Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: *he looks up from the blank sheet of paper he seemed so focused on, and stares blankly at Sarah and Sam - any grip on reality he had before had quickly vanished* Mnn, yeah. Welcome... welcome back... *he walks over - more like DRAGS HIS FEET over to Sarah, still seemingly staring at her with those empty sockets. His fingers were twitching* Sarah, I... I think I know how to... keep you safe now... you won't... have to feel anymore pain...

Sam: *he gets a very bad feeling about Todd - the man seemed very OFF, like he wasn't really there*

Sarah: *gets the same bad vibe, and takes a half-step away from her father* Dad... did you take your medicine today...? D:>

Todd: ... that doesn't matter, Sarah, not when I can finally end your suffering... be a good father...

Sam: He didn't... he didn't take... DB *is scared now - VERY scared. This was the man - THE man that killed many children without remorse*

Sarah: *very quietly* S-Sam... Sam, you need to go... like, right now...! D:>

Sam: Come with me - Come with me RIGHT NOW! D8>

Todd: *tenses his claws* No...! No, don't take her - she needs this - NEEDS THIS!! *he suddenly swipes at them, completely delusional*

Sarah: AAHHH! *backsteps and pulls Sam back with her, away from Todd. grabbing his arm, she turns and runs for the door* D8>

Todd: *he's still quick for his age - he manages to block their path, which causes Sam to shriek in terror* OHHH, NO NO NO NO NOOO... YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, SARAH... this... this is... TO HELP YOU...!

Sam: Oh my god - oh god oh no - oh gghhffhh...!! DDDB>

Sarah: *backs away, looking around desperately for any means of escape--he was faster than them, he'd beat them to the windows...* S-Sam, we need to get out of here...

Sam: *is having a panic attack and can't respond to her* uhh-hhuhhgod...!

Todd: Don't be so afraid... I'm helping you Sarah... you know I love you... *he steps closer to them* I'd never EVER do anything to you that wasn't good for you...

Sarah: *keeps backing away from him, until she backs into a table* D-D-Dad...! D8>

Todd: *he stops and smiles at Sarah with a sort of loving warmth one could expect from Todd* ... Yes, Sarah?

Sam: *he's silently weeping in fear*

Sarah: *glances at Sam and tightens her grip on his hand before speaking again* M-May I ask w-w-why you think this is a good idea? B-Because I don't think it's a good idea.

Todd: *his smile widens* I don't want to see you hurt is all. You may not be in school anymore, but people on the streets CAN and WILL hurt you... so I'm making sure they never hurt you again.

Sam: *he remembers through his tears that he has a cell phone - he could call his parents!* !

Sarah: *glances at Sam again* wwwwellll.... what if you just let me stay in here? then I don't have to worry about anyone trying to hurt me, because it'd be just you and me and mom. D:

Todd: *shakes his head* They can get anywhere... WATCHING...

Sam *reaches for his pocket, touching his phone*

Sarah: *glances at him again and sees what he's doing, and loosens her grip on his arm so he can move away* Well, you could protect me, right? you love me, you can do it.

Todd: I can't... I'm not good enough to protect you...

Sam: *glances at his phone so he's able to call his mom and dad's office number*

Sarah: yes you are, dad... no one's ever hurt me while i'm home, you've been doing a great job of protecting me. D:

Sam: *he sneaks into another room while the phone rings* <___<;

Todd: *doesn't notice* I don't just want you to not hurt at home... I want you to never hurt AGAIN...! *suddenly lunges at Sarah, swiping at her - trying to get a fatal hit on her*

meanwhile

Harry: *notices the phone ringing* ? *picks it up* Hello? Sam? What's... *his his expression slowly turns to horror* Oh god. Hang on, we'll be right there, alright?? We'll get there as fast as we can! Bye! D: *he hangs up and turns to Claire* Todd didn't take his medicine. He's trying to kill Sarah.

Sarah: AAAH!! *ducks under his swipe and hides under the table, kicking one of the chairs towards Todd--she needed to stall as long as possible...* D8>

meanwhile

Claire: *her horror mirrors Harry's, and she immediately stands from her desk* Why are we still standing here?? D:> *rushes out the door with Harry*

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Sam: *is taken aback by her constant increase in volume. He speaks quietly to her* ... I'm sorry, Sarah...

Sarah: *only then realizes how loud she had gotten* Sorry... And you don't need to apologize, it's not your fault.

Sam: Well, I told you to tell him about the bullies...

