Todd Wants Key's Face

Harry: Alright, then. Good idea. :)

Claire: Great. Now that that's settled... dinner?

Harry: Of course. You're supposed to make it this time, though.

Claire: I know. :P What would you like?

Harry: No idea. I'm fine with whatever.

Claire: Helpful. XP *goes to dig through the pantry*

Harry: Well... what are YOU in the mood for?

Claire: I don't know, anything, really. :/ *keeps looking through*

Harry: Pasta? Uh... soup? :P

Claire: I have canned soup... Ermm... ohwait. *pulls some stuff out* Okay, you get both. I'm making minestrone. :P

Harry: Hooray! Success!

Claire: :P *goes to work making the soup*

Harry: *waits patiently* Ho hum.

*after the food is done*

Claire: *ladles it into a bowl and sets it down in front of Harry, along with a spoon, then goes to serve herself some*

Harry: This looks good. :)

Claire: Yes, but does it taste good? :P *comes back with her own bowl, and sits down across from Harry*

Harry: *carefully scoops some up into his spoon, and sips the hot soup* Mmhhwhy yes. :D

Claire: *sighs in relief* Oh, thank goodness. I thought i used too much salt. ^^; *tries some* ...Alright, yeah, it tastes okay.

Harry: It's fine with a bit more salt than normal. ^^

Claire: Heh. guess I got lucky with this one, then. *eats*

Harry: No, I think you're just skilled with... soup. XP

Claire: Pfft. What are you, then, the master of salad? XP

up

Harry: That was ONE time.

Paul: Point taken.

Claire: *rolls her eyes* Okay, let's go home. We're going to need to rest for tomorrow.

Harry: Indeed. Home we go. *walks out with them*

Paul: *lets out a long sigh* maaaan, what a week.

Claire: *nods* mhmm...

Harry: But we WERE productive, which is good.

Paul: Definitely. Just think, we might not even have to come in to work every day after all this is done with...

Claire: That's a possibility.

Harry: That would also be fantastic. Like, seriously. I'd like to have weekends off.

Paul: Who wouldn't want the weekends off?

Claire: oh, you'd be surprised...

Paul: don't tell me you're one of those... D:

Claire: hahah, no. As a matter of fact, I do rather enjoy my weekends. XP

Harry: Because you work on the weekends. :P

Claire: I meant when I have them off. :/

Paul: someone's a workaholic...

Claire: I am not. >:/

Harry: Hahah, what. Oh look, there's the apartment. *holds the door open for them*

Claire: Thank you. >.< *goes inside*

Paul: *laughs at her expression, and follows her in*

Me: Derp - he wouldn't be able to see her expression - she's wearing a gas mask. 8C

Harry: *goes to his and Claire's apartment - that still seemed weird to think*

Me: dammit. he laughed at her TONE. there, fixed. >.<; My brain is definitely not on today...

Paul: *follows them up--and is somewhat confused when Harry doesn't continue up* You live on this floor, Harry?

Claire: Ermm... yes. He does.

Harry: Yes. What a coincidence.

Paul: *invisibly raises an eyebrow* Huh. Quite a coincidence indeed...

Claire: *opens the door into her apartment* Keep walking, Paul. :P See you tomorrow.

Paul: Yeah yeah, see ya... *keeps walking*

Harry: *carefully, quickly slips into their apartment. He whispers to Claire* Is there really any point in hiding it from Paul anymore? I mean - he IS our friend.

Claire: *closes the door* I'm pretty sure he already knows... he's just trying to confirm it. I think we've dropped enough hints already. ^^;

meanwhile

Paul: *had been listening for the sound of a second door as he had been walking, and grins when he reaches his room and he hears none--and Harry's nowhere in sight. he goes into his room, feeling somewhat accomplished--he'd tell them he knew tomorrow*

Harry: Well, yeah... it just feels kinda awkward, now...

Claire: *takes off her gas mask, and sets it on the table* What, not telling him? We could tell him tomorrow, when we get to work...

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Me: orly? Like what? Wat eez eet?

Todd: *snuggles against Key*

Me: you know that guy that makes those animations with the L4D voice data? well, my sister watched the Ellis one, and now every time we're watching a movie and someonesays "get in here" or "get inside" we both go "COME ON, GET INSIDE, Y'ALL, GET INSIDE, GET INSIDE, NOW!" XD

Key: ... *nuzzles him affectionately* I love you. <3

Me: "Hey Coach? You might want to heal"

Todd: *nuzzles her back* Ditto.

