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