Sarah: He would've found out eventually, don't worry about it... dude, I'm trying to steer the blame AWAY from you, just take the opportunity. XP

Sam:... Eheh... alright. ^^;

Sarah: Heh... I guess it works out okay, though... i mean, we ARE getting shipped off to Europe in a while, so...

Sam: ... Right... Europe... do you think it'll really be as safe as my mom and dad think it'll be?

Sarah: If it's not, I'm gonna be pissed and my dad'll never hear the end of it... so yeah, it better be. >:/

Sam: They're gonna be kinda like... superheroes, huh? They'll be slowly saving the world...

Sarah: Uhuh. And we'll be the kids of the superheroes... that get to sit there and be bored. XC

Sam: Better then being without them, or having our faces eaten. >_>;

Sarah: Gooooood point. I guess. :P

Sam: I always make good points. XP

Sarah: Not always. :P

Sam: Oh okaayy... XP So, uh... is your dad still mad?

Sarah: I dunno... we didn't really talk much when we got home. You can stay outside if you want to. <:/

Sam: But I wanna be with you if he starts YELLING at you again - I'm your friend! D:>

Sarah: Okay... just a warning though... he can get kinda scary.

Sam: H-he... he wasn't so scary BEFORE... I'll be fine.

*they arrive at the house*

Todd: *he was sitting at the kitchen table, staring at a blank piece of computer paper*

Sarah: *opens the door for her and Sam* Hey, dad. We're here.

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Todd: *when she speaks, his tone, his stance, his expression - his EVERYTHING softens - he sensed how scared she was - scared of HIM...* I'm sorry, Sarah... yeah, let's go home.... *he offers her his hand, but assumes she won't take it anyway*

Sarah: *looks at his hand for a moment, before hopping off the bed and mumbling something about getting her backpack from her classroom. she walks past him, and out of the office, headed for her classroom*

Todd: *he waits for her, thinking over what had happened in the last thirty minutes* ...

Sarah: *comes back after a few minutes, bag slung over one shoulder* ... m'ready...

Todd: Alright. *he heads tothe front of the office, fills out the papers he needs to fill out, then heads home with Sarah*

Sarah: *walks along quietly, trying not to think about what had just happened--she was scared she'd start yelling at her dad, and she KNEW that wouldn't end well...*

*the entire walk is a silent one. Then they arrive at the house*

Todd: *opens the door for Sarah* ...

Sarah: *goes inside and puts her bag down where she usually does, then remembers something* Oh... forgot about Sam...

Todd: But we came home early - his school doesn't let out until much later.

Sarah: I know... Can I still go out to meet him...?

Todd: ... yes. Just be careful out there.

Sarah: *nods* Okay... *goes quiet again. she has no clue what to talk about now... so she heads upstairs, to her room*

Todd: *he doesn't stop her. Instead, he goes to his and Key's bedroom. From there, he laid in bed, studying the written facts on his bottle of anti-psychotics, not really thinking*

Sarah: *goes to sit on the roof like she had the night before, now bored half to death. she tried to entertain herself by watching people walk by, but no one was out at this time of day... she sighed. she'd rather be at school than be this bored. at least school gave her something to do...*

Todd: *he sighs, wondering when Key would get get home. Then he notices that his bottle of anti-psychotics was empty* ... uh oh.

Sarah: ... *decides to leave a little earlier than usual, running across the rooftops to Sam's school--she'd get to run into him right as he got out of class rather than halfway down the road*

*later, Sam's school lets out, and Sam starts walking to Sarah's house*

Sarah: *intercepts him right as he's leaving school, and jumps off a nearby building to land right near him* Hey, Sam...

Sam: Ah! D8 ... Are you okay, Sarah? You don't sound too good...

Sarah: ...m'okay, I guess... I told dad yesterday.

Sam: ... how did that go...? D:>

Sarah: *gets louder and louder until she's practically yelling at the end* He freaked out. Obviously. And he came to school with me today to talk to the principal... and some MORON decides today would be a GREAT day to beat me up, so they DID, and I ended up in the freaking nurse's office, and they called my DAD in, and he SCREAMED at the principal, and NOW, I'm probably the first ever freshman high-school DROPOUT! MY LIFE SUCKS RIGHT NOW.

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Todd: I'd appreciate it if those kids - and I don't care HOW many - I would just think it would be nice if they were suspended or something for what they've done - they were HURTING her - they were HURTING Sarah! *his voice raises a bit* What kind of kid DOES that??

