Todd Wants Key's Face

Mobster 2: Hey...! Woah, woah woah, don't point that thing at me...! We still have that cure, right? It still exists? D8>

Mobster: Better safe than sorry, man... We don't need the infection to start up again, I don't wanna go through that hell...!

Mobster: Don't! Don't do this, I might not even be infected! D8>

Mobster: W-We can never know for sure, right?? N-Not until it's too late! I can't let you leave!

Mobster 2: ... Cole... D:>

Cole: M'sorry Pete... *shoots the other man in the head*

Pete: *Falls, dead*

Cole: *stares at him for a moment, hands shaking, until he finally drops his gun. he turns and runs out of the building, abandoning the crime scene*

*A Few Days Later*

Sam: *On the phone, at work* ... Infection...? No, that's impossible -- The infected are gone and we're all immune now... Are you sure? Positive? Alright, alright, I'll send a few soldiers with the cure over. Stay calm.

Secretary: *enters the room to leave a few documents on Sam's desk* Do you need anything, Lieutenant?

Sam: Yeah, I need a few soldiers ready and armed with guns loaded with the cure for the Green Flu. I'll write down the coodinates and hand it to them once they're ready. Just send them down to my office, okay?

Secretary: *raises a confused eyebrow, but doesn't question him. the secretary nods and walks out of the office*

Sam: *He writes down the address of the place and waits for the soldiers to come*

Soldiers: *are there within minutes. one knocks on the door, and opens it, awaiting orders*

Sam: *Hands them the address* Supposedly, there's someone here who's showing signs of being infected. I need you all to go there and make sure.

Soldier: *takes the address and nods* We'll take care of it right away. *salutes Sam, then turns and leaves with the others*

Sam: *Sits back down, continuing his work and waiting for the soldiers to return*

Soldiers: *don't come back yet*

Sam: *He waits until the clock hits nine* ... Well, can't leave the family waiting. I guess they can leave a note on my desk. <:/ *he then packs up and leaves, driving back to his home and walking into his house*

Emma: *is up in her room, about to go to bed*

Sarah: *sits downstairs on the couch* Hey, Sam. :) How was work?

Sam: Kinda weird, I guess. I got a claim from someone that someone ELSE was showing signs of being INFECTED. I sent some soldiers but I couldn't wait for them to get back, so I'm hoping they'll leave me a note in the morning. <:/

Sarah: ...Huh. Well, it's probably just a false alarm, right? <:/

Sam: probably. I doubt it was an actual infected problem. They're all gone.

Sarah: Right... *pats the seat next to her, tryng to get Sam to sit with her*

Sam: *He sits with Sarah* ... So, how were things today? Any issues with Lance?

Sam: So they're either selling drugs or doing an underground loan business and making money THAT way... Ugh... Looks like my soldiers are gonna have to sniff them out. I wish I could join them. >__>

Sarah: We'd rather you not. D:>

Emma: <:I

Sam: *He sighs* I know, I know, family comes before literal crime-fighting. Still... It'd be nice to deal with some real problems head-on... Like, I'd love to see some action again. <:/

meanwhile

Blood Puppet: *Sharpens his katana. He is getting very old, this Blood Puppet knows. He feels, however, that dying would leave Annabelle unprotected. Sure, now, she is a killing machine, but what if she slips up? What if something happens? Blood puppet couldn't let that happen* ... Annabelle.

Sarah: Well, the action's gotta wait a while. <:(

Emma: <:(

meanwhile

Annabelle: *has grown into a strong young woman, turned into a deadly weapon under her father's tutelage. She looks up from sharpening her own blade* ?

Sam: *Sadly* ... Yeah, yeah...

meanwhile

Blood Puppet: ... I've lied to you. About your old friend, Dusk. There IS a way to bring him back.

Annabelle: *immediately perks up--she isn't even upset with him at keeping this information from her. She's only excited by the prospect of having her only friend back* How???

Blood Puppet: ... You tell Dusk that you need his help. It... That will bring him back. But Annabelle, this is only for when I'm not around anymore. When i can't be THERE for you. <:/

Annabelle: *nods, understanding* ...Okay.

Blood Puppet: ... I'm old and tired, Annabelle. Will you be okay when... I DO have to go?

Annabelle: *there is a sadness in her eyes, but her voice is steady. she nods again* You taught me well. I'll be fine. <:(

Blood Puppet: ... Alright... *He hugs her* ... You've been a great daughter.

Annabelle: *hugs him back tightly* I love you, dad.

Blood Puppet: *Quietly* ... I love you too...

meanwhile, elsewhere...

Mobster: *walking along with another guy* Tch, I heard Johnny got caught too. Feels like everone's getting snatched up lately.

Mobster 2: Well, that's why the boss sent us to look for some emergency hideouts. Gatzsky can't find us all if... If, uh... Well, he can't find us all! Like the boss said, we just need to hide and figure out what kind of weapon we can use to beat 'im with.

Mobster: *snorts* Pfeh. We'd need nuthin short of a NUKE to kill that guy.

Mobster 2: Yeah, well, I wouldn't be surprised if that were actually the case. How about this one? *Points lazilly to an abandoned building* This one seems alright. *Walks in*

Mobster: *follows him in* Hrm. Yeah, seems spacy enough. *turns his head when he hears footsteps off to the side, his hand reaching for his gun* Who's there??

Mobster 2: *Also puts his hand on his gun and looks around, when suddenly --* ... !! Holy shoot... Forget a NUKE... Let's just let THIS thing loose on the guy...! *Points to a surviving zombie, terribly rotted but still alive and tied by its waist to a support beam*

Mobster: Holy shoot, how long has that guy BEEN there??

Mobster 2: No idea... But it's gotta be older than both of us. Hey, if we could somehow get this thing into the Outpost, though...

Mobster: Are you NUTS?! we'll get OURSELVES infected!

Mobster 2: Not if we've got a good grip on it... And imagine how happy the boss'll be -- This could be our ticket out of these crappy thug jobs! >:D

Mobster: You go right ahead, I'm not going anywhere NEAR that thing!! D:

Mobster: Aw, you scared or something? |:P

Mobster: You bet your @$$ I'm scared, it's a fracking INFECTED! one of us catches that and EVERYONE'S fracked!

Mobster 2: It's not like you can catch it by breathing its air anymore, just don't let it bite you and you're fine -- *steps closer to the infected* See? It's tied up right now anyway. Can't hurt me, and can't hurt you, you big baby.

Mobster: Well go ahead and grab it, then. :I

Mobster 2: Alright, I will. -_- *Grabs its shoulder and is instantly bitten on the arm* AAAHHH!! DD8>

Mobster: shoot--! *shoots the infected in the head* DDDDDDD8

Mobster 2: shoot! shoot, WHAT DO WE DO?? D8>

Mobster: D:> .... *points the gun at his friend, slowly backing away*

up

Lance: I dunno, I forgot. Everything I say pisses him off anyway.

Sarah: Then maybe it's about time you start thinking about what you're saying and not let the words just fly out of your mouth. :/

Emma: ...

Lance: So not talk then? At all? Because I can't say a single word to HIM without him trying to bite my head off!

Sarah: Because you don't think about what you say, Lance!

Emma: ...

Lance: So yeah, I guess I won't talk at all again. I'll be mute for the rest of my life. I'm going to my room now. *Turns and storms off*

Sarah: Lance Gatzsky, you come back down here right now. >:/

Emma: !

Lance: fracking WHAT, Mom?? I have enough issues with Dad, do we really have to have problems too?? D:<

Sarah: *lowers her voice a little* I'm not trying to make this a problem, Lance.

Emma: ...

Lance: Then... Th-then what? D:>

Sarah: I'm just trying to figure out what the problem actually IS so we can FIX it. Don't you want to fix it? <:/

Emma: ...

Lance: ... *Quietly* ... Yeah, I guess...

Sarah: ...Then I think it's about time you start working towards it to. Believe me when I say your father doesn't like to fight with you, he's as tired of it as you are, but you aren't making it easy for him. <:/

Emma: ...

Lance: *Looking down at his feet* ... Would you believe me if I said it's complicated?

Sarah: I would, and I do. It's complicated for all of us too. But there's no problem a bit of calm discussion can't fix. <:(

Emma: ...

Lance: Hrmph. Can I go to my room now?

Sarah: ...Sure. But PLEASE don't try sneaking out again. <:(

Emma: ...

Lance: Fine, fine... *He then trudges up to his room, a heavy frown resting under his nose*

Sarah: *watches him leave, letting out a small, somewhat relieved sigh. that went better then she thought it would...*

Emma: ... <:/

Lance: *He lies down on his bed, hands behind his head, just staring at the ceiling with mixed thoughts and feelings*

meanwhile, later

Sam: *Comes home, still upset about Lance and their argument*

Emma: *sits in the living room and does homework, not quite ready to go deal with her brother just yet*

Sarah: Sam! How was work? <:/

Sam: *Grimacing* It was... Uh... It just was. You do any better?

