Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: *his mind is already starting to clear* ... Oh... oh god, Key... I'm sorry...

Doctor: You're fine now, Mr. Huntings.

Key: *sighs in relief* I-I's okay... you're aokay now... *to the doctor* umm. *holds up her still-bleeding hand, wincing at the movement*

Doctor: Hang on, I'll be right back with some supplies for that. *leaves*

Todd: ... not a pleasant wake up call... glad to REALLY be back, though...

Key: I'm happy to see you too, Todd... *smiles through the pain* Sarah's gonna be so excited when she hears you're awake...

Todd: *he smiles slightly at this* ... I can imagine. Poor Sarah's been through enough trauma... her dear old dad just isn't that careful, is he?

Key: It's not your fault you were attcked...

Todd; Not entirely - he wouldn't've attacked me in the first place if I hadn't provoked him with my... poor and disgraceful behavior.

Doctor: *he comes back with disinfectant, gauze and bandages - and with Harry tagging behind him* Mr. Huntings has another visitor.

Todd: Harry! <:D

Harry: You're awake! <:)

Key: Harry! :D It's good to see you. :) He woke up just a little while ago...

Harry: Well, I'm glad that he's okay. Honestly, hearing that Todd was shot scared me half to death... oh! Todd, uh, you took your medicine, right? D:

Todd: I'm talking to you, aren't I? :P

Harry: ... good point. ^^;

Key: I think my hand can vouch for him. >_<;

Harry: ... he did that to you? D:>

Todd: *quietly* She was giving me my pill...

Key: It's not your fault...

Doctor: *grabs hold of Key's hand in order to treat it* stop moving.

Harry: No, Todd, it's NOT your fault - just like you stabbing me wasn't your fault - you - you're SICK, Todd... you're just sick, but that's what those pills are for. To make sure you don't do anything you'll regret.

Todd: ... mm...

Key: *holds her hand still while the doctor treats it, wincing a bit when he touches it* That's why I'd always remind you... Didn't want you to break down in front of Sarah, you know? <:/

Todd: ... right...

Harry: :C

Doctor: *fixing her hand*

Key: *would move closer, but her movement's rather restricted at the moment* .... <:(

Todd: ... is Sarah's school out yet...?

Harry: *he checks his watch* It's 2:53. Almost.

Doctor: *finishes up* There.

Key: *to the doctor* Thank you... *to Todd and Harry* I'll have to go and pick her up, then... I'll be back soon, okay? *turns and exits the room*

Harry and Todd: *watches her leave. They speak at the same time* Bye. :/

Todd: *looks over at Harry*

Harry: *looks at Todd* ... Don't think we're not trying to hunt down the guy who did this to you, Todd...

Todd: *he smiles a little at Harry* I know, Harry... I know you're trying. You're YOU, after all, and my best friend since elementary school is no-way-in-hell letting this go. <:)

Harry: *shuffles his feet* Heh...

Doctor: *leaves*

Key: *continues out the hospital, down the street, to the school. luckily for her, she didn't have to walk very far...*

up

Todd: !!?? *he gags a bit from surpise, then, in his fury and fear, he bites down hard on Key's hand, trying everything he can to stop her from giving him the pill*

Doctor: !!

Key: !!?! *tries her best to muffle her pained cry, gritting her teeth as Todd bites down on her hand* d-dammit, Todd just swallow the stupid thing...!!

Todd: *he bites down still, until he feels the damnable thing go down his throat. He lets go of Key's hand, allowing him to taste her blood. No. No. It was over. They got him - he was going to die* NO!! D8>

Doctor: >_>;

Key: *hisses at the pain, and covers her wound with her other hand* ghh... I'm sorry Todd, I had to...

Todd: *dots of blood well up in the inside-corners of his sockets, form where his tear ducts were. He feels betrayed* ... I thought you loved me...

Doctor: *checks his watch*

Key: I do love you, Todd... nothing's going to happen to you, I promise... D:>

up

Todd: *he thinks* ... ... what happened to your family?

