Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: ... she doesn't need an abusive father...

Harry: NO. STOP. Todd - I KNOW what "abusive" is - I GREW UP with "abusive" - YOU are NOT abusive!

Todd: ... I've hurt her... I've hurt her because of my illness...

Harry: That's not abusive, Todd, that was completely out of your control. D:

meanwhile

Sam: Oh. Well. Uh. Good. D:

Claire: Harry knows what he's talking about... You're the farthest thing from "abusive..."

Key: ... *nods*

meanwhile

Sarah: *frowns* Saaaam. You don't have to take me seriously ALL the time...

Todd: *he looks at them all sadly*

Harry: ... Is it something besides that, Todd? What's bugging you?

Todd: ... I... I'll never be human again...

Harry: ... ... wh... what? That's been BOTHERING you? And you never TALKED to anyone about it? D:>

meanwhile

Sam: Well how am I supposed to know? DX

Key: ...We're on the same boat as you, Todd... a LOT of people are...

Claire: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: ...can't you tell when I'm being overdramatic? D:

Todd: ... that makes me feel worse - THEY can handle it, and I CAN'T... but I... I wish I could have eyes again... I wish I could see color, I wish It didn't require SUPER-STRENGTH in order to clip my nails ever month - JUST so they don't grow back into WEAPONS...!

Harry: *listens to Todd rant, silent* D: ...

Todd: I wasn't even able to do what I wanted to do in life - what my FATHER wanted to do before he went and SNAPPED HIS NECK - I CAN'T DO THAT because I'm a cross between a na'avi and a zombie from 28 Days Later!! What the frack did we do to piss off God THIS MUCH, HUH?? *he's now screaming* WILL SOMEONE ANSWER ME THAT?? *he stops, huffing, blood staining his face*

meanwhile

Sam: No. :P

Key: *struggles to keep her voice level. she had felt almost every single thing he had listed at some point in her life as an ex-infected, but she had no idea it bothered him THAT MUCH...* ... W-we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's all. It's no one's fault--not yours, not God's.

Claire: D: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: ...are you trying to say something? >:/

Todd: ... Well, it ruined everything... EVERYTHING... it ruined you, it ruined me - it ruined all of EARTH! *he's fully crying now* And THAT. That is why I don't want to this anymore. Not on this shoot-hole. Not when I went through an Apocalypse, torture from the military, a second Apocalypse, insanity, and getting shot at FIVE GODDAMN TIMES BECAUSE OF WHAT I LOOK LIKE. W-we - we were the ones the made the cure POSSIBLE, Harry, Key... we were the ones... and I nearly went deaf and blind from it... and you know what the funny thing is? No one knows it was because of us. No one knows I was the first infected to be cured. NO ONE.

meanwhile

Sam: *grins*

Key: *goes silent. at least that much was the truth--they hadn't been recognized for anything. but she never really cared until he mentioned it...* ...All I want to know... i-is why you never told us any of this...

Claire: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: ... Well, you know what? *playfully shoves him over on the bed* >:P

Todd: ... I wanted to try keeping up with my usual attitude... not let anyone worry... because y'know, you would. And you are. It doesn't mean I don't love you guys, though... especially you, Key... I just can't... can't DEAL with a world like this... I-I was raised to do what my father couldn't, to live a good, happy life - a HUMAN life... *he's sobbing now* Not FIGHT a ZOMBIE APOCALPYSE...!!

Harry: Todd... D:>

meanwhile

Sam: AH! Heyyy... D:<

Key: *steps closer to the bed, trying to stay strong for him--she takes his hand, holding it in both of his* ... Todd... we love you, and we can help you live through this... we can make it better, you just have to trust us... please... we want you to live...

Claire: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: Ha ha. :P

Todd: *he looks at her for the longest time, sobbing, his restraints keeping him from wiping the tears away. He then nods, though he still sobbed, as if unable to stop*

Harry: <:( ...

meanwhile

Sam: *lays there* XC

Key: *pulls her sleeve over har hand and gently cleans the blood off his face, ignoring her own tears. she didn't dare speak anymore. seeing Todd so lost like this broke her heart*

Claire: ... *reaches over and takes Harry's hand. She feels farther away from the problem, being the only one out of the four who hadn't been affected by the virus... but she didn't want to be--that separation was what caused the problem in the first place. she WANTED to help, but... didn't know what to do.*

meanwhile

Sarah: ... *grins, then pokes Sam's stomach* :P

Harry: *holds Claire's hand tightly* ...

Todd: *his sobs eventually do go away, but they leave Todd weak and almost... blank. He continues looking at Key, as if she could somehow provide guidance*

meanwhile

Sam: Mmmmff... XC Shouldn't our parents be back by now?

Key: *stares back at him, knowing what he wanted. it frustrated her, being unable give him the answers he needs... she leans in and presses her forehead against his, keeping a hand on his cheek, gently stroking it with her thumb. she loves him, so much... she wishes she could just make all the hurt go away, for everyone...*

meanwhile

Sarah: ...i dunno... *flops back onto the bed next to Sam* ...maybe they're busy...

Todd: *he leans up when Key does this and kisses her. His want to die was fading*

Harry: *his grip on Claire's hand loosens a bit* ...

meanwhile

Sam: Maybe all the common infected WEREN'T dead, just having a party, and our moms and my dad and all the soldiers walked in on them, and now they're curing all of them...