Mr. Nelson: *raises his voice to match Todd's, though it's more out of fear than anything else* Kids who are scared, Mr. Huntings! Kids who're scared of something they don't know about, and try to find something to vent their fears on. And I'll have you know, we HAVE been suspending kids, handing out detentions, demerits! We're doing our best.

Todd: Well your "best" isn't helping her! What the hell am I supposed to do, just sit and hope she comes home without any bruises??

Mr. Nelson: I don't know what you want us to do, Mr. Huntings. We can't suspend every single student that gives her a funny look-- *is cut off by the phone ringing. he picks it up and motions to Todd to wait for a moment while he listens* Yes? ....Alright. *hangs up* Mr. Huntings, I think you'll want to be coming with me right now. *stands up from the desk, headed for the door*

Todd: *wrinkles his nose in annoyance. Still, he follows the man out*

Mr. Nelson: *leads Todd to the nurse's office*

Sarah: *is sitting on the edge of one of the beds, holding an ice pack to her cheek. she looks up when the door opens, but immediately looks down when she sees who it is* ...

Todd: *his heart skips a beat when he sees Sarah there, hurt yet again. Then all his shock blackens into rage, and he practically SCREAMS at the principal* YOU SEE THIS?? THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!! THIS!!

Mr. Nelson: !!!!

Sarah: D-Dad, stop, It's not his fault!! D:>

Todd: *he restrains himself from hitting the principal in any way - because his hoodie was sleeveless, one could easily spot his muscles tense. He speaks through his teeth* What should I do. Mister. Nelson.

Mr. Nelson: *stammers when he speaks, genuinely afraid of Todd* I... I-I don't know M-Mr. Huntings. The only thing you c-could do would be to p-pull her out of school...1

Sarah: !! *looks at Todd pleadingly. would he be desperate enough to keep her out of harm's way that he would TAKE that option?!* D:>

Todd: ... *flatly* Fine. She won't go here anymore.

Sarah: WHAT?

Mr. Nelson: *gives Todd a surprised look--he really hadn't been expecting that answer* ...W-Well then. You can find withdrawal forms in the main office. Good luck, Mr. Huntings. >:/ *leaves the nurse's office*

Todd: *his nose scrunches up again - this time in disgust* ...@$$... looks like you're out of here, Sarah.

Sarah: But WHY?! Dad, you're just overreacting, you didn't need to DO that!! D8

Todd: Overreacting to these stupid kids HURTING YOU for god-knows how long?? THIS was overreacting??

Sarah: YES, yes it was! D:<

Todd: THE HELL DO YOU THINK WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THEY SERIOUSLY HURT YOU?? LIKE, SOMETHING WORSE THAN BRUISES?? WHAT THEN??

Sarah: *goes quiet in defiance. or was it because she really didn't know? maybe it was because she was scared. either way, she didn't answer him* ...

Todd: I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT HOSPITAL BILLS WILL DESTROY US, SARAH - WE'RE BARELY ABLE TO SCRAPE BY NOW!! AND IF THERE'S ANY WAY IN WHICH I CAN STOP YOU FROM GETTING HURT, AND IF THAT WAY MEANS PULLING YOU OUT OF THE SCHOOL, THEN SO BE IT!!

Sarah: *isn't even looking at him anymore. she can't, WON'T argue with him. there'd be no point, since he was basically right about every single little thing--she's lost* okay, okay, I get it, dad... can we just go home now?

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Todd: So which class do you have first? I'll be going to the office, so, y'know. Yeah.

Sarah: English... Pretty easy...

Todd: Well, good luck with that - this is where we part, Sarah. I'll see you after school.

Sarah: Okay, bye... *watches Todd go down the hall until he was out of sight, then bolts off in the opposite direction, to her classroom. she really didn't need any unwanted interruptions today*

Todd: *walks to the office, still ignoring any stares the student may be giving him. They were AFRAID of him - he could hear what they were whispering to each other*

Secretary: *looks up, and is a bit startled by his appearance there* Oh. Hello, how may I help you?

Todd: My daughter is experiencing a bullying problem at this school. Would it be alright if I were to speak to the principal about this, or is the principal too busy?

Secretary: I'll see if he's available... *picks up the phone and dials. she casts wary glances at Todd as she talks over the phone* Mr. Nelson, there's someone here who wants to see you. Mr. Huntings, sir. *pauses* ...Yes, that Mr. Huntings. *pauses* It's about his daughter, sir... Alright. *hangs up* He'll see you now. *points off to the side* Go down this hall, he's the first door on the right. :/

Todd: *he he had any eyes to roll, he would have just for that conversation the secretary had. He nods to the woman* Thank you. *he walks down to the principal's office and enters it* Hiya.