Key: *flinches a bit at the question-it's not something she liked to remember* ...My mom turned. She killed my dad and my brother while I wasn't home.

Todd: ... *his glare softens, as does his voice* ... alright... sorry that I had to make you answer that... had to be safe, y'know?

Key: My word wasn't enough?

Todd: Not now... used to be, but not now... I want to see Sarah...

Key: *is rather disheartened by his words, and is very quiet when she speaks* She's at school right now... I'll pick her up when she comes out...

Todd: ... Okay...

Doctor: *comes in* Someone overheard yelling in this room, and I thought that something might've gone wrong, so - ah, Mr. Huntings, you're awake. Welcome back to the land of the living.

Todd: *hissing at him* Get the frack out...

Doctor: Oh no. No, no. Seeing as you're awake now, I think we should finally give you your anti-psychotics -

Todd: I'M NOT CRAZY!! D8<

Doctor: Yes, well, a lot of people would like to disagree.

Key: *to the doctor* That's not the right way to deal with him right now... D: *to Todd* You have to take your medicine, Todd. Remember last time you forgot, and you thought there was someone in the room? You've gone a week without it...

Todd: I - wha - but wait... I... I'm not... *he's doubting himself now* I can't... be...

Doctor: *quietly to Key* Why don't YOU give him his anti-psychotics - he trusts you more, it seems.

Key: *nods in agreement* Alright... where are they?

Doctor: With me. *takes the plastic orange bottle out of his pocket* Here. *hands them to key*

Todd: *watches them both, growling*

Key: *takes the bottle, and pops out the appropriate amount of pills. she turns back to Todd, and frowns at his growling--this could be a bit harder than she thought* ...Come on, Todd, you've taken these before...

Todd: Do you know what he's given you?? It might not even be my pills!! D8

Doctor: *sighs*

Key: They're in the same bottle they were always in, Todd... *shows him the pills* They looks just the same, too. They're not trying to hurt you, Todd...

Todd: *despite this, he continues to struggle, and the heart monitor's beeping speeds up with his heart rate*

Doctor: <_<

Key: mmrrh... *glances back at the doctor. she wasn't quite sure she could do this now* ...Todd please, I don't want to have to force you to take these...

Doctor: ... *he nods to Key - do it, he willed her*

Todd: *he's getting less angry, and more upset and scared* N-no - you don't - you don't understand...!

Key: *steps closer with the pills in her hand* I completely understand, Todd! I know that you're hesitant about it right now but you've got to trust me... D:>

Todd: *he shifts himself away from her* No...!

Doctor: Listen, you can't REASON with him, Ms. Dawson - there's NO reasoning with a psychotic X-WD - just give him the medicine!

Key: ... *hates having to do something against Todd's will, but she really has no choice-- she puts one hand on his cheek, and tries to force the pills into his mouth with her other hand* D:>

up

Todd: Shot... today...?? *he didn't even know that a week had passed - that he had been asleep the entire time*

Key: No... You've been unconscious for a while now... The attack happened a few days ago. D:

Todd: Wh-who could have shot me...?? 'Sit Crowe?? Had... HAD to be him... *unfortunately, Todd had been unable to take his anti-psychotics for a week now, so he was well into the delusional state of mind. The doctors seemed to think of this before hand, as Todd was actually tied to the bed with two pairs of handcuffs - they would get zip-ties, but they feared it wouldn't be strong enough to hold Todd back - and Todd was STRUGGLING* Those sonofadog doctors - whoever the hell did this to me - they're DEAD for keeping me here - DEAD!!

Key: Todd--TODD! They're keeping you here because you hadn't woken up yet! You can't leave because you were shot in the chest! Crowe had nothing to do with it--he's dead remember??

Todd: *he snarls at her like an animal* WHO SHOT ME??

Key: WE DON'T KNOW, TODD! *gets progressively quieter as she continues* ...n-not yet, at least... They're trying to find him, okay?

