Todd Wants Key's Face

Harry: Be good, Sam!

meanwhile

Todd: *he is done talking to his therapist for the day. Now he sits alone in his cell*

Key: *had gone to visit Todd after leaving the hospital. She had insisted on seeing him, and eventually, they allowed her to go in. she left Sarah and Sam in the waiting room, knowing Sarah would be able to watch Sam on her own, and was led to the visiting room--the same one they had taken her to when she had first come to visit*

*eventually, Key is led to the visiting room, where Todd sits where he did before. This time, however, his hood was down, and one could clearly see his face. His face looked more ragged than last time, and... sad*

Todd: *he perks up when he sees Key enter* !

Key: *is very glad to see him (she had assumed they would kill him on sight if they saw him again), more so with his hood off. she gives him a sad smile, sitting in her chair on the other side of the room* ... Hey, Todd. <:)

Guards: *watch them carefully*

Todd: *sadly* ... hey... turns out I've got psychosis... I'm so sorry, Key... for everything... I did the stupidest things, and I just... I thought I was RIGHT... I can't believe... I can't believe I did all of that...

Key: *her smile slowly fades as he speaks* ... *reaches across the table for his hand, as she had done on the first visit*

Guards: >_>

Todd: *he readily takes her hand, just like last time* ... I'm taking anti-psychotics now... *he laughs a little, awkwardly - sadly* ... who knew, huh?

Key: *the sad smile returns, and she squeezes his hand* Who knew... are they treating you okay? <:(

Todd: ... okay enough for people who would rather see me hanged...

Key: ... *rubs the back of his hand with her thumb* I'm just glad you're still here...

Todd: ... I really wish I wasn't... *his voice becomes quiet* ... I killed them, Key... all those children... I mean, you already know that... I'm sure it's engraved into your head by now... but ALL THOSE KIDS... and then... and then I stabbed HARRY, and sliced up Claire... and, I mean, I got Crowe too... but... I'm still not fond of him. *he shakes his head* I can't believe this happened... I'm sorry, Key... I'm sorry... I dragged you through so MUCH of this...

Key: *continues rubbing his hand* ...I won't say that none of it was your fault, because you've already admitted to doing it yourself... but... The infection coming back, what set you off... that wasn't you. You're still the Todd I remember.

Todd: *there is some relief in his expression* ... they... DID say - th-the doctors I mean - they said that it was just... this extreme STRESS that set me off, yeah... that I was this way all along, and all I needed was a little push... *he holds Key's hand with both of his, now* ... I am one insane bastard, aren't I? I'm... kinda surprised that you don't hate me, though.

Guards: ...

Key: ...To be honest, I'm kind of surprised I don't hate you too. Sarah doesn't hate you either. *smiles, then whispers very quietly so the guards can't hear--but obviously Todd can* I love you.

Todd: *he smiles a bit* ... I do, too. I hope I can see you again, after this, Key... like, at HOME... and... I hope Sarah doesn't hate me, either...

Key: I hope so too... By the way... Harry and Claire are doing okay. I visited them earlier. Just thought you'd want to know...

Todd: Oh god... thank god, thank GOD - I thought I KILLED Harry - I KNEW Claire was okay, but I STABBED Harry! D8>

Guards: -_-

Key: *winces a bit at the image of Todd brutally attacking Harry and Claire--not to mention murdering Crowe* They said that Claire would be out tomorrow, but Harry would take about a week... but he was awake when I saw him, so he must be doing well, right? *is trying to be positive*

Todd: Oh... oh okay... okay... he's... okay enough, then... I'm an idiot - I'm such a stupid, worthless bag of unchecked crazy - I should have gotten the death sentence before I did any more harm...

Key: Todd... This could've happened to anyone. Anyone can crack under stress, everyone has problems dealing with it...

up

Harry: ... oh right... you told me he visited... did you get along alright with him, Sam?

Sam: Yeah... he was kind of sad, though... he got mad at mommy...

Claire: ...mmh...

Harry: *he looks over at Claire, surprised* ... he got MAD at you, Claire?

Claire: Sort of... we started talking about the infection, and he started going on about how Crowe was to blame for everything... i tried to talk some sense into him, but I obviously didn't do very well...

Sam: Mommy almost got mad.

Harry: ... I guess it was at that point that... he started to crack.

Claire: ...I think it was losing Key and Sarah that did it... or... THINKING that he lost them... but now--*is cut off as someone knocks on the door. she looks over*

Amy: *peeks her head in* So sorry if I'm interrupting, but there are some people here looking for you... umm... *goes into the room to allow them to come in*

Key: *steps into the room with Sarah. she looks tired and a bit worn down, and Sarah looked the same* ...

Amy: They were at your house... I asked them if they needed something and they asked for you.