Sarah: *gives him a half-hearted smile* Well, not quite. Lance came home, by the way, he's upstairs. Or at least, he should be.

Emma: ...

Sam: *Doesn't want to deal with Lance at the moment and instead chooses to question Sarah* ... What do you mean by 'not quite'? D:/

Sarah: Wwwell... did you get a report about an incident at a restaurant? D;

Emma: <_<

Sam: ... Were you AT that incident at the restaurant? >______>

Sarah: Yes. <_<

Emma: >_>

Sam: *He sighs, facepalming* ... Well at least you two weren't hurt... Were you?

Sarah: Do we look injured? :/ *pauses for a moment, then sighs* We're okay.

Emma: ... <_<

Sam: ... Okay, good... Good thing my soldiers got to the building in time. Did you hear what the two guys were talking about? What the freaking MAFIA might be planning (and why the hell they won't get off my back)?

Sarah: It sounded like a money issue, the other guys owed him something. I wasn't really paring attention...

Emma: ... <:I

up

Sam: Lance, you're always the one who starts this. D:<

Lance: No I'm NOT, though! You call ME immature, but don't you get what you've been doing?? D:>

meanwhile

Soldier 1: *Keeps his gun raised* Don't make this worse for yourself. Shoot him and you won't be going to prison -- You'll be going to a MORGUE. >:/

Soldiers: >:(

Gangster: Yeah, and what's the other option? Get shoved into a jail cell for the rest of my life?

Emma: ...

Sarah: ....

Soldier 1: Not the rest of your life if you let him go RIGHT NOW. >:(

Soldiers: >:( ...

meanwhile

Lance: You haven't been listening to me or treating me like I'm your SON! I'm just another CRIMINAL to you! D:<

Sam: That's not true! D:>

Gangster: Why should I believe you, huh? I've got pals in the slammer than I haven't seen for YEARS!

Sarah: ...

Emma: ...

Soldier 1: Wow, I can't believe you just used "slammer". *Shoots the man's gun hand*

Soldiers: *get ready!*

meanwhile

Lance: Let me go, Dad. We're done here. >:(

Sam: D: ...

Gangster: !! *immediately lets go of the gun, though he still keeps a firm grip on his human shield* D8<!!

Emma: !!

Sarah: ...

Soldier 1: *Steps around the gangster in order to punch his head -- hopefully hard enough to free the hostage*

Soldiers: *Keeps their guns ready*

meanwhile

Lance: >:( ... *He leaves the office and the Outpost*

Sam: D: ...

Gangster: --! *is startled enough to do so*

Emma: !

Sarah: ...

Other Soldiers: *Pull the hostage away from the gangster*

Soldier 1: *Shoves the gangster against a wall and slaps handcuffs onto him* Boom. Law enforcement, dog.

Gangster: *is still dazed from the hit. he mutters a few unintelligible curses as the soldier handcuffs him*

Emma: ... o.o

Sarah: ... *finally relaxes, nudging Emma out from under the table as the rest of the restaurant patrons also emerge*

Soldiers: *Drag the gangster away*

Other Soldiers: *Take the hostage with them for questioning*

Soldier 1: Is everyone alright here? No one hurt?

Everyone: *answers to the affirmative. No one else was harmed*

Soldier 1: Alright, good. OKAY, LET'S MOVE BOZO AND HIS FRIEND OUT OF HERE! COME ON, LET'S GO!

Soldiers: *Take the gangster and the hostage out of the restaurant*

*they leave*

Emma: ...Wow.

Sarah: *puts an arm around Emma, still feeling rather protective* Yeah. This is what your dad does every day, sweetie.

Meanwhile

Lance: *Having ran all the way back home, he's a quite out of breath but manages to crawl back to his room and lie down on his bed. He is incredibly unhappy and wishes his father wasn't the Lieutenant. He wishes that the country wasn't run by the military. Maybe then he'd be happier*

Emma: ...Can we go home?

Sarah: Mhmm. I think we could both use a nap, right? <:P

Emma: Yeah...

*they go home*

Lance: *Ended up going back down the stairs and sees his sister and mother there* D: ...

Emma: Lance...?

Sarah: ! ...Lance. Come here, please. <:/

Lance: *With a snort, he gets up and walks over to Sarah* ... Yeah?

Sarah: ... What happened to staying at the outpost with your dad? <:/

Emma: >___> *shuffles over to the kitchen to avoid being part of the discussion*

Lance: ... We had a fight so I went home.

Sarah: ... *sighs* And what did you fight about?

Emma: *rummages around in the fridge for something to eat, as they didn't really get to eat at all because of the incident*

Lance: ... *Mumbles* Jus'the usual start...

Sarah: I figured as much. <:/ You didn't act out TOO much did you? Didn't get yourself into trouble?

Emma: ...

Lance: We just YELLED at each other again... No big deal...

Sarah: Lance, it IS a big deal... you can't just keep going at it like this. <:/

Emma: ...

Lance: It's not me! It's HIM! HE starts it, ALWAYS! D8

Sarah: Did you SAY something to MAKE him angry with you? <:/

Emma: ...

up

Sam: Lance, do you know how important this job of mine is?

Lance: ... *quietly* Very?

Sam: Yes. Yes, it is. I look over a lot of things in this outpost, this city, and this entire country. Maybe you and your sister would be interested in helping our society like I have been all these years. Maybe if you feel like you can, like I felt I could while your grandparents were in charge.

Lance: ...

Sarah: *watches silently as the camera rolls, keeping an eye on the stuntmen under her watch, making sure every movement is executed flawlessly*

Emma: *holds her breath as the scene plays out in front of her. Even though she knew everything was planned down to the second, the close calls always made her heart race*

Lance: ... I don't think I can do that sort of job, Dad...

Sam: Why not, Lance? You just need to focus on what's REALLY important in your life.

Lance: ...

Sarah: *a satisfied smile appears on her face when the director calls a wrap on the scene. another job well done. the crew scatters for a lunch break, and she returns to her daughter*

Emma: ! :D that turned out great!

Lance: ... Don't you have stuff to do?

Sam: ... <:/ *He goes back to filling out papers*

Sarah: *sits down next to her* Why thank you. :P *is quiet for a little while before asking* ...do you know anything about why your brother keeps acting out?

Emma: ! ...no...

Sam: *Keeps working*

Lance: *Looks around for some way to escape. A window behind his dad and the only door into the room. Great*

Sarah: ...Nothing at all? <:/

Emma: *shakes her head. She's lying, of course, but only because she doesn't really know how to say it*

Sam: *Works*

Lance: ... Was Grandpa good at that?

Sam: Hm? Oh... Yeah, yeah, he and your grandmother were both very good at their jobs. They helped bring the cure to a lot of the world.

Lance: But I heard that Grandpa nearly started a WAR...

Sam: ... That was a different part of his life, Lance. He got sick, and then he got VERY sick in a different sort of way.

Sarah: *seems a little disappointed, but she doesn't pry any further. instead, she sighs* We worry about him, you know. Your dad and I.

Emma: ...I know...

Lance: ... So he went crazy?

Sam: No! Not -- Not CRAZY, he just - he was just SICK and - and - and --

Lance: ... And tried taking over a country.

Sam: He was a GOOD MAN, Lance.

Emma: ... *leans against Sarah's side* ... I worry too.

Sarah: <:( *puts an arm around her* ...Tell you what, how about we go out and get some lunch? Sound good?

Emma: *nods* Mhmm...

Sam: ... You just need to try and understand him...

Lance: Like you try and understand ME? >:/

Sam: ... What? D:<

Sarah: Off we go, then. Anywhere in particular you wanna go?

Emma: *shakes her head*

Lance: Why DON'T you understand me, Dad? Why don't you TRY instead of YELLING at me all the time? >:(

Sam: I DO TRY, LANCE, BUT IT'S HARD WHEN YOU'RE CONSTANTLY BREAKING THE LAW! D8<

Sarah: Well, we'll find somewhere. Come on. <:P *stands up, nudging Emma along*

Emma: *follows her mother out of the studio and back t the parking lot, quiet the whole way. She wonders how her brother's doing in Dad's office...*

Lance: I JUST WANT TO HAVE FRIENDS!

Sam: FRIENDS SHOULDN'T FORCE FRIENDS TO COMMIT CRIMES!

Lance: YOU'RE TREATING GRAFFITI AND STUFF LIKE MURDER! D8<

Sam: THE SMALLEST OF CRIMES, LANCE, IS EMBARRASSING TO ME! YOU EMBARRASS ME! DB<

Lance: DDD8< ...!