Todd: *huffing* Okay then, why am I chained to the bed like this?? D8<

Key: *still somewhat quietly* You haven't been able to take your medicine since you've been asleep this whole time... they expected you to react like this, and they didn't want you to hurt yourself. <:/

Todd: *through his teeth, hissing at her* Don't LIE to me...!!

Key: *narrows her eyes at him* What reason could I possibly have to lie to you?

Todd: *still speaking through his teeth* You might be one of them...

Key: *is appalled that he could even THINK of labeling her as one of "them," (even though "them" was just a figment of his imagination...mostly)* I've done nothing but defend you ever since we got here! D:<

Todd: How do I know that?? You could be LYING! D8<

Key: Why would I lie to you?!

Todd: I already told you - because you're one of THEM - DON'T TOY WITH ME - YOU'RE NOT EVEN THE REAL KEY, ARE YOU??

Key: ?! I-- Y-- *goes silent. she doesn't even know what to say to that. she just stares at Todd, trying to keep herself from saying something she'd regret. (it's just the lack of anti-psychotics, as soon as he takes his medicine, he'll be fine...)* ...

Todd: Hah! So you admit it! So what's your real name, you SPY! Are you trying to see if I'll blow up a school, because that was CROWE, not ME! D8<

Key: *takes a deep breath--now was not a good time to yell at him* ...I'm not a spy.

Todd: Then who ARE you? WHAT are you?? Why the hell do you look like Key?? D8<

Key: ...I look like her because I AM her... *pauses* ...if you don't believe me... ask me something only the real Key would know.

up

Doctor: ... He's killed many children. That's why everyone hates him. Children are very few these day, since most of us are now... X-WDs... Mr. Huntings killed all of those children, and most people see that either as a purely immoral act, or him helping the unraveling of a very fragile society. *he sniffs* But that's just my view of it.

Todd: *...*

Key: *looks back at the doctor--not quite a glare, but still disapproving. he really wasn't helping*

Sarah: ...he's a good p-person... *holds back another sob* h-he really is...

Doctor: *to Sarah, lying through his teeth* I believe you.

Todd: *...*

Sarah: *doesn't notice the lie, and nods* thank you...

Key: *can her the lie in the doctor's voice, and her disapproving look turns into a full-on red-eyed glare* . . .

Doctor: *feeling her glare, he refuses to look at Key* ...

Todd: *...*

Me: timeskip?

Key: ... *decides that the doctor isn't worth her attenion, and looks back at Todd* ...

Sarah: *wipes a few tears away with the back of her hand* ...

Me: go riiiight ahead.

*it had only taken three days for the following events to occur - one was that the surgery went well - Todd wasn't dead, and was now recovering. The second was that Harry and Claire finally caught word about Todd getting shot. The third was that Todd was finally moving a bit in his unconsciousness, and would soon be waking up*

Harry: *at home, he paces his and Claire's bedroom, deeply disturbed by the rather shocking news of Todd getting shot, and the gun man not yet found. He was frustrated, and angry, and SCARED, dear GOD was he scared*

Key: had already gone to visit Todd a few times after the surgery, whenever she found time, and she goes to visit again while Sarah's at school. she's almost ecstatic when Todd moves--just more confimation that he was going to make it through. she waits patiently* ...

meanwhile

Claire: *is sitting on the edge of the bed,trying to think, but is distracted by Harry* Pacing's not going to find the gunman, Harry...

Harry: *he stops* Not a single trace of evidence! That bastard didn't leave a BIT of evidence to follow! We'd have to check the ballistic markings on EVERY GODDAMN GUN IN THE CITY if we want to FIND this guy!! D8<

Claire: *stands up* Harry, calm down. if you wake Sam up, we'll only have another distraction. >:/ Look, I talked to Paul again and we've put together a general description of the gunman. This'll help us narrow our choices down.

Harry: *huffs* I swear to god, I hope there's a hell just so that I know this man BURNS IN IT...