Me: dun forget 'bout that heal pack, now. y'all.

Key: *smiles, and briefly kisses him on the lips* <3

Me: DID I EVER TELL Y'ALL ABOUT THE TIME ME AND KEITH...

Todd: *kisses her back* Nothing like surviving a Hunter attack to bring us closer together, right?

Me: I know, right? *unconsciously moves a hand to her stomach, where she had similar wounds once... though it was Todd who had left those. she wasn't about to remind him*

Todd: Speaking of hunters, do you think I should get fake eyes, or something to cover up my... um... holes?

Me: wow, i totally fracked up that last post. faaaail. you can tell that was from last night, lol... stupid nyquil.

Key: Maybe, if they can make them look believable...

Me: I didn't want to point that out... XD

Todd: Fake eyes can be believable. :P

Me: that's okay. XD ugh. that's why i got off after that, i felt myself falling asleep. ^^; i hate medicines with sleep aids. gaah...

Key: but sometimes they just look weird. :P

Me: Herp derp.

Todd: I'll just have to get the not-weird ones, then. Or wear sunglasses all the time. XP

Key: That works, I guess. Considering the amount of ex-Hunters that might be running around, I think people'll get used to it.

Todd: ... true... huh.

*many hours later, meanwhile*

Harry: *heads back to the CEDA building with the others*

Key: sooooo... you might not even have to do that at all. :P

meanwhile

Paul: Ho-kay, glad that's done with... Tomorrow'll be fun.

Claire: I hope you're being sarcastic.

Paul: Oh, i definitely am.

Harry: We're gonna still have to watch out for the specials that weren't cured yet - like the Smokers. Maybe the Spitters.

Me: See what I did there?

Me: Yeah. XD

Claire: *nods* Right. They can't breathe the cure in as well as the others can...

Paul: Lovely... let's not have a repeat of last time, shall we?

Claire: *snorts* Let's not.

*they reach the locker room*

Harry: We won't. *puts his armor and gun away*

Paul: *does the same* Good.

Claire: *puts her own armor away*

Harry: Can you believe that we're finally coming to an end to this?

Paul: Actually, no. This is gonna be great, we won't have to deal with infected getting in or anything like that.

Claire: *puts her gun away* Mhmm. We can get rid of the walls...

Harry: That. Just.. that. Right there. I'm happy.

Paul: Heheh...

Claire: *smiles* Well then, don't be late tomorrow, so we can get moving earlier.

Paul: If i recall correctly, YOU TWO were the ones that were late last time.

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Todd: A huuuge bag of ice. DX

Key: Figured. ^^; I'll be right back. *gets up and goes out to get the bag--she comes back with it a few minutes later, and carefully puts it over his wound* is this okay? ):>

Todd: *winces a little at how cold it is* Y-yeah... thanks...

Key: no problem... need anything else? <:(

Todd: *in a very relaxed tone - though he was far from it* Naw, I'm all good. Thanks, anyway.

Key: okay... do you mind if I stay here?

Todd: I would actually love it if you stayed here...

Key: *smiles at him, and sits back down on the edge of the bed*

Todd: ... so... eventful day... I guess the specials are finally starting to snap out of it...

Key: that's good... everything's that much closer to going back to normal...

Todd: And then... we can do all those things... be together... maybe have a family... get jobs... it'll be great. :)

Key: It will be... we won't have to worry about anything anymore. :) *leans over and kisses him on the cheek*

Todd: *in return, he kisses her on the lips* I like not worrying.

Key: *kisses him back, and rests her forehead against his* Not worrying is good.

Todd: ... because, y'know... with all this worrying I've been doing, I swear I've aged twenty years, or something...

Key: You don't look all that different... :P But I know what you mean. This'll all be over soon...

Me: Zoey says that on the finale of No Mercy... XD

Todd: Heh... yeah... *eyes the other side of the bed, then Key* You wanna join me? It's pretty comfy in here.

