Todd Wants Key's Face

Sam: *still bouncing Lance* Oh, well, stressful. There was a bomb that the Mafia gang was going to use to blow up the Outpost. I stole it from them before they could set it off, and now they're in jail.

Sarah: *pauses her work to shoot him a concerned look* A bomb? ...Looks like they're getting serious...

Lance: *bap*

Sam: Serious, but stupid. I mean, really... just lugging it out in the open at night? What, they'd think there'd be no patrols? Had a SLIGHT scare with the bomb, when they dropped it, though. As you can see from me being ALIVE, it didn't go off.

Sarah: *sighs* Well, thank god... *turns her attention back to the lock* ...you need to be more careful...

Lance: *yawns*

Sam: I'm as careful as my job will allow me, Sarah. <:/

Sarah: Then just make sure you don't get yourself killed... I'm not the only one you have to come back to now.

Sam: I know... Don't worry about me. I've got the right skills to stay alive and well. ;)

Sarah: I'll hold you to that... <:P *climbs down the ladder, then folds it and leans it against the wall*

Lance: *is asleep*

Sam: *to Sarah in a whisper* I'll put the little guy in his crib. You go to bed. XP

Sarah: Alright. <:P I'll see you there. *goes upstairs, and runs into Key about to come downstairs* ! Oh, hey. Thanks again for coming over. <:)

Key: Like I've said a thousand times, it's no problem. <:) You go get your rest. :P

Sarah: *rolls her eyes* Yes, mom. :P *goes to her room*

Key: *goes downstairs*

Sam: *He gently places Lance in his crib, then sneaks out. He decides to first say his goodbye to Key before heading to bed* ... I'm happy that we could count on you to babysit the kids, Ms. Huntings.

Key: Oh, it was my pleasure, Sam. :) Don't hesitate to call if you need anything, alright? I know your mother will be more than glad to do the same.

Sam: Haha, well she can babysit next time. *He opens the door for her* Have a good night. :)

Key: Thank you--you too. :) *leaves*

Sam: *he closes and locks the door, then heads up to his and Sarah's bedroom. He enters it and takes off his coat and things, letting out a quiet, exhausted sigh*

Sarah: *is already in bed, eyes closed but still awake*

Sam: *He climbs in with Sarah, lightly kissing her cheek*

Sarah: *smiles, and nuzzles him affectionately*

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Sam: *He sees the gun before it's shot, and manages to quickly step out of the way. He pulls out his own guns and starts shooting back*

Members: *A gunfight breaks out in the park between them and the Lieutenant - a lone man against six guys. So why is it so difficult to kill him?*

Members: *a few are quickly disarmed, and try to flee*

meanwhile

Key: *goes upstairs to the kids' room to check up on them. They were exactly as Sarah had left them, Lance snoring quietly, Emma looking around with wide eyes. she smiles*

Sam: Oh no you don't...! *He quickly switches to his tranquilizer guns and starts shooting at them* D8<

Some Members: *Are hit and don't take long to crash onto the ground*

One Member: *tries to run off with a bag slung over his shoulder--quite possibly the bomb that was mentioned earlier*

meanwhile

Key: *picks Emma up, and rocks her back and forth*

Emma: *stares up at Key, not quite recognizing her, but not feeling threatened just yet*

Sam: !! D8< *he immediately sprints after the man* STOP! *shoots the tranquilizer gun a few times*

Member: --!! *falls, dropping the bag*

Sam: !! *freezes up, hoping the bomb doesn't go off prematurely from the impact*

Bag: *does nothing--thankfully, the bomb had been disarmed*

Sam: *Lets out a sigh of relief. He calls the outpost to get some soldiers over and arrest the unconscious Mafia members, as well as the bomb. They come and do so, and Sam uses this as an opportunity to go home. He does, entering the house*

Key: *is downstairs, trying to calm down a fussy Lance* ! Good afternoon, Sam. :)

Sarah: *is up on a ladder, switching out a lock on a higher window* ? *looks down, and waves* Hey, Sam. :)