Claire: Breathe, Harry... If it's any consolation, I called the hospital earlier, they told me Todd was doing just fine. He's not going to die. I know that doesn't make the crime any less serious, but...

Harry: *he takes in a deep breath, counting to ten in his head before speaking again* ... well... at least there's that...

meanwhile at the medical facility place

*visiting hours start*

Claire: ...Maybe you should go see him later. Just to reassure yourself.

meanwhile

Key: *comes in a bit after visiting hours start, having been able to take a bit of time off from work again (thank god her employer is sympathetic). she speaks to the woman at the front counter, then goes to the room as soon as she gets the go-ahead*

Harry: ...Okay... yeah... yeah, I'll do that...

meanwhile

Todd: *shifts his head a bit. He was waking up*

Claire: ...You know what? You go ahead and do that. I'll finish taking care of this for today.

meanwhile

Key: ! *hurries over and very lightly places her hand over Todd's, beingextremely careful not to disturb any IVs* ...

Harry: ... thank you, Claire. *he leaves*

meanwhile

Todd: *gains consciousness, and turns his head weakly to look over at Key* Where'mi...?

Claire: ...you're welcome. *goes to continue working*

meanwhile

Key: *smiles at him, beyond relieved* You're in a hospital, Todd... you're gonna be fine. just don't move too much...

Harry: *hurries over to the hospital*

meanwhile

Todd: *he's confused by this, not really remembering much about getting shot* Why... why m'I in'a hospit'l...? Did... did Sarah get home 'k...?

Key: Sarah's just fine... Todd, you were attacked on the street. Some guy decided it'd be a good idea to shoot you.

up

Woman: :/

*some time passes*

Key: *runs in, straight up to the front desk, but is intercepted by a hug from Sarah* Oh my god-- *hugs her back* Sarah, you're okay, right??

Sarah: I'm fine...

Key: *looks up at Paul and mouths a 'thank you,' before adressing the woman behind the desk* H-How is he doing?

Woman: Hang on, I'll call the doctors treating him - *does so* Uh huh. Yeah, they're here. How much longer? *pauses, listening* Okay, thank you. *hangs up* They're right now finishing up - it should take around another thirty minutes, then he'll need another surgery later. Right now they're focusing on getting the bullet out.

Key: Okay... Alright, thank you... *looks at Paul* ...did you see who did it?

Paul: Barely... If I'd gone after him, I don't know if Todd would've made it.

Key: That's fine, thank you for that... If I had to choose, I'd pick having Todd live rather than seeing whoever did this arrested...

Sarah: *nods slowly* mhmm...

*the thirty minutes pass, and one of the doctors walks out to the waiting room, and speaks to Paul, Sarah and Key*

Doctor: You can see him now, but he's unconscious.

Key: *nods at the doctor, then looks at Paul* ...do you want to...?

Paul: You go ahead, I'll go talk to the authorities about this.

Key: ... *smiles gratefully* thank you... *goes with Sarah to the room Todd was in*

Doctor: *leads them to Todd's room. Todd had been just wheeled back from surgery, and was in quite a deep sleep*

Todd: *He was hooked up to a whole bunch of devices and tubes and things all attached to keep him alive. He had been cleaned up from when he was shot, any trace of blood now gone*

Sarah: !! *moves to go over to him, but is stopped by Key. Looking at Todd's condition again, she understands, and nods. too soon to get too close, at least*

Key: ... *steps a tiny bit forward, eternally grateful to Paul. she was just so glad to see tat Todd was alive, she ignored all the tubes and -IVs, though she keps a distance away* ...how much longer...?

Doctor: It depends on whether or not the next surgery goes well. If it doesn't... well... *he shakes his head* if it DOES go well, he'll be able to leave, earliest being a month. He was shot directly in the chest - Mr. Hunting's is very lucky to be alive.

Todd: *...*

Key: Lucky he is... *a flicker of a smile flashes across her face, but it vanishes quickly* ...what are the chances it won't go well?