Me: what whole line, or just the last bit? YAY ACCIDENTAL REFERENCE! XD

Key: *laughs at this* okay, alright. *goes around to the other side and climbs in next to Todd, careful not to disturb him too much*

Me: She says "This'll all be over soon!" at the beginning of the finale. Sometimes.

Todd: This feels nice. Nice and happy. :3

Me: ah. cool. Also... my sister and I now have an inside joke regarding Ellis. XD

Key: Just like it should be. :) *snuggles up to him as best as she can without hurting him*

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Todd: ... I don't want to end up doing something really bad to you, Key... what if... what if next time, I KILL you...?

Key: There won't be a next time... This was an accident, a fluke. Trust me, it won't happen again...

Todd: I meant if I get hurt.

Key: I know what you meant... How often are you expecting to get hurt? <:/ It's not like you'll get jumped by a hunter every day...

Todd: It could come from ANYTHING, Key... like friendly fire.

Key: Again, when are you expecting to get hurt like that? You don't like the military, why would you even be near them?

Todd: I don't know, Key... I just... I'm just worried is all...

Key: *rubs his cheek with her thumb* I know... I'm worried too. But I'm more worried about you than me...

Todd: ... why?

Key: ...if you lose it again... I'm scared they'll take you away. Lock you up, or... I-I don't know.

Todd: ... but don't you think that would be best, if worse comes to worse?

Key: *quietly* I just don't want it to be like the first time... them coming to get you in the middle of the night, waking up and you had just... vanished. gone. It was terrifying...

Todd: ... they wouldn't torture me, again... and they can't kidnap me - not LEGALLY...

Key: Th-That didn't stop them the first time... I just don't want them to take you away again...

Todd: ... I won't... *he looks around then, carefully, and even more carefully, he gets off of the table, clutching his stitched up wound tightly*

Key: *lightly puts a hand over his* You shouldn't be moving yet...! D:>

Todd: *grits his teeth* I'd rather "not be moving" at the apartment than here... come on, let's go.

Key: ...okay. let me help you, then. *puts an arm around his middle* Lean on me, okay?

Todd: *does so* Okay... okay... *walks with her out, slowly but surly, to the apartment*

Key: *helps him up the stairs and into the room* ...Do you wanna lie down in your room or mine...?

Todd: *he can't answer, all he can do is wheeze and snarl through bared teeth, his fingers twitching on Key, weakly scratching at her - he was in that much pain*

Key: ...okay... *leads him to her room, and helps him lie down on the bed* ... now don't move.

Todd: CHRIST - frackING - that hurt... that whole trip hurt. D;> *sniffs a bit, trying to compose himself* But it was worth it.

Key: I told you you shouldn't have moved... D:> *carefully sits down on the edge of the bed next to him, and lightly takes his hand* do you want me to get you anything?

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Doctor: *fixing her* That's alright... I'm hopeless as a doctor anyway - I deserve it.

Todd: *...*

Key: mmhh... at least you're trying...

Doctor: "Trying" doesn't help people. "Trying" only makes things worse.

Todd: *...*

Key: *goes silent* ....

Doctor: *finishes up* There, you're set.

Todd: *...*

Key: Thank you... *looks over at Todd* ...When do you think he'll wake up?

Doctor: I don't know... he passed out - I just don't know...

Todd: *...*

Key: *sighs, continuing to watch Todd worriedly* ...

Doctor: *leans over and shakes Todd slightly*

Todd: Mnnghh...

Key: ! *goes back to stand by the bed again* Todd? D:>

Todd: I feel like that one time, with that one charger... ffffrackin' what's going on...?

Key: well... too much of the cure got taken out of your system, and you freaked out... You reopened your wounds. ):>

Todd: *he doesn't care about his wounds, he's only worried about Key* Did I hurt you...?

Doctor: <_<;

Key: It's... just a scratch. I'm fine.

Todd: *his face turns into a pathetic showing of his depression upon hearing this* ...

Doctor: ...

Key: ... *takes his hand, and squeezes it tightly* Todd, it wasn't your fault... you can't blame yourself for this. I'm fine.

Todd: *he's still frowning, silent* ...

Doctor: Uh... I can go away if you want me to... go away...

Key: *glances at the doctor, then nods* ....

Doctor: *leaves*

Todd: ...

Key: ... *puts a hand on his cheek* hey... come on, Todd, you were laughing five minutes ago...