Claire: *her eyes widen in surprise--they... they DID survive. they survived and they were RIGHT THERE* oh my god...

Harry: *he laughs a little in disbelief, happiness, and pure relief* y-you're okay! You're both okay!

Key: Just barely made it, but we're still here. <:)

Sam: Sarah! :D

Sarah: :D

Claire: *she still can't believe it* A-Ah.. I don't even know what to-- *to Amy* Thank you so much for bringing them here.

Amy: Sure, no problem. ^^; Um... can I...?

Claire: yes! Yeah, you can go, sorry. ^^;

Amy: *nods, and then leaves again*

Harry: ... Todd was with you that whole time, wasn't he? But he... came back on his own... did he run away? Please tell me you tried to turn him in.

Key: *her smile fades* I tried talking him out of it, I swear I did... He wouldn't change his mind no matter what I told him, and he left...

Claire: ... You knew what he was intending to do?

Key: Of course I did, it's the same thing he'd been wanting to do since the bombing... You've got to understand, I was in no position to stop him, he could've easily--

Claire: It's okay, Key, we understand.

Harry: ... Key, since he's back at the Institute, perhaps you should take some time out of your day to visit him. I think... I think he's more clear-headed now...

Key: I was planning on it... It's not like I have much else to do...

Sarah: ...

Key: Speaking of which... could Sarah and I stay with you guys, at least until we can get another house? We don't have anywhere else to go...

Claire: Ah-- O-Of course!

Harry: ... right... because your house... burned down... *he gets upset from this*

Claire: *looks over at Harry, then back at Key. It was obvious that she didn't know who was responsible--that THEY were responsible. She would prefer to keep it that way, but...* ...You can stay as long as you need to.

Key: *sighs in relief* Thank you so much...

Sarah: *smiles, just as relieved as her mother*

Sam: So Sarah's staying over? :D

Harry: *to Sam* y-yes. Key and Sarah's gonna stay for as long as they like - which will be GREAT, since they're our good friends.

Sam: *bounces happily* yay!! :D

Claire: *winces a bit* Careful, Sam, you're hurting mommy a little.

Sam: D: *immediately stops* sorry...

Claire: *smiles at him* It's okay...

Key: Heheh... so... how long until they let you out?

Harry: Uhh...

Nurse: Mrs. Gatzsky can go tomorrow - Mr. Gatzsky will have to stay here for another week.

Claire: *nods upon hearing this. it made sense*

Key: Alright... how do we get into your house...?

Claire: the girl that brought you here lives next door--she'll give you the keys, just make sure to tell her I sent you.

Sam: Amy's nice. ^^

Harry: I bet she is. ^^

Nurse: That's a good place to end this conversation - visiting hours have ended.

Key: ..oh. D:

Claire: *frowns, wishing that Key's visit hadn't been cut so short* Well, I guess we'll just see each other again tomorrow. You wouldn't mind taking Sam home with you, would you?

Key: No, not at all! *approaches her bed, and carefully picks up Sam*

Sam: I missed you. ^^

Key: Same here, little guy. :)

Sarah: ^^

up

Harry: *he still sleeps, motionless*

meanwhile

Todd: *he's somewhat disturbed with the discovery that there was truly something WRONG with him - all this time, he thought that everyone ELSE just didn't understand... but now he got it. His actions were obsessive, violent, and completely unnecessary (hell, he murdered all those CHILDREN - some of them being his favorite students!) he was nothing less than a monster*

Claire: *closes her eyes and rests her head back against the pillow. everything had been going so well... but in the last few months, everything had fallen apart. would they be able to recover from it?*

meanwhile

Sarah: ... Okay. *stands up from the bed, and takes her mother's hand*

Key: *turns the tv off and grabs the keys off the top of the television, then heads out of the room with Sarah. she goes straight to the counter, drops off the keys and pays for the room, then heads out--back home*

Harry: *sleeps*

meanwhile

Todd: *would Key even visit him ever again? Would HARRY? Probably not. They probably hated him now*

Claire: *rests there for a bit, until she hears the door open. she looks over, and her gloomy mood instantly turns to joy as the babysitter walks into the room with Sam in her arms*

Amy: Hi, Mrs. Gazsky! I was so glad to hear you were doing okay. :D Sam had been asking for you all day yesterday...

Sam: *his face lights up as soon as he sees his mother, and he immediately reaches towards her*

Claire: Well, bring him here, then! <:)

meanwhile

Key and Sarah: *begin their long walk back to the city. Fortunately for them, the rain had stopped that morning...*

Nurse: *comes back in to check over things a final time with Harry*

Harry: *...*

meanwhile

Todd: *he gets up and paces around his cell. He was at least thankful that the doctors didn't resort to strapping him in a straight jacket. He was positive they would - but no*

Amy: *happily obliges, carefully handing Sam over to Claire*

Claire: *takes him, setting him down in her lap where he won't hurt her too much* Hey Sam... how're you doing? Were you good for Amy?