Sarah: *drives with Emma to a nice little restaurant in the middle of town. she's still a bit worried about her daughter's silence, but the girl likes food--maybe lunch would be enough to cheer her up*

Emma: *orders her food when prompted, still quiet*

Lance: Why do you even BOTHER with me if I'm so bad for your IMAGE?

Sam: That -- That's not what I mean, Lance...

Sarah: *notices someone sit down at the table across from them while they wait for their food. she thinks nothing of it at first, until she see the man decline the waiter when he asks to take his order* ...

Emma: ...? *glances over at the man curiously* ...

Lance: Don't try backing out now -- I know that that's EXACTLY what you meant! D:<

Sam: LANCE! D:<

Sarah: *watches discreetly as another, more well-dressed man sits down at the table. they talk for a few minutes, their voices a bit too low to hear* ...

Emma: ...??

Lance: WHAT, Dad? DB<

Sam: ... You know what? nevermind. >:(

Lance: Can I GO yet? >:(

Sam: Absolutely NOT. D:<

Sarah: *can see the discussion turning into an argument, and slowly pulls her phone out, dialing the emergency number, just in case. She could recognize the second man's clothing now--there was a very good chance this discussion could turn into something nasty*

Emma: !!

Gangster: *proves Sarah's suspicions right, deciding to forego the hushed argument and just stand and point a gun at the man*

Everyone: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah: !! *grabs Emma and pulls her under the table as the rest of the restaurant patrons panic, and the Gangster fires a shot into the air. She quickly dials, and waits for a response, keeping Emma close with her other arm* ...

Emma: D8!!!

Lance: Why?

Sam: Because you'll run off and do something you'll REGRET!

Lance: ...

Sarah: *calmly explains the situation on the phone, relaying whatever she hears the mafia member say to the person on the other side*

Emma: *is too frightened to really hear what the man is saying. the only thing she really catches are that fact that there are more men outside and that the whole building is being help hostage*

Lance: ... Then can we talk?

Sam: ... Talk? :/

meanwhile

Soldiers: *on their way*

Sarah: *keeps the phone to her ear at the operator's request, remaining silent unless she feels like she has information to relay. she holds Emma close*

Emma: *hangs on tightly to her mother, watching the scene with wide eyes*

Gangster: *continues to demand payment from the other man, even when the man insists he has nothing to give--he shoots him in the foot and demands again*

Lance: Yeah.

Sam: About what?

Lance: About this. How we always yell at each other.

meanwhile

Soldiers: *Bust into the building, guns ready* D:<

Emma: !!

Gangster: ! *hadn't expected the guys outside to be taken down so quickly. He grabs the man and holds him in front of him, using him as a shield, holding his gun to his head*

Sarah: ...

up

The Next Morning

Sam: *Asleep and doesn't really want to get up*

Sarah: *asleep*

Sam: *Forces himself to get up* Nrf... *He gets off the bed and starts getting dressed*

Sarah: *wakes up when she unconsciously realizes he isn't there anymore* Mmh... morning...

Sam: Morning. Today, hopefully, things get better. They start looking up.

Sarah: *nods, stretching* Mhmm... *drops her arms* I know you can do it.

Sam: Heh. I wish I was that optimistic. <:P

Sarah: Well hey, you both have it in you, you just have to try a little harder. <:P

Sam: ... Right. Well, I'll try. I will. Hopefully Lance too, right? <:)

Sarah: Right. <:) *gets up and hugs him* Be careful out there, okay?

Sam: *Hugs her back* I'll be fine. I won't be going out anyway -- Gotta keep Lance safe. <:)

Sarah: Just what I wanted to hear. <:P

Sam: Heh... I'll be back with him tonight. Have a good day. <:) *He then leaves the room, takes Lance and heads out*

Sarah: *sighs, really hoping this'll go well. she finishes getting dressed, then goes to get Emma before heading out to work herself. She knew Emma wouldn't mind it*

Sam: *At work, he lets Lance sit next to him at his desk as he fills out papers*

Lance: *The boy was incredibly bored, but too scared to say anything. He just sits there, silent*

Emma: *quietly watches her mother coordinate the stunt actors on set. A few people wave at her, remembering her from previous visits when she was younger, and she waves back. There wasn't really much for her to do, but she was happy with just watching*

up

The Next Morning

Sam: *Asleep and doesn't really want to get up*

Lance: *He tries sleeping*

meanwhile

Sam: I don't know what to DO for him!

Emma: *tries to sleep*

meanwhile

Sarah: That doesn't mean we should just let him keep doing this! He has to learn SOMETIME, so he may as well learn it now!

Lance: *It's hard for him and takes a while, but he eventually falls asleep*

meanwhile

Sam: ... Maybe I can take him to the Outpost tomorrow. Will that work?

Emma: *falls asleep*

meanwhile

Sarah: ...yeah. Yeah, then you can keep an eye on him. And he'd be less inclined to do something... "gutsy" ...

Sam: ... Maybe I can... TRY repairing my relationship with him... Since he seems to hate me the most.

Sarah: *is about to say something to argue that, but she only sighs* You SHOULD try...

Sam: ... It's not right, how messed up things have gotten...

Sarah: ... *turns over towards Sam, and puts an arm over him* Then here's your chance. Just make the most of it. <:(

Sam: *He puts a hand over hers* I will. <:)

Sarah: *smiles, somewhat reassured, and snuggles into his shoulder*

Sam: *He snuggles back, nuzzling her head*

Sarah: Mm... goodnight.

Sam: ... Goodnight, Sarah. <:)

Sarah: *kisses his cheek, then snuggles back into him* <3

Sam: *He kisses her back, then tries going to sleep*

Sarah: *also tries to sleep*

Lance: *Quietly, sniffling* ... Go'way...

meanwhile

Sam: ... He was running around with a bunch of older guys. Looked like they were in their twenties. They broke my window with a rock and Lance spray-painted the front of the building.

Emma: *quietly* Lance, what happened...?

meanwhile

Sarah: ...Did you manage to catch any of the others?

Lance: ... Dad arrested me...

meanwhile

Sam: No... Only Lance. But I didn't know it was him at first, so I... I threw him against a wall and arrested him.

Emma: D: !! *sits down on the edge of his bed* ... What did you DO...?

meanwhile

Sarah: !! You didn't even check to see who it was first?? D:>

Lance: ... Sprayed his wall...

meanwhile

Sam: He was wearing a hood and a scarf that almost completely covered his face... I didn't find out until I demanded he took it off in his jail cell.

Emma: !! ... You should be glad it was dad who found you and not someone else... you would've been in WAY bigger trouble... <:(

meanwhile

Sarah: ...I'm guessing that was when I called you.

Lance: *Becomes silent again*

meanwhile

Sam: *Quietly* ... Yeah.

Emma: ... *tugs her brother up into a sitting position and hugs him*

meanwhile

Sarah: *is silent for a while* ...What are we going to do...?

Lance: *He hugs his sister back, crying* ...

meanwhile

Sam: ... I really don't know, Sarah.

Emma: *hugs him tightly, letting him cry it out--it's what he needed, anyway* <:(

meanwhile

Sarah: ...We need to talk to him... without it descending into a shouting match...

Lance: *When he's done crying, he lets go of his sister, sniffling a bit* ... Thanks Emma.

meanwhile

Sam: You just spoke the impossible.

Emma: *gives him a sad smile* Anytime, Lance. Think you'll be able to sleep alright? <:(

meanwhile

Sarah: But it wouldn't hurt to try, would it? *sighs* He wasn't always like this...

Lance: ... I guess. Maybe. <:/

meanwhile

Sam: ... Don't remind me.

Emma: Then at least try. <:( *stands up to go to her own bed*

meanwhile

Sarah: ... You still have to talk to him. He can't go on like this.

Lance: *Quietly* ... Okay... *He lies down in his bed* ...

meanwhile

Sam: I can't talk to Lance. He never wants to just TALK with me.

Emma: *curls up in her own bed* ...G'night...

meanwhile

Sarah: *sighs* Because you don't try hard enough, Sam... I'd do it, but the one he has to hear it from is you. Maybe after this whole ordeal, after having a taste of the consequences, he'll be more willing to listen..

Lance: ... 'Night.

meanwhile

Sam: ... Yeah, right. He never learns, Sarah. No matter what happens, he just NEVER learns.

Emma: *wonders how much sleep she'll get. at least there was no school tomorrow...*

meanwhile

Sarah: So that's it? You're just going to give up on him? :/

up

Sam: ... He's... He's with me...

Lance: *Crying, shaking, totally upset*

Sarah: *goes quiet* ...Oh. *there is a pause before she speaks again* ...Do you want me to go get him?

Sam: ... No. I'm gonna take him to my office. He'll come home later with me.