Mr. Nelson: *is sitting behind the desk* Hello, Mr. Huntings. Please, sit down.

Todd: Alrighty then. *he sits down in the chair, facing the principal, his hands neatly held together on his lap* So... uh... right, so my daughter is having a bullying issue at school.

Mr. Nelson: *watches him warily* Yes, I've had to deal with it multiple times myself... I assume you're here because the problem hasn't been solved. :/

Todd: Yeah, actually - I found out yesterday that they were physically assaulting her, and, uh, I got upset. Just a little though, don't worry. Is there ANY way to stop these bullies from touching her?

Mr. Nelson: We've been doing as much as we can, Mr. Huntings. The problem is that it's not the same kids every time.

Todd: How many different kids have been doing this to her? Do you know? D:>

Mr. Nelson: I'm sad to say I've lost count... sometimes it's not too serious, maybe some yelling, but we had to actually break up a fight at one point... the last incident was about a week ago. When did you say she told you about this?

Todd: Just... just yesterday...

Mr. Nelson: Hmm... perhaps she didn't want to worry you. No one from the school called to tell you about this?

Todd: No. No one did. *his voice turns bitter* Why not? >:/

Mr. Nelson: *becomes a bit nervous from Todd's tone of voice* I...I don't know, to be quite honest. I'll have to talk to the guidance counselor in charge of making those calls to see what went wrong.

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Todd: Goodnight... XP *he takes his tranquilizer, and gets into a comfortable position in the bed*

Key: *puts an arm over him, and quickly falls asleep*

Todd: *falls asleep as well*

THE NEXT MORNING

Todd: *still asleep*

Key: *gets up at her usual time, and goes to get ready*

Todd: *still very much asleep,mumbling incoherently to himself*

Key: ... *goes over to the bed and kisses Todd on the cheek before leaving the room, going downstairs, and heading to work*

Todd: *smiles a little in his sleep when Key does this*

*later*

Todd: *now waking up, he gets ready for the day, showering, putting on clean clothes and whatnot*

Nothing significant: *happens*

Todd: *walks downstairs* ... good morning, Sarah. *wonders how she may feel about him after yesterday*

Sarah: *is sitting at the table already, picking at her food. she doesn't seem hostile at all, she only looks tired* good morning...

Todd: *sounds down across from her at the table* ... So... uh... ready for school? I'm going with you today, remember?

Me: *sits? XD

Sarah: Yeah, I know... I'm ready whenever you are.

Todd: Alright then. *he quickly grabs a roll of bread and eats it* Now I'm ready. Let's go. *he opens the front door for Sarah*

Sarah: *grabs her backpack, and goes out the door, waiting for Todd outside before heading down the street*

Todd: *walks with Sarah, glancing around every now and then to make sure there was no one suspicious around*

Sarah: *walks along quietly, keeping her head down. no doubt no one would be coming after her today, not with her dad around...*

*they walk all the way to Sarah's school*

Teens: *stare at Todd and Sarah as they walk*

Todd: *refuses to look at them*

Sarah: *glances around nervously. there went any chance of her staying under the radar--ever*

Todd: *whispers - almost HARSHLY to Sarah* You don't look at them either!

Teens: *continue to stare*

Sarah: !! *looks back at the ground*

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Todd: Damnit, Sarah - we've already TALKED about this! Whatever comes, we'll be ready, alright? All we need to do is CURE them! Not KILL them - we're not WRESTLING with them!

Sarah: Then if it's that SIMPLE, why do they need you to go in the first place?!

Todd: To feel human again!! D8<

Sarah: ! *goes silent. She knew that was why he wanted to go, she had figured that much out herself... she just didn't know HOW MUCH he wanted it until right then* ...

Todd: *he stares at his daughter (at least, as best as he could without eyes), silent, unmoving* ...

Sarah: *now feeling a bit guilty and somewhat selfish, she finds that she can't hold his invisible gaze and she looks down and away from him* ...I'm sorry, dad... I should've... *goes quiet again. she really SHOULD'VE tried to step into her father's shoes, tries to see the situation from his perspective* ...I feel kinda stupid now, I'm sorry...

Todd: ... *he pulls her into a one-armed hug* Well... you're not stupid. And you're not selfish. I get why you don't want to go there, Sarah... why you don't want US to go there... you don't have to be sorry.