Sam: *nods happily* Uh-Huh! But I missed you. :(

Claire: I missed you too, sweetie...

Nurse: ^^

Harry: *waking up with an exhausted sigh*

Nurse: !! Oh! You - you're not supposed to be awake yet! D:

Harry: *in a tired drone* Where'm I...?

Nurse: Uh, the medical wing at the military outpost. ._.;

Harry: *weakly turns his head, and finds Claire and Sam* ... oh... *he smiles slightly at them*

Amy: :D!!

Claire: *smiles back at him, extremely relieved* Hey...

Sam: Daddy!! :D

Harry: *suddenly his smile turns into a frown* ... Crowe's dead... where's Todd?

Nurse: ...

Amy: ... <_<;;

Sam: ...?

Claire: ...They put him back in the asylum... I don't know much else...

Harry: *he shuts his eyes, sighing in relief* ... okay... okay, they got him... I... I need to see him...

Nurse: Not yet. You've lost a large amount of blood, Mr. Gatsky. You'll have to stay here for a few more days.

Harry: ... that's not what I really wanted to hear...

Claire: He's right, Harry... We can go see him when you can walk, okay...? <:(

Sam: ...is Daddy hurt?

Amy: <:/ ...

Harry: Just a little hurt, Sam - you don't need to worry, Daddy's gonna be okay.

Nurse: ... The doctor said he almost destroyed your diaphragm. If he did, you wouldn't have been able to... get better.

Harry: ... oh... *is now shaken by the thought that he was VERY close to dying from a fatal blow*

Amy: *bites her nails nervously--the conversation was stating to bother her*

Sam: So... daddy's gonna get better?

Claire: Yes, Sam.. he is... *notices Amy* You don't have to stay if you don't want to. I'll give you a call if I need you to come back, okay? <:(

Amy: Alright... *leaves*

Harry: ... after all this, I still can't hate him. And he shouldn't think that I hate him...

Claire: He's a hard person to hate... he's always been so... upbeat... it was almost contagious. D:

Sam: Who're we talkin' about?

Claire: A friend of mommy and daddy's.

Sam: oh...

Harry: A very good friend, who you might meet some day.

Nurse: Maybe when he gets out of the asylum. Later.

Claire: ...Oh! You already know who he is, Sam. Do you remember that man that stayed with us while daddy was sick?

Sam: ...ohhhh....! I remember!

up

Todd: *he sneaks back into the military outpost. Unfortunately for him that day, soldiers were patrolling some of the halls - especially outside Crowe's office. Already he had to silence three soldiers*

meanwhile

Harry: *stands inside Crowe's office with Claire, listening to Crowe lecture them*

Crowe: ... and I want not ONE of you to tell ANYONE about what EXACTLY we did and WHY, is that clear?

Harry: ... yes sir.

Claire: Yes sir. *obviously understand his reasons--he wouldn't want any bad publicity*

*suddenly the door was viciously smashed down, making Harry's heart almost stop, and Crowe to look on with widened eyes, keeping still like a deer in headlights. There stood Todd, his hood back up, dripping wet, and covered in blood*

Todd: ... Time's up, you son of a dog.

Harry: *he stares, feelings mixed. He was so happy and relieved that Todd was alive - somehow he made it through okay... but then came the sickening realization that Todd was now going to try and kill Crowe... and Harry and Claire's job was to PROTECT him by any means possible. Harry bravely stepped in front of Crowe protectively* ... Todd... Todd, think about this for a second, PLEASE...

Todd: I thought this through a while ago, HARRY. *he says Harry's name with such disgust that he notices his former friend flinch, clearly shaken by his words*

Crowe: ... kill him. KILL HIM, or somehow capture him, but do NOT let him near me!

Claire: *reacts similarly to Harry, almost gawking at Todd as he stood in the door. shaking off the shock, she reaches into her jacket an pulls out a pistol, pointing it at Todd* I don't want to shoot you, Todd... turn yourself in.

