Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: ... I like the rain...

meanwhile

Harry: ... we did. We... we have each other... *he looks away from her* ... I knew him for so long... and Key... she's saved my @$$ more than once... oh GOD, why are we TALKING ABOUT THIS now??

Sarah: ... *nods* I do too.

Key: ... *sits down on the edge of the bed*

meanwhile

Claire: *puts a hand on his cheek* Hey, calm down... we're trying not to think about this, remember? D:>

Todd: *scoots over for Key*

meanwhile

Harry: It's hard NOT TO, Claire - we MURDERED them! We burned them ALIVE in their own home!

Key: *smiles a bit in appreciation, but stays sitting where she is* ...

Sarah: ...When do you think the storm'll go away?

meanwhile

Claire: *puts both hands on either side of his face and kisses him again, hoping that that would distract him long enough for those thoughts to fade. it's true, she felt the same, but she would much rather not linger on those thoughts...*

Todd: When it does, that's all. Maybe when the snake's head is finally cut.

meanwhile

Harry: *lays there next to her, almost losing his train of thought when she kisses him* ... I... oh... mmh...

Sarah: *looks back over her shoulder at him* <:( ....

Key: *looks at Todd as well. she has no doubt in her mind that Todd fully intends to kill Crowe, he won't stop until he does. she had to find a way to stop him...*

meanwhile

Claire: *deepens the kiss, hoping that that would be enough*

Todd: *shifts his position, uncomfortable again* ... what? Don't look at me like that.

meanwhile

Harry: *kisses her as well, with just as much deepness, now completely losing focus on what he was ranting about, forgetting all of it*

Sarah: *looks away from him, looking down at first, then back out the window*

Key: ... *looks down at her hands*

*lightning flashes, quickly followed by thunder*

Sarah: *jumps and squeaks at the loud noise*

Key: *looks up at the sound* ...It's close...

meanwhile

Claire: *relaxes, allowing her own mind to go blank, focusing only on the kiss, only on the two of them, there, still together...*

Todd: ... if there's a power-outage, then I guess we'd be going to bed early.

meanwhile

Harry: *finally ends the kiss, pulling away, and blankly staring at Claire* ...

Key: I guess so... *takes the spot offered to her earlier, and plunks back on the bed from the same place she was sitting on*

Sarah: *continues to watch the rain*

meanwhile

Claire: *slightly out of breath, also pulls away and stares back at him, feeling a vague sense of deja vu*

Todd: *stares at the ceiling, a million thoughts going off in his mind, each one scattering like ants whenever thunder would sound off*

meanwhile

Harry: *is suddenly startled out of his daze by the crashing of thunder, nearly jumping out of his skin* !!

Sarah: *would squeak in slight fear whenever thunder would crash particularly loudly, but she continued to watch the rain and the lightning*

Key: *would glance over at the window every so often, to make sure Sarah was okay* ...

meanwhile

Claire: *jumps as well, though it was more because of Harry's reaction than the actual thunder itself* !!

Todd: *still thinks*

meanwhile

Harry: *he lets out a heavy sigh* Sam's not the only one who needs a nap right now...

Sarah: ...

Key: *looks at Todd, wishing she could read his mind* ...

meanwhile

Claire: Agreed... *listens for any sound that may be coming from Sam's room, but hears nothing and decides that he must be fast asleep right now. satisfied, she hugs him to herself and and buries her head back into his neck, sighing a bit*

Todd: ... go sleep, Key. You too, Sarah. We were running around all day.

meanwhile

Harry: *wraps an arm around Claire, quite comfortable, then allows himself to drift off to sleep*

Key: Alright... come on, Sarah. *scoots up towards the pillow*

Sarah: okayyy... *goes over and crawls into bed next to Key, snuggling into her* 'night...

Key: *hugs her protectively* goodnight...

meanwhile

Claire: *eventually falls asleep as well*

Todd: *silently, he stares at them both... though he mostly stares at Key. He ends up doing this all night*

meanwhile

Harry: *in the middle of the night, he experiences a flash of the image of his demonic father beating him as a child - this catches him completely off guard, as he hadn't had a flashback like that in nearly ten years, and he wakes up, crying out pure in terror - not a nightmare, it wasn't a nightmare. Nightmares build up, start off as a normal dream. This wasn't a nightmare. Sweating, shivering, he failed to calm himself down, and he stayed sitting up, the blanket of the bed half-covering him* Oh... oh my god... oh juh - oh god...

Key: *can feel Todd's invisible gaze on her, and is unable to fall asleep. she simply lay there in bed, wondering if he would ever look away* ...

meanwhile

Claire: *is startled awake by the sudden movement and the noise and looks up, concerned when she sees Harry sitting up, looking panicked. she sits up as well, holding the sheets up to her chest with one hand, and lightly touches Harry's arm with her other hand, speaking quietly but urgently* Harry, what's wrong?

Todd: *he never does*

meanwhile

Harry: *he jumps from her contact* I-I... it... that flash... that flash that I used to get... I-I got one right now...

Key: *doesn't get any sleep*

meanwhile

Claire: *eyes widen in surprise* It's been a long time since the last one...

Todd: *quietly to Key* Why aren't you sleeping?

meanwhile

Harry: ... it must be stress... it's gotta be that... I mean, it's also been a long time since I've been so stressed...

Key: *jumps a bit at his words. she hadn't expected him to talk. she responds equally quietly, though her answer is a blatant lie* not sure... maybe it's the storm...

meanwhile

Claire: *her expression falls--she hoped he'd never have to deal with those flashes again. in an effort to comfort him, he puts an arm around his shoulders* ...do you think you can sleep?

up

Todd: *snorts, then lays down on the bed*

meanwhile

Harry: ... mm... no.

Key: ... I think I saw a vending machine downstairs. Sarah, you wanna come with me?

Sarah: *nods, and hops off the bed almost eagerly*

Key: *takes Sarah's hand, and stops before she goes out the door* Todd, do you want anything?

meanwhile

Claire: I figured as much... *slides her arm across his back to his other shoulder, giving him a one-armed hug* ...