Key: *kisses him back, wondering, hoping he understands*

Claire: *lets out a quiet sigh of relief*

meanwhile

Sarah: Well, wouldn't THAT be interesting... XP

Todd: *after a bit, he ends the kiss, withdrawing himself from her* ... Maybe I... WILL stay...

Harry: *becomes relieved, himself*

meanwhile

Sam: It would be funnier than when Dad came back covered in puke. XP

Key: *relieved, she hugs him tightly, thanking whatever god existed*

Claire: <:) ...

meanwhile

Sarah: OhmygoshSamthat'sreallygross.

Todd: *takes the hug with the slightest hint of a smile on his face* ... Sarah and Sam might be worrying about you guys...

Harry: Oh right - maybe we should go. D:

meanwhile

Sam: Well, it was also funny. XD

Key: *releases Todd, a sad smile on her face* We'll be back tomorrow, okay? *kisses his cheek before completely pulling away, towards Harry and Claire*

Claire: *lets go of Harry's hand and leaves the room, waiting right outside in the hallway*

meanwhile

Sarah: Yeah but it was still EWW. XD

Todd: ...

Harry: Get back to your old self soon, alright Todd? <:) *he leaves*

meanwhile

Sam: But Dad's expression made it funny. XP

Key: ...bye... *goes out with Harry*

Claire: *starts heading to their rooms with the rest of them*

meanwhile

Sarah: Well, OKAY. I can agree with that. :P

up

Harry: Key, Todd's... mostly a very upbeat, positive person... I'm sure we'll be able to get him to snap out of it - okay?

meanwhile

Sam: *lets out a dramatic gasp of air*

Key: ... *nods* ...It was just... seeing him like that just threw me off... since he's never acted like that, I didn't know what to do...

Claire: <:/ ....

meanwhile

Sarah: *laughs at this* Drama queen. XD

Harry: ... But we CAN help him.

meanwhile

Sam: You were crushing me. D:

Key: ...right...

Claire: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: Wiiiimp. Be a man. >:P

Harry: ... You have to remember what he was like before the second outbreak, Key... and you have to believe that it's possible to bring that side of him out of this... this sudden DEPRESSION.

meanwhile

Sam: I try. D':

Key: ... I have a feeling it'll be a lot harder this time...

Claire: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: *teasingly* well, you need to try harder. :P

Harry: It won't be any different. And you know it.

meanwhile

Sam: How? D':>

Key: Mn...

Claire: ...Come on, Key. We'll help you through this. <:/

meanwhile

Sarah: ...I dunno, you're the guy here. :P

Harry: Right. No moping. Be POSITIVE about this - PLEASE - being all sad and negative is MY job - I get paid a LOT of money just to hang around and glare at everything! D:>

meanwhile

Sam: But... you seem like you know what you're talking about. 8C

Key: *laughs a bit at this* Heh... I'll do my best...

Claire: :D

meanwhile

Sarah: ... ^^;

Harry: Thank you. |:)

*they arrive*

Harry: ALRIGHT, EVERYONE OUT! GET THIS CHARGER!

meanwhile

Sam: You suuuck. D:|

Soldiers: *carry the charger out of the truck and into Versailles*

Claire: *hops out of the truck with the others*

Key: *follows them out* ...So will we go talk to Todd NOW, or...?

meanwhile

Sarah: No, you. :P

Harry: Immediately. *heads for the Medical Room*

meanwhile

Sam: D8| ... NO YOU.

Key: *follows close behind him*

Claire: *isn't sure whether she should go or not... she goes with them anyway*

meanwhile

Sarah: ...no, YOU. XP

Harry: *enters the Medical Room with Key and Claire* Todd!

Todd: *lazily lifts his head up to look at Harry, Claire and Key, a frown on his face* ...

Harry: Hey. Claire and I heard what happened. That's... ah... in your words, "not cool, man".

Todd: ...

meanwhile

Sam: D8| HATE.

Claire: ... Todd, will you please talk to us?

Key: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: *scoffs, acting offended* Whaaat? You HATE me~? ;_;

Todd: ... Mh...

Harry: Todd, that's not talking. That's grunting. And you are not a caveman.

Todd: ... what do you want...?

Harry: ... Key, please explain to him what we want.

meanwhile

Sam: D8| YOUR WORDS.

Key: ...We want you to stop this... or at least try... you're hurting us just by being like this...

Claire: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: Well, FIIIIIINE! *flops back on the bed, sobbing dramatically*

Todd: ... Hurting...? No... This is helping you...

Harry: Helping! What - no. Wake up, Todd - since WHEN was being suicidal HELPING?

Todd: ...

meanwhile

Sam: But... ah... D:

Claire: You taking yourself out of the picture won't fix anything... you'll only be making it worse.

Key: ...you'd be leaving Sarah without a father... is that what you want?

meanwhile

Sarah: *props herself up on her elbows* Jeez, i was kidding.

up

Harry: Yeah, that... really was the worst thing they could say. I'm sorry again for this, Key...

meanwhile

Sam: ... had he taken his medicine when he was saying all this stuff?

Key: *looks at him again, her rage starting to fade, replaced by sorrow* ... I don't know what to do, Harry... he's convinced that this is the only way...

meanwhile

Sarah: ...no...