Todd: ... *he slowly shakes his head at Claire. He quickly thought up a plan. He could distract Claire with Harry's soon to be dead body. He knew that Harry would have a harder time shooting at him, which Todd decided to use to his advantage in order to achieve getting a literal stab at Crowe. He lunged at Harry*

Harry: !!! *just as Todd predicted, he can't bring himself to shoot his friend, and he pays the price, gasping from the pain of Todd shoving his hand into his middle, barely missing the diaphragm. Harry quickly crumpled to the ground, blood quickly spilling out of the wound*

Todd: *he then lunges at Crowe*

Crowe: !!!! *punches Todd away*

Todd: *falls to the ground, quickly getting up, a few feet away from Crowe*

Claire: HARRY!! *was momentarily distracted, as Todd predicted she would be--but she recovered faster than he would have anticipated. she quickly turns and shoots him, hitting him in the arm, if she could divert his attention to herself, then Crowe would have a chance to escape and get reinforcements*

Todd: *when he's shot, he immediately knew what was going to happen, furious with Claire, knowing she knew as well* NRGHAAAAHH NOO!! *he suddenly turns to her, snarling like an animal. He leaps at her, intending to pounce on her*

Crowe: !! *he freezes for a moment, in shock*

Harry: *he is still alive on the ground, but bleeding in great amounts. He weakly tries covering the wound* Ghhk...

Claire: CROWE--RUN!! *doesn't move out of his way--she knew allowing him to attack her would buy Crowe ample time to escape, depending on how long she would last... she only hoped she'd last until he came back with help...*

Todd: *immediately start tearing into Claire, slashing away at some of her skin*

Harry: *dying*

Crowe: *in a moment of panic, instead of running for reinforcements, he decides that Claire's life is too valuable to throw away, and he takes out his own pistol and shoots Todd, hitting him in the back*

Todd: *screams angrily form the pain this gives him, and leaps off of Claire, and on to Crowe, immediately slashing out his throat*

Crowe: !!! *gasps a few times for air before he bleeds far too much, and fades away into the state of death*

Claire: *she had sincerely hoped that second gunshot was only her imagination, a product of the agony she was currently in, but as soon as she felt Todd's weight come off her, she knew it was real--she sits up, hissing at the intense pain in her stomach but otherwise ignoring it, and watches in horror as Crowe bleeds to death*

Todd: *when he ends Crowe's life, his blood-lust is satisfied, and he, himself, returns to a normal state of mind (somewhat). But then the truth is revealed. Seeing Crowe's dead body triggered something in Todd's mind, that made him relive that day he exploded the school. And that was it. Todd found the truth. It wasn't Crowe. Crowe didn't do anything. He sinks to his knees, dripping in blood from Harry, Claire, and Crowe. He speaks quietly, his voice breaking along the way* ... it was me... all this time... and it was me... *he looks back at Claire and Harry* ... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...

Harry: *he didn't exactly understand what was going on - then again, he didn't exactly understand anything at the moment - everything was fuzzy for him, including his hearing, as he lay on the floor, bleeding out*

Claire: *seeing that there was nothing she could to for Crowe, and that Todd had seemingly stopped his attack, she immediately turned to Harry, who was bleeding out on the ground. *pressing both hands to the wound to keep any more blood from spilling out, she calls loudly (just in case--she was sure the gunshots would have attracted some attention) she didn't care if Todd attacked her again--she would be ready for him this time* SOMEONE HELP!!

*Help was, indeed, coming*

Harry: *weakly, barely getting out a whisper from his lack of strength* ... Claire... tell Todd I... don't hate him for... this...

Todd: *looks over at them both, different variations on sorrow and horror mixing together to form one solid emotion. He really WAS insane, wasn't he? And he hurt Harry - probably FATALLY WOUNDED him!* I'm sorry... I'm sorry...

Claire: *briefly glances up at Todd when he speaks, but looks back down at Harry* You can tell him yourself, just hang on, please!

Harry: ... I don't know... if I... can...

Todd: ...Oh god, no...

Medical Team: *come running in. One of the nurses shrieks when she sees Crowe dead on the floor, and the mass-murdering psychopath, Todd Huntings, standing right there, drenched in his blood*

Claire: *in desperation, she reverts to her general-voice, practically barking orders at the medical team* Don't bother with Todd, just help Harry!! NOW!

Medical Team: D8 *they take Harry, whisking him away to the medical wing*

Todd: oh god... god...

*it was later that a team of soldiers arrested Todd, taking him away to the Institute for the Criminally Insane. Todd went without a struggle*

*the next day*

Claire: *sits in a hospital bed, recovering from her wounds. they had been severe enough to require stitches, and she had been forced to remain in the hospital overnight, much to her dismay. she had wanted to see her son. she took comfort in knowing that Harry was still alive, but it pained her to see him lying unconscious in his bed, half a dozen needles stuck into his arms. most of her day was spent replaying recent events over and over again, Crowe's murder, burning Key's home--Todd had survived. Did that mean Key and Sarah had as well? she couldn't be sure...*

meanwhile

Key and Sarah: *sit in the bed in the motel room, watching news coverage on the previous day's events in a shocked silence. neither of them thought he would do it--and yet, he did. learning that Harry and Claire were among the wounded was another shock*

Key: ... *quietly* ...I think we should be going home soon...