Lance: *Crying* ...

Sarah: ...Alright. I'll see you tonight. <:(

Sam: ... Goodbye, Sarah.

Lance: *Silent*

Sarah: Bye... *grudgingly hangs up. she doesn't know how Sam found him, but she fears tonight wasn't going to end very well*

Sam: *He puts his phone away* ... Come on... *He opens the cell door* We need to get an ice pack for your face anyway. It looks like I bruised it when I slammed you into that wall.

Lance: *Not speaking, he gets up and follows his father out of the jail*

Sarah: ... *looks at the clock. another hour and a half of work* ...

meanwhile

Emma: *arrives home on the bus* I'm hooome! *spots Key* Hey, grandma!

Key: ! Hello, Emma. :) *goes to hug her* How was school?

Emma: Eh, same as usual. X) *hugs her* My brother didn't give you too much trouble, did he?

Key: ...Well... >__>

*Later, that night*

Sam: *Pulls Lance into the house by his wrist* You're in big trouble.

Lance: *Silent and upset. His father hasn't spoken to him that much that entire evening*

Key: *had already gone home*

Sarah: ! *stands up from the couch when they come in* ...

Emma: ! *stays sitting* ...

Sam: *Lets go of Lance's wrist* So what do you have to say for yourself? >:(

Lance: *Keeps silent*

Sam: *Suddenly roaring at him* YOU HAVE SHAMED YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY -- ME, AND YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR SISTER, AND EVEN YOUR GRANDMOTHER!! ALL OF US ARE DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, AND YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT??

Lance: ...

Sam: GO TO YOUR ROOM AND DON'T COME OUT UNTIL YOU LEARN HOW TO BE A HUMAN BEING!! DDD8<

Lance: ... *He sprints to his room and slams the door closed*

Sam: *Still very angry, he just glares at the ground*

Emma: *just watches, mouth agape, shocked into silence. She's never seen her father that angry* ...

Sarah: *tries to remain neutral, but there's a hint of fear in her eyes. her voice is quiet* ...Sam...

Sam: *Snapping at Sarah* What?? >:(

Emma: *jumps a bit, watching wide-eyed from her seat on the couch*

Sarah: ... <:( *shakes her head very slightly*

Sam: *His angry expression softens and tension leaves his body. With a sigh, he speaks* ... I'm gonna go to bed. *He then heads up to his and Sarah's bedroom*

Sarah: *watches him leave, then turns to Emma* You should go to bed too, Emma. <:(

Emma: <:( ... *stands up, hugs her mother tightly, then goes upstairs to her room, very quietly opening the door*

Sarah: ... *sighs. what a mess. she goes upstairs to her room as well*

Lance: *Lies on his bed, on his side, crying again, though this time not silently. He doesn't notice Emma*

meanwhile

Sam: *He lies on his back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. He eyes fall to greet Sarah in silence* ...

Emma: <:( ... *quietly walks over towards him, and lightly touches his shoulder*

meanwhile

Sarah: *stares back for a little while, before climbing into bed next to him, also looking up at the ceiling* ...

up

Lance: *He is silenced* ...

Key: *is quiet for a little while, then speaks again* Your decisions affect more than just you, Lance. Think about that next time you run off with your friends. <:/

Lance: ... I'm gonna go to my room. Probably just gonna sleep.

Key: Alright. At least finish your waffles. <:P

Lance: Mhm. *He quickly finishes up his waffles, deals with his plate, then runs upstairs to his room*

Key: *watches him leave, and wonders if any of what she said is sinking in* ... <:/

Lance: *He lies on his bed for a while, staring up at the ceiling* ...

Key: *sighs, leaning back a bit in her chair. she knows Lance can do good, but he just has to realize he's being misled...*

Lance: *After a bit of waiting, he opens up his bedroom window and climbs out of it. He runs all the way to the dump where his friends normally hang out*

Key: *doesn't notice until she goes to check on him after a little while. She opens the door into his room and upon seeing the window open, she knows exactly what's happened--frankly, she should have expected as much, though now she doesn't know what to do*

Lance: *Finds his group* Hey Pete, hey Kyle, hey Mike. <:D

Pete: The frack took so long, Lance? You're lucky we decided to stick around for you.

Lance: Sorry, I had some... Issues with my parents. >__>

Kyle: Oh right, you're still a little baby boy.

Mike: Still depending on your mommy and daddy to feed you and love you. >:P

Lance: Hey, well I'm here NOW, alright? >:/

Kyle: Got a can? We're gonna go trash someplace dangerous to trash.

Lance: Uh, no... What did you have in mind?

Mike: Aw jeez, seriously?? You forgot to bring a can of paint??

Pete: We're fracking up the local military outpost. The one where your DAD works, dumbass. >:/

Lance: ... W-we can't do THAT...! D8>

Mike: Uh oh, the little baby doesn't wanna get daddy mad!

Pete: *Hands Lance a raggedy scarf* Wear this over your face. Now you won't have anything to worry about. We can give you one of our cans. >:/

Lance: <:/ ... *He wears the scarf and puts his hood up*

Key: *hates to ruin her daughter's day, but she has to tell SOMEONE--she picks up the phone and calls Sarah*

Sarah: *sees the number, and immediately fears the worst. she picks up--* He got out, didn't he?

*The gang heads over to the military outpost. The first thing they do is throw a large rock at Sam's window that it shatters the glass*

Sam: HEY!! D8<

Pete, Kyle and Mike: *Snicker. They hand a can of paint to Lance and push him over to the front of the outpost*

Lance: *After a bit of hesitation, he starts spraying on the wall*

Sam: *Bursts out the front doors* SON OF A dog THUGS MESSING UP THE -- YOU ARE ALL UNDER ARREST FOR DAMAGING THIS PROPERTY!! DDDB<

Lance: shoot! D8

*They run*

Sam: *Sprints after them* DDDD8<

Key: I didn't even hear him leave! I'm sorry, I should have kept an eye on him--

Sarah: It's okay mom, don't worry about it--I'll let Sam know, he'll find him. Thanks for letting me know. <:/

Key: Mhmm. <:/

Sarah: *hangs up, and immediately calls Sam--his office phone rings and rings and rings... but he never picks up*

Lance: *Runs with his friends, but he's too slow to keep up with them. They all end up leaving him anyway* H-HEY! WAIT! D8>

Sam: *Catches up with Lance and grabs him by the hoodie. He immediately shoves him against the nearest wall, face-first, and slaps a pair of hand cuffs on him* You're coming with me. D:<

Lance: *He looks over to where his friends ran off. He keeps silent, frozen in fear of his own father. He doesn't dare speak when he's dragged back, past the outpost, and thrown into a cell in the city's prison* DDDD8>

Sam: ... And you're gonna STAY HERE for a WEEK for what you've done, or at least until your parents bail you out -- Who are they anyway, your parents? Who's the irresponsible pair of people who don't know how to raise a kid??

Lance: *Shivering and silent, tearing up*

Sam: TAKE OFF THAT frackING HOOD AND THAT frackING SCARF AND TELL ME WHO THE frack I NEED TO CALL, GODDAMNIT!! DDDD8<

Lance: *Still shaking, now crying, he takes off the hood and the scarf, head down*

Sam: ... Lance?? D8>

Sarah: *keeps calling his office phone, frustrated--she gives up and calls Sam's cell phone*

Sam: *He feels the cellphone vibrate in his pocket, though it takes a while for him to actually take it out and answer it. He speaks quietly, staring at his son in the jail cell* ... Hello?

Lance: *Cries silently, avoiding looking at his father*

Sarah: Oh god, FINALLY--Sam, Key told me that Lance got out of the house, do you have any idea where he is??

up

Lance: *He sighs* ... It's not as easy as it sounds for me.

Key: And why is that? <:/

Lance: I've got only a few friends, and I'd like to keep them.

Key: Friends don't get friends kicked out of school--you're lucky you haven't been arrested yet. I always used to tell your mother, "better alone than in bad company." <:/

Lance: ... And why'd you have to tell MOM that?

Key: Everyone has a rough time when they're younger, your parents are no different. <:/

Lance: ... But what HAPPENED? :/

Key: Let's just say that at one point, they got themselves into serious trouble too. But you know what they did? They got themselves out of it. They took a step back, saw the problem, and fixed it themselves. With a little help, of course. <:P

Lance: But you're not going to go into detail about this? <:/

Key: *sighs* You're missing the whole point, Lance--The details aren't necessary. The point is that your parents were able to straighten out their lives, and that you should be able to as well. <:/

Lance: ... But what if I don't WANT to straighten it out?

Key: Then that would be your own choice. Just know that you'd be disappointing a lot of people who care about you. <:/

Lance: But at least they'd expect it.