Todd: Ah, sure, like a bottle of water, or something.

meanwhile

Harry: *hugs her back putting his head on her shoulder* ... I feel like we've murdered them...

Key: Okay. *leaves the room, closing the door behind her*

Sarah: ...Why'd he have to come back?

Key: ...Because he had nowhere else he could go.

meanwhile

Claire: *rests her head on his, rubbing his shoulder with her thumb* ...I feel the same... I don't know why we...

Todd: *he waits, plotting how he'll kill Crowe*

meanwhile

Harry: ... for our jobs... because otherwise I couldn't stay with you... but it doesn't make it any less wrong...

Sarah: But why did he LEAVE? I mean.. if he had stayed, they could've fixed him, right?

Key: Right... *sighs* I really don't know, Sarah... I think he just wanted to see us...

Sarah: But you visited him!

Key: I guess it just wasn't enough...

meanwhile

Claire: ... *nods in agreement, but otherwise remains silent* ...

Todd: ... *he turns the TV back on, but immediately flips the channel to a children's show. He lays down on the bed, and just listens to it. Listens to those animated characters, asking children everywhere how to spell "bee". But there were no children to reply, to spell "bee". and there was only one man responsible for that. Why was TODD the bad guy, then?*

meanwhile

Harry: ... *quietly, almost pathetically* wanna cuddle?

Sarah: I wish he hadn't come back. D:<

Key: Sarah...

Sarah: I know you do too, mom!

Key: *is silenced by this. why? because it was true. fortunately, they reach the vending machine, and she isn't forced to respond to her statement* ...What do you want, Sarah?

Sarah: ...water.

meanwhile

Claire: ... *only nods, then releases him and moves over to her side of the bed*

Todd: *continues listening to the children's show*

meanwhile

Harry: *lies down next to Claire, and pulls himself closer to her, hugging her with one arm*

Key: *buys the water bottles with whatever money she had in her pocket at the time, handing Sarah hers before purchasing the other two*

Sarah: *quietly opens up her bottle and takes a sip of it* ...

meanwhile

Claire: *wraps her arms around him, pulling him closer. she buries her face in his neck, nuzzling him affectionately* ...

Todd: *he listens. His holes for eyes looking up at the ceiling*

meanwhile

Harry: *Kisses Claire's neck*

Key: *goes back up to the room with Sarah, but she takes her time in doing so* ...

meanwhile

Claire: mm... *hugs him a bit more tightly, and lets out a long, tired sigh*

Todd: *listens*

meanwhile

Harry: *quietly* ... do you wanna... I mean... we've only done it that one time, and that was for Sam... and I can't... make you pregnant anymore...

Key: *hesitates in front of the door, before opening it and going inside, pulling an even more apprehensive Sarah behind her*

meanwhile

Claire: *considers this for a moment. she nuzzles Harry for a little bit, before nodding, and responding in an equally quiet voice* okay.

Todd: *turns his head to look at them both* Oh, hey, I... I dunno what I'm watching. I was just kinda listening to it a little. Thinking. Y'know?

meanwhile

Harry: *he pulls off his shirt then unbuttons his pants*

Key: Right...

Sarah: *looks at the television* ...I used to watch that with Sam...

meanwhile

Claire: *removes her own shirt, then wraps her arms back around him, kissing his neck*

Todd: Oh yeah? What a coincidence.

meanwhile

Harry: *and though the most terrible thing in the world happened for both Harry and Claire, Harry had suggested the intercourse, because the both of them needed it. The sparks of passion seeking into despair helped calm Harry down a little. Not all was well, but it was still something*

Sarah: ... *nods*

Key: ... *goes all the way into the room, and hands Todd his water bottle* here.

meanwhile

Claire: *is grateful for the distraction, not matter how short it may be. at the very least, it took their minds off of what they had just done, even if only of a little while*

Todd: *takes it* Thanks. *he unscrews it and sips a bit of it, then gestures to the TV* I'd say that this is better than the news.

meanwhile

Harry: *when their moment of passion completes itself , Harry laid back down beside Claire, sweating from the heat, panting form the physical strain of it all - as it usually was, he figured. It was like that last time, and just as satisfying* ... *Harry ran his hand through Claire's hair, looking her in the eyes with his own milky white ones*

Key: definitely...

Sarah: ... *goes across the room to look out the window*

meanwhile

Claire: *stares right back at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, moving a hand up to the back of his head. she leans up and presses her lips to his, kissing him softly*

Todd: Sarah? You okay?

meanwhile

Harry: *kisses her back. He speaks quietly* That was fun. Glad to take my mind off of... stuff.

Sarah: mhmm... It's raining again.

Key: ....

meanwhile

Claire: *smiles a bit, but it quickly fades away. she speaks quietly as well* Thanks for suggesting it... We needed the distraction.

up

Todd: ... I just want to stop Crowe. They can hate me all they want.

meanwhile

Harry: *buries his face in his hands again, holding back another sob* ghhnnk...!

Key: So you want to be on the run forever? You want to get locked up again?

meanwhile

Claire: *shuts her eyes tightly and grits her teeth, trying to stop herself from crying, but she can't hold back a quiet sob of her own. she puts her free arm around his shoulders, and pulls him down into a tight hug*

Sam: *is very upset at seeing his parents like this, so he joins the hug in an effort to comfort them*

Todd: Sure. At that point, Crowe would be dead. I'd be a happy man.

meanwhile

Harry: *stops, sniffling when he feels Sam join in on the hug. With his free arm, he wrapped Sam tightly into them, then continued crying*

Key: ...What would happen after that? There'd be no one in charge. What if whoever comes after him is worse?

meanwhile

*they cried together for a while, mourning the unecessary loss of their long-time friends--Sam being the only one who hasn't shed a tear yet. He doesn't know what's happened, not yet. He just wants the sadness to go away*

Todd: No one's worse than Crowe.

meanwhile

Harry: *he finally calms down a little, sniffling* oh-h god... th-they just... they were so close... we could have warned them, t-too...