A Nurse: *Is a large man with a full beard. He is looking over Harry - making sure everything was normal with him, then looks over at Claire* Do you need anything right now, Mrs. Gatzsky?

meanwhile

Todd: *in the Institute, he was finally speaking to the therapists, LISTENING to them, and telling them everything that went on in his head so that they could prescribe the right kind of medicine for him so that Todd could be a normal citizen again. It turned out that Todd really WAS psychotic, and had to take anti-psychotics for, quite bluntly, the rest of his life. This was how much the second outbreak had destroyed him*

Claire: ... Would you be able to call my house and tell the girl there that I want to see my son?

meanwhile

Sarah: ...where would we go..?

Key: ...We could... stay with Claire and Harry for a bit... if they're okay...

Nurse: Sure. I'll do that right now. *he walks out and does so*

Harry: *...*

meanwhile

Todd: *he now sits alone in his cell, wondering how Key, Sarah - but most importantly HARRY and CLAIRE were doing* ...

Claire: *sits there and waits. she looks over at Harry, and watches him rest, wondering when he'd wake up...*

meanwhile

Sarah: ...would they let us? because, you know... dad h-hurt them...

Key: *puts an arm around her* They wouldn't be mad at us, we had nothing to do with it... *after a bit of thought, she speaks again* We're going home. come on.

Sarah: R-Right now?

Key: *nods, and stands up from the bed* There's no reason to hide here anymore.

up

Harry: *he speaks softly to his son* ... hey, Sam. You feeling okay?

Sam: ... I'm okay... are YOU okay?

Claire: *listens* ...

Harry: ... I'm not sick again, if that's what you're thinking, Sam. I'm okay, just kinda sad and angry... I'm sorry for yelling. I didn't mean to scare you.

Sam: ...why're you angry?

Claire: ...

Harry: ... I'm not... I'm not angry. I know I looked angry, but I'm not - I've been dealing with a LOT of big stuff, Sam... a lot.

Sam: *stands up, using the railing on the crib to support himself* ...so you're sad, then?

Harry: ... ... yeah. I'm very sad, Sam. *he walks over to the crib, and picks up Sam, holding him closely to himself*

Claire: *stays by the door and watches, knowing that Harry needed this time with his son* ...

Sam: *hugs him as best as he can* ...I don't like you sad, daddy...

Harry: Yeah, well... I don't like me sad either, Sam... and I definitely don't like YOU sad... *he bounces Sam a little in his arms, smiling a little - which was as much as he could - at Sam* I promise I won't scare you like that again.

Sam: O-ka-ay... *giggles a bit at the bouncing*

Claire: *smiles, and comes a bit farther into the room*

Harry: *looks over at Claire, ceasing his bouncing of Sam. He did nothing but smile at her softly* ...

Claire: *sighs quietly, still smiling. this was definitely what he had needed*

Sam: *looks up, then looks in the same direction Harry was looking. upon seeing Claire, he makes grabby hands at her*

Claire: *laughs a little, then joins Harry and Sam by the crib*

Sam: *is content with having both of his parents around. he grins widely*

Harry: ... *he continues holding Sam close to him, then puts his head on Claire's shoulder. Todd, Key, and Sarah's death still burned in his mind, though it wasn't as torturous and painful as before*

Claire: *puts an arm around Harry--this was another kind of disraction*

Sam: *tries (and adorably fails) to hug tem both*

Harry: *he laughs a bit from Sam's attempt at hugging the two of them* Maybe we should put you back in the crib, Sam. I woke you up from a nap.

Sam: awwww...

Claire: no awws, Sammy... back to sleep.

Sam: mmkaaay.

Harry: *puts Sam back in the crib* Alright, Claire... let's let him sleep. *he walks out of Sam's room, feeling much better than he did before he entered*

Claire: *leaves with him, quietly shutting the door behind them* ...That went well, didn't it?

Harry: *he smiling again* It did. It went... better than expected.

Me: timeskip?

Me: Yup.

*later the next day. the storm rages on, rain falling in buckets and lightning flashing across the sky*

up

Harry: AND YOU'RE FORGETTING THAT I THREW THE FIRST FIREBOMB - THE FIRST frackING FIREBOMB, WHEN I COULD HAVE SAID "NO"!!

Claire: AND I FOLLOWED RIGHT AFTER YOU, WHEN I COULD'VE JUST WALKED AWAY, RIGHT THEN AND THERE!!

Harry: I KNEW THEM LONGER - ESPECIALLY TODD!! TODD HELPED ME THROUGH MY ISSUES WITH MY FATHER, AND HOW DO I REPAY HIM?? BY KILLING HIM!!

Claire: THEY WERE MY FRIENDS TOO, HARRY, AND DON'T THINK I FEEL ANY LESS HORRIBLE ABOUT WHAT WE DID!!