Key: I think they'd much rather be surprised by a change.

Lance: *He sighs* ... I can hear them now. "Good job Lance, you weren't a total d-bag. Too bad you're not like Emma, who's NEVER a d-bag."

Key: You shouldn't compare yourself to your sister, it's what you do that matters. Besides, I'm pretty sure she has problems of her own. <:/

Lance: What problems could EMMA ever have?

Key: People have high expectations of her--perhaps a little too high, I fear. Considering your reputation, she has to do the complete opposite to make up for it, and that can take a toll on someone your age.

up

Lance: Yeah, yeah... Sure. XC

Emma: <:I ... *leaves the room, grabbing something out of the kitchen and waving goodbye to her mother before going out to the bus stop*

Sarah: *waves back, still on the phone with Key*

Lance: *He flops down on his bed, glaring up at the ceiling, arms crossed* ...

Sarah: *hangs up, then calls up the stairs* LANCE! BREAKFAST!

Lance: *With a sigh, he gets up and shuffles down the stairs, then sits down at the table* ...

Sarah: *sets a plate of waffles down in front of him, along with a bottle of syrup* Your grandmother's coming over in a little while, okay? I need you to behave for her. <:/

Lance: *Stares at the waffles for a few seconds, then looks up at his mother* ... What's this for?

Sarah: *raises an eyebrow* What do you mean? It's breakfast.

Lance: *Quietly* ... I really like waffles...

Sarah: I know... go ahead and eat, then you can go back to bed if you want.

Lance: *Looks at Sarah for a bit before slowly eating his waffle* ...

Sarah: ... <:/ ...

*there is a knock on the door*

Sarah: ! *goes to open it, and let Key in* Hey, mom.

Key: Hello, Sarah. :)

Lance: *Looks up, gives Key a wave and a smile, then continues eating his waffle*

Key: And hello to you too, my little troublemaker. :P *ruffles his hair as she passes him*

Sarah: *grabs her stuff* Alright, I'm off to work. Behave yourselves, okay? <;P

Key: ^^

Lance: *Gives Sarah a small wave, then quickly finishes up his waffle* ... Um, hey, Grandma. Nice to see you. <:P

Key: *sits down at the table next to him* It's nice to see you too. Though I wish the circumstances were a little better. <:P

Lance: Mn... Getting grounded sucks.

Key: Yes, yes it does. Maybe not getting yourself grounded in the first place would be better... though i'm sure you've gotten that argument a million times already.

up

Sam: Maybe he needs a therapist?

Sarah: Maybe. I doubt he'd be very cooperative, but it's worth a try.

Sam: ... Sarah, ANYTHING'S worth trying at this point.

Sarah: ...I guess you're right...

Sam: God, just -- Why can't he be more like his sister? Ugh. I gotta get out of here. Got stuff to do.

Sarah: Be careful, okay? <:/

Sam: I will. You be careful, too. <:/ *He then leaves for work*

meanwhile

Lance: *Hangs around his room, angry* >:( ...

Sarah: <:/ ... *goes to call her mother*

meanwhile

Emma: *getting ready for school* Lance, you need to take a deep breath and calm down. Getting angry isn't gonna help you. <:/

Lance: I'm allowed to be angry. I'm GROUNDED. >:(

Emma: Well, YEAH, but that's all your own fault.

Lance: Emma, do you really have to be a stuck-up know-it-all? >:(

Emma: *huffs* I'm just telling the truth. >:I

Lance: Whatever. >:( *He gets up and walks around the room*

Emma: *is used to his behavior, so she really can't stay upset with him for very long. she finishes packing up her school things*

Lance: ... What am I supposed to do? Just lay around and be BORED? I HATE getting grounded.

Emma: *sarcastically* I dunno, maybe catch up on your homework?

Lance: Pff, frack THAT.

Emma: *sighs* Oooookay, but you can't say I didn't warn you. *slings her bag over her shoulder* I'll see you later. PLEASE try not to get into trouble... <:/

up

Sam: *He nuzzles Sarah a little, though he's distracted by his own worry*

Sarah: *nuzzles him back, mumbling* 'morning...

Sam: Morning, Sarah. I, uh... Need to go to work, and so do you. Think we can trust Lance to not do anything stupid while we're gone?

Sarah: Do you want me to be honest or optimistic? <:/

Sam: ... Okay, well, should we get your mom to watch him, if she's not busy?

Sarah: I don't think she'll mind. I'll call her up in a bit. <:/

Sam: Alright. Thanks for doing that, Sarah.

Sarah: Mhmm. <:/ *kisses his cheek, then gets up to get ready for the day*

Sam: *Gets up and also starts getting ready*

Sarah: *as she gets ready* ...Do you think he'll ever listen?

Sam: ... I WISH I could be that optimistic...

Sarah: <:( ...

Sam: ... Where did we go wrong with him?

Sarah: ...I don't know... Maybe we didn't pay enough attention...

Sam: ... Maybe. Maybe we should start paying MORE attention, then.

Sarah: *nods* Good plan...

Sam: ... But it's not like we can just... DO SOMETHING with him after grounding him...

Sarah: We can't just let up on him so easily, though... He's one more mishap from getting expelled...! D:>

up

Lance: Huh, well... He could at least yell a little less.

Emma: He's getting impatient, I guess...

Lance: Oh, of course. XC

Emma: Well, you HAVE been going at this for forEVER... <:P

Lance: Well... Hey, I'm just gonna go sleep now, okay?

Emma: ...Okay. Just... y'know... try? Please?

Lance: Yeah, Emma, yeah.

Emma: ...'Night...

Lance: ... ... 'Night. *He tries going back to sleep*

Emma: *also tries to sleep* ...

Lance: *Eventually does, though he's a bit troubled*

Emma: *tries not to think of the fact that she'll be riding the bus to school alone the next day. again. she eventually manages to fall asleep*

The Next Morning

Sam: *Lies in bed, staring at the ceiling* ...

Sarah: *is asleep, an arm across his chest*

Sam: *Wants and doesn't want to get up* ...

Sarah: *snuggles a little closer to him, not quite awake yet*

up

Sam: ... I made him tell me what he did, and then I told him why what he did was wrong, and... it sort of escalated from there.

Sarah: *sighs, a bit disappointed, though not surprised*

Emma: ...

*later that night, when everyone's gone to bed*

Emma: ...Lance. Lance, are you still up?

Lance: *He sighs* ... Yeah. What's up?

Emma: ...What did dad tell you?

Lance: ... He told me that if I kept doing shoot like that, I won't be able to graduate high school, and I was like "I don't care". Then he started yelling, so I yelled back.

Emma: ... *sighs, and gets up out of her bed, instead choosing to sit on the edge of her brother's* ...You really SHOULD care, you know...

Lance: I don't need YOU lecturing me too, y'know. I got enough of that from Mom and Dad.

Emma: I'm not trying to lecture you, I'm just worried about you--Aren't I allowed to worry?

Lance: ... There's really nothing to worry about, Emma. I'll be fine.

Emma: I really wouldn't be too sure of that. <:( *stands up, and heads back to her own bed*

Lance: :/ ... *He turns over, away from her* ...

Emma: *gets back into bed, staring at the ceiling* ... *quietly* Please promise me you'll at least TRY not to get kicked out of school...

Lance: Can't make any promises, Sis'. It'd be better for my REP to get kicked out anyway.

Emma: Who cares about your "REP"? Do you KNOW what that'd do to mom and dad??

Lance: They've got YOU, don't they? Their perfect little goody-two-shoes child. >:/

Emma: I am NOT a goody-two-shoes. >:/ And you're missing the point! You're their child too.

Lance: ... No I'm not. Especially not to Dad.

Emma: Yes you are. If Dad didn't care, he wouldn't try to get you to do better.

up

Lance: What?? That's crazy! You're crazy! D8<

Sarah: *scowls* Be grateful it's me and not your father--he'd probably take those privileges away PERMANENTLY, or at least until you learned your lesson. >:/

Lance: *He pouts, glaring at the ground*

Sarah: ... *sighs, tired. she doesn't understand why her and her husband's words just seem to go in one ear and right out the other--his sister understood. it wasn't like they were asking for something that was impossible. why didn't he understand?*

Lance: ... So should I go to my room now, or what? >:/

Sarah: If you want to. Just know that if I catch you leaving out the window, that's an extra three weeks. >:/

Lance: Yeah, yeah... *He climbs up the stairs to his room and slams the door shut*

Sarah: ... *leans back in the chair and groans. she checks her watch--thirty minutes until Emma comes home, six hours until Sam does. tonight was going to be interesting...*

*Later*

Sam: *Comes home* Soo... The Mafia's back. If anyone's interested about that.

Sarah: Oh, GREAT. MORE good news...