Key: *quietly* I doubt that.

meanwhile

Claire: *composes herself a bit more quickly than Harry* Crowe wouldn't h-have let us go anywhere NEAR the house...

Todd: *suddenly snapping at her, having heard this* YOU'RE WRONG! HE'S THE WORST! HE'ST THE SNAKE'S HEAD! THE ONLY PERSON WORSE THAN HIM WOULD BE THE DEVIL HIMSELF!!

meanwhile

Harry: ... I wish Todd didn't break out... I wish he just stayed in his cell, and let the doctors help him...

Key: *startled by his outburst, she steps back* okay! alright! D:>

Sarah: D: ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...i know... i wish he had too...

Sam: ... :(

Todd: *he relaxes, no longer looking Key in the eyes with his black holes* ... okay. Okay. Sorry for yelling like that. Getting a bit stressed from all this. Yes.

meanwhile

Harry: ... I guess there's nothing to do now... I never got to talk to Todd...

Key: ...Don't think we aren't stressed too, Todd.

Sarah: ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...

Sam: ... *is trying to comprehend the situation* ...What happened to Key? Sarah? D:

Todd: ... I know, I know - sorry...

meanwhile

Harry: They're... ... they went away, Sam.

Key: ....

Sarah: *lets go of Todd, sniffling a bit and edging slightly towards her mother* ...

meanwhile

Sam: ...where?

Claire: ...somewhere far away. I don't think they'll be coming back.

Sam: ...oh... *frowns* ...

Todd: ... uh... so... what now?

meanwhile

Harry: ... I'm gonna go up to the bedroom. Relax a little. *he heads up*

Key: We stay here. Out of sight. We don't want to risk someone recognizing you.

meanwhile

Claire: ...okay... *watches him walk upstairs, then looks back at Sam* ...did you take your nap yet?

Sam: I'm not sleepy... *conveniently yawns*

Claire: Mhmm. That's not very convincing.

Todd: I know, but we've got a whole day to kill.

meanwhile

Harry: *he stays in the room, staring at the wall, the image of the house burning still crushing his mind*

Key: I know. We're not going out.

Sarah: ... *sits on the edge of the bed* ...we could always watch tv...?

meanwhile

Claire: come on, kiddo. you're taking a nap.

Sam: mmkaaaay...

Claire: *takes him upstairs to his room, then outs him into his crib. she then goes towards her room, going inside but stopping just inside the door* ...

Todd: ... good idea. *he turns on the TV, which was set to the news. A clip of their house burning down was showing*

Newscaster: ... this arson was personally ordered by Lt. Crowe. When questioned, he informed the press that it was a manner of tracking down Todd Huntings, psychopathic escapee of the Institute for the Criminally Insane.

meanwhile

Harry: *squeezes his eyes shut, trying to block out the image of the burning house*

Sarah: !!! I-I change my mind, I don't wanna watch TV anymore! D:>

Key: *quickly reaches over and flips the television off* ...

meanwhile

Claire: ... *walks into the room and sits next to him, carefully putting a hand on his shoulder* ...

Todd: *muttering to himself* I'm not a psychopath...

meanwhile

Harry: *glances over at her* ... hey...

Sarah: *glances at Key* D:> ....

Key: ... *shakes her head*

meanwhile

Claire: *in a quiet, calming voice* Hey... Are you doing okay?

up

Todd: *as he runs away with his family, Todd grits his teeth in pure rage - that was it. Crowe had to be taken care of*

meanwhile

Harry: *he can't look at the burning home any longer. He drops his eyes to the ground in shame*

Sarah: *is terrified--everything she knew, was gone*

Key: *as she runs, she's reminded of that day ten years ago, when she was forced to flee her home because of the infection. she wished that was the reason she ran now--she'd rather be driven out by a horde of hungry infected than a few soldiers. she calls out to Todd as they ran* Do you know where you're going?? D:>

meanwhile

Claire: *looks away from the house-- she can't bear to watch anymore. she looks at Harry, who was reacting similarly, then looks at Crowe* ...Should we call someone to put this out, Sir?

Todd: No! But we can find somewhere!

meanwhile

Crowe: ... let it burn longer.

Harry: ...

Key: *isn't very confident at the moment, but nods, and just keeps running*

meanwhile

Claire: ... *has to stop herself from grabbing the radio attached to her belt*

Todd: *runs with Key for a while before exiting the city. They arrive at a motel* Well... we can stay here, if I cover my face, or something.

meanwhile

*the house finally completely burns down, and Crowe leaves with Harry and Claire*

Harry: *the only thing he can think of is how he has murdered his two best friends. His eyes give away how absolutely horrified he is with himself. At the same time, he feels that he was selfish. He chose killing his friends over losing his job - KILLING HIS FRIENDS*

Key: ...You wait out here with Sarah, I'll go. *goes into the motel, to the man at the counter*

meanwhile

Claire: *is appalled at the horrible act of murder they had been pressured into commiting--two friends, gone. she looks at Harry, guilt clearly showing on her face*

Todd: Alright. *he waits, alone with Sarah*

meanwhile

Harry: *looks back at Claire, her guilt mirroring his. In Crowe's presence, he held back his tears. He didn't want to cry in front of him*

Crowe: You two are dismissed.

Sarah: *clings to him, still very frightened--she was crying*

meanwhile

Claire: ... *nods* Thank you, Sir. *turns to head back to the armory. she lightly brushes her hand against Harry's arm, beckoning for him to follow, her expression unchanged*

Todd: *looks over at Sarah, and wipes away some of her tears with the hand she wasn't clinging to* ...

meanwhile

Harry: ... *he follows Claire to the armory*

Sarah: *glances up at the touch, then resumes her crying. why did he have to come back? why couldn't he WAIT?*

Key: *comes back with a room key* I got us a room... *looks at Sarah* <:( *can't help but feel this was mostly her fault--if she had sent Todd away, maybe this wouldn't have happened...*

meanwhile

Claire: *wordlessly walks to the armory with Harry. once there, she puts away her gun and removes her armor* ...