Sarah: *hugs him with both arms* It's just... I lost you already... I don't want that to happen again...

Todd: It won't. I promise. Now let's get down from this roof and go to bed, shall we?

Sarah: *sniffles a bit* Alright. *tightens her hug for a moment, before letting go of Todd and swinging herself back over the edge of the roof and back into her room*

Todd: *swings into Sarah's room as well, and opens the door out into the hallway* ...

Sarah: ...g'night, dad. <:(

Todd: *looks back at Sarah and gives her a warm, sad smile. He walks over to her and hugs her again - this time with both arms, and tightly* .... goodnight, Sarah. I love you.

Sarah: *returns the hug equally, burying her face in Todd's shoulder* I love you too, dad...

Todd: *he rubs her back a little before letting go and walking out the door, gently shutting it behind him. He then walks over to his and Key's bedroom, entering it*

Sarah: ... *changes out of her clothes and goes to bed*

meanwhile

Key: *had already showered and changed and such, and was just getting into bed* Oh hey... how did it go? <:(

Todd: I think she understands now. Mmf. It's late. I'll shower in the morning, *he takes off his hoodie and pants, leaving only underwear and a muscle shirt, and gets into bed* also, frack nightwear.

Key: pfft... good night, Todd...

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Todd: ...Buuut...

Key: *sighs* I'm worried about Sarah, alright?

Sarah: <:(...

Todd: Harry's bringing SAM along... I think he's prepared for Sarah's safety as well.

Key: ...

Sarah: *looks at Key, almost begging her to say no*

Key: *looks at Sarah, and understands, but she knows exactly why Todd wants to go--and she knows she won't be able to convince him otherwise* ...Alright. Okay. We'll go.

Sarah: D:>!!!

Todd: Alright, I'm glad. Thank you, Key. This... it means a lot to me. <:)

Key: I know. That's why I said yes. <:)

Sarah: D:>... *runs upstairs, to her room, slamming the door behind her. she couldn't believe it--they were WILLINGLY going back into the hell they had escaped eighteen years ago, and for WHAT? So dad could have his moment in the spotlight?*

Key: *watches her run off* ... <:(

Todd: *watches her run off as well* ... <:( Should I go talk to her?

Key: You should... We don't want her going to sleep like that... I'll be upstairs, okay? <:( *goes upstairs, past Sarah's room, straight to theirs*

meanwhile

Sarah: *has locked the door, and slammed the window open. she couldn't believe it, she could NOT believe it! how could they be so selfish? she wonders whether or not she should escape to the roof--maybe she just needs some air, calm down a bit... she sighs, and climbs out of the window, pulling herself up onto the roof and sitting down, letting her legs dangle over the edge. it just wasn't right, wasn't fair...*

Todd: ... *he heads over to Sarah's room, knocking softly. Seeing as no one was answering, Todd then tried opening the door. Locked. Todd frowned. Walking out of the house, he notices the window to Sarah's room open, and smiles sadly to himself. Todd climbed up the house, and - with a grunt - onto the roof next to Sarah* ... Hey. <:/

Sarah: *looks up at him for a moment, then back over the rooftops* ...hey.

Todd: Are you mad at us, Sarah?

Sarah: *takes a deep breath before answering* Juuuust a little bit.

Todd: Without yelling at me, could you tell me why you're so angry at us for our decision?

Sarah: I dunno if i can do it without yelling.

Todd: Okay then, DO yell at me.

Sarah: *looks at him. she doesn't WANT to yell at him, so she tries her best to restrain herself* I'm mad because you're putting me AND mom in danger, just 'cuz you wanna somehow "make up for what you did," or something! I mean... YEAH, I get why you wanna go, but why do we ALL have to leave??

Todd: Well... your mother is also Harry's friend, Sarah... I'm sure he would want her to come along as well... which would mean you'd be living on your own - which is NOT okay... and... well... I don't want to be away from you for so long.

Sarah: So you'd risk us all dying, then? You'd be out all the time, trying to FIX that whole mess somethow, I wouldn't see you anyway-- look, what if we all go, and then you two somehow get killed?? I'd STILL be alone, wouldn't I??

Todd: We WON'T get killed, Sarah. We're experienced enough.

Sarah: You never know! What if something comes out of nowhere, some crazy, freaky infected that no one's ever seen--these things've had EIGHTEEN YEARS to get bigger and freakier, dad! EIGHTEEN YEARS! And you guys-- you told me you had problems dealing with then after only a few WEEKS!!

up

*there is a knock at the door*

Todd: ... *he goes over and opens it* Sam.

