. Just show me - tell me what's going on - okay?? You're acting too weird about this. D:

Sarah: It's just that my parents would completely freak out if they ever found out... Like... it'd be SO bad... *takes a deep breath* You know how I told you that stupid people were stupid? ...Well, stupid people can throw really hard punches... *rolls up her sleeve to reveal bruises all up her arm, both old and rather recent* ...

Sam: You've... been getting into fights...? D8>

Sarah: No! D:> Or at least, I try NOT to... I try really hard not to... but they just think it's funny to knock me around just because of who my dad is... *slides her sleeve back down* I try to run, you know, but sometimes I can't get on a roof in time...

Sam: Why haven't you told anyone about this?? Anyone who could actually DO something?? D8>

Sarah: *bitterly* Because then they'll tell my parents, and then they'll freak out, and then no onewill help out just 'cuz it's DAD!

Sam: You actually think they wouldn't help you with a bullying problem?? D8<

Sarah: *looks at him, completely serious* ...You have no idea how stupid these people are sometimes. I'm not even kidding right now. *looks away, now sounding a little sad* Besides... Those stupid kids always get caught... They just get a slap on the wrist, and there they go again.

Sam: Why not tell your dad about it? Can't HE help you? D:>

Sarah: I don't want him to get involved... To be honest, he wouldn't be able to do much except maybe make it worse. *mumbled* His fault I'm getting beat up anyway...

Sam: *obviously didn't hear* Well, you don't know that! It didn't happen yet! D:>

Sarah: I'm a pretty good guesser, Sam. D:< You know how people feel about my dad. >:/

Sam: That still doesn't mean you should just leave him out of the loop - ESPECIALLY since it's BECAUSE of him!

Sarah: I'll tell him then, jeez!! D:< ...I just don't know how that'll end...

Todd: Well... he's nice, right? Maybe he'll understand... <:/

Sarah: The thing is... he'll probably go out and try to fix it himself... and it won't help at all. D:

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Sam: Why...?? D8> Why would ANYONE want to go THERE...??

Sarah: I dunno!! D:> Some crazy thing about redemption or something like that... Like... he thinks that doing this'll help him clear his name, you know?

Sam: But what if he DIES?? What if BOTH our parents die?? Would that even be WORTH IT?? D8>

Sarah: NO, no it WOULDN'T, but apparently, neither of our dads seem to understand that. DX

Sam: I really hate my dad's obsession with "always doing the right thing" and "the greater good" and all that stuff. Is your dad the same way? >:/

Sarah: Sometimes... maybe... *pauses* ...yes. >_>; and it really bothers me, too. D:

Sam: They're gonna get themselves KILLED - whah! *trips and, while catching his footing, he accidentally bumps into Sarah*

Sarah: *winces when Sam catches himself on her arm* OW. Ow ow ow. Are you okay? D;

Sam: Are YOU? D:>

Sarah: Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, you just... bumped into me really hard. *rubs her arm, hissing a little* Jeez, kid, you're heavier than you look! D:

Sam: *to himself* ... but that can't be it... *out loud* Sarah, can I see your arm?

Sarah: *looks at him suspiciously, taking a tiny step away from him* ...why?

Me: I have a feeling Sarah's character will make her run. should we turn this into a chase scene?

Me: That's up to you. :P

Sam: ... because I hurt it badly, it looks like, and I wanna see if it's okay.

Me: I wanna do it, if you're okay with it. :D he'll catch her anyway, she'll be forced to stop.

Sarah: It's fine, Sam... :/

Sam: *more forcefully* No it's NOT - let me SEE it! D8<

Sarah: D:>!! N-No! There's no reason for you to, it's fine, see?? *moves her arm around to try to prove this to him, but can't conceal a small wince--who was she kidding, he had her all figured out!*

Sam: *he notices the wince* What happened to you, Sarah?? D8

Sarah: *really doesn't want to tell him--so she blurts out a challenge* You can find out if you can catch me! D8< *turns and flees, clumsily climbing up a nearby one-story building, and takes off, running across the rooftops. she knew Sam hated the being on the roof and that he'd never be able to keep up on the ground--there was no way he'd catch her... right?*

Sam: !! D8< *he sprints off after her, doing his best to climb onto the roofs and sprinting across them - he had to put his fears aside if she was hiding something important from him*

Sarah: *glances back when she hears footsteps behind her, and is shocked to see Sam right on her tail. she knew he had absolutely no training, and this worried her--she knew that one misstep could have serious consequences* S-Sam!! Don't follow me, you'll get hurt! D:>

Sam: Then stop and show me your arm! D8< *he continues following her*

Sarah: *pleadingly calling back over her shoulder* Sam, if some thing happens to you, I'llAAAH!! *hadn't seen a ledge in front of her and half-slips off--she manages to keep her grip on the roof, but barely, and she hissed from the strain it put on her arm* owowowowoww...!! DX

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Sam: *nods* <:(

meanwhile

Todd: *groggily slurs out her name in his exhaustion* ... Keyyy... cann'I talk't'you now...?