Todd: Well, then, let's head in. *hides his face, then enters the motel*

meanwhile

Harry: *he also puts his gun and armor away. He speaks quietly to himself* ... o-oh god, we killed them... they're dead...

Sarah: *quiets down a bit as they enter the motel, but doesn't let go of Todd's arm* ...

Key: *silently leads them to the room, and opens it--the room is tiny, but it has a decent-sized bed and a bathroom*

meanwhile

Claire: *does her best to keep her composure, for Harry's sake* We don't know if they were in there, Harry... For all we know, Todd never went to Key's, and she could have gone out with Sarah...

Todd: ... well, I've got no pills to help me sleep. Oh well, I guess. Sarah, you'll have to sleep with us. There's only one bed.

meanwhile

Harry: ... slim odds... *after saying this, he becomes completely silent, never speaking once, even when they head back home, opening the door and entering*

Sarah: okay...

Key: we should all fit fine, it looks big enough... *goes towards the window and pushes the curtains aside just enough for her to look outside* ...doesn't look like anyone followed us.

meanwhile

Claire: ...Hello?

Babysitter: *comes out of the kitchen, holding Sam in one arm and a spoon in her other hand* Oh! You came back early, I was just giving Sam some food. ^^;

Claire: That's fine, here, I'll take him. *takes Sam, and fumbles around for her wallet, giving the girl her pay* Thank you for coming on such a short notice. <:/

Babysitter: Oh, it's nothing! Just let me know when you need me, okay? ^^ *gathers up her stuff and heads out the door* Have a nice day! ^^

Claire: ...

Todd: No one would. Crowe thinks we're dead.

meanwhile

Harry: ...

Sarah: *sobs loudly upon hearing this, taking it as a confirmation of her worst fear--it was as if she didn't even exist anymore. she starts to cry again*

Key: !! *hurries over, and kneels down in front of Sarah, putting a hand on her cheek* Sarah, honey, we'll figure something out, alright? This won't last forever, okay?

meanwhile

Sam: *looks at both of his parents, wondering why they were both so quiet* ...Mama?

Claire: ...Yes, Sam?

Sam: .....Why did'n I get to see Key or Sarah? Are they sick again?

Todd: ... we'll just keep moving. And then take down Crowe. Yes. Cut the head off of the snake.

meanwhile

Harry: *this fully gets to him, and Harry just falls to his knees, sobbing into his hands*

Sarah: *continues to cry, too distraught to hear anything her parents have said*

Key: *looks up at Todd, a bit apprehensive* You're not being serious, are you? Because I really hope you're not.

meanwhile

Sam: !!

Claire: H-Harry! *kneels down if front of him, putting a hand on his face to try and get him to look at her. she's having problems holding back tears of her own* Harry, please...! W-We don't know what happened to them, they could have escaped, they could still be alive!

Todd: Why do you think I'm kidding?

meanwhile

Harry: *still crying* HOW??

Key: Todd, that's suicide![ You won't be able to get anywhere near him, he has bodyguards with him 24/7!!

meanwhile

Claire: I-I don't know, a back door or something?? Harry, what I'm saying is that we don't know exactly what happened to them, and I say we don't draw any conclusions until we do! *is desperately trying to find ways to calm him down--she felt like she was getting dangerously close to breaking down as well* P-Please, Harry, just give it some time...!

Sam: *is sitting there in Claire's hold, watching his parents with wide eyes. he had never seen them like this*

Todd: Tough for the bodyguards. Anyone who stands between me and him is good as dead.

meanwhile

Harry: wh-wh-why...? Wh-why did we have to burn the house down...??

Key: *stands* ...Do you really want to do this, Todd? Do you really want to give them more reason to hate you?

meanwhile

Claire: I d-don't know, Harry... I-I don't understand either...

up

Todd: *rubs his neck a bit* ... Key. I know you probably think I'm some nutcase, or something... but, well, I'm not. And I just need to make sure you know that.

meanwhile

Harry: ... no kidding. *he opens up his locker, taking out his gun and armor, which he puts on quickly* ... I can't believe we have to do this...

Key: ... *sighs* Alright, Todd, I believe you...

meanwhile

Claire: *pulls her own armor on and takes out her gun* ...Do you think he'd have run back to...?

Todd: Good, good... I'll, uh... get dressed. *he runs upstairs to change*

meanwhile

Harry: ... I don't doubt it. Todd's no idiot, but... as he is now, he's obsessive with two things; Crowe, and his family.

Key: ... *sits down to eat her own food, as she hadn't even gotten the chance to do so yet* ...

meanwhile

Claire: ...do you think Crowe would know he'd run there?

Todd: *later comes back down, now fully dressed in his ripped, sleeveless hoodie and brown sweatpants* I'm back. ^^

meanwhile

Harry: ... I hope not...

Crowe: *stomps into the locker room* LET'S GO! ARE YOU READY YET?? YOU SHOULD BE!!

Key: *had finished, and was coming out of the kitchen after putting all the plates in the sink* ...Why don't you put on something that's not as... torn up? D:

meanwhile

Claire: !! We are, Sir!

Todd: ... no... these remind me of what Crowe has done. Not that I'd forget. Those poor children...

meanwhile

Harry: Y-yes! Exactly! We are ready to go, sir!

Crowe: Then what the HELL are you two standing around for?? COME ON! *marches off. He was fully armored, and carrying all sorts of weapons, including grenades strapped to his belt*

Harry: ... *follows Crowe with Claire*

Key: ...alright, then...

meanwhile

Claire: *as they walked (marched?) on, she noticed that the route Crowe was taking was similar to the route that her and Harry take every day after work to go pick up Sam... she casts a nervous glance at Harry*

Todd: What's taking Sarah so long?

meanwhile

Harry: *return's Claire's nervous glance. Crowe KNEW*

Crowe: *finally stops in front of Key's house* ...

Harry: ... are we going to just arrest them...?

Crowe: No. We can't let him escape again to hurt more people. It's time to make a small sacrifice.