Harry: *and in that particular moment, Harry was so overcome with rage and frustration (she didn't understand -) that he actually raised his tensed up hand, ready to smack Claire* D8< *he catches himself before the deed is done, and could only think to himself what am I doing? I was just about to hurt Claire! And soon those thoughts turn to despair - I was like my father all along. I don't have any control over myself, or my anger. She deserves so much better* ...

Claire: *saw the hand go up, and her anger immediately turned to fear, going so far as to raise her own arm to defend herself. when the attack never hits, she looks at him, a combination of fear, surprise, and a hint of disappointment showing through her eyes*

Harry: *it took ten years to realize that his father was right all along. This disturbs Harry even further, and he stares blankly at the hand he was going to smack Claire with* ...

Claire: *can tell that Harry's having an internal conflic. she looks at the hand he almost struck her with, and with her own hand, she takes it, bringing it down and out of sight, hoping she can hold his attention by just looking at him*

Harry: *he flinches when Claire holds his hand, and he looks at her with the expression of a lost puppy*

Claire: *her gaze softens when he looks at her, and she holds Harry's hand in both of hers, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. she didn't know what to expect from him at all anymore* ...

Harry: *quietly* ... I'm sorry... I'm so SO sorry...

Claire: *continues the motion, not quite sure whether she should be forgiving him yet. it WAS partly both their faults...* ...I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have egged you on like that.

Harry: ... no... we were both arguing with each other... and that's that... I almost hit you, though. I almost HIT YOU... please don't... don't EVER forgive me for that...

Claire: ...If you don't want me to, then I won't... You were angry, it's... *trails off. it wasn't "excusable," not at all... but she knew he didn't intend to hurt her* ...you didn't do it on purpose, Harry.

Harry: ... no... no, I didn't... *he glances at the closed door* ... how's Sam?

Claire: *looks at the closed door* ...i don't think he heard us... *looks back at Harry* He's fine now... I came up as soon as he calmed down... It took a while, longer than usual.

Harry: ... I really scared him that bad...?

Claire: I'm afraid so...

Harry: ... do you think I should go down and talk to him or something...?

Claire: ...I think you should. I'll go with you.

Harry: Thank you. *he goes TO SAM'S ROOM, MISH*

Claire: *follows him there* ...

Sam: *looks up from his bed when Harry walks in* ...

up

Claire: *it takes her a moment to recover, but as soon as she does, she picks Sam up and bounces him a bit, trying to calm him down, shooting Harry a somewhat fearful, questioning look* ...

Harry: ... *he quietly heads up to the bedroom. When he gets there, he immediately lights up another cigarette, finding comfort only in this, now*

Claire: *tries to focus only on calming Sam down for now... in truth, she was extremely worried about Harry at the moment. she had tried to ignore it the night before, but what they did yesterday really, truly affected him, and she should have acknowledged it* ...

Harry: *continues to smoke, trying desperately to calm down - but he couldn't calm down. It was truly unsettling for him to even think for a SECOND about what they had done to Todd and Key - and SARAH*

Claire: *keeps trying and trying to calm Sam down, but it seemed as if Harry had scared the kid half to death. she looks towards the stairs--she knows what he's probably doing up there. she calls after him* I really hope you have a window open, Harry!

Harry: ... *he opens the room's single window, then sits down on the bed, resuming his train of thought, which kept speeding along, until it got to the point where he was quietly sobbing to himself - it really was that awful. Todd and Key were never coming back, and he could never forgive himself for following Crowe's orders*

Claire: *really wants to go upstairs, but not with Sam crying so loudly still--it'd only make Harry feel worse. she continues to try to calm Sam down, but it takes her a while to succeed*

Harry: *later he sits with one knee up on the bed, his head in a hand, while his other hand held the cigarette between two fingers. His eyes were red from crying, as well as the cigarette smoke getting in his eyes and irritating them* ...

Claire: *had put Sam back in bed after she was sure he was completely calmed down again, then goes into her room. she stops at the door, the same way she did the night before, and watches Harry for a moment, vaguely wondering whether he would snap at her again or not* ...

Harry: *he puffs at the cigarette a bit, looking out the open window. A few more tears roll down his cheeks* ...

Claire: ... *enters the room, sitting on the bed next to him, trying her hardest to inhale as little smoke as possible* ...

Harry: *sees that Claire was now next to him, and he quickly puts the cigarette out, speaking to her quietly* ... sorry...

Claire: *shakes her head* I won't say "it's okay," because it's not. *sighs* ...I don't know about this, Harry...

Harry: *glances at her* ... about what, exactly?

Claire: ...everything.

Harry: Well, I can't exactly talk about "everything", Claire, sometimes we've got to be specific.

Claire: Is "the last forty-eight hours" specific enough?