Key: *looks over at him* If you're awake enough... <:/

Todd: Mnnhh... gotta wake up early for you... got no choice... *sits up, yawning* So...uh... Harry wants me to join him and Claire and Sam. In Europe.

Key: *her eyes widen in surprise* ...Europe? But isn't Europe still... infected? D:>

Todd: ... It's why they want to go... and Harry wants me WITH him, helping CURE all of EUROPE... he thinks it can help with... well... my redemption.

Key: <:/ hmm... is... is it just... you guys...? Or will you be taking more troops...?

Todd: I... I think it's all these soldiers... and... uh... well I think he also intended for you and Sarah to come along...

Key: ?! But why US too? We can't fight, not the way they'll need us to! And Sarah--We can't bring Sarah into that... that hell... not after we fought so hard to get out of it... D:>

Todd: ... but Key... what if, when we got back, I'd be able to get a JOB...? You wouldn't have to work so hard anymore... and all because I was finally being respected again - because we would have helped cure all of EUROPE... besides, I'm sure Sarah will be safe - if Harry's risking his and Claire's own SON out there, then I trust him with Sarah.

Key: ...I just don't know if I'm up for this again, Todd... we barely made it the first time...

Todd: ... We have much more help this time... *takes his anti-psychotics*

Key: mmh... I'll think about it... I'll let you know when I get back, okay? <:/

Todd: ... Alright, Key. *he kisses her in the cheek* See you later.

Key: Bye... <:/ *leaves the room, goes downstairs, and quickly grabs something to eat before heading out the door*

Todd: *watches her go* ...

meanwhile, after much time has passed

Sam: *walking to Sarah's house, still very tired*

Sarah: *runs up next to him, as opposed to popping out of the sky* Hey Sam! How're you-- ...Sam, are you okay? No offense, but you look terrible... D:>

Sam: ... I, uh... I didn't really sleep...

Sarah: Why? D:> ...was it 'cuz of what your dad said? <:/

Sam: ... Maybe a little, yeah... I couldn't really focus in class, today...

Sarah: mmhh... It really wasn't a good idea to just spring that on us like that anyway... I mean, my dad's actually considering it...

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Sam: ... m'sorry, Dad...

Harry: Sam, why weren't you able to sleep?

Sam: ... I dunno...

Harry: Is this about yesterday? <:/

Sam: Maybe...

Claire: ...

Harry: Sam, I was never trying to scare you - this is a very big decision me and your mother have made - we're fixing the world.

Sam: ... I know... I just don't want you getting hurt...

Harry: We won't get hurt, Sam - I promise. We're very smart, we've had a lot of training, and experience, okay?

Sam: ...

Harry: Go get ready, Sam. I'll meet you downstairs. *walks out, and down the stairs*

Claire: *sees Harry coming down the stairs* ...Was Sam okay?

Harry: ... he didn't sleep at all last night...

Claire: ...Was it because of yesterday? <:/

Harry: Yeah. Our plan scares him. But that's understandable.

Claire: Hmm... more second thoughts... maybe it really isn't such a good idea to bring them with us[/i].

Harry: Then what would we DO with them, Claire??

Claire: *gives him an annoyed look--she really had no answer, but she still didn't like the idea*

Harry: We don't exactly have a choice, Clare. He comes with us, whether he likes it or NOT. D:<

Sam: *has gotten ready, and had listened to the whole conversation on the staircase* D8

Claire: *sees Sam on the staircase behind Harry* ! ...I'm pretty sure Sam would like to tell us how he feels about this.

Sam: Wh-why do I have to go...? Why can't YOU just go...?

Harry: We're... We're going to be staying for probably a long time, Sam... we don't want to be away from you for that long.

Claire: You would stay in the most secure place possible, Sam... You would be completely safe.

Sam: ... I don't want to be there at all...

Harry: Would you rather be alone HERE? Todd might be coming with us, which would mean his FAMILY would be coming with us.

Sam: ...

Harry: It's for the best, Sam.

Claire: ...We would be helping a lot of people, Sam. Don't you want to be able to say you were a part of that?

Sam: ... I guess...

Harry: You'll be fine, Sam - don't worry.

Claire: .... *looks over at a clock on the wall* Ah. We're all going to be late. Sam, do you have your school things ready?

Sam: Oh! *he quickly gets his backpack ready* Now they are.

Harry: Have a good say, Sam.