Harry: What do you mean?

Crowe: *hands Claire and Harry a firebomb, each* We're going to burn it down.

Harry: WHAT?? NO!! D8

Key: I don't know, maybe she--

Sarah: *runs down the stairs, dressed* Hey mom? There are soldiers in front of the house. D:

meanwhile

Claire: But Sir, there are innocent civilians in there, we can't just burn the place down!! D8>

Todd: *furious* WHAT??

meanwhile

Crowe: *turns to face them, huffing angrily* MAY I REMIND YOU TWO THAT I CAN FIRE YOU BOTH ON ANY WHIM - BOTH OF YOU, HARRY GATZSKY, NOW BURN THE frackING HOUSE!!

Harry: Wha... buh... *he looks over at Claire, distraught*

Sarah: O___O;

Key: *glances at the door* What were they doing??

Sarah: I don't know, but they have guns!! Do you think they're here to take dad?? D:>

meanwhile

Claire: *looks back, looking somewhat distraught herself--she knows they have to do it, but she refuses to be the first one* ...

Todd: If they are, I won't let them. D8<

meanwhile

Crowe: WELL??

Harry: ... ... *he squeezes his eyes shut, apologizing in his head to Key, and Sarah, and especially Todd. This was it. He threw the firebomb*

meanwhile

Todd: ... I smell smoke.

Claire: ... *throws the second one*

meanwhile

Key: ...We have to go. NOW! D8

Todd: ... follow me. *he runs upstairs to the unlocked window in the back*

Fire: *quickly spreads*

Meanwhile

Harry: ... this feels really bad...

Crowe: I bet it does.

Key: *takes a panicked Sarah by the hand and runs upstairs after Todd*

meanwhile

Claire: *watches silently as the fire spreads* ...

Todd: *jumps out the back window, then holds his arms up* DROP SARAH! I'LL CATCH HER!

meanwhile

Harry: ...

Sarah: O-Out the WINDOW?! D8

Key: Sarah, there's no other way, come on! *helps Sarah out of the window, and drops her*

meanwhile

Claire: ...

Todd: *catches Sarah, and puts her down beside him* NOW JUMP! I'LL CATCH YOU TOO!

meanwhile

Harry: *watches the house burn* ...

Crowe: ...

Key: *takes a deep breath, and jumps out of the window*

meanwhile

Claire: ...

Todd: *catches her as well, setting her down* and now we run. C'mon. *he takes Sarah and runs*

meanwhile

Harry: ...

Key: *runs after him, doing her best to keep up*

meanwhile

Claire: *watches as the entire house is engulfed in flames* ....

up

Todd: *when he sees Sarah there, his somewhat gloomy expression broke into a happy, wide grin, and he greets her cheerfully* Sarah... I've missed you, kiddo.

Sarah: *stares in disbelief--she was pretty sure he was supposed to be locked up somewhere* D-Dad? But... how did you...? Aahh...! D8

Key: *steps out of the kitchen to see what's going on* oh dear... this'll be fun to explain.

Todd: They were wrong, Sarah. They were just wrong. So I got out. See? This is great - we're all together again. *he smiles once more at this, that odd, pleasant smile of his*

Sarah: ...got out? like, you... just.. LEFT?

Key: *sighs* basically... yes.

Sarah: O______O;; ....won't he get in trouble?? D:>

Todd: Not if I don't get caught, no.

Sarah: but what if you do? D:>

Key: ...

Todd: I just broke the bars and left, Sarah. Simple as that. Sometimes you've gotta act when you know what's happening around you is wrong. And I knew it was wrong, and I acted. And soon I'll make sure Crowe pays for his crimes. Because no one gets away with hurting children. No one.

Sarah: *is now very much confused. she looks at Key questioningly*

Key: *only frowns. now wasn't a good time to explain everything to her, not with Todd around* ...Just.. sit down, breakfast is almost ready.

Todd: *sits in his chair, waiting patiently with a cheerful smile on his face - everything was just simply DELIGHTFUL really - save for Crowe - but Crowe could be taken care of. For now, he was just so happy to see Sarah again*

Key: *goes back into the kitchen to finish up the food*

Sarah: ... *hesitantly approaches the table, and sits down across from Todd* ...

Todd: *whilst still wearing that smile, he speaks* Well... your mother told me that you were doing much better. I'm so glad your okay - you scared me half to death during the second outbreak. Don't... don't scare me like that again. Please. *by the end of that, he was still smiling*

Sarah: *is thoroughly creeped out by this, and she just stares wide-eyed at him*

Key: *sets a plate of pancakes in front of Todd* eat up.

Todd: Oh! Thanks, Key. :D *he starts eating the pancakes, hungrier than he thought he was*

Key: *gives Sarah a plate, then goes to serve herself some*

Sarah: *slowly eats her pancakes, never taking her eyes off Todd* ....

Todd: *when he's done with the pancakes, he cleans up, then declares* I'll be right back - gotta use the restroom real quick. *runs up to do so*

meanwhile

Crowe: GATZSKYYYY!! BOTH GATZSKYS!!

Harry: ... y-yes sir?

Crowe: I caught word that Todd Huntings is MISSING FROM HIS CELL!

Sarah: *looks over at Key* Mom, something's really wrong with dad... D:>

Key: I know... I'm just not sure what to do...

meanwhile

Claire: W-What?! How did he get out??

Todd: *uses the restroom*

meanwhile

Crowe: He used the window - they found the bars BROKEN, scattered ALL OVER THE FLOOR!

Harry: ... are you going to send a search party for - ?

Crowe: TO HELL WITH A SEARCH PARTY! I'M FINDING THAT CHILD-MURDERING ZOMBIE MYSELF!!

Harry: ...

Crowe: YOU TWO ARE COMING WITH ME, DAMNIT!! GET ALL THE WEAPONDRY YOU CAN CARRY - I'M SICK TO DEATH OF THIS THREAT ON MY CITY!