Harry: ... I'll talk to him, then.

meanwhile

Sam: Well, there we go. He goes nuts when he's not on those things, so maybe that's the only reason why he was thinking that way.

Key: Please do... he wouldn't listen to me... Sarah screamed at him and left... *laughs sadly* it's pretty bad...

meanwhile

Sarah: ...maybe... I dunno, Sam... *sighs* ...I just don't know anymore.

Harry: *gives her a friendly, one-armed hug* Hey. We'll fix him, alright?

meanwhile

Sam: <:( ... *hugs her again*

Key: *nods* Alright... I just hope he doesn't try anything else...

meanwhile

Sarah: *hugs him back* ...

Harry: Well, he won't after I'M through with - Oh, hey, I hear a Charger somewhere. Be ready. *readies his gun*

Soldiers: *look around wearily*

meanwhile

Sam: He'll get better... I know he will, Sarah...

Key: *readies her tranquilizer gun* ...

Claire: *looks around* ...

meanwhile

Sarah: *nods. he always got better. what made this time any different?* ...alright... I believe you... *sits up, bringing Sam up with her, but doesn't let go of him* ...thanks. Again. for like, the millionth time.

Harry: *watches carefully*

Soldiers: *listen and watch*

*there is a discomforting silence in the air*

meanwhile

Sam: *still hugging Sarah* Well, I'm your friend. X3

Key: *is extremely unsettled* ...

Claire: *continues to look around* ....

meanwhile

Sarah: That, you are. X) *ruffles up his hair with one hand*

Charger: ROOOOOOOOOOOO!! *charges and misses*

Everyone: DD8 !!!!????

meanwhile

Sam: *giggles when she does this*

Key: !!??

Claire: *waits until the charger slows down, then shoots it with a tranquilizer*

meanwhile

Sarah: Heheh. You're adorable, you know that? :P

Charger: *when it's hit, it turns around and practically gallops at them before slowing down and crashing face-first onto the ground*

Harry: Good work, Lieutenant. You're more competent, it seems, than our our soldiers.

meanwhile

Sam: Heeyy! I'm not "ADORABLE" - I'm AWESOME. >:D

Claire: *raises both eyebrows at him, obviously seeing the hidden insult* Thank you, Lieutenant.

Key: pfft... *shakes her head, feeling a little bit better--but only a little bit*

meanwhile

Sarah: Can't you be awesomely adorable? Or adorably awesome? XD;;

Harry: *walks over to the unconscious Charger and cures it* Alright, we're gonna need to work together to carry this guy onto the truck! He's gonna be pretty damn heavy! I want six soldiers carrying him, and I want two watching our back, two watching our sides, and two watching our front! Lieutenant Claire Gatzsky and I are going to lead, along with Mrs. Huntings. Understood? Is that too much to HANDLE for you idiots?

Soldiers: *shake their heads* D:

Harry: Then get to it!

Soldiers: *do*

*and so they walk back*

meanwhile

Sam: I can only be awesome. That's me. Awesome. And nothing else.

Key: *stays very quiet*

Claire: *follows with them, watching Key worriedly* ...

meanwhile

Sarah: Psh... Let's see if your "awesomeness" can save you from MY HUGS of DEATH? *squeezes him tightly* X3

Harry: *he glances at Key every once in a while, just as worried as Claire - perhaps more. Key was simply getting too much crap thrown at her. It seemed to be only a matter of time before she snapped - and it seemed to all be because of Todd*

Soldiers: *watch out for infected*

meanwhile

Sam: AHH!! OW OW OW - LEGGO! LEGGO!! D8

Key: *part of her doesn't want to go back there--she didn't want to have to face Todd again...*

Claire: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: Ahahaha! Not so awesome now, huh? XD

*they enter the truck, lugging the Charger with them. Then they drive*

Harry: ... So... a lot to deal with, huh?

Soldiers: *sit silently*

meanwhile

Sam: THIS IS CHILD ABUSE! DX

Key: I think that's a huge understatement...

Claire: ...We'll go talk to him when we get back...

Key: mnn...

meanwhile

Sarah: Pshhh. *loosens her grip on him*

up

Todd: *he watches Key leave* ... They just don't get it...

Doctor: ... Mr Huntings, if you had succeeded today in your suicide, you would have broken their hearts.

Todd: ... They would get over it...

meanwhile

Sma: *enters the room* Sarah, I saw you walking over here - you looked really angry. D:>

Me: Can't believe I'm saying this, but for the first time i my life, I want to punch Todd. Also, Sma? XD

Key: *walks over to where the other soldiers were gathering, putting on her armor and taking her guns, a gloomy look on her face. she was angry, hurt, and sad all at once, and it was starting to give her a headache*

meanwhile

Sarah: *tries to contain herself* I AM angry.

Me: Fuuu.

Harry: Hey, Key, what's... *he notices how despairing she looks* up...?

meanwhile

Sam: ... But why? D:>

Key: *wonders if she should tell him or not* ...I think I should tell you later...

meanwhile

Sarah: *flops back on the bed, staring angrily at the ceiling* Dad's being stupid.

Harry: ... Um... alright. <:/

*they enter the armored truck, and drive*

meanwhile

Sam: Stupid? How was he being stupid? D:

Key: *sits silently, staring at the ground, her despair growing*

meanwhile

Sarah: ...He tried to kill himself this morning.