Sam: *To both of them, giving them a tired smile* Hey... *Walks over to Where Key is so he can rub Lance's head* This one giving you trouble? <:P

Key: Oh, just a little bit... He really likes attention. <:P

Sarah: *laughs a little bit*

Sam: Oohh, we already figured that out. ^^; You want us to take him off your hands, then? <:D

Key: Only because I can tell you really want to. :P *carefully hands Lance over to Sam*

Lance: *wibbles a bit, bapping at Sam with his tiny hands*

Sarah: *pauses for a moment to watch, then goes back to installing the lock, a smile on her face*

Sam: *Brings Lance up to his face to nuzzle him* Calm down, little guy... It's getting late for you anyway. <:P

Lance: *quiets down a bit, lightly bapping at Sam's face, trying to grasp at his hair* buh...

Key: *smiles at the baby and his father, then looks back over at Sarah* Do you want me to check on Emma?

Sarah: That would be great, thank you. D: *works*

Sam: Hah, ow. Haha... XD; *He bounces Lance a little, walking over to a chair to sit down on*

Key: *goes upstairs*

Lance: *bap bap bap*

Sarah: So how was work?

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Sam: ... Are you sure? You just seem so... I dunno. Bothered. <:/

Sarah: Mmhh... Do I have to?

Sam: ... You don't have to, but it might make you feel better. <:/

Sarah: *stares at him for a moment, then sighs, closing her eyes and rolling onto her back* ...He had broken in again. The kids were gone. I couldn't find anyone...

Sam: Ohh... Well, it was just a dream. And we'll be taking care of the lock issue today. <:) *He gives her a peck on the cheek*

Sarah: *smiles a little bit* Right, right...

Sam: *he then gets out of bed and gets ready* I guess you'll need to call your mom, then?

Sarah: I guess so. *gets out of bed, and stretches* I think I'll wait a bit, she isn't much of an early riser...

Sam: Alright then. *He puts on his hat* I have to go to work, though, so... See you tonight. <:P

Sarah: Yep. Stay safe. <:(

Sam: Don't worry about me. ;P *He then leaves, rides his motorcycle to the Outpost, and gets right to work with beating the Mafia gang to Central Park and hiding until just the right moment*

Sarah: *gets up and gets dressed, and checks on the kids before calling her mother*

Key: Hey, Sarah! How's everything going at the new place?

Sarah: Okay, for the most part. Do you think you could come over and watch the kids for a little bit? I need to run out and do a few errands.

Key: I'd be more than happy to! I'll there as soon as possible.

Sarah: Thanks, you're a lifesaver.

Later, Meanwhile, At Central Park

*About six or seven members gather in the middle of the park. Sam listens in*

Member 1: The bomb's gonna be set up soon. The boss'll be happy that we even got a hold of the thing.

Member 2: That's good. The sooner we get rid of any and all military leadership, the sooner there'll be anarchy --

Member 1: Not anarchy, you nitwit! Rule! We'll will rule the place while it's in chaos!

Member 3: Hah! Everyone will have to anyway, or we'll kill 'em!

Sam: *Reveals himself* A bomb? A plot to take over? I've got to say, it's a step up from the usual muggings and getting drunk at the bar.

Members: *They all panic and fight to get their guns out of their coats*

Member 4: *pulls out his gun a bit quicker than the rest of them, and shoots at Sam*

meanwhile

Sarah: *waits a little while, until the doorbell rings. she quickly goes over to let her mother into the house* Hey! Sorry I called you on such short notice, mom. <:I

Key: That's perfectly alright. ^^

Sarah: The kids are upstairs. Lance is asleep, Emma's being wonderfully quiet. I shouldn't be gone too long.

Key: Take as much time as you need. <:P

Sarah: Thanks again-- *quickly hugs Key before running out*

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Sam: He's crazy, anyway. Completely nuts. His "past" is probably made up. >:(

Sarah: *nods, a bit more convinced now*

Sam: C'mon... Let's try going to sleep, alright? *He nuzzles her again and closes his eyes, trying to sleep*

Sarah: *does the same, though it takes her a while to drift off, as her mind was occupied with other things* ...