Sam: Hey, my mom and dad are here, so... bye. D:

Todd: ... goodbye, Sam.

Sarah: *waves from where she was standing* Bye, Sam... <:/

Harry: Hi and bye, Sarah, Todd.

Todd: Mhm.

*they leave*

Todd: *turns to Sarah* Now we wait for your mother to get home, since we need to discuss going to Europe.

Sarah: Wait--you're still thinking about that?? D:>

Todd: It's a big decision o think about.

Sarah: I know that, but I just don't want to see you or mom get killed! It's not gonna be the same as it was here, you know that, right??

Todd: I'm fully aware of that, Sarah. It's NOT like here, which is why we need to help fix it.

Sarah: They've had eighteen years to mutate, dad... what if there's nothing left?

Todd: There's GOT to be something left - we've GOT to try!

Sarah: But what can we do, huh? Are Sam and mom and I just gonna sit on our butts and do nothing? or are you dragging us all out there too?

Todd: Well, your mom's still able to fight, I bet, but yeah, you and Sam will stay in whatever safe area there is, or WILL be. D:

Sarah: *does not like the idea of being cooped up in a room for weeks on end... then again, being around highly-dangerous infected didn't sound so good either* ...mhhh...

Todd: Well, Sarah, at least you'd be with Sam - and not kids at your school.

Sarah: *mumbled* Yay, more running from the problem...

Todd: Well, I AM talking to the principal. Or the councilor. Or SOMEONE. Either way, it's not running. You've told me, so I'll deal with it. *snorts* I wonder what's holding Key up. She's probably working late.

Sarah: *sounding somewhat dejected* She always works late, dad...

Todd: Well, I meant later then usual. >:/

Sarah: mmf...

Key: *comes into the house, almost on-cue* Hey, guys... sorry I'm late, had a bit of extra clean-up to do...

Todd: Hey, not a problem, Key. By the way, have you made your decision on that whole Europe thing? Because if you think "no", I'm willing to debate, if you're not too tired.

Key: ...I'm still not sure, Todd... I'm starting to lean just a little bit towards yes, but...

Sarah: D:>!!

Todd: But?

Key: ... *glances at Sarah*

Sarah: D:>....

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Todd: When?? TODAY??

Sarah: *is startled by the sudden change in volume* N-No..! I-It was a while ago! D:>

Todd: AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T HELPED YOU??

Sarah: *unconsciously takes a step back* Th-They have, the kids are just too stupid to stop! D:>

Todd: *huffs, growling* I'm going to have to talk to someone about this, Sarah - why would you keep this from me??

Sarah: Because I thought I could outrun them...

Todd: What?? THAT'S your reason why you couldn't tell me that SOMEONE WAS HURTING YOU??

Sarah: I thought I could deal with them, dad! I thought they's at least be smart enough to STOP when the school told them to... and i just assumed they'd CALL you or something...

Todd: Well THEY DIDN'T, and SOMETHING needs to be done with whoever's bullying you. TOMORROW. I'm going to walk with you to school tomorrow, Sarah, and I'm going to talk to the principal about this! D8<

Sarah: You really don't have to, it's not that bad... D:>

Todd: WELL, WHO KNOWS?? YOU COULD BE HIDING HOW BAD IT IS FROM ME! JUST LIKE HOW YOU HID THEM HURTING YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE!! I'M GOING, TOMORROW, SARAH - YOU CANNOT CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE! D8<

Sarah: *stares wide-eyed at her father, actually feeling afraid of him--scared enough to be looking for somewhere to run* D8> ....

Todd: *he notices how scared Sarah looks, and his angry expression melts away* ... Sarah... I'm sorry for yelling, but those... those kids shouldn't get away with that. Not to you. Not while I'M your father.

Sarah: *very quietly, but still loudly enough so Todd can hear her* But that's why they do it... b-because of you...

Todd: What do you mean because of me?

Sarah: Because it's you, dad! D:>

Todd: So wait, they're beating YOU up because of what I did?? How is THAT fair?? No - I'm still talking to the principal. That's still not at ALL okay!

Sarah: nhh... fine. FINE! I just have a feeling it'll only get worse...

Todd: No it won't, Sarah, don't be ridiculous.

Sarah: mmh... *looks back over at the door, wondering if Sam had been picked up yet* ...

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