Harry: *He KNOWS something's up, but fears asking Key, not wanting to be lashed out at*

meanwhile

Sam: WHAT?? D8>

Key: ...

Claire: *looks at Key, and shots Harry a questioning look, wondering if he knew*

meanwhile

Sarah: I KNOW, RIGHT?? *sits up* and then he tries to convince us that he doesn't deserve to live or some stupid crap like that. He was making NO SENSE, it was so POINTLESS and STUPID and just... GUUUHHHHH. *drops back on the bed with a frustrated groan* I really want to cry right now.

Harry: *shrugs at Claire sadly* <:/

meanwhile

Sam: D:> ... *he walks over to Sarah and hugs her on the bed*

Claire: *frowns, and looks at Key again, trying to think of what could possibly be wrong*

Key: ...

meanwhile

Sarah: *sniffles, ignoring the tears flooding her eyes again, and hugs Sam back* ...y-you're a big teddy bear, you know that?

Harry: *he looks down, at his feet. He did't know what was wrong, and yet somehow, Key's mood was dropping his*

meanwhile

Sam: *still hugging her* Yeah, well, that's the job description of being "Sam" <:(

Key: *glances up when he moves, then goes back to staring at the floor*

Claire: *having the both of them feeling down like that threatened to bring her mood down as well--she sighs and tries not to think about it* ...

meanwhile

Sarah: *hugs him more tightly* then I'm glad you're you, b-because I really need one right now...

*they eventually reach their destination and exit the truck*

Soldier: Hey, where's the one outdated-model-hunter, anyway?

Soldier: 2: Hah, y'know what? I bet he got completely emo about being an outdated-model, instead of like his cool French cousins -

Soldier: Haha, I bet he's struck in Versailles, slashing his wrists and writing poetry about it! XD

Harry: D8< !?

meanwhile

Sam: *hugs her just as tightly* ... C'mon, Sarah... just cry...

Claire: D:<!!

Key: *Completely snaps when she hears this. Furious beyond belief, she grabs the first soldier and throws him into the second one, and screams at them* YOU frackING IDIOTS DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!! You don't even CARE, DO YOU? It's rascist bastards like you that made him do that in the FIRST PLACE!! D8<

Claire: !!???

meanwhile

Sarah: *rests her head back on the bed and lets the tears flow, sobs wracking her entire body. she didn't care how cliché it sounded in her head, but her life SUCKED right now*

Soldier: *scrambling off the ground* W-wait, w-we didn't know he was actually -

Harry: Key, calm DOWN! D8>

Soldier 2: *terrified*

Soldiers: o___o;;;

meanwhile

Sam: I'm really sorry this happened...

Key: *turns to look at Harry, fury still burning in her eyes* They should have known better!! *directs the last two words back at the two soldiers, nearly screaming them at the terrified men*

Claire: D:> ....

meanwhile

Sarah: *nods, unable to speak through her sobs. she wishes it hadn't happened, that he hadn't tried to leave them--the fact that he was so WILLING only made her even more upset*

Harry: Well they didn't! They were just being IDIOTS, Key - PLEASE calm down! D8>

Soldiers: 0_______o;;;

meanwhile

Sam: ... Maybe you can taken talk to him? Like, later?

Key: *Believes the two soldiers deserved more punishment--but she had to follow orders. She glares at Harry, but says nothing, angry tears streaming down her face* ...

Claire: ... *turns to glare at the two soldiers, hoping that had (finally) learned their lesson. She barks orders to the rest of the soldiers, telling them to go hunt for infected*

meanwhile

Sarah: h-he won't listen... he d-doesn't CARE...

Harry: *He decides to stay close to Key. He doesn't quite understand what happened to upset her before, but he feels that he has a good idea of what might have happened* ... Key... did something happen to Todd?

Soldiers: *watch and listen carefully for infected*

meanwhile

Sam: ... he cares, Sarah... he's just stubborn. <:(

Key: *glares at him, then at the ground. if looks could kill, she would have burned a hole in the ground with her glare* ...T-Todd tried to kill himself this morning. He slit his wrists.

meanwhile

Sarah: TOO stubborn... s-starting to get on my nerves... he keeps saying we'd be better off without him, and that's completely untrue!!

Harry: Oh god...! Oh god, Todd wouldn't - why would - oh god, I'm so sorry, Key... D8>

meanwhile

Sam: ... He means well, Sarah... he doesn't want you guys getting hurt, I guess... you just gotta show him that helping you guys be safe doesn't have to mean killing himself. D:>

Key: *nods, still not looking at him. she mutters under her breath* Stupid soldiers need to learn to keep their damn mouths shut...

meanwhile

Sarah: He already KNOWS what he needs to do, he just needs to take his stupid pills, and he's perfectly fine!

up

Todd: ... F'been thinking 'bout it... been thinking 'bout it for a while, now... still think you can live without me... still think m'too dangerous...

Doctor: ...

Key: ...We already went through this, Todd... No matter how dangerous you think you are, we still love you...

Sarah: ...

Todd: *he sighs* That's the problem... even though m'dangerous, you love me... an'I can hurt you.

Doctor: ...

Key: But you haven't, that's the thing... Look. If any of us wanted you gone because you were dangerous, it would be Sarah. And she loves you just as much as I do, who knows, maybe even more.