Sarah: ...

Doctor: *takes in a deep breath* fifty-fifty.

Todd: *...*

Sarah: *doesn't like those odds. she reaches up and takes Key's hand*

Key: *squeezes it reassuringly. she didn't like the odds either, but they could be much worse* ...Alright. When will the surgery take place?

Doctor: We thought about going to wait a few hours before preforming the second surgery, but Mr. Huntings has lost a lot of blood, and he's just now recovering. The reason why the OTHER option, to wait, is also just as risky is because we've discovered that when the bullet hit Todd, it cut into his aorta - one of the main valves to the heart, and it burnt some of the tissue in his body - waiting for Todd to recover blood could cause him to die simply from that burn. So... it's your call. Fifty-fifty.

Todd: *...*

Sarah: ...

Key: ...d-do it as soon as you can.

Doctor: Understood. The the surgery will be preformed in a few hours. Visiting hours end in forty minutes, if you're planning on staying.

Todd: *...*

Key: Okay... Thank you.

Sarah: ...Mom? Can I go...?

Key: ... *nods* Just... don't touch him, okay? We don't want him to hurt him anymore than he already is...

Sarah: ... *steps closer, stopping next to the bed* ...

Doctor: ... It's okay to touch him, as long as she doesn't touch any of the tubes and wires we've got set up for him.

Todd: *up close, he looks extremely pale - a sky-blue. Some of the blood around his mouth wasn't completely cleaned off, and one could notice a bit of a smear on his face. Other than all this, he seemed almost peaceful*

Sarah: ... *lightly touches the back of his hand* ... *sniffles a bit, and her eyes water, but she doesn't cry. He wouldn't want her to cry*

Key: ... *goes to stand by Sarah, putting an arm around her shoulders*

Sarah: ...he looks like he's asleep, doesn't he?

Key: ... *nods*

Doctor: ... If it helps, I'm sure that whoever did this to him WILL be found.

Todd: *...*

Key: *nods* ...

Sarah: ...It's not fair... it's not fair that everyone hates him, it's just not... h-he's a good person, but no one sees it... *tries to hold in a sob* w-why can't anyone see it?

Key: *rubs her shoulder comfortingly* A lot of people can't see past their own noses, Sarah... Those that can are few and far between...

Sarah: ...l-like Paul?

Key: ... *nods* like him.

up

Man: Oh yeah? And what was he like before? Less crazy?

meanwhile

Surgeons: *WORK*

Paul: He was the nicest guy I've ever met.

meanwhile

Sarah: *is full-on sprinting to the hospital. she's nearly out of breath already, bu she forces herself to keep running--she HAS to know if Todd's okay*

Man: *snorts, nearly breaking into laughter, but stops himself* NICE?

Paul: *narrows his eyes at him* Yes, nice. The only thing that could be considered "wrong" about him was that he was an X-WD before everyone else--and even that didn't last long.

meanwhile

Sarah: *is within sight of the hospital*

Man: He can't be one of the FIRST X-WDs, he's a HUNTER!

Paul: He was one of the first ones to get the cure, hell, we was like that when I first met him!

Sarah: *runs in through the front door, then stops to catch her breath* hff... hfff... hfff...

Man: Wait - but - *he stops and notices Sarah* ??

Woman: Can I help you, sweetie? Are you looking for someone? :/

Paul: --?

Sarah: hff... I-I'm looking for my dad...!

Paul: What's his name? I'm sure we can find him... :/

Sarah: It's... *gulps, hoping they won't just scoff at the name and ignore her* T-Todd... T-Todd Huntings... D:>

Man: HE'S you're dad?? D8

Woman: Oh, he got here a little while ago - he's being worked on right now. :(

Sarah: *ignores the man's comment, already starting to get used to such reactions* I-Is he gonna be okay? D:>

Paul: *almost smacks the man upside the head for the outburst--to him, it was an extremely rude reaction. instead, he directs his attention to Sarah* I'm sure they're doing the best they can... What's your name?