Sam: *Sleeps without any trouble, as he has not seen what Sarah has seen, or heard what she's heard*

Sarah: *finally drifts off after a while, though her dreams are still slightly troubled...*

The Next Morning

Sam: *Is still quite asleep and comfortable*

Sarah: !!! *wakes up with a bit of a start due to the dream (nightmare?) she just had* !!! .....

Sam: *Sleepily waking up from this* Mmyou'kay...?

Sarah: Y-Yeah... yeah, i'm fine.

Sam: ... You don't... Mff... You don't sound 'kay... <:/

Sarah: ... *sighs* just a bit of a bad dream, nothing to worry about...

Sam: You... wanna talk about it? <:/

Sarah: *shakes her head* I'm fine, don't worry about it...

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Sam: I'm not interested in arresting him anymore, Sarah... I swear to god, if I see him again... I'm going to kill that man.

Sarah: ... I think it would be for the best...

Sam: ... This whole country needs him gone, yeah. He's too dangerous. He was given his chance, anyway. >:(

Sarah: *nods, though she has to wonder... why the sudden change? Blood Puppet's never acted like that before* ...Mhmm...

Sam: ... What're you thinking about? <:/

Sarah: ...Just what Blood Puppet SAID... it wa sjust... so out of character for him...

Sam: ... What DID he say?

Sarah: ... He basically told me his life story...

Sam: *Snorts* To gain your sympathy maybe. To throw you OFF GUARD. >:(

Sarah: ...I guess.

Sam: Oh come on, Sarah... He MURDERS people. How can you feel SORRY for him?

Sarah: That's actually a really good question... I kept telling myself that as he kept talking, but... I don't know, he just seemed really... sincere. if that's the right word.

Sam: But why would he tell YOU all this? He could have easily talked to Annabelle. >:/

Sarah: I'm... not exactly sure...

Sam: See? He wants something. He's planning something. It's ALWAYS "something". >:(

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

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Sam: *Does the same for Emma, then creeps out of the rooms with Sarah* <:)

Sarah: *silently shuts the door, then sighs a bit in relief* And now we hope they stay that way. X);;;

Sam: Let's try getting some sleep ourselves, shall we? ;)

Sarah: Sounds like a plan. X3 *goes back into their room and starts getting ready for bed*

Sam: *Does the same and climbs into the bed. His happiness is ruined when he remembers Blood Puppet's earlier visit. It bothers him more than anything that that MONSTER can get into the house so easily*

Sarah: *doesn't notice his change in expression until she snuggles into him* ...? Are you okay?

Sam: Nh... Yeah. Just thinking. *He snuggles back*

Sarah: *nuzzles into his shoulder* ...Blood Puppet?

Sam: ... *Quietly* ... Yeah. He breaks in too easily... If... If he had done anything... I-I don't know what I would have done MYSELF...

Sarah: I wouldn't have let him go anywhere NEAR the kids... we'll just have to lock our windows up a bit more tightly....

Sam: ... Or get new locks. Anything to keep the kids safe. And you.

Sarah: Mostly the kids. *sighs* I'mm have to go out and get some tomorrow, then...

Sam: No, you need to watch Lance and Emma. I'll get some on my way home from the outpost, or on my lunch break or something. <:/

Sarah: I could always get mom to come over, she would leap at the chance to watch the kids... besides, I'd probably be done switching them out before you get back. <:/

Sam: ... Well, alright. I just really hope Hobbes doesn't come back.

Sarah: *snuggles a bit closer, not quite willing to admit how terrified she had actually been when she saw him* Me too....

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Sam: *He chuckles and kisses Sarah's cheek* Yeah, well... Yeeaahh... CX

Sarah: *laughs a little bit, nuzzling his cheek*

Lance: *baps at Emma*

Emma: *shifts uncomfortably in her sleep*

Sam: Hey now, Lance... Be nice to your sister. <:P

Lance: bbbbb... *baps at her again*

Emma: mmmhhhh...! *nuzzles closer to Sam, away from her brother*

Sarah: *pulls away from Sam a bit* It's too early for sibling rivalry, honey. <:P

Sam: *holds Emma a bit closer* ... I'm afraid of what they'll be like when they're older. XD;

Sarah: *rocks Lance a little bit* Well, hopefully they'll learn to behave themselves...