Todd: ... well, that was before I attacked you...

Key: Don't worry about it, I'm fine, see? You had no control over it, that wasn't you.

up

Doctor: Ugh - not this again!

Todd: *suddenly screams a Hunter's cry, and charges forward, barreling into Key, slashing at her*

Doctor: frack - !! *gets out a copy of the cure*

Key: !!! *staggers back, forced against a wall by the attack. she puts a hand over her shoulder where he slashed her, to keep blood from flowing* H-Hurry!! D8>

Todd: *rams himself into Key again, keeping her against the wall, snarling in her face - ready to tear her throat out. Some of the new stitches break, and his blood is smeared onto Key*

Doctor: *suddenly comes up from behind him and stabs him in the shoulder*

Todd: *hisses from this, still pressing against Key. Then he stops. He stares*

Key: *stares at him, eyes wide in terror, chest heaving. to say she was scared was an understatement* .......

Todd: *in a dazed mumble, he speaks* Whaddappened...? *he was losing a lot of blood from the open wound*

Doctor: Um...

Key: h-he... y-y-you... *shakes her head, trying to compose herself, and speaks to the doctor* He's b-bleeding again...!

Doctor: Right, right - I'll fix that. Come on, Todd. *leads Todd back over to the bed. He starts stitching Todd back up* No more leaping around like a lunatic.

Todd: *passes out from blood loss*

Key: *is still rather shaken from the near-death experience--her hands are trembling slightly* ...w-what happened to him...?

Doctor: Oh, the machine must've, er... gotten rid of ALL of the cure, or maybe just enough of it to turn him into a zombie again... er... the same thing happened to Mr. Gazsky...

Todd: *still passed out*

Key: *becomes rather annoyed at hearing this* Th-That's exactly what I asked you NOT to do! D:<

Doctor: Hey - I TRIED to be better about it, but I got held up - I swear, I did!

Todd: *...*

Key: Caught up with WHAT? I almost DIED!! D:> What if he had gotten out and attacked someone else??

Doctor: My boss... I tried to get back here, but he stopped me to question me about the overdosing incident...

Todd: *...*

Key: *clenches her hands into fists. (calm down...)* ... *relaxes her hands, moving one back up to the now-stinging wound on her shoulder* Y-You can expect another report after this...

Doctor: ... they can't fire me, you know. We lack enough doctors already.

Todd: *...*

Key: ...just... fix him...

Doctor: I've already done all I could. He's fixed.

Todd: *...*

Key: ...could you fix me, then? *takes her blood-covered hand of her wound, wincing slightly*

Doctor: Yeah, sure... *gets out the supplies and starts fixing up Key's shoulder*

Todd: *...*

Key: *is getting her shoulder fixed* ... *mumbles* m'sorry for yelling at you. i was just worried...

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Todd: *lets out a shuddering sigh* Yeah... thank you, Key... *still gripping her hand tightly*

Key: *rubs his hand with her thumb, willing to wait however long it took for the cure to get out of his system* ....

Todd: Everything will be normal soon... everything will be normal...

Key: *nods, continuing the motion, trying to be as reassuring as possible* it will, don't worry...

Todd: *relaxes from this. Already, the girl was starting to fade away* We can have a normal life, Key... we can be together, and live in a house together, and be happy...

Key: *smiles a bit at the thought* That'd be nice... we wouldn't have to worry about anything anymore.

Todd: We... we could even have a family... eventually, I mean...

Key: *laughs a bit, then closes her eyes and sighs, still smiling slightly* Eventually...

Todd: I wonder what kinda jobs would be available the first few years of things being normal... I know for a FACT that Tanks would be great help in rebuilding things...

Key: I think rebuilding would be the FIRST thing they'd do... I think they'd have to start up farming, too, so we don't run out of food...

Todd: ... but in the meat area, only things like chickens, since birds are still around, but cows and pigs are extinct... which SUCKS.

Key: *her smile widens--that's the Todd she knows* It most definitely DOES suck. But you know what? It'd better than having to go vegetarian.

Todd: *grins at her, regaining some of his positivity* Oh man, DEFINITELY... and you know what? Better still - no more cereal bars!

Key: Yaaaay! I can't WAIT, I'm getting SO sick of those!