Sarah: *seems to snap back into reality when her name is mentioned, and she stares at Todd. She hadn't left yet. wasn't that enough to convince him?*

Todd: ... you don't get it... it doesn't matter f'you love me or not... I don't wan'you getting hurt...

Doctor: *looks at Sarah*

Key: We're fine... we're here for YOU, Todd. We know the risk, and we don't care either.

Sarah: *gives the doctor a sad look before turning her attention back to Todd* ...

Todd: ... I really wish... you didn't love me s'much as you do...

Doctor: <:/ ...

Key: *is taken aback by this, and the hurt in her voice was obvious* ...H-How can you say that...?

Sarah: ...

Todd: ... I jus' think that you get how dangerous I've become... an' it's 'cuz love s'blinding you. I love you, Key, but... you don't understand why I need t'die...

Doctor: ...

Key: No, I don't understand. Because your reasons make no sense...!

Sarah: *looks away from Todd, staring at the floor. did he not love them enough, was that it?*

Todd: You're telling me, while at this moment I'm hearing VOICES IN MY HEAD DEMANDING ME TO KILL CROWE, that there is NO REASON I should die?? Not even for what I've DONE!?

Doctor: Calm down, Mr. Huntings! D:

Sarah: *finally snaps, and yells at him* Just SHUT UP, OKAY? You just keep giving the SAME STUPID REASON for EVERYTHING, and I'm SICK of hearing it!! OKAY, so you think you should die--WE DON'T CARE! We don't GIVE A CRAP because we LOVE YOU and YOU don't even SEE THAT! You just IGNORE IT, and give the SAME. DUMBASS. REASONS--! *is in tears by the end of this, looking absolutely furious--she turns and leaves the room before anyone can say anything, storming off down the hallway*

Key: *stands there, staring, frozen in shock*

Todd: *also stares, looking at where Sarah HAD been standing before she stormed off, silent*

Doctor: Buh... D8 ...

Key: *looks at the doctor, then at Todd, then at where Sarah had been standing. It wasn't normal for her to explode like that, not like her at all...* ...W-Well, now we know how SARAH feels about this... *gives Todd a sad look--did he understand NOW?*

meanwhile

Sarah: *continues down the hallway, fists clenched, looking at the floor, not seeing where she was going, just thinking about how STUPID her dad was being--he just needed to take his stupid pills and he'd be okay, didn't he GET THAT?*

Todd: *he continues staring at that empty space. His fingers curl up into a tightened grip around the bed sheets as the voices in his head screamed for his attention, demanding things, trying to trick him, to turn off his sense of reality. Sarah... she was wrong. She just didn't understand. All of them didn't understand. If he were to not kill himself, then he wished to at least be locked away in the asylum back home. Forever. But... he hadn't mentioned... it wasn't just him feeling like a danger to everyone. Todd feels sad. Unbearably sad. Knowing that he'd never look human again. Knowing that color was no longer available to him. Knowing that people shunned him - not just for what he did, but for what he IS. He longs for the days before the Apocalypse. a simpler time. A time when he didn't have to worry about taking anti-psychotics. When there was no such thing as an X-WD. When his hands, wiped clean after so many years, still stinks of death and destruction*

Doctor: ... uh...

Key: ... *feels defeated. Todd didn't understand. He just didn't get it* ...he should take his medicine...

meanwhile

Sarah: *storms all the way back to her room. she slams the door closed, drops onto her bed, grabs a pillow and screams into it, letting all her frustration towards her father come out all at once*

Todd: ...

Doctor: Er, right! Hang on, I'll go and, uh... *he walks over to retrieve Todd's anti-psychotics, then forces Todd to swallow a pill*

Todd: !? *he swallows the pill, and relaxes somewhat* ...

Key: ...I have to get ready to leave... *to the doctor* I'll be back... please make sure he... doesn't try anything again...

meanwhile

Sarah: *after she was done letting her frustration out, she throws the pillow against the wall and glares at it, as if everything was ITS fault. What a horrible way to start a day. She hoped Sam wouldn't come looking for her--she was afraid she'd snap at him*

Doctor: Don't worry - he's completely restrained. It's impossible for him to try anything.

Todd: ...

meanwhile

Sam: *knocks on the door*

Key: *nods, only somewhat reassured. She gives Todd one final, sad look before leaving the room*

Sarah: *groans, frustrated* Figures... *louder* COME IN... i guess...

up

Meanwhile, In The Medical Room

Todd: *having had a long night to think about it, Todd finally decides to end his own life. He manages to find a scalpel, and proceeds to slash his wrists. He then lays back down, feeling his energy drain quickly along with the blood. He was done. And he was happy*

Doctor: *At that moment, he comes in to check on Todd, and cries out in horror at what he finds* OH GOD - OH G - MR. HUNTINGS, WHY - ?? *he then quickly gets to work, helping Todd before he is lost*

Sarah: *wakes up after a few minutes* mmnn...

Key: Morning, kiddo... *sits up, and stretches* Come on, we gotta go visit your dad. :P

Sarah: *nods* Okay~ *gets up and gets dressed*

Key: *does the same, heading out to the med room with Sarah*

Doctor: *fixing Todd as best as he can, he manages to sew and tape his wounds shut, then he ties Todd's arms and legs down so that he doesn't do any more harm to himself. Finally, he sets up a drip for Todd, which fed blood into his body, replacing what he lost*

Todd: ... frack you... I was so close...