Emma: >___>;

Sam: ... Did something happen? D:

Sarah: Lance got himself suspended. AGAIN.

Emma: <____<

Sam: ... WHAT? D8< Does he need to be TALKED TO again?

Sarah: I don't even know anymore. Sometimes I start to think he's a lost cause, he doesn't listen to ANYTHING we tell him...

Emma: ...

Sam: ... I'm going to talk to him. We have to get it through his thick skull at some point. *He then marches up the stairs and enters Lance's room. A loud and angry exchange of words soon follows between him and Lance*

Sarah: *had been listening in for a while, but she just gives up after a while. she knows it's only going to end the same way it usually did...*

Emma: *sits quietly, watching her hands as she twiddles her thumb. why couldn't her brother just stop yelling and listen for once?*

Sam: *Finally, after tiring himself out while arguing with Lance, he slams his son's door closed and heads back down the stairs, furious. Sam sits down on the couch, glaring*

Sarah: *already knows the answer, but asks anyway* So, what happened?

Emma: <:/ ...

up

Lance: SO MY LIFESTYLE IS NOTHING TO YOU?? D8<

Sarah: I'm sorry, but being a juvenile delinquent is NOT an acceptable "LIFESTYLE." Can't you see that you're ruining your future?!

Lance: I'd say it's more like enriching my future. >__>

Sarah: Are you saying you want to be a criminal for the rest of your life? >:/

Lance: It's ART, Mom! Give me a break!

Sarah: Oh, yeah, spraying obscenities on private property is DEFINITELY art and TOTALLY not against the law or anything, mhmm.

Lance: Oh my god, shut up, Mom. >:/

Sarah: Don't speak to me like that again. Your father isn't going to be happy about this, you know. >:(

Lance: Dad's NEVER happy about me. This isn't news.

Sarah: Then maybe you should take that as a sign that you're doing something wrong.

Lance: Or he hates me.

Sarah: ... *sighs* Your father loves you, Lance. He just wants what's best for you--and this, what you're doing now, definitely isn't it.

Lance: *Snorts and stays silent the rest of the ride home*

Sarah: *also remains silent, not even bothering to turn the radio on. when they finally get back, she steps out of the car and watches Lance closely to make sure he doesn't just run off* ...

Lance: *Rolls his eyes and walks over to the front door of the house*

Sarah: *opens the door and steps aside to let him in, shutting the door behind them* Living room. Now.

Lance: *With a huff* Whatever. *Goes to the living room and sits on the couch*

Sarah: *sits in the armchair across from him, arms crossed* You're grounded for three weeks. No TV, no videogames, no going out at ALL.

up

Vice Principal: Send her in.

Lance: No, no don't do that. DX

Secretary: *nods and ducks back out of the room, soon replaced with a rather grim-looking Sarah*

Sarah: *is mostly blank-faced except for a slight twitch of her eyebrow--not a very good sign at all*

Lance: *Gives his mother a large apologetic grin* Hey... Mom.

Vice Principal: ...

Sarah: *gives him a rather stern glare, eyes narrowed. there was no way he was getting out of this one* Hello, Lance. *looks up at the principal. Thank you for catching him. Again.

Security guy: *snorts*

Vice Principal: ... Your boy's a bit of a menace around here, Mrs. Gatzsky.

Lance: *Rolls his eyes*

Sarah: *shoots Lance a glare* Oh, I've noticed.

Security guy: ...

Vice Principal: This is his final warning. Would you like some coffee or tea before you go, Mrs. Gatzky?

Lance: *Glares at the ground*

Sarah: I appreciate the offer, but no thank you. Come on, Lance. >:/

Security guy: >:I

Lance: *With a snort, he gets up and follows his mom*

Sarah: *silently walks Lance out of the school, and waits until they're both in the car before speaking again. her voice is angry and accusatory, but also carries a hint of tiredness* I'm sick of having to bail you out of these things, Lance--I thought we TALKED about this!!

Lance: You don't GET IT, Mom, so there's nothing to talk about. >:/

Sarah: Oh, don't you even THINK about giving me the misunderstood teenager excuse again. I'm sorry, but there is NO REASON you should be acting out like this.

Lance: There's plenty of reasons, but again, you don't GET IT. >:(

Sarah: Alright, there are no LEGITIMATE reasons. >:/

Lance: They're PLENTY legitimate! D8<

Sarah: "because my friends told me to" is NOT a valid reason--and NEITHER are "because they deserve it" or "because I FELT LIKE IT"!

Lance: See?? You DON'T get it! D8<

Sarah: That's because there's NOTHING TO "GET", LANCE.

up

Lance: I did some stuff, now let me go! *Jerks his arm away*

Emma: *scowls at him, but doesn't grab him again, nor does she say anything. She goes on her merry way, waiting for him to get caught--he always does*

Security Guy: *spots him* HEY!

Lance: !! *He bolts off as fast as he can -- Maybe he can hide in the utility closet*

Security Guard: *managed to grab him by the hood before he gets too far, and yanks him back* Oh no you don't!

Emma: ... *sighs. you'd think he'd learn after the ten-thousandth time. she continues on her way to class*

Lance: *Is stopped in his tracks* Hey! Let go of me! D8<

Security Guy: Not this time, kiddo. You're coming with me. >:/ *grabs his arm, and pulls him towards the office*

Lance: *Is incredibly unamused by all this and fights the security guy all the way to the office*

Security guy: *keeps a firm grip on the struggling teen's arm, dragging him all the way into the vice principal's office* I caught 'im.

Vice Principal: Good, thank you. Mr. Gatzsky, have a seat. I'll need to call one of your parents.

Lance: ... Oh no... DX

Vice Principal: Let's try your mother this time. *Searches for and calls the number*

Security Guy: *stands by the door* :/

meanwhile

Sarah: *was luckily on a break from work--she sees the phone number, and sighs when she recognizes it, reluctantly picking up* Hello?

Vice Principal: Hello Mrs. Gatzsky. Your son has commited vandalism of school property yet again and is dangerously close to getting expelled.

Lance: ... >:/

Sarah: *groans inwardly, frustration building* I understand. Does he need to be picked up?

Vice Principal: Yes, I'm afraid that he's suspended for three days.

Lance: >:(

Sarah: *sighs* Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes. Thank you for letting me know.

Vice Principal: Of course. *He then hangs up*

Lance: *Glares*

Sarah *hangs up, and finally lets out a frustrated groan* GodDAMMIT, Lance... *packs up her things and drives to the school*

meanwhile

Security guy: *scowls*

Lance: *Scowls back*

Vice Principal: *Waits patiently*

Secretary: *knocks on the door, then peeks in* Sir, Mrs. Gatzsky is here.

up

Sam: *Groggily wakes up a little later* ...?

Sarah: ! *brushes her fingers against his skin to let him know she was awake*

Sam: ! *He looks over and gives Sarah a soft smile*

Sarah: *returns the smile, then looks over at her kids*

*both are peacefully asleep*

Sam: *Whispers to Sarah* ... I need to go work.

Sarah: *nods, and whispers back* Go ahead. I'll take care of them.

Sam: *Nods a little and carefully - as to not wake Lance and Emma - gets up and gets dressed*

Emma: *still asleep, she notices the lack of her father's presence and frowns a bit--she turns to snuggle against her brother instead*

Sarah: *holds both of them close, watching them quietly. They needed the rest...*

Sam: *As he puts on his coat, his hat, he feels a boiling rage build up in the pit of his stomach. He grinds his teeth at the thought of Blood Puppet - That MONSTER - And walks out, more than a little bent on revenge. Maybe he can take Annabelle from Blood Puppet. Maybe from his cold, dead hands*

*ten years pass--despite Sam's best efforts, Blood Puppet is still at large, and Annabelle is still firmly in his grasp. His and Sarah's children have moved on and grown up, both facing problems of their own; though one is a bit more noticeable than the other. One of the twins stands outside the school with his pack of friends--up to no good, as usual*

Lance: *Spraying obscenities on a school wall, not exactly attending class while his "friends" (some years older than Lance) giggle with amusement and cheer him on*

One Gang Member: *Sees the vice principal coming and silently signals to the others to run, which they do*

Lance: Hey, where are you going?? D:

Vice Principal: *Walks over and sees Lance's handiwork* ... Mr. Gatzsky.

Lance: !! *Runs in the other direction*

Vice Principal: HEY! STOP! SOMEONE STOP HIM! D8<

Security guard: *had just come around the corner when he hears the call--he spots Lance running and chases after him* STOP RIGHT THERE, YOUNG MAN!