Todd: No kidding - and I'm sure pizza will make a glorious return. :D

Key: *grins at this* Glorious indeed. :D

Todd: Haha, shoot, this conversation's making me hungry. XP

Doctor: *has not yet returned*

Todd: *suddenly his smile fades. He was feeling odd... like... like he was disconnected from himself. He stared blankly off in the distance, though Key, into nothingness, as he felt that nothing was there. He was dazed. If it wasn't for his obvious breathing, he would seem dead*

Key: *her smile vanishes, replaced by a look of concern* Todd...? Todd?? Oh no... *looks back at the door--no doctor* oh, you can't be serious...! D:>

Todd: *his mind collapses into itself, making way for the rabies-driven rage and instinct of an animal - he growls angrily at Key, tearing the mask off just as Harry had - though Harry hadn't been fully turned - Todd was already a zombie, and didn't act on fear, but a primal ANGER*

Doctor: *bursts in* I'm not late! I got caught -- *notices Todd* ... up. I... I really need to be better about this...

Key: *steps back and away from Todd from fear of being attacked* Y-You THINK!? Do something!! D8>

up

Doctor: Well... as long as it's in his system... er...

IN

Todd: *pulling away as much as he can form the dead child. He was SOBBING now, scared out of his wits* I-I'm sorry - I'm sorry - I'm sorry, ohhgohd...

Key: *can hear Todd from outside, and starts getting very anxious* C-Can you PLEASE give me a straight answer?! D:>

Doctor: He won't stop hallucinating. Not until I get rid of the cure in his system.

IN

Todd: *still pulled away as much as he can on the bed* I wasn't in control of myself! I never meant to eat you!! Please, please, don't - PLEASE - GOD, DON'T DO THIS TO ME...!!

Key: *winces at Todd's screaming-- sh just wants him to stop suffering* Okay! Okay, do it. Just... make sure he doesn't end up like Harry... D:>

Doctor: I won't - I swear! D: *opens the door to the room and enters it* Hello Todd.

Todd: *looks past the dead girl, at the doctor and Key - oh god the girl* The girl - sh-she c-c-came back... oh god... oh god, do SOMETHING to take her away PLEASE...!!

Doctor: You're hallucinating.

Todd: Sh-she's not really there??

Doctor: No.

Key: *follows the doctor in, ignoring the fact that she might not even be allowed to be in there. she stands by the bed* Th-The doctor's going to help you, Todd... whatever you're seeing, it'll go away soon...

Todd: *is still straining himself to get away from the girl* b-but... so real...

Doctor: I'll go get the machine... *heads out*

Key: *places her hand on his and squeezes it, trying to soothe him* She's not there, Todd... just... don't look at her. <:(

Todd: *shuts his eyes tightly, trying to block her out - failing - she was there, still. He gritted his teeth* I can't ignore her - she's shoving her FACE into MINE... her BLOODY, MESSED UP face...

Key: *is trying to figure out exactly what girl he's talking about... she remembers something he said a while ago, about killing a girl as a Hunter...* ...You just have to hang on a little longer, Todd... She can't do anything to you.

Todd: *blood runs down his face again* I can't take this, Key... I-I can't - it - *quietly* ... I deserve this... I deserve all of this for what I've done to her... she was only trying to survive... only trying to stay alive...

Key: *moves her hand to his cheek, rubbing away the blood with her thumb* It wasn't your fault, Todd, you weren't in control when that happened... shh...

Todd: ... if Harry didn't let go of the leash... does he just... hate...? Is that all he was capable of, before...?

Key: I don't know, Todd, I really don't know...

Todd: ... that Hunter today... you couldn't kill it... what happened to it?

Key: He got cured. right after I pulled him off you, he just... became normal. He was panicking, too, after seeing what he did...

Todd: ... I feel really bad for him... becoming human again, right after doing that...

Key: I do too... I wonder how he's doing... *wonders where the doctor and his machine are* ...

Todd: Probably really badly...

Doctor: *comes back, rolling the machine in* Alright... *leans over, strapping the clear plastic mask over Todd's mouth and nose* Just breath in deeply, alright? You'll get better.

Todd: *nods slowly* ... kay... *does so*

Doctor: *quickly checks over his wounds again before going back out of the room*

Key: ...I'll stay with you, okay? <:(

up

Common: Y-y-yes... is it true...? The world is...?