Sarah: S-Sarah...

Man: ... he mumbled the name "Sarah" earlier - *to Paul* I heard him if you didn't.

Woman: <:/

Paul: Mmh... *kneels down to be at eye level with Sarah* It's gonna be okay, alright? I'm sure he'll come out alright. Is your mom coming?

Sarah: I d-dunno... she's working right now... I dunno if she knows...

Woman: *to Sarah* Can you call her? Maybe it would be best if she knew.

Man: Does this mean I can go?

Paul: *looks at the man* Unless you REALLY want to stay. >:/

Sarah: *to the woman* C-Can I borrow your phone? D:>

Man: *flatly* I don't want to stay.

Woman: Of course. *she scoots the phone over to Sarah*

Sarah: *goes over to the phone and dials the number, then waits for Key to pick up*

Paul: *stands up* Go, then.

Man: ... *he does so*

Woman: *waits*

Sarah: ... Mom? Mom! ...Y-Yeah, Something's wrong... d-dad's in the hospital--he got attacked! I'm fine, but... *nods* Yeah... *looks up at Paul* Yeah. I-I'll wait here. Hurry...! ...Bye. *hangs up* ...she's coming.

Paul: ...if you don't mind my asking, Sarah, is your mom named Mikaela?

Sarah: Uhuh... Y-You know her?

Woman: :/ *she taps her fingers together, nervous*

Paul: Yup... Met her a long time ago, had a few problems... took us a while, but we sorted them out eventually...

Sarah: Oh...

up

Me: my previous post just shows how tired i was last night. XD

Sarah: Uuuummmmm... We get to do art today. :D Aaaand... math. Which isn't as fun.

Todd: Well, at least the art balances that out. ^^ Hey, Sarah, today your mom's going to be the one to drop you off at school, okay? I'll still pick you up later, alright?

Sarah: Okay. ^^

Key: *sets the bagged lunch down in front of Sarah* You have all your stuff ready?

Sarah: Uh-huh. :D

Key: Let's get going, then. ^^

*after they leave, Todd sits on the couch, waiting a long, uneventful wait. When it was finally time to leave to pick up Sarah, Todd was nearly ecstatic, being bored out of his mind with nothing to do around the house*

Todd: *leaves the house, unaware that he was being watched by a lone gunman*

Me: Where do Claire and Harry come in from?

Sarah: *waits at school for Todd to show up* ...

Me: I have... no clue. Um. I'd say they were on break if I didn't know they'd have a ton of work to do... um--omgwhatifitwasPaul? He kinda got put on a bus, lol...

Todd: *walking to Sarah's school* ho hum...

Gunman: *is human. He had a son who was killed when Todd blew up the school. Seeking vengeance, he takes aim at Todd from behind a tree*

Sarah: *waits*

Paul: *is passing by on his way back home after running some errands--he doesn't really notice Todd, nor the gunman*

*and then a shot rings in the air, loud, echoing into the grey sky*

Todd: *the bullet gets him directly in his chest - right in the middle. Without really understanding what just happened, Todd felt himself blacking out. Blood was leaking from the wound, giving his hoodie a massive dark stain. He almost did lose unconsciousness, but the pain didn't let him. Instead his mind took the backseat while that primal instinct once more took hold of his body, and he looks around for the offending gunman, snarling angrily, blood leaking from the two corners of his mouth, dribbling down his chin. He was barely standing*

Paul: *hears the shot ring out and immediately looks for the source--he sees Todd, fighting to stay standing, extreme amounts of blood coming from his chest. he moves to help him, but experience reminds him that going near and injured infected (even if he WAS an X-WD), ESPECIALLY a Hunter, was never a smart thing to do, and he stops. instead, he looks in the direction the shot came from, and spots the gunman behind the tree* HEY!! D8<

Gunman: D:< !! *he breaks into a run, away from Paul, hoping that he doesn't give chase, or isn't able to see his face long enough to study his features and report him. The deed was done anyway - Todd Huntings was going to die*