Harry: STRESS DOES THINGS TO ME - I DON'T HANDLE IT WELL! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?? D8<

Claire: *is already getting tired of his yelling* Maybe I'm not just talking about YOU, Harry! D:<

Harry: THEN WHAT THE frack ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? US MURDERING TODD AND KEY?? BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE THAT IMAGE DRILLED INTO MY BRAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Claire: DON'T YOU THINK I FEEL THE SAME WAY?? BECAUSE I DEFINITELY DO, AND YOU SEEM TO BE FORGETTING THAT!!

up

Todd: *walks*

meanwhile

Harry: ... I know... I won't. I'm not... I wouldn't snap like that.

Key: ....

Sarah: ...mom?

Key: *jumps a bit, having been startled out of her train of thought* Ah! umm... w-what?

Sarah: ... *hugs her*

Key: ... *hugs her back* ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...Okay. I believe you. Just try not to.. let it get out of hand.

Harry: ... I wouldn't. Especially after seeing what it did to Todd. I just... it... it's hard to... keep going... when you KNOW you've murdered your two best friends - two ONLY friends you've had your entire life...

Claire: ...Harry, you HAVE to keep going... for Sam, at least...

Harry: I never said I'd give up, just that it's hard to keep going... VERY hard...

Claire: I'm just trying to give you an incentive...

Sam: *listens quietly* ...

Harry: *snapping at her* I DON'T NEED ANY DAMN INCENTIVE! D8<

Claire: !! *actually takes a step back out of fear, shocked at his sudden outburst*

Sam: *the loud noise and fearsome expression his father made reminded him of when he was nearly attacked by him, and he immediately begins to cry loudly*

Harry: *his expression turns from rage to remorse* ... I'm sorry...

Todd: ...

meanwhile

Harry: *goes back to sleep*

Key: ...

meanwhile

Claire: *takes a bit longer, but she falls asleep as well*

THE NEXT DAY

Todd: We're heading back.

meanwhile

Harry: *groggily wakes up. The memory of burning down the house comes back, and hits him hard* ...

Key: *is barely awake at this point, and answers drowsily* w-what...?

Sarah: *yawns*

meanwhile

Claire: *is still asleep* ...

Todd: We're heading BACK.

meanwhile

Harry: *he looks over at Claire, then goes out of the house*

Key: ...wait... *sits up* You can't be serious. D:

meanwhile

Claire: *is awoken by the movement, and in her half-awake state, is very much confused by the empty space next to her* ...

Todd: I'm serious.

meanwhile

Harry: *he goes into the city, walking around to clear his head. He killed Todd. He KILLED him. Him, AND Key*

Key: ...why?

Sarah: mmhh..?

meanwhile

Claire: ... *gets out of bed and gets dressed, then goes to check on Sam*

Sam: *is still asleep*

Todd: Gotta finish what he started. He's the head.

meanwhile

Harry: *by the time he arrives back at the house, he is beyond depressed, even going back into his old smoking habit as a desperate attempt at comfort. He puts it out before entering the house again, but he still smelled of smoke*

Key: ...but... so SOON? Have you even thought this through?? D:>

Sarah: *listens quietly*

meanwhile

Claire: *was downstairs feeding Sam by the time Harry came back. her nose crinkles up at the smell of smoke. she looks at Harry suspiciously--he TOLD her he'd quit smoking* ...

Todd: I had all NIGHT to think this through, and god DAMN am I ready to take him down.

meanwhile

Harry: *looks at Claire, noticing her expression. He himself looked almost exhausted, despite having just gotten up* ... what? :/

Key: *briefly glances back at Sarah before looking back at Todd* ...Todd... if you get caught again, they're not going to put you back in the asylum. You KNOW that.

Sarah: ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...where were you?

Todd: They can't execute someone who's legally-dubbed "insane", however untrue that may be. But I won't get caught.

meanwhile

Harry: ... I was taking a walk...

Key: ...We're not going with you. Whatever you're doing, I don't want a part in it, and neither does Sarah.

Sarah: ...

meanwhile

Claire: Did you stop to talk to someone? Because you smell like smoke. And you don't smoke anymore. :/

Todd: *his right hand twitches a bit, and he speaks slowly, as if this new information was hard for him to process* ... okay then. Fine. You... stay. I'll... leave, then... be safe...

meanwhile

Harry: ... I... nn... *he puts a hand on his forehead, as if he had a headache* n... no... I didn't talk to anyone...

Key: *is a bit surprised by his response--he hadn't expected him to agree to it so easily* ...Are you sure you want to do this?

meanwhile

Claire: ...Harry... you told me you quit a long time ago... <:/

Todd: Yes. I just... won't have you tow with me. You'll be safe though, and that makes me happy.

meanwhile

Harry: ... I did... I just... got back into it.