Sarah: ...what if they come looking for him? D:>

Key: We do what we always did, until we figure something out...

meanwhile

Claire: Y-Yes, sir! *runs with Harry to the armory, wondering how in the WORLD it was possible for Todd to have gotten out of there completely unnoticed*

Todd: *finishes and comes back down* What'cha talking about?

meanwhile

Harry: Holy shoot, Todd is dead...! Crowe's PERSONALLY going to go out and look for him - oh no, no, no - how did he even ESCAPE??

Key: *without missing a beat* School.

Sarah: ... *nods*

meanwhile

Claire: That's what I'm wondering... it should have been impossible for him to have escaped so easily, without even being spotted.

Todd: Good - school is a very good thing to talk about. Learning and all that. ^^

meanwhile

Harry: ... well obviously, he didn't just walk out the door...

Sarah: uhuh...

Key: Right... Sarah, go wash up and get dressed, you're not staying in your pajamas all day.

Sarah: okayyy. *goes upstairs*

meanwhile

Claire: someone in security's getting fired, that's for sure...

*they reach the armory*

up

Todd: *takes off his drenched hoodie, and out of desperation for comfort, he takes off his soaking pants as well, then climbs into bed with her, happy to find the tranquilizers right where he last saw them. Taking one of the pills, he fully relaxes in the bed* ... goodnight.

Key: goodnight... *doesn't hug him, or cuddle up to him like she usually does--she actually felt very uncomfortable with him there. It was almost as if a random stranger had just gotten into bed next to her. she was almost tempted to get up and sleep somewhere else, but she didn't move, not knowing how Todd would react to this. she had to settle with scooting over to the far end of the bed* ...

Todd: *soon falls asleep, ignorant of how uncomfortable he was making Key feel - to him, this was all perfectly normal*

Key: *takes much longer to fall asleep, her thoughts unable to let her mind rest--the storm outside wasn't helping either. she eventually manages to fall into an uneasy sleep*

*the next day*

Todd: *he was still asleep. Overnight, he had curled up into a fetal position, uncomfortable, but not understanding why*

Key: *wakes up a bit early due to her uneven sleep, but gets out of bed anyway. she needed to distsnce herself from Todd for a bit. when she glances back at him, she frowns, finding his position somewhat odd (he never did that before... then again, he never blew upan elementary school either) she was sure this was a terrible idea, but for some reason, she just couldn't turn him away*

Todd: *still asleep, but gaining some awareness, shifting a bit in his position*

Key: ! *goes into the bathroom to get ready--it's going to be an interesting day, to say the least...*

Todd: *now fully waking up* mmph... how'd th'bed get so comfy...? *sits up, then looks around, realizing that he really DID break out of the Institute, and it wasn't some dream* ... oh.

Key: *comes out of the bathroom to find Todd awake* ...morning... *approaches the bed, and takes a pair of gloves off the nightstand* ...you sleep okay?

Todd: Yes, yes I did. You? *he was lying. It was obvious*

Key: *knows him well enough to tell he's lying, but doesn't question him* Same here.

Todd: Hah. Hahah. That's good. Sarah's asleep, right? I can see her, yeah? Right? I really want to see her again.

Key: It's early, she's still asleep... maybe you should wait until she gets up...

Todd: ... Yeah, okay... okay. *he rubs his hands together nervously, looking around the room* So what now?

Key: ...maybe you should eat something. you seem a bit anxious...

Todd: Haha, right. Right... okay, I guess we should head down, then. *he opens the door, and leaves, heavy steps quickly pounding down the stairs*

Key: ... *follows him down, albeit much more quietly* what do you want to eat? :/

Todd: ... I dunno. Not exactly picky right now - been eating CRAP for two months, now.

Key: I can believe that... *goes into the kitchen and starts making breakfast*

Todd: *sits down at the table, his head resting on his hand. Crowe was still a large threat, he kept thinking - he could hurt other people, not just all those innocent children. Todd HAD to put an end to him. Soon*

Sarah: *comes down the stairs, still in her pajamas, rubbing her eyes* Mooom... what was that noise? *looks up, sees Todd, and freezes. she slowly moves her hands to her face and rubs her eyes again, quite sure she was just seeing things, or mabe DREAMING, even, but when she looked back, he was still there* D8 ....

up

Harry: I'm going to have to agree with Key. He's completely avoiding blaming himself in any way for the holocaust.

Claire: No, I agree. The problem is, if he continues thinking that way, he's not going to be let out anytime soon.

Key: I know... I doubt he'll listen to me, either...

Harry: ... but maybe you CAN convince him... if you talk to him enough.

Key: Would they let him have visitors after what happened today? <:/

Harry: ... I don't know, but it's always a good thing to ask. Now, Key, if you'll excuse us, we really need to take Sam home.

Key: Understood... I'll, um... see you guys tomorrow.

Claire: *nods* I'm sorry, Key... <:/

Key: Don't worry about it...

Claire: ... *turns to leave*

Harry: ... goodbye Key. Good luck. *leaves with Claire and Sam*

Key: *closes the door after they lave, and returns to the living room*

Sarah: *looks at Key expectantly, hoping to hear good news* <:D?

Key: ... *shakes her head*

Sarah: ...

*it was far late into the night when Todd made his escape. He had a barred window just big enough for him to fit through, and enough strength to break the bars jump out. Outside was a heavy rain, and thunder and lighting combo. With each flash, Todd seemed to teleport closer and closer to his goal. The rain dripped off his bare arms (his sleeves ripped off after Harry and Claire's visit - they would just slow him down) and bandaged forearms. He ran, he ran. A flash, a boom. Sneaking around guards, weaving around a maze-like city, until he reached it - reached Key's house at exactly midnight. He climbed into the house using the unlocked window in the back, and crept over to Key and his bedroom*

Key: *is awoken by a loud crash of thunder. after a brief moment of panic, she calms down and realizes that there's really no threat--until there is another flash, and she sees Todd standing there, clearly outlined by the bright light. she puts her hands over her own mouth to muffle a startled cry, staring wide-eyed at where she assumed Todd was still standing. this was impossible, she must be dreaming, she's not awake right now...!*

Todd: *he steps closer to her, his dripping wet mass becoming more relaxed as he did so. He speaks in a whisper - and this whisper, a sudden break of silence in the night, save for the clapping of thunder, was so very, very eerie* ... I'm back, Key... I broke out.