Sam: Okay. Thanks, Dad. <:/

Claire: We'll talk about this more tonight, okay? <:/

meanwhile

Key: *wakes up and gets out of bed, getting ready for the day--early, as usual*

Harry: *soon he wakes up* Mnnhgh... Claire... g'morning... you were very quiet yesterday... did my proposal for Todd surprise you...?

Claire: Just a little bit... What surprised me more was his reaction to it...

Harry: What were you expecting from him?

Claire: Rejection. :/ I thought he'd be against the idea... you DID bring up some good points, though.

Harry: ... Well... I don't want him to suffer anymore...

Claire: And that's not a bad thing. That just might be exactly what he needs, actually...

Harry: ... I hope he sees that, though...

Claire: He'll get back to us eventually... You know what I'm worried about, though? ...The kids.

Harry: *quietly* I know... we'd have to take them with us...

Claire: ...That's the one thing I'm having second thoughts about, Harry... do we really want to take them there?

Harry: ... It's that, or dumping them with a babysitter for god-knows-how-long... parentless...

Claire: mmh... I really don't know, Harry...

Harry: We'll have to take them with us... but keep them in a very safe, controlled area.

Claire: ...We're going to have to... but.. i'm still not too sure about this...

Harry: If we really want to help the rest of the world, Claire, what other choice do we have?

Claire: *sighs* I know, Harry... I know.

Harry: *sighs* I'll go wake Sam up. *gets up, gets dressed, then walks out of the room*

Sam: *didn't get any sleep, and lied on his bed, wide-eyed from fear*

Claire: *finishes getting ready and goes downstairs to find something to eat, waiting for Harry*

Harry: *opens the door slowly, with a creak* Sam? Time to get up.

Sam: 8C ...

Harry: *enters the room, walking over to Sam* Hey... were you awake this whole time? D:>

Sam: *quietly* ... yes, sir...

Harry: *he gets on his knees, putting a hand on Sam's shoulder* ... did you get any sleep?

Sam: ... no, sir...

Harry: Sam... D:>

Claire: *continues to wait, wondering why Harry was taking so long* ...

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Todd: Sarah, are they bullying you? D:>

Sarah: No, they're not! D:<

Key: Sarah--

Sarah: They're not!

Todd: You can tell us if something's wrong, Sarah - don't just hide it like this! D:>

Sarah: Nothing's wrong, dad! D"<

Key: ...If nothing was wrong, you wouldn't be so defensive about it. :/

Sarah: Well... *goes quiet* ...I'm fine, okay? If something was wrong, I'd tell you.

Todd: No you wouldn't - you're a teenager. >:/

Sarah: What does that have to do with anything?? D:<

Key: We were your age once, Sarah, we know what you went through. >:/

Todd: Just tell us the truth, alright? :(

Sarah: I am telling the truth...

Key: *isn't entirely convinced, but she was much too tired to argue* ...alright... we'll talk more about this later. Everyone just needs to go to bed. :/

Sarah: ...okay... *quickly goes upstairs, glad to avoid any more questions*

Todd: ... *he walks up with Key to the bedroom and closes the door behind them with a sigh*

Key: ...I worry about her... She's a bit too much like I was when I was her age...

Todd: Quiet? Reclusive?

Key: Not telling anyone what was going on. <:/

Todd: ... I'm sure she'll tell us eventually, she feels comfortable with us, doesn't she? <:/

Key: *nods* ...I just really hope there isn't a serious problem we don't know about...

Todd: ... I hope there isn't, either... *he glances over at the bed* ... come on, Key. Let's sleep...

Key: *doesn't argue. she just nods, and crawls into bed*

Todd: *takes his pill and gets into bed with Key* Good night, Key... please sleep...

Key: *mumbling* don't have to tell me twice... *falls asleep very soon after she says this*

Todd: *soon falls asleep after Key*

THE NEXT MORNING

Harry: *asleep in bed with Claire*

Claire: *wakes up before Harry, a bit earlier than usual. she lingers in bed for a little while, then decides to get up and get ready for the day while allowing Harry to sleep for a little while longer*

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Todd: *he's still very quiet* ... Well... good thing your mother will be home soon, so that we can all talk about this...

Sarah: ...you're not actually considering it, right??? D:>

Todd: Well... I... *his rubs his neck* ... I don't know, kiddo. It... it's just that... redemption sounds real nice...

Sarah: But why would you want to go BACK to that... that... I don't even know what to call it, but why would you wanna go back there?? D:>

Todd: I... I get Harry's point of view. The rest of the world is eighteen years behind us, Sarah... they're all trapped in hell, and we're all here living normal lives... does that sound fair to you?

Sarah: Well no, but... I-It's... *goes quiet* ...