Todd: *he sees the gunman run, and takes a few wobbly steps forward, before crashing into another tree, spitting up blood, growling weakly*

Paul: *breaks into a run, about to give chase, but when he sees Todd collapse against the tree, he stops himself* Goddammit... *goes back to Todd* Come on, man, don't die on me...! *calls out to someone, anyone on the street* SOMEONE GET A DOCTOR! D8>

Todd: *he becomes numb from the quickening blood-loss, and he manages to croak out before blacking out -* ... I... I need to... pick Sarah up... from school... need to get her home... *and then he lost consciousness*

A Few People: *those that were there only stared at Todd, thinking should we really help this man?. He was batshoot insane, and killed children - destroyed a whole school, and they were supposed to stop what they were doing to HELP that monster?*

Paul: *desperately looks around for someone to help him, and swears under his breath when no one seems to move. grabbing Todd under both arms, he proceeds to drag him to the nearest medical center. he's having great difficulty moving the man on his own, and he fears he may be aggravating his injury even more by dragging him, but there was simply no other way for him to move Todd. He yells at passerby, practically begging for someone, anyone to help him carry Todd, becoming increasingly frustrated when no one offers to help*

*finally, a single man steps forward*

Man: Fine. I'll help. I've got nothing better to do, anyway. You take his head, I'll take his legs. *with a grunt, he lifts Todd up by his legs*

Todd: *doesn't stir, still bleeding*

Paul: *is eternally grateful for the man's help, reluctant as he may be. together, they carry Todd to the medical center*

meanwhile

Sarah: *continues to wait at school, wondering what could possibly be taking her dad so long to get there* ...

*at the medical center, everyone in the waiting room stares at Todd, feeling very uncomfortable with him in the room, unconscious or not*

Woman: *sitting at the desk, she looks up and goes pale upon seeing Todd - more so because of the state he was in at the moment. She immediately picks up the phone and dials the number of the first available doctor she can think of, whom she explains the situation to. Then she puts down the phone, and whispers to Paul and the man* Help will come soon - just hang on, okay?

Todd: *still bleeding, blacked out*

Man: *sighs impatiently*

Paul: *is more concerned than impatient* Ma'am, I don't know how much longer he's going to last...!

meanwhile

Sarah: ...

Girl: *runs up to her* Sarah! SARAH! D:

Sarah: !? W-What is it, what's wrong?? D:>

Girl: It's your dad!

Sarah: Is he coming? D:>

Woman: They'll be here in a SECOND, I swear - they're very fast!

*soon a team of nurses come, wheeling in a gurney. They take Todd from Paul and the man and wheel him away without a word*

Man: ...

Paul: *sighs loudly* shoot, man... someone just shot him in the STREET... *he knows that if Harry or Claire even caught wind of this, there would be problems. having someone attacking someone else on the street was bad enough, but... this was TODD* ...

meanwhile

Girl: I-I don't think so...

Sarah: W-What...?

Girl: *gulps audibly, looking very upset* M-My mom told me to tell you--a guy with a gun just attacked him! on the street!

Sarah: !!!!!!!

Man: ... I'm not surprised that people would go so far as to try and kill him. Everyone's so pissed as him because he didn't get the death sentence - because that freak's fracking PSYCHO... if he dies, then good riddance.

meanwhile

Surgeons: *work on Todd*

Paul: ...tch... y' didn't know the guy before...

meanwhile

Sarah: *is now panicking* I-I-Is he okay?? D8>

Girl: I dunno, my mom said they say a guy carrying him to the hospital-- hey, WAIT!

Sarah: *has run off in the direction of the hospital--she had to see her dad*

up

Todd: Well, yeah... but I didn't freeze last night, when you were with me. :)

Key: *through the door* Well, okay... :) but that won't happen every day...

Todd: I know... I get it. I guess I should have a heavier sort of jacket for colder days, yeah. You're right.