Lance: shoot -- *He turns a corner and keeps running*

Bell: *Rings for passing period*

Lance: *Runs through the growing crowd of students* Haha, see you later, assholes. >:D

Emma: *sees her brother running, and assumes the worst--she grabs his arm as he passes by and pulls him off to the side* Lance, what did you get yourself into this time?? D:>

Lance: Lemme go, Emma! Right now, okay?? D8<

Emma: *lowers her voice to an urgent whisper* Not until you tell me what happened! D:/

up

Sam: *Hugs Sarah back. It takes a while for him to fall asleep*

Sarah: *falls asleep only moments after him. hopefully the kids would be fine on their own...*

*a few hours later, there is a light knocking at the door*

Sam: *He is stirred out of his light sleep and he drags himself over to the door, opening it* ?

Sarah: *asleep. she shifts around a bit when Sam gets up* mm...

Emma: *is standing outside the door, holding her brother's hand tightly. her voice is tiny* ...We can't sleep...

Sam: *Whispering for Sarah's sake* ... That doesn't surprise me. I'm sorry you had to see all that. Come in here. You two can sleep with us. <:(

Both kids: *nod gratefully and scamper into the room, clambering into bed without even waiting for their father*

Sarah: *is woken up by the movement* ...?? *sees the kids* ...oh. <:( *moves over so they have more room*

Sam: <:( ... *He walks over to the bed, climbing in and sandwiching the children between him and Sarah*

Emma: *immediately snuggles against her father*

Lance: *does the same with his mother*

Sarah: <:( ... *stretches her arm over both kids, her fingers brushing against Sam on the other side of the bed*

Sam: *Touches Sarah's hand with his own and holds their children with her*

Emma and Lance: *both manage to fall asleep after a little while, feeling safe in the comfort of their parents' embrace*

Sarah: *gives Sam a sad smile*

Sam: *Smiles back a little at Sarah, rubbing her hand with his thumb*

Sarah: *mouths silently, to avoid waking the twins* "I love you."

Sam: *Mouths the same words back, then fully lies down, his head next to Emma's*

Sarah: *gently nuzzles Lance's head, trying to lull herself to sleep*

Sam: *He eventually falls asleep. His children are as much a comfort to him as he and Sarah are to them*

Sarah: *eventually drifts off as well, at ease with her children present*

*The Next Morning*

Sam: *Still asleep, his arm still around Lance and Emma*

Sarah: *is the first to wake up, smiling a little when she sees her family there in front of her (though the circumstances aren't so great). she closes her eyes again, snoozing, waiting for the others to wake up on their own*

up

Sam: *Quietly* ... I wonder how the kids are doing...

Sarah: They were asleep when I last checked on them... hopefully they'll stay that way until morning... <:(

Sam: *Starts getting undressed* ...H-hopefully... Blood Puppet -- W-why would he D-DO that...??

Sarah: *does the same* ...The kids said he was looking for them...

Sam: !! *He looks at Sarah, horror-struck* Oh my god -- Th-this was about Annabelle getting shot! My mom was sacrificing her life to save them! D8>

Sarah: !! So--So he just wanted to get even...!

Sam: *Quietly* ... I-I guess so... I-It wasn't my fault Annabelle got shot, though, it was -- It was that other soldier. Pallinsky.

Sarah: ...Hobbes is insane. I don't think he'd make that connection willingly, not when he's against you already...

Sam: *he's silent, thinking things over and trying not to cry again* ...

Sarah: *hugs him from behind, resting her head between his shoulders* ...We're going to get through this, alright?

Sam: *He nods a little and whispers to his wife* ... Okay... Okay, yeah... We will...

Sarah: *kisses his shoulder* You need to rest. There's stuff to be done tomorrow. <:(

Sam: ... I know... *He then shuffles over to the bed and gets under the covers. He doesn't know if he'll be able to sleep this night*

Sarah: *gets into bed next to him, putting her arm over him and hugging him close*

up

Sam: *Through his sobs* I-I'm sorry...! I'm s-sorry, I'm sorry - Oh ghh - Oh god -- I'm g-gonna miss her so muh-much...!

Sarah: I-I know, Sam... I know... I'm going to miss her too.

Sam: *Hugging her tightly, he buries his face in her neck* Th-this is just like Dad...!

Sarah: *combs a hand through his hair in an attempt to soothe him, though his words jog a memory...* right... *quietly* just like dad...

People: *Look at them* :/

Sam: *He looks over, notices this, and turns back to Sarah, eyes still wet, him still sniffling and holding back sobs* W-we should head b-back...

Sarah: *notices the people too* Good idea... You should probably let me drive. <:/

Sam: ... O-okay... Yeah, you... y-you do that...

Sarah: <:( *pulls him over to the motorcycle and hops on*

Sam: *gets on, still crying, and holds onto Sarah's waist*

Sarah: *drives off, back to their temporary home. she hopes they'll both be able to get some sleep...*

*They arrive at Key's house again*

Sam: *he stumbles back inside, still dazed from the recent events*

Sarah: *puts an arm around his shoulders to steady him, leading him upstairs, to the room Key had set aside for them*

Sam: *He walks over and sits down on the room's bed. The one they're borrowing. Sam starts sobbing again, into his hand*

Sarah: *the sight of her husband so broken was enough to make her want to cry as well. she hugs him tightly, her head against his shoulder, trying to suppress sobs as best as she can*

Sam: *He cries against Sarah, so incredibly distraught over his mother's death. He has no parents left. That was it. And it's Blood Puppet's fault*

Sarah: *rests her head against his, trying so hard to keep her breathing steady, to avoid breaking down into sobs--no, no this was Sam's time to mourn, not hers. she holds him tightly, rubbing his back, offering as much comfort as she can*

Sam: *He sobs for about an hour, calming down into sniffles again* ... Thank... Thank you...

Sarah: *gives him a sad smile, wiping some tears from her eyes with the back of her hand* Anytime. I-It's what I'm here for.

up

Harry: *Howls*

Sam: *Runs in with the doctor* MOM!! D8>

Doctor: *Checks Claire's pulse, then shakes his head sadly at Sam* ... I'm sorry, Lieutenant Gatzsky. She's dead.

Sam: *He stares silently at the body, shocked* D8 ...

Doctor: *Slips out of the house*

Sam: D8 ... ...

Sarah: *holds her children tightly, the thought that they probably witnessed EVERYTHING making the situation even worse. she shoots Sam a heartbroken look, the sorrow apparent on his face pushing her past the edge, and she's soon holding back sobs of her own*

Sam: *He collapses onto his knees in front of his dead mother, sobbing into his hands*

Harry: *continues to howl*

*it takes mere minutes for the police and the ambulances to arrive. pictures of the crime scene are taken, the children are asked questions, but there was no investigation to be done--the identity of the culprit was more than obvious. the body was taken away, and the family was to stay with Key until the place could be cleaned...*

Sam: *sits on a couch in Key's home, distraught. He and his mother were very close. Same as him and his father, in a way. A different sort of way. Sam gets up and goes out, his own grief smothering his sense*

Sarah: *hears the door open, and catches a glimpse of Sam going out the door. She glances upstairs--it had taken a while, but she had managed to help the kids fall asleep, and Key had turned in as well... Sarah grabs her jacket out of the closet and follows him, quietly. She just needed to know where he was going, and that he wouldn't do something he'd regret...*

Sam: *He gets on his motorcycle and quickly wipes the tears from his eyes before driving to the nearest bar*

Sarah: *follows him as best as she can, though she has a sinking feeling that she knows where he's going...*

Sam: *Reaches the bar and has to wipe more tears from his eyes. He looks up at the neon "open" sign in the window and a brief hesitation comes over him*

Sarah: *catches him before he goes in, and calls out to him* Sam!

Sam: ! *He looks over at Sarah, and while there is shame in his features, there is only harshness in his cracked voice* ... What?? What do you WANT?? DB<

Sarah: *is a bit startles by the sudden harshness in his voice, but she doesn't back down. instead, she steps closer* I want you to stop and think about what you're doing, Sam. Remember what happened last time.

Sam: *He looks far more upset now. He's crying again* I-I know... I know what happened... I just... I don't know how else to cope...

Sarah: *stands in front of him, reaching up to cup his cheek with one hand* We'll come up with something. I just... don't want to see that side of you again. I don't want the kids to see that side of you.

Sam: *He leans his face against her hand, finally letting himself fully break down into sobs. He knows he can't try drinking like that again. Sam makes an inner promise to never touch alcohol again*

Sarah: *pulls him into a tight hug, rubbing his back* shhh... it's okay, we're going to be okay... I promise...

up

Blood Puppet: To pay the Lieutenant back for hurting Annabelle. Where did you hide your grandchildren, Claire Gatzsky? Tell me now -- This is a matter of justice. An eye for an eye.