Key: *somewhat terrified by the sudden turn of events, her voice is shaky and very quiet* B-But WHY? Why would you-- they're going to be LOOKING for you, Todd...!

Todd: ... they won't find me. They didn't find me before.

Key: But they know you're gone now, and... I don't think they'll stop until they find you...

Todd: ... *he walks closer to her, until he is right beside her, putting a hand on her arm, smiling his usual grin... but in the darkness and pattering, the booming of the thunder, there was something... unsettling about it. Todd thought nothing wrong with breaking out of the madhouse and sneaking into Key's bedroom. But only a madman would see nothing wrong*

Key: *is very unsettled by the grin, and shudders at his touch--it was all so familiar, but there was something WRONG with it... something was off, still off about him (of course there was, he just broke out of a MADHOUSE!)* I d-don't know about this, Todd...

Todd: *his smile drops* ... you won't send me back, will you? I broke out for YOU... you won't... send me back now... right?

Key: *really just wants to tell him to go back, to runs himself in, just so they wouldn't hurt him, but... she can't brig herself to* ...n-no... I won't...

Todd: ... good... I knew you wouldn't... Crowe's not gonna tear us apart... he's not... *he pulls her into a tight hug*

Key: ! *is startled at first, but eventually, she returns the hug. sure, she had hoped Todd would come back, but... not like this...* ...I love you, okay? but... if you're really going to stay... you have to swear you won't get yourself caught.

Todd: ... I won't. And hey - Sarah'll be happy that I'm back. *he eyes the bed* I'll be joining you, then?

Key: *follows his gaze* ...i... guess so...

up

Harry: *they enter the room, the two guards closing the door behind them, only for the door to open again ten minutes later*

Todd: *steps in, a third guard behind him, and sits down at the chair farthest from the door* ...

Guard 3: *leaves*

Harry: Todd... will you talk, now?

Todd: *doesn't look up* ...

Harry: ... please...

Todd: *he looks up, staring at Harry with his empty eye sockets, hidden by the heavy shadows*

Harry: ...

Claire: *remains silent, wanting Harry to try to get him to talk on his own* ...

meanwhile

Key: ...He told me he wished he could see you, Sarah, and that he was unhappy he couldn't. You already know that.

Sarah: but... you said they let you talk for an hour...

Key: ...He wasn't talking too much when I went to go see him.

Harry: Come on... we've been friends for, like, ever, Todd. This... this isn't you. You... *he smiles a little, trying to warm up the atmosphere a bit* you're a freaking chatterbox, man - it's way you had all those friends in college - BEFORE college - because you talked to everyone, and made them feel welcome when they were new, and... *he grows solemn again* please, Todd... just say SOMETHING...

Todd: You're the two who are keeping him safe, right?

Harry: ... huh?

Todd: Crowe.

Guard 1: Ah, geez... not this crap again...

Guard: Shush!

Me: Guard 1 needs to stfu, or he'll be the first to die. XD

Claire: *had felt positive about this... until Todd spoke. she knew now that this wasn't going to end well--she casts a nervous glance at Harry*

meanwhile

Sarah: Why not?

Key: ...

Sarah: *looks at her expectantly* ...

Key: ... *sighs* Dad's just... not feeling very well right now.

Me: Eyuuup. XD

Harry: *the hairs on the back of his neck stood up by what Todd does next -*

Todd: *he stands up, off the chair, forcefully knocking it over*

Harry: *quickly backs away, pulling Claire away as well - he felt quite threatened - threatened by his own friend. That spark of hope that he had... that their relationship could go back to normal - that hope was gone now*

Guard 1: Hey! *takes a step forward* Don't try anything, Huntings - don't you dare!

Guard 2: *also takes a step forward, bracing himself* ...

Claire: *is just as scared as Harry, backing away from Todd. Her thoughts were similar to her husband's--any chance they had of reconnecting with him was gone* ...

meanwhile

Sarah: ... they said he was crazy. the kids in my school say he should die.

Key: ...He's just sick right now, Sarah... they're trying to help him--

Sarah: they said they would keep him forever! D:>

Sam: *is watching quietly* ...

Todd: *with one arm, he overturns the metal table that stood between them, his teeth bared*

Harry: !!!

Guard 1: *immediately shoots Todd with the gun he was holding*

Todd: *grunts when he feels a needle pier his shoulder. Looking down, he spots the KO dart* ... frack you. frack you all to hell.

Harry: ...

Guard: *content with not having to do anything*

Claire: *relaxes a bit--but only a bit. she hadn't thought it would come to this* ...

meanwhile

Key: Sarah... *shakes her head* Sarah, come here.

Sarah: *gets up, then sits on the couch next to Key*

Key: *puts an arm around her* Do you want to know something else your dad told me?

Sarah: *nods*

Key: He told me he wished he could see you, and that nothing would happen to you. He told me that he'd never do anything to hurt you. He loves you, Sarah.

Todd: *the drugs finally start to kick in, and, losing balance, he backs up, against the wall, crashing into it. With a sigh, he loses consciousness, and slides to the floor*

Harry: ... I can't believe he's so far gone... he used to be this happy, friendly kid, and now, he's grown into... into THIS...

Guard 1: *to Guard 2* Carry him back to his room.

Guard 2: Right. *he picks Todd up and carries him out*

Guard 1: Sorry this happened.

Claire: Don't worry, it wasn't your fault... *to Harry* and it wasn't yours either.

meanwhile

Sarah: but... if he... why did he do that? D:>

Key: oh, Sarah... *hugs her daughter tightly* i don't know, honey... i don't know...

Sarah: *hugs her back, still just as confused as before*

Harry: *quietly* Really? Because it kinda feels like it is...