Key: *opens the door into the med room, and sees this. whatever smile she had on her face immediately vanishes* ...What's going on?

Sarah: ?? *is being blocked by her mother, who is standing in the doorway, and can't see* D:

Doctor: *sternly* ... he tried to kill himself. Slashed his wrists open. I found a bloody scalpel on the floor, which I'm guessing is what he used to do so.

Todd: *quietly whispering to the doctor* ... frack you, frack you, frack you...

Sarah: *hears this, and goes completely silent*

Key: *stares at the doctor in shock, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. Todd? Attempting suicide?!* Th-that's impossible... he'd never...!

Doctor: ... it could be somewhat caused from not taking his medicine yet, but... did he seem depressed to you, Mrs. Huntings? At all?

Todd: *he stares blankly at the doctor and Key, unable to see Sarah. He wished the doctor didn't tell them. Now they knew. Now they'd ask questions. Get upset.

Key: ...last night, I... i thought he seemed a little... off... *now feels extraordinarily guilty--if she had gone back into the room when she had the chance, she could have prevented this...*

Sarah: *stands and listens in a shocked silence*

Doctor; Was he saying anything strange? Acting oddly?

Todd: *continues staring blankly, still furious with the doctor*

Key: ...When I walked in last night, he looked... different... but as soon as he noticed I was there, he acted completely normal...

Sarah: ...

Doctor: ... I'm not a psychologist, but it seems to be that Mr. Huntings is depressed, and didn't want you to know. But... why?

Todd: ...

Key: *looks at Todd, hurt obvious in her eyes* ...that's a good question...

Sarah: ...

Doctor: ... Do you want to talk to him?

Todd: ...

Key: If he'll talk to me at ALL...

Sarah: ...

Doctor: Well, trying couldn't hurt... *he steps out of the way for Key*

Todd: *continues staring at her* ...

Key: ... *steps into the room, up to Todd's bed* ...

Sarah: *stays at the door, wondering if she was somehow at fault. she doesn't move, doesn't say anything* ...

Key: ...Well?

Doctor: *backs out of the room, giving them privacy*

Todd: *he was weak from his attempt - one could tell from his voice and lack of focus* ... "Well" what?

Key: ...What do you have to say for yourself? Why didn't you talk to us?

Sarah: ...

Todd: ... I didn't want you t'worry... figured that you'd try t'stop me...

Doctor: ...

Key: Of course we'd try to stop you, we don't want you dead! We talked about this already why would you DO this...? D:>

Sarah: ...

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Sam: Will puberty also make me taller?

Harry: It depends on if your height is more from my side than your mother's.

Claire: Either way, you'll end up a decent height. :P You take a lot after your father, though, so you may end up gaining his stature too. XP

Sam: I'll be a giant? ^^;

Harry: Maybe. I wouldn't call it being a "giant", though - you make me feel so inhuman! :P

Claire: Harry, stop it, you KNOW you're ridiculously tall. Not that I mind. :P But it's likely, Sam.

Sam: Yaaay! XD;

Harry: Hell, you'd probably start growing at about thirteen or fourteen. :P

Claire: *nods* You'll be taller than Sarah in no time. :P

Sam: I wanna be taller than Sarah! She's too tall! :D

Harry: No, you're just too SHORT! XD

Sam: You're also too tall... >___>

Claire: I think Sam's got you there. XD

Harry: Well... at least I can reach high shelves. XD;

Sam: Well, yeah. XD

Claire: Yay, convenience. We don't need to worry about ladders. :P

Harry: Or I can make a bridge. I'm sure I'd by long enough. :P

Sam: Or a slide! :D

Claire: *laughs a bit at this* How may ways could we use a tall guy? XD

Sam: Sixty-two! :D

Harry: That's a rather random number. :P

Sam: Nuh-uh, I counted. In my head. Just now.

Claire: Okay then, list them all. I'm curious to see what you came up with. :P

Sam: Well, sixty-one of them can be used as a step-ladder to the top of a skyscraper. The other one can be the one who constructs the stepladder. :D

Harry: ... XDDD

Claire: ... XDDD; Wow, Sam... just, wow.

Sam: Well I thought it was clever. XP

Harry: Yes, you are. XD Now maybe we should get some sleep. It's getting late.

Sam: Awww...

Claire: ... I don't know how easy that'll be for me. ^^;

Harry: Ah, right, because you got tranq'd... Well... try as best as you can. ^^; *he gets into bed*

Sam: *gets into his own bed* :)

Claire: *gets into bed with Harry, putting an arm over him* Goodnight, you two. :P

Harry: Goodnight. :)

Sam: G'night!

*they sleep*

*The next morning*

Key: *wakes up, a bit earlier than usual. she lays in bed for a while, not wanting to get up, waiting for Sarah to wake up first*

Sarah: *...*

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Todd: ^^; Well, you know a little more about him, now. Him and his dark and angsty past.

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Harry and Sam: *fully laughing now*

Sarah: I'll commit that to memory. :P

Key: Fun stuff... okay, Sarah, I think it's time we head out.

Sarah: Aw. D:

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Claire: *can't possibly blush any redder. she crosses her arms and looks away, pouting* Hrmph. >///////<;;;

Todd: Well alright then. So long, family, I'll just go bak to playing movies in my head. Movies with ninjas in them.