Todd: Dangerous?

Sarah: Yes. Too dangerous. D:>

Todd: ... You're forgetting that all three of us, Sarah - me, your mother, and Harry - ALL traveled through the country, all the way up to CANADA from PENNSYLVANIA with nothing but OURSELVES protecting us.

Sarah: But what if it's different over there? What if it's even worse than it was here??

Todd: ... then we'd figure it out as we went. Sarah, I think that... that Harry might be actually RIGHT in this... but, well... I guess that's what talking with your mom is for, right?

*they reach the house*

Sarah: What if mom says no?

Todd: Well... we'll just have to debate about it. *he opens the door, entering the house and holding the door open for Sarah*

Sarah: *quietly walks inside* ...Moooom?

Key: *from farther in the house--she sounds tired* Yeah?

Todd: *notices how exhausted she sounds* Oh... maybe now's not the best time to tell you what Harry asked me, Key... <:/

Key: *comes out into the entrance area--she LOOKED tired* What did Harry tell you? :/

Sarah: *looks at Todd, almost pleadingly* It can wait, dad... D:>

Todd: ... uh... *he glances at Sarah* ... well, maybe it can wait. I can tell you when your a bit more ready.

Key: *narrows her eyes, but nods* ...alright... *looks at Sarah* How was school?

Sarah: Same as usual. :/

Todd: All she told me was that people were being stupid, or whatever.

Sarah: As usual. >:/

Key: ...You sure about that, Sarah? :/

Sarah: It's okay, mom. >:/

Todd: No it's not! D:>

Sarah: It's FINE, Dad! D:<

Key: ! ... >:/

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Sam: ... I know... but it was just really scary - I was really LITTLE when it happened, and I still remember it!

Sarah: That happens sometimes... You just have to try to not think about it. <:/

Sam: I know... I hope we don't ever have to deal with that disease ever again...

Me: lol too bad Harry's pretty much shipping his family to ZombiEurope, lololololol.

Me: Derp. XD

Sarah: Hopefully, we won't have to. D: ...you wanna see if your parents are home yet?

Sam: *nods* Okay. Will you please walk with me?

Sarah: Of course. ^^

Sam: Oh! You should tell your dad first! :I

Sarah: *sighs and rolls her eyes, then quickly dashes back inside* Dad, I'm walking Sam home!

Todd: *jokingly* Don't get mugged, okay?

meanwhile

Sam: *waits*

Sarah: We won't. :P *goes back outside* Okay, we're good. ^^ Let's go~ :D

Sam: Okay. ^^

Todd: *runs out of the house* Oh wait! Wait! Yeah, I actually got really uncomfortable with letting you two go on your own - I dunno, I need fresh air PERSONALLY speaking, but... yeah. Yes. So NOW you can go. We can go. ^^;

Sarah: Oh. Okay. :/ Leeeeet's go, then. >_> *starts walking*

*they all walk together*

Sam: *rings the doorbell*

Harry: *answers the door* Oh! Hello Sarah, hello Todd. :)

Sam: *enters the house, and stands closely behind his father*

Harry: Todd... I've actually been meaning to ask you something.

Todd: Ask me something? :/

Claire: *had heard the doorbell and went to go look. she watches from a bit farther into the house* ....

Sarah: *stays outside, a bit behind Todd* ... >_>

Harry: Claire and I have decided to head to Europe with a legion of troops in order to help slowly cure the rest of the world... I want you with us, Todd.

Todd: ... *quietly* Harry, I couldn't just... I mean...

Harry: ... I'm not asking you to join the military, Todd. I'm just asking you to be WITH us, fighting WITH us, but not actually BEING us.

Todd: ...

Harry: ... I'm only offering, Todd, because I know this could be your chance to redeem yourself. You could be a part of something great.

Sam: *doesn't want to go to Europe - doesn't want to be in some nightmare land - his face gave away his feelings*

Claire: *stays where she is, expressionless* ...

Sarah: *is shocked by Harry's proposal. she looks at her dad, then at Harry, then at Sam--Sam didn't like the idea either--why doesn't he say anything??*

Harry: ... *pats Todd on the shoulder* ... There's plenty of time to think about this, Todd - to discuss it with Key. I get how you might be feeling right now.

Todd: *still quietly* ... I'll... yeah... I'll talk to Key about it...

Harry: *nods* Alright, then. See you later, Todd.

Todd: ...Okay...

Sam: ...

Harry: *shuts the door*

Todd: *just stands there for a few seconds, then glances at Sarah, taking her by her hand, and pulling her away, walking back to their home*

Sarah: Hey--! D: *is pulled along, rather reluctantly. she wanted to talk to Sam, make sure he was okay--he didn't look too good* ...mrrh...

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