Claire: it wasn't, Harry. He never once said it was--he only mentioned one name. He doesn't hate you... *sighs* Come on, let's head back...

meanwhile

Key: *continues to hug Sarah* ...

Sam: *had walked over during the conversation, and was not attempting to get on the couch* I wanto hug too. D:

Key: ? *looks at him, and smiles a bit* Okay, you can hug too. *helps him up onto the couch, and pulls him into the hug*

Me: D'awww XD

Harry: *walks home with Claire* ... I hope he can be let out... but I really hope we don't have to protect our boss from my childhood friend...

Me: *fistpump* YUS. mission accomplished. X3

Claire: ...if he keeps doing that, it might take even longer for him to be let out... Harry, we need to go get Sam, remember? *turns down a different street*

meanwhile

Sarah: *happily accepts the addition to the hug, as she was rather fond of Sam, though she still wished she knew more about her dad, and why he... no. she pushes the thought away and tries to be happy*

Harry: Oh... right. *walks with Claire*

Claire: *reaches Key's house with Harry, and knocks on the door*

meanwhile

Key: !! whoops. that must be Claire. *releases the kids and stands, picking up Sam and answering the door* Hey there. :) How'd it go...? *her smile fades* ...judging by the looks on your faces, i'm guessing not well.

Sarah: *waits patiently on the couch*

Harry: *sadly* After I tried talking to him, he flipped the table over. Then the guards had to sedate him.

Key: oh... D:>

Claire: *takes Sam from her* I'm not quite sure why, but I think he's still hanging on to his hate of Crowe and the military in general...

Harry: More like OBSESSED with it... Key, did he mention Crowe at all when you talked to him?

Key: He did... he insisted that Crowe was the one who bombed the school, not him... he's blaming everything on Crowe.

Sarah: *strains to hear what they're talking about, but is just out of earshot--she only catches bits and pieces* ...

Harry: ... but why? I mean, I get that he hates Crowe for all his oppressive laws, and his power over the military and whatnot, but... why SPECIFICALLY him?

Key: I think you just answered your own question. :/

Claire: Good point. Maybe Todd hates him BECAUSE of how much power he has.

Key: I think he might just be trying to put a name to all that rage... just to have someone to blame...

up

Guard 1: *snorts*

Guard 2: >_>

Todd: I would never hurt Sarah... Crowe would... but never me... I didn't blow up that school... I didn't...

Key: *looks back at Todd when he speaks* I know you'd never hurt her... but there's a reason they put you in here.

Me: Guard 2 has common sense. XD

Me: XDDD

Guards: *watch*

Todd: No... Crowe made me do it... in my head, he made me do it - it's all HIS fault!

Key: *has no words, no response to what he's saying. he had basically just proved that he was insane. unable to find anything to say to him, she reaches across the table towards him, holding her hand out to him* ...

Todd: ... *he takes her hand with his own ratty one, his head lowering again* ... I was immune to the second strain... I was so alone... I made Harry bite me... I hoped I could be with you two... but I was immune...

Key: *narrows her eyes, and squeezes his hand a bit more tightly, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb* Todd... I told you there'd be a cure, that we just needed to wait...

Todd: *quietly* ... I waited long enough. Now I won't talk to Harry, still - you know that - but I won't talk to him because he works for CROWE. And Crowe is damn EVIL - he killed those children - he shouldn't be in charge!

Guard 1: *looks over at Guard 2*

Guard 2: *shrugs*

Key: Okay, Todd, alright... I understand. Do you want me to tell him that?

Todd: ... would you be able to?

Guard 1: No.

Guard 2: *keeps very silent*

Key: *glances back at the guard again, but doesn't glare. when she looks back at Todd, she sighs* ...they'll never let you out if you keep thinking like that.

Todd: I won't give in to this fracked up system of "justice" he's got... I won't call him anything but a monster... I don't care if they don't let me out for it.

Guards: ...

Key: *her stomach sinks, and her expression is a mix of sadness and disappointment* ...So Sarah'll never get to see her father again?

Todd: ... *he wanted to tell her about his big plan, to escape, to be with them again, but the guards were there, and they were watching him - and they would STOP HIM... so Todd kept quiet. For now, he kept quiet*

Guards: ...

Key: ...

*A FEW DAYS LATER*

Claire: *is going to visit Todd with Harry* ...I still can't believe he won't talk to you, Harry. Sure, he barely talked to Key, but...

meanwhile

Sarah: *sits on the floor and plays with Sam*

Sam: ^^

Key: *sits quietly on the couch, not really paying attention. her visit to Todd had hit her hard, and she was still reeling from the realization that Todd really was insane* ....

Harry: ... maybe he won't talk to me because he still hates me... at least he actually spoke a word or two to Key, but with me? Nothing.

Claire: hmm... he didn't seem all that hateful when he came to our house... not at you, at least.

meanwhile

Sarah: *notices Key's silence, and pauses to look at her* ...mom, are you okay? :(

Sam: *looks up as well* ... :(

Key: *seems to snap back into reality* hmm? Oh, I'm fine...

Sarah: *fully turns around to face her, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging her legs* I don't believe you. :/

Key: *cracks a smile* It's that obvious, huh?

Harry: He didn't? How? I-I mean, how could you tell?

Claire: He was surprised when he saw you infected. he looked somewhat upset, too... and I think the fact that he came looking for you for help says a lot too.

meanwhile

Sarah: ...it's dad, isn't it?

Key: ...

Sarah: ...you're still sad.

Key: ... *nods* you could say that...

Harry: *he smiles a little at this* It's... been a very long time since we've talked...

*they arrive at the Institute for the Criminally Insane*

Harry: ... *he and Claire enter the building, and after going through the motions of getting permission to visit Todd, they head to the visiting room*

Claire: *quietly walks down to that room with Harry. she wasn't quite sure how he would respond to having both of them in the room, but she hoped he would speak, at least...*

meanwhile

Sarah: ...what did he say?

Key: I already told you what he said, Sarah.

Sarah: You didn't tell me exactly.

Key: Does it really matter that much? <:/

Sarah: ... *nods* mhmm.

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