Key: ...Alright. Umm...If they ask... you never came to our house. You hid, and then you... went on your 'mission.' Okay?

Sarah: ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...You know how bad that is for you, Harry. *is very obviously disapproving of this*

Todd: ... mkay... *then he walks out of the room, and leaves, quietly shutting the door behind him*

meanwhile

Harry: *drops his eyes to the ground, shame in his features* ... I know...

Sarah: *watches him go out the door* ...

Key: *doesn't look* ...

Sarah: ...He isn't coming back, is he?

Key: *looks down* ...I don't know, Sarah.. I don't know...

meanwhile

Claire: ... *puts Sam's food down* Harry... is this because of yesterday?

Sam: *wrinkles his nose* Something smells bad.

Todd: *walks*

meanwhile

Harry: ... maybe a little...

Key: ...I shouldn't have let him go, he'll...

Sarah: ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...you can't let that stress get to you, Harry... you don't want to... *trails off, not wanting to finish the thought* ...

up

Todd: ... Alright. Just remember, we need to keep walking tomorrow.

meanwhile

Harry: ... I can try...

Key: I know... *(maybe if you stopped staring, i might be able to rest...)*

meanwhile

Claire: ...Okay. come on. *lays back down, lightly tugging him down with her*

Todd: *he doesn't stop staring*

meanwhile

Harry: *suddenly he gets another flash, and he winces, gritting his teeth, but otherwise ignores it* ... Claire... am I a good father to Sam?

Key: ...

meanwhile

Claire: *notices him wince, and frowns* Of course, Harry... Why would you even ask that?

Todd: ... *finally, thinking of Crowe, he turns his head to look out the window* ...

meanwhile

Harry: ... *very quietly* ... because I don't want to end up like... ... *he exchanges his answer for another question* ... do abusive parents even know if they're being abusive or not...?

Key: *inwardly sighs in relief when she feels his gaze move--she tries to get as much sleep as she can*

meanwhile

Claire: *realizes what he's talking about* usually they do, sometimes they don't... Harry, don't think for a second that you're abusive towards Sam. Trust me, if you were... I would have let you know already.

Todd: *continues to stare blankly out the window. He had the whole night to think*

meanwhile

Harry: *he looks somewhat relieved* ... okay. Thank you, Claire. Because that... I... I heard that an abused child can sometimes end up being abusive themselves, and... that's why I was scared at first... to have a child with you...

Key: *manages to fall asleep*

meanwhile

Claire: *gives him a sad smile* You're a great father, Harry... you don't need to worry about that.

Todd: *ends up staring at Key again*

meanwhile

Harry: *he looks away from Claire. He couldn't keep it from her anymore, but he wasn't about to look her in the eyes while saying it -* ... I killed him. I did it without any remorse.

Key: *shifts uncomfortably in her sleep*

meanwhile

Claire: *her smile vanishes, and her eyes narrow in confusion* ...what?

Todd: *stares*

meanwhile

Harry: ... we... we found him... in a gun shop... when we were heading to the Safe Zone... h-he threatened us first... beat me a little... then I just took Key's knife, and... killed him... and his last words - he used his LAST BREATH to tell me that I was just like him...

Key: mrrhh...

meanwhile

Claire: *lays there in a stunned silence, staring at him with wide eyes* ...i-i...ah...

Todd: ...?

meanwhile

Harry: ... I'm sorry for telling you that... and I'm sorry that I NEVER told you that...

Key: *finds herself lying half-awake, feeling like she's being watched* ...

meanwhile

Claire: *doesn't know how to respond to this, and looks away from him. he wasn't... he wasn't like Todd, no, he didn't kill him in cold blood, it was out of necessity... he attacked them first, right?* ...

Todd: ...

meanwhile

Harry: ... Claire?

Key: ...

meanwhile

Claire: *looks back at him, expression unreadable* ...you... you had a reason to do it. he threatened you.

Todd: ... *he gets up, out of bed, and walks over to the window. Todd watches the rain*

meanwhile

Harry: ... that... yes. Self defense. I-I'm not... it wasn't in cold blood... he was BEATING me... *more than anything, he was trying to convince himself, not Claire*

Key: *relaxes a bit again* ...

meanwhile

Claire: *has already convinced herself of this* See? N-Nothing to worry about. It wasn't your fault.

Todd: *watching the rain*

meanwhile

Harry: *he squeezes his eyes tightly shut, as if trying to block the memory of him stabbing his father out* ... I'm not crazy.

Key: *sleeps*

meanwhile

Claire: No, no you're not.

Todd: ...

meanwhile

Harry: ... then let's sleep. There's nothing more to say, here...

Key: ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...alright... *snuggles back into him, trying to push all this new information to the back of her mind. they had enough to deal with right now...*

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