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Harry: *still laughing* Aww... we still love you, Claire... XDDDDD

Sam: *nods* XDDDDDDDD

Sarah: Because ninjas are awesome. :D *turns to leave* Bye dad!

Key: *waits for Sarah to leave* ...

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Claire: Uh-huh. Okay. X/////C;;;

Todd: Bye, Kiddo! :D ... *after Sarah leaves* Aren't you gonna go with her, Key? :/

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Harry: *hugs Claire* We do! XD

Sam: XD *hugs his mother as well*

Key: In a minute... I just want to know what's wrong.

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Claire: *lets out a long sigh* You could at LEAST stop laughing at me... XC

Todd: ... Nothing's wrong, Key... why do you think something's wrong? D:

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Harry: *ceases his laughter, still hugging Claire* O-okay... XD

Sam: XP

Key: ... *sighs* Fine... I'll see you tomorrow, Todd... *turns to leave*

meanwhile

Claire: Thaaank you. XP

Todd: :) ... *as soon as Key leaves, he drops the fake smile and lays back down on his side with a sigh* ...

meanwhile

Sam: Hug us back, Mom!

Harry: Yeah, hug us back, "Mom"!

Key: *can't help but continue to believe that something was WRONG... she almost turns around to go back into the room, but--*

Sarah: *is halfway down the hall* Mom, are you comin'? D:

Key: ? Yeah... yeah, I'm coming. *goes with her to their room*

meanwhile

Claire: *rolls her eyes, but hugs them both, squeezing them tightly* O-KAAAYYYY. XP

Todd: *trapped in a depressive slump, he stares blankly at the wall, thinking deeply about what it would mean to kill himself* ...

meanwhile

Harry: THERE we go! XD *hugs back*

Sam: *also hugs back, giggling*

Sarah: *goes into their room* So, why'd you take so long? :/

Key: I just had to ask your dad something.

Sarah: Oh. Um... okay. *figures it would be best not to ask, so she goes and gets ready for bed*

Key: *does the same*

meanwhile

Claire: *laughs, then kisses Harry on the cheek* <3

Harry: *smiles and kisses Claire on the lips*

Sam: Ew. No. Stop now. D;>

Claire: *laughs a little and kisses him back, still hugging both of them*

Harry: ... This is nice... :)

Sam: ... better than watching you guys kiss. XC

Claire: *laughs a bit at this* Well, that's what you get for laughing at me. :P *kisses the top of Sam's head*

Sam: Mmmmff. XC

Harry: Well, like I said before, Sam - one day, you won't find that sort of contact so disgusting.

Claire: Who knows, maybe someday you'll discover you actually LIKE it. XP

Sam: Nuh-UH! That'll always be super gross! D:|

Harry: *laughs at this* ... puberty says otherwise.

Claire: Pfft. No kidding. XP You'll find out, Sam.

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Todd: So then... so then. :D

Harry: So theeennn... we talk about something else. Sarah, how was Sam for you today? Pleasant?

Sarah: Yeah~ We played scrabble. Again. ^^;

Key: Who won?

Sarah: Me, of course. :P

Todd: Good girl. You show that kid who's boss. ;D

Harry: Well, it's a fifteen-year-old against a ten-year-old, of COURSE she'd win. XP

Key: Yeah, you've got a bit of an unfair advantage. :P

Sarah: Shh, I'm trying to enjoy my victory. :P

Todd: Enjoy it, then. ;D

Harry: Well, I need to see if Claire's woken up yet... goodbye, all. Glad to see you feeling better, Todd. *leaves*

Todd: Yeah, sure! :)

Key: Bye, Harry!

Sarah: ... XP

meanwhile

Claire: *moves slightly, starting to wake up*

Todd: ... You know, looking back, Harry's really improved ever since getting together with Claire and having Sam...

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Harry: *enters his room*

Sam: Hey Dad! I think Mom's waking up! :D

Harry: *smiles and walks over to the bedside, touching the side of Claire's face*

Key: *nods* I agree. I think he just needed people to care about, you know? A family of his own.

Sarah: :/?

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Claire: mmh... *just barely opens her eyes, and looks at Harry* ...heyy... still numb...

Todd: ... and proof that no matter what he may have thought, he is NOTHING like his father.

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Harry: Eheh... those idiot soldiers, right?

Key: Exactly.

Sarah: ...I definitely missed something.

Key: It's a bit of a long and scary story, Sarah...

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Claire: seriously... who did it?

Todd: Well, we already told her about Harry having an abusive father...

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Harry: I didn't exactly see, but I'm pretty sure it was Hodges - he was the most panicked when I started screaming at them.

Sam: Well, you ARE scary when you're angry, Dad...

Sarah: Yeah, I remember THAT...

Key: Well, yeah, but... *shakes her head* Never mind.

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Claire: How long have I been out...? *flexes her hands* Hooray, I can feel my limbs...

Todd: No, no, she has the right to know - Harry thought that if he were to somehow have a kid (which he did), he would end up being abusive, just like his father. This was further driven into his head when we MET his father, and Harry ended up MURDERING him.

meanwhile

Harry: Oh, a few hours. What's it like getting tranq'd?

Sam: Was it weird? D:

Sarah: D8 ....

Key: Well, in his defense, the man was threatening to kill US first, so it was TOTALLY self defense... >_>;;

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Claire: REALLY weird... everything was really fuzzy for a while... then less fuzzy... still a little fuzzy...