Harry: *Scratches at the door from outside, barking*

Lance: *his eyes widen at Blood Puppet's words, and he whimpers quietly*

Emma: *doesn't berate him for this, as she too was practically shaking in terror*

Claire: *never lowers her weapon, her tone remarkably even from years of dealing with criminals such as him* We aren't savages, Blood Puppet. No one uses that philosophy anymore. I strongly advise that you leave.

Blood Puppet: *Suddenly starts screaming at Claire, fed up* IF NO ONE USES THAT PHILOSOPHY ANYMORE, THEN YOUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS FLAWED AND YOU AND THE CURRENT LIEUTENANT ARE BOTH HYPOCRITES! NOW WHERE! ARE! YOUR! GRANDCHILDREN?? DDD8<

Claire: *narrows her eyes at him* Do you honestly think I would give my grandchildren up to you, just so you can fulfill your little revenge fantasy, Hobbes? I won't let you have them.

Lance and Emma: *sit perfectly still in their hiding spot, holding each other, eyes wide in fear as they listen in on the conversation*

Blood Puppet: I suppose then, if you stand in my way, then I'll have to take both you AND them! D8< *He readies his katana and swipes at Claire*

Claire: ! *steps back quickly enough to dodge the swipe, and shoots. she knew he would probably be able to dodge it, or deflect it, but someone will hear the gunfire. someone will come. please, god, let someone hear.*

Lance: *jumps when he hears the gunshot, holding into his sister tightly, eyes shut tight and his face buried in her shoulder*

Emma: *hugs him just as tightly, but she still pays attention, silently praying that that gunshot meant it was over*

Blood Puppet: *He deflects the shot and immediately moves in for the kill, stabbing at Claire mercilessly* D8<

Claire: !! *lets out a surprised gasp as she's stabbed in the gut, with enough force that the blade comes out the other side with a sickening, wet sound. she stares at the blade in her stomach, then glares back up at Blood Puppet with a fierce defiance in her eyes--then lifts her gun to shoot him again, pulling the trigger with absolutely no hesitation*

Blood Puppet: *dodges a lethal blow to the head just barely, the bullet grazing across his mask, scarring it. Blood puppet then wrestles the gun out of Claire's hand and throws it aside. He forces his katana out of Claire* ... You lose this round, knight. Now to take out the rooks. >:/ *he turns to look for the children*

Harry: *CRASHES THROUGH THE WINDOW AND ATTACKS BLOOD PUPPET AAAAHH*

Blood Puppet: !!!??? *He lets out a short scream this time and avoids Harry as best as he can*

Harry: *Bites at his legs, intending to crush his bones*

Blood Puppet: *manages to scramble out of the house before this happens*

Harry: *barks a few times, then walks over to Claire, licking her face and whimpering*

Claire: *lays on the ground, one hand over the bleeding hole in her stomach, finding herself completely unable to stay on her feet after Blood Puppet released her. she reaches up with her other hand, slowly running it through Harry's fur* shhh, shhh... it's okay...

Emma: *prays that the silence means it's over. she takes the risk, and slowly pushes the door open, peeking out of the pantry. what she sees is something she'll never forget. she stumbles out of the closet, not even bothering to check if the intruder was gone, tears already gathering in her eyes*

Lance: *was genuinely afraid to follow his sister, and regrets looking out of the pantry as soon as he does so. he follows Emma to where she was kneeling next to their grandmother, the sight horrible enough to instantly bring the boy to unconsolable tears*

Harry: *He lies down against Claire, resting his head on her chest, still whimpering. He doesn't know what to do*

Lance: *continues sobbing unconsolably, unable to even form words*

Emma: *has both hands over her mouth, trying very hard not to cry but failing miserably, her eyes already overflowing with tears*

Claire: *keeps her hand on Harry, rubbing his neck, finding his presence comforting. she looks over at her grandchildren, truly wishing they hadn't had to see this* Emma... Emma, honey, i n-need you to take the phone, a-and call daddy, okay? t... tell him what happened.

Emma: *nods, still refusing to take her hands off her mouth, and runs into the living room, grabbing the phone and dialing her father's number, just like he had taught her*

Harry: *Keeps himself there, looking at Claire with his big green eyes, whimpering*

meanwhile

Sam: *Answers the ringing phone at his desk* Hello, this is Lieutenant Gatzsky, how may I help you?

Emma: *splutters into the phone, barely managing to speak through her sobs* D-Daddy...! A-A-A m-man with a m-m-mask-- *pauses to sob* h-h-he stabbed grandm-ma with a s-s-s-SWORD!

Claire: *looks over at Lance, still petting Harry, her quiet words directed at the both of them* Shhh... it's okay...

Lance: *is completely inconsolable, sobbing into both hands*

Harry: *Licks Claire in an attempt to make the situation better for her*

meanwhile

Sam: *He freezes for the second, then gives Emma a tiny "hang on" before hanging up, getting one of the doctors in the outpost, and driving back to his home. He tries not to cry. He shouldn't cry yet -- There's still hope!*

Emma: *hangs up the phone, and hurries back over to Claire* H-He's o-o-on his way...!

Claire: G-Good job... You're the best grandkids I could've asked for...

Emma: N... Just s-stay awake, daddy'll b-be here soon...!

Claire: *smiles at her* Shh... it's okay. *rests her head on the ground, eyes drooping closed* y-you're safe...

Sarah: *comes home to find a window broken and the front door wide open. she abandons her groceries in a panic, assuming the worst--and it's exactly what she finds. Claire, dead in a pool of her own blood. She has to cover her mouth to keep herself from crying out in horror*

Emma and Lance: *immediately run to their mother as soon as they see her, clinging to her, sobbing*

up

Sam: Right. <:P *Gets undressed and crawls into bed* ... Mnh... The situation with Annabelle is still bothering me...

Sarah: *puts an arm over him, snuggling into him* I think a situation like that would bother anyone... Do you ever wonder if she's... well, if she's beyond saving?

Sam: ... She can't be. No one's beyond saving. D:>

Sarah: *gives him a sad smile, then nuzzles into his shoulder* That's what I like to hear. I know you wouldn't give up on her...

Sam: *Puts a hand on her cheek, softly rubbing it with his thumb* ... I'd never give up on her, Sarah...

Sarah: Mm... I just hope you can get to her soon... She doesn't deserve to be trapped in a place like that...

Sam: I know... I'll try again as soon as I can gather enough soldiers again. <:(

Sarah: Just don't push yourself TOO Hard... *kisses his cheek, nuzzling him* You should get some rest. <:(

Sam: *With a sigh, he closes his eyes* Alright... You too, though, okay? Get some rest. You need it as much as I do.

Sarah: *nods, nuzzling back into his shoulder* I will... goodnight...

Sam: *Quietly* 'Night... *Falls asleep quickly*

Sarah: *doesn't take very long to do the same*

*It's a few days later when Sam is out of the house for work that Blood Puppet pays a visit to the Gatzsky residence. Even with the new locks, he manages to sneak in through a bathroom window*

Blood Puppet: *intends to murder Sam and Sarah's children*

Harry: *is sleeping on the couch when he smells an intruder and growls at the air*

Sarah: *is out running errands*

Emma and Lance: *are watching something on tv--they don't notice Harry growling*

Claire: *is sitting on the couch next to Harry, watching the kids--she DOES notice, and is immediately concerned* ...Harry, what's wrong?

Blood Puppet: *sneaks down the stairs but freezes in terror when he sees the massive dog which now growls RIGHT at him* !!? D8

Harry: *He snarls at Blood Puppet, fur bristling*

Lance and Emma: ?!

Claire: !! *gets up and puts herself between the intruder and her grandchildren, pushing them back* Emma, Lance, grandma needs you two to go hide.

Blood Puppet: *Quietly, trying to hide his panic* ... Why do you have a dog?

Harry: *Suddenly runs to attack Blood Puppet*

Blood Puppet: !!! *Let's out a small yelp and immediately runs out the front door*

Harry: *chases him out*

Blood Puppet: *runs back in and slams the door on Harry's face, locking it* ... Hah...! Hahah...

Claire: *has already sent the kids to hide. she grabs a pistol hidden in one of the drawers (sam told her where he had left it, just in case, just in case...), and points it at Blood Puppet* Why are you here?

Lance: *has hidden with Emma inside the pantry in the kitchen, he whispers* W-What's happeni--

Emma: *puts a shaky hand to her brother's mouth to silence him* shh...!!

Sam: ... Maybe I should check in on them right now so they don't have to try sleeping and worrying about me at the same time. <:/

Sarah: *nods* Sounds fair. You go right on ahead. <:/

Sam: *He nods and walks upstairs and into Lance and Emma's room*

Harry: *stays where he is, still wagging his tail*

Lance: *is asleep, but seems slightly troubled*

Emma: *immediately glances over when she hears the door open* !! *hops out of bed and runs to him, hugging him tightly, wordlessly*