Todd: Unfortunately, yeah. The world's kinda a mess right now - but it's getting fixed! ^^

Key: Slowly but surely... ^^

Common: ...

Todd: There's plenty of people you can talk to if this is too heavy for you - don't worry. :)

Key: ... *averts her eyes, feeling a bit awkward-- and spots a Hunter crouching on the wall, about to pounce* HUNTER!! D8

Todd: Huhwuh - ? *IS POUNCED. He lands on the hard ground, back first* AH!!

Hunter: *immediately starts slashing into Todd's front. Blood is thrown about rather quickly*

Todd: AAUUUHHGEDDITOFF!!

Common: D8 !!!

Key: TODD!! D8 *grabs the Hunter by the back of his hoodie and rips it off Todd, holding him back as best as she can* D8>

Todd: *his wounds are deep, and the blood loss is great. He lays on the ground, dazed, breathing HARD, from both the fright he had received, and the wounds on his damaged body* Hhh... hhh...

Hunter: *suddenly slows down to a halt in his struggling, and he stares at Todd - he SPEAKS* O-oh my god - *he then notices the blood all over himself* oh my GOD...!!

Common: Whah - y-you need me to get a doctor?? D8

Key: *is completely panicked-- she releases the now-cured ex-hunter* Y-yeah?! YEAH! GO! RUN! NOW!! D8> *kneels by Todd, trying to find a way to stop the bleeding, but there was just too much* ...!!!

Common: *runs off for a doctor* D8

Hunter: Oh god - oh god, why did I - Oh my god, where AM I...?? What have I DONE...??

Todd: Ghhk... Hnnh...! *grips at the ground in pain, his nails scraping across it and leaving white lines*

Key: *ignores the Hunter, trying to get Todd to calm down* Oh my god, Todd, just hang on, the doctors are coming...! please, just stay with me, Todd! D8>

Todd: *sucks in as much air as he can through the gas mask. He was shaking from the pain, still clawing at the ground. He speaks to her, albeit very quietly* H... how bad i-is it.. Key...?

Hunter: *feeling very scared, confused, and guilty all at once*

Key: *bites her lip nervously-- she was glad he couldn't see her face right now* D-Do you want me to be honest...? *looks around* Where are they....?!

Todd: *weakly* ...juss'tell me...

Team Doctor!: *running - somewhat far away*

Key: *her voice breaks a bit* It... It doesn't look good, Todd...

Todd: *doesn't respond to this - he THINKS he did, but it only came out as slurred nonsense*

Team Doctor!: *the medics finally arrive, placing Todd on a gurney and carrying him away as fast as they could*

Hunter: Oh my god - what the HELL is going on?? D8>

Key: ...just... *shakes her head* Come with me, y-you need to go to the CEDA building...! *runs off, really, she just wanted to see if Todd was going to make it*

Hunter: *follows Key to the CEDA building* God, god, oh GOD... *a soldier takes him off of Key's hands, and places him with the other cured infected*

meanwhile

Doctor: *works on Todd - it's the same doctor who worked on Harry*

Todd: *has been knocked out*

Key: *hunts around, asking soldiers where they took Todd, and eventually finds the room. she sits against the wall outside, and waits...* ....

Doctor: *eventually comes out* He's got too much of the cure in his system. It went directly into him through his wounds. Otherwise, he's going to be okay.

IN THE ROOM

Todd: *the girl (that one the one that he -) the girl, the girl, she was THERE, she was STARING at him, her eyes dead, her intestines still hanging out of her, her mouth half open with blood staining her face all over - no, no, she was DEAD - she couldn't - ghosts exist? Ghosts EXIST??* No...! No, please...! Leave me alone - I'm SORRY...!

OUTSIDE

Doctor: Uh... he WILL be okay... eventually. >_>;

Key: H-How long is "eventually"? What's happening to him?? D:>

Doctor: Um... hallucinations, I guess... I can flush his system like I did to a Mr. Gazsky...

IN

Todd: *in his head, the child steps closer to him. He begs it* No... no, please - I'm sorry - I'm SORRY! Please stay away...! PLEASE...!

Key: *remembers what she head about what happened to Harry-- she shakes her head* N-Not gonna risk that happening again... How long will it take for it to wear off on its own? <:(

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