Lance: bbbbb...

Sam: Well we'll have to be good parents. Teach them right. :)

Sarah: Mmmmhmm. <:P

Emma: *relaxes again*

Lance: *yawns*

Sam: ... Aw. Maybe we should just put these two to bed. <:P

Sarah: As long as Lance doesn't throw another tantrum, then yes, I agree.

Emma: *asleeeeeeep*

Lance: *dozing off*

Sam: We can just wait until he's asleep. ;P Hopefully no midnight crying.

Sarah: Ugh, hopefully. X(

Emma: *asleep*

Lance: *not quite gone yet*

Sarah: *rocks him a little bit to help him along* <:)

Sam: Kid, you can NOT be a night owl. You're too young for that. :/

Lance: *yawns again*

Sarah: Come on, kiddo, your sister's already knocked out, how hard can it be? <:P

Sam: Uh... Should we sing to him? Does that work? :/

Sarah: I actually have no clue, I haven't had to try it yet... I think he's asleep now, though...

Lance: *is indeed asleep*

Emma: *is also still asleep*

Sam: ! :D *in a whisper* Okay, let's take them to their cribs...

Sarah: :) *nods, and heads back to their room, quietly nudging the door open and setting Lance down in his crib*

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Sam: I walked around a bit and spotted a few of them gathered in Central Park. Typical for a bunch of thugs. I listened in, and it seems their next meeting will be tomorrow on the outskirts of the city in an old cannery.

Sarah: I'm guessing you'll be paying them a surprise visit?

Sam: That's right. They won't know what hit them. >:P *He backs out of the room*

Sarah: hehe. *follows him out, Emma still in her arms*

Emma: *is very near just falling asleep again*

Sam: *Looks over Emma lovingly* It's hard to get used to this...

Sarah: I know... we'll get the hang of it eventually...

Sam: ... I like it, though. Everything about it. :)

Sarah: Same here. :)

Lance: *starts crying again*

Sarah: Ah-- *gives Sam Emma, then goes to grab Lance*

Sam: *Holds Emma* Maybe the constant crying I don't like as much. ^^;

Sarah: *from inside the room* Just another thing to get used to! *comes out holding Lance, who was already quieting down* Oof. THIS one doesn't like being put down. :I

Sam: Ahaha, I hope he doesn't stay an attention-hog. >:P

Sarah: Seriously. *to Lance* We've gotta give your sister some love too, you know!

Sam: Maybe he can put all that want for attention into something useful. Like acting. XP

Sarah: *grins* Not a bad plan. Follow in mommy's footsteps, right? :P

Sam: He'd be a good actor, I think. A GREAT actor. Just LIKE his mommy. X3

Sarah: *her grin widens* Well, we've got a looong way to go. X)

up

Sam: I try. >:( ... How long was he here? A few minutes? Seconds? How long?? Did he try hurting you?? The kids??

meanwhile

Blood Puppet: *He sprints all the way back to his hideout and throws off his costume with screams of rage and sorrow. He throws off everything except his pants and sleeveless shirt under everything that made him Blood Puppet. He rips off his mask and stares at it with disgust before chucking it against a wall, cracking it a little under the eye, forming almost a "tear". Then, after her throat goes dry from all the screaming, he crashes against a wall and weeps. It was going so well. He was feeling BETTER almost. It felt like Sarah, in a way, was starting to understand him... Like a friend would. And then the Lieutenant had to come. He had to ruin EVERYTHING*

Sarah: I thought that was what he was doing, but... Actually, he um... It was strange, he kind of just... walked in... and he dropped his katana and just started TALKING to me... almost like he was trying to VENT.

meanwhile

Annabelle: *had rushed over as soon as she heard his screaming. she finds him there, slumped against the wall, and approaches him hesitantly* ...Dad...? D:>