Todd: ... It was especially bad, though, since Harry was claiming to have gone to another world the day before. Swear to god. I seriously thought he'd gone insane.

meanwhile

Harry: Did you have any weird drug-induced dreams? XP

Sam: XD

Sarah: ... o_______o;;;

Key: ...Yeah, that's how we reacted too. But you know, Stress can get to you sometimes. And you saw how he turned out. :P

Sarah: Yeahh... ^^;

meanwhile

Claire: No. Not really... maybe... >_>

Todd: ... I hope he doesn't still think about that place, though...

meanwhile

Harry: Oh god, what was it? XD

Sam: XDDDDD

Key: If he does, he hasn't mentioned it...

Sarah: ...What kind of place was it?

meanwhile

Claire: ...Do I HAVE to share? >___>;; *manages to push herself up into a sitting position, but is still a bit wobbly*

Todd: Oh gosh, let's see, uhhhh... it's been a while since he told us about it... like... there were talkiong animas, I think. He mentioned talking animals, right Key?

meanwhile

Harry: You have to share. I carried you to this bed. You have no choice.

Sam: XDDDD;

Key: Yes, yes he did. And something about a raccoon.

Sarah: ... >_>;

meanwhile

Claire: mmhhh.... Okay, there was a giant mountain. Of paperwork. Like, Everest-sized. And I had to climb it. There were zombies--like, hollywood-zombies, not infected, and for some reason I cannot explain, I was on a unicorn. <__<;

Todd: ... and a cartoon character tried to kill him. I dunno. You'd have to ask him if you want a more detailed version of it.

meanwhile

Harry: *trying not to laugh. And failing* A-A unicorn? XDDDD

Sam: *is already laughing* XDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Sarah: ...I think I'm good... D:

Key: ^^;

meanwhile

Claire: *her face reddens* Sh-shut up! The unicorn was on fire! It was awesome! D////:<

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Harry: Seriously! The Jockeys are pretty decently sized targets, and they missed it completely! I'm seriously glad that only ONE tranq hit, or else she might've OD'd! And if THAT happened, you can bet your @$$ I'm firing the sonsa-b-word-that-you-can't-say-Sam responsible!

Sam: D: *he walks over to his mother and hugs her* 'Least she's getting a nice nap.

Harry: Well, that's what I think, too.

Claire: *...*

Sarah: Yeah... oh, I should probably go find mom, tell her you guys are back...

Harry: Right. And at some point I'd like to see Todd. Then wait for Claire to wake up. Then spend time with Sam. D:

Sam: Yay! :D

Sarah: *whistles* Quite an agenda. D: You can come with now, if you want--she might already be visiting Todd. :/

Claire: *...*

Harry: Right then! D:

Sam: I'll stay with Mom in case she wakes up, Dad.

Harry: Good boy. *he quickly leaves, headed to the Medical Room*

meanwhile

Todd: *lays on his side, frowning. He wanted to just end himself, but his family prevented him from doing ANYTHING...*

Sarah: D:! *follows after Harry*

meanwhile

Key: *walks into the med room and finds Todd like that--which is unusual* ...Todd?

Harry: *walks over to the Medical Room*

meanwhile

Todd: !!?? *he immediately sits up, and gives Key his best grin* Heeyyy Key, what's up? :D

Sarah: *walks with him*

meanwhile

Key: *isn't convinced* ... Todd, are you okay? <:/

Harry: *walking* So he's doing better?

meanwhile

Todd: Yeah, sure, I'm okay. :D ... Why?

Sarah: Yeah, his lung's doing okay and he isn't all that sad anymore. :)

meanwhile

Key: ... *grabs a chair and sets it down near his bed, sitting down* You didn't look okay when I walked in... Do you have something you want to tell me?

Harry: Well that's really good news. :D

meanwhile

Todd: Well, uh -

Harry: walks in with Sarah* Hey, Todd! <:D

Todd: *happy for the interruption* Hey, Harry! Hey, Sarah! :D

Sarah: Hey dad! :D

Key: *sighs--there went her chance* Hey Harry. How'd the mission go?

Sarah: Harry discovered that his soldiers have horrible aim. D:

Harry: A group of ten soldiers, and every single one of them miss a Jockey who was riding Claire - one of the idiots shot HER instead! DX

Todd: Ooohh... and those tranqs must be especially nasty for HUMANS. D;

Key: Thank god they weren't using bullets... D;

Sarah: Oooh, yeah... that could've been REALLY bad... D:

Key: Well at least all we have to do is wait for her to wake up...

Harry: Which will take FOREVER. DX

Todd: Better than not waking up at all, Harry. :P

Key: I'm pretty sure those soldiers will be getting a scolding soon. XP

Sarah: *snickers at the thought of Claire yelling at grown men like they were children* pfft...

Harry: From the BOTH of us, thank you.

Todd: I wanna see that. :D

Sarah: I kinda wanna see too. :D

Key: *rolls her eyes* Of course you would... Heheh, It'd be quite a sight, though...

Todd: Well, we see Harry yelling all the time - I just wanna see CLAIRE yell, she NEVER yells. ;D

Harry: Can we NOT discuss this...? D;

Sarah: *snickers*

Key: *smiles a bit* Yeah, yeah, okay. :P

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