Key: *is silent until she comes out of the bathroom, and finishes getting ready* ...I'll take Sarah to school today. I need to go that way for work anyway...

Todd: Um, alright. Will I still be picking her up, then?

Key: *nods* I have to work late today again... I'll go get Sarah up. *leaves the room to do so*

Todd: Alright, then. ^^ *he, himself, heads downstairs. It was going to be a boring day, that he could tell*

Key: *comes downstairs after a few minutes, and goes to the kitchen to pack Sarah' s lunch*

Todd: *eats a bowl of cereal*

Sarah: *comes down after a ew moments, sitting down next to Todd at*'''morniiing~

Todd: Good morning, Sarah - what do you think you'll be doing in school today? ^^

Todd: *snuggles back* True... but semi-normal is totally okay. XP

Key: *wraps her arms around him* Compared to how it COULD be, yes. it's pretty good.

Todd: ... wow... and then my brain kinda... gave up... I'm tiiired... can I go to sleeeep? XP

Key: *laughs at this* You don't have to ask, Todd... XD

Todd: Well we were cuddling... and maybe you... wanted to cuddle... more... mmmtired'now... *he passes out*

Key: heheh... it's okay... *snuggles into him, and after a few minutes, she falls asleep easily. that night, she dreams of that moment when it was just the two of them together, flying over the rooftops, lying in the snow, without a care in the world... and she wonders if anything will ever be able to come close to that again*

*the next morning*

Todd: *early in the morning, his mind begins to slowly fall apart again, which Todd could tell from how he felt like he was being watched, and he had a very uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach* ... mngh... *he looks around - he got how stupid it was to think that someone besides Key was somewhere in the room with him, but he looked anyway, as it comforted him that Todd couldn't find anyone - UNLESS THEY WERE REALLY GOOD AT HIDING. What if it was one of those people who were trying to kill him?? With that thought, Todd sat up in the bed, shaking, looking around wildly, rubbing both arms, as if he was cold (which he was)*

Key: *wakes up to find Todd already awake, and... looking around the room? she sits up next to him and puts her arms around him* Todd... Todd, what's wrong?

Todd: *nearly jumps out of his skin when Key touches him - right, right, she was there, she was THERE with him, no need to panic, but his heart was RACING, and beads of sweat began to form on his face from his panic. He speaks to Key in a stuttering whisper* Th-th-they might b-b-be here... k-keep your v-voice down...!

Key: *now extremely worried, she glances around the room, and replies in an equally quiet whisper* what are you talking about, Todd? D:>

Todd: The people...! The people who HATE ME...! They're HERE, I can HEAR them WHISPERING...!!

Key: *listens for ANY kind of noise in the room other than their breathing, but hears nothing* ...Todd... I think you need to take your medicine...

Todd: *he looks at her like she was insane, when it dawns on him that the ONLY REASON why he was hearing whispering was because - yes - he hadn't taken his anti-psychotics yet* ... oh... *he quickly leans over and takes the bottle, downing the pill dry* ... it should get better soon... right... yeah...

Key: *relaxes. she had started to worry that maybe there really WAS something there* ...Now we know you need to take those as soon as you get up... you had me worrying for a second...

Todd: ... I... I HAD been, before... but I guess I got up a little bit later than I would have liked...

Key: Maybe it's because we went to bed so late... remind me to set an alarm at some point. <:/

Todd: ... okay. :( *he gets up, out of bed and goes into the bathroom to change into his day clothes. He then comes out, gets ready fully by brushing his teeth and such, and putting on his torn up hoodie. He did all of this rather quickly*

Key: *notices this, and frowns. she stands up and goes past him, lightly touching his shoulder as she passed him to go to the bathroom* ...i need to get you a new hoodie...

Todd: I-I'm fine... it's okay, I don't need a new one. *he glances at his bare arms* ... why the hell did I even tear this thing up...?

Key: I don't know, but you'll freeze to death without sleeves... <:/ *goes into the bathroom to change*

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