Sam: No, he couldn't have come here just to TALK -- He WANTED SOMETHING - He MUST have! DB<

meanwhile

Blood Puppet: *He takes one look at Annabelle and can't help but cry harder, sliding down the wall into a fetal position, pushing his brow with the palm of his hand*

Sarah: I know, I'm pretty sure of that, but... usually when he wants to do something, he just goes out and does it. He just SAT there for a while... *groans, unable to stand her kids crying anymore* Let's continue this later. DX *rushes upstairs to the kids' room*

meanwhile

Annabelle: D8>??? *goes over to him and hugs him as best as she can* no, dad, don't cry...! D:>

Sam: >:/ ... *He refuses to believe that Blood Puppet is anything less than a monster*

meanwhile

Blood Puppet: *He hugs Annabelle back, hugs her tightly. She is the only thing left keeping him alive. She is all that matters to him now, and she doesn't even truly love him*

Sarah: *from upstairs* Sam, I think I require assistance! D:

meanwhile

Annabelle: *hugs him and tries to comfort him, completely oblivious to what he has done to her. all she knows is that her father is hurting, badly, and that she wants to make it stop*

Sam: *He trudges upstairs to help Sarah* >:(

Sarah: *has Emma in her arms, rocking her back and forth to try and calm her down* Could you get Lance, please? D;

Sam: Yeah. >:( *He goes to Lance, picking him up and trying to calm him down* Ssshh... Ssshh...

Sarah: *manages to calm Emma down after a little bit* ...Mrff...

Sam: *He rocks Lance, holding him close, trying everything to calm him down*

Sarah: ...You know, I'm still really not sure why Blood Puppet came here... if he had wanted to hurt the kids, he would have snuck in through an upstairs window...

Sam: *Glares darkly at her* ... I should have killed him while I had the chance. While he was still STUNNED. He's just going to hurt more people.

Sarah: ... *sighs* We'll get him next time.

Sam: Damn straight we'll get him next time. >:(

Sarah: *tries to change the subject* Did you find out anything new today?

up

Blood Puppet: ... I thought that if I would behave and be a GOOD kid... maybe my parents would change. It was the same thing, though. Anything goes slightly wrong in their lives, and I was their punching bag. They... never saw me as human. Not once.

Sarah: ... *finally gives in, and sits down on the last step, though she's ready to jump back up at a moment's notice* ...how did you leave?

Blood Puppet: ... I waited until past midnight. I managed to pick the lock out of my room, as I had been practicing for a long time, and I left as silently as I could. Stealth became my only true friend that night. Stealth was all I needed. After studying on my own for years, the Green Flu came about in Britain and I managed to sneak onto a plane to escape. I ended up right in the jaws of the American Green Flu. That... That's when I met Mia.

Sarah: *is not familiar with the name* ...Mia?

Blood Puppet: *The words come spilling out of his mouth before he can stop himself* W-we loved each other, or at least I loved her *He quickly becomes flustered* - W-We traveled together during the infection - we were almost at the Safe Zone and then this HORDE showed up and -- I-I couldn't - the infected - it just came out of nowhere and she LEFT ME, she just LEFT ME after all we went through and after ALL THOSE MOMENTS WE SHARED a-and... and... *he's shaking, upset. He can't continue. Behind his mask, his face is a pale red, and it drips with sweat and tears from having reminded himself of Mia. Finally, head down, staring at the floor, he speaks again - croaks out his words* ... I h-had never felt that way... about ANYONE... Not a single other person... Sh-she made me... HAPPY... I felt WANTED...

Sarah: *has absolutely no idea what he looks like under that mask, but she's almost completely positive that he was on the verge of tears, if not already crying. she truly doesn't know how to respond--she never expected to hear something like this, not from him*

Blood Puppet: ... *He's quiet now* ... She's... married now... She has a life that... I can't be a part of anymore. I-I know I should just let it go but... b-but when you love someone SO MUCH, you just... *He hugs himself, desperately trying to comfort himself* ... You can't. I had that option. I could have killed her husband. I could've. And I didn't. I... knew she was happy. I didn't want to take her happiness away. I didn't want to PROVE to her that I'm a MONSTER now... Killing her husband wouldn't have changed anything... A-and she was better off believing I was dead... *to Sarah* ... Wh-what's it like... T-to have a REAL family... and be WITH that person you love? What's it like... To be happy, Mrs. Gatzsky?

Sarah: *has been caught completely off-guard by this entire ordeal, and she's still utterly speechless, even more so when she's put on the spot* A-Ah... um... It's... I don't know how to describe it... it just feels WARM.

Blood Puppet: ... That must be nice... That must be really nice... *he sighs, a sigh so exasperated, it seemed almost like a cry for help* ... I considered killing myself, but... I can't leave Annabelle. She means too much to me. I... probably could when she's older, though. When she can take care of herself...

Sarah: ...being around her doesn't make you happy? *curses herself for furthering the conversation, this psycho can't STAY here! damn him for trying to earn his sympathy, it was WORKING...*

Blood Puppet: ... She makes me happy, but... I know she's not mine... And I know she doesn't really love me. Like C... Celine never loved me. I suppose you can't force love... And you can't force acceptance or family... Or pretend to truly have a reason to live. And PRETEND I'm not a murderer, j-just a normal man living a normal life, and it COULD'VE been normal... BLOOD PUPPET could have never existed if I was never bitten... And maybe I could have been able to stay with Mia... And we could have had our own family... And I wouldn't have had to SUFFER and get LAUGHED AT whenever I tried going to a therapist, or a doctor because I wouldn't have a REASON to go... Because I wouldn't have to say "I have an uncontrollable urge to eat people" because I WOULDN'T... And I'd be HUMAN... Of all the important things, I'd be HUMAN and I'd have FRIENDS, and I'd be a part of society and Mia... Mia'd be with me... ME... Instead of that MAN... I-I'm sorry, I'm sounding like a broken record, aren't I? *At this point, he's completely slumped over, only now looking back up at Sarah* ... I-I apologize for ranting at you... I could never really talk to anyone else about this...

Sarah: *is again at a loss for words--talk about a villain with a tragic story, huh? she gives him a small, pathetic little nod, trying not to betray her sympathy for him*

Blood Puppet: ... Thank you for giving me a chance... I know you have no reason to trust me, but you still heard what I had to say...

Sarah: Ah... *nods again* Mhmm.

*crying is heard from upstairs*

Sarah: !! *the realization that Blood Puppet really SHOULDN'T BE THERE seems to hit her upside the head once she hears her kids--no matter how bad she felt for him, he was still a murderer. he still hurt them. she stands, never moving away from the stairs* ...You... you probably shouldn't stay too much longer.

Blood Puppet: ... *Quietly* ... Alright. I understand. *He stands up and bends over to pick up his katana when --*

Sam: *opens the door to find Blood Puppet THERE in THEIR HOME. He immediately starts roaring at the man, both guns pointed at his covered head* GET OUT!! GET OUT NOW!! D8<

Blood Puppet: *Hissing at the Lieutenant* ... I was just about to leave...

Sam: YOU SON OF A dog, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING HERE?? THREATENING MY FAMILY AGAIN?? DID YOU WANT TO KILL OUR CHILDREN - IS THAT IT??

Blood Puppet: ... No...

Sam: LIAR!! DDDDB< *he shoots at him*

Blood Puppet: *Not yet having his katana out, he is forced to dodge the bullets, and only partially succeeds. One of the bullets catch his arm, and he cries out from the pain, immediately putting a hand over his wound. He steps away from Sam like a beaten dog*

Sam: I'm not gonna have any trouble shooting down a monster like you, HOBBES. DB<

Blood Puppet: You can't - Annabelle --

Sam: YOU KIDNAPPED HER, DON'T YOU DARE THINK YOU ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT HER, AND DON'T TRY MAKING ME THINK THE SAME! DDDD8<

Blood Puppet: ... *He suddenly darts at Sam, roughly pushing past him and out of the house, his tears hidden away from the world*

Sarah: *had ducked back into the stairwell as soon as Sam had started shooting, but now that Blood Puppet was gone, she steps back out again--she could hear both kids crying upstairs now* ...Good timing.

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