Monsterhearts:A Normal Stressed-Out Teenager

Monday August 25th, 5:15 AM
Wildomar, Slaughterhouse Canyon

**Chris**: I'm going to at least give him a ride home. Whether he likes it or not. **He's pulling on his jacket and pulls his keys out of the pocket. He's in the foyer heading for the back stairs that lead to the garrage.**

**Liam**: I should go with you! **He half-stumbles after Chris, following the direction of his voice.**

**Chris**: Should you? **He stops at the back door and turns to look at Liam.**

**Liam**: What?

**Chris**: **He shakes his head.** He wasn't too happy to see you Liam, and that's *despite* us saving his life from that... That demon.

**Liam**: I at least want to say sorry... Something! **He frowns.** I want to talk with him...

**Chris**: Maybe you should give him some time... The first thing he did was knock you clean out... **He shakes his head again.** The guy was so pissed that he got up and walked out of a crumbling house to get away from us...

**Liam**: He doesn't want to see you either then, but you're going after him!

**Chris**: We both know who he's blaming for what's happened to him, Liam. **He opens the door and starts to go through.** Sorry man, but I think it'd be better if I went after him on my own. Just... Go to bed or something... **He walks out of the room and down the stairs towards the garrage.**

**Liam**: **He lets out a distraught sigh and turns to head back to his room. After a moment he pauses, seeing a pair of objects burning a gold and red, laying on the ballroom floor, at the center of the glowing white circles they used earlier.** ...Huh? **He walks over to the book and picks it up. It's kind of heavy so he has some trouble. After a moment he bends down and picks up the other small object. It's Nemo's Sigil. His expression turns to annoyance, and he shuffles off towards the other end of the ballroom, tucking the book under his arm and sliding the Sigil into his pocket.**

***Meanwhile...***

**Chris**: **He's driving down the street, keeping an eye out for Shane.**

**After a about five minutes of driving, Chris can see Shane, his ripped clothing making him easily recognizable even at a distance, slowly walking down the side of the road. There's a light rain that's still falling from earlier, and it's very cold out.**

**Chris**: **He pulls up next to Shane and rolls down his window.** Let me at least give you a ride Shane.

**Shane**: **He looks over at Chris. He's pale, and his lips look like they're turning blue. After a moment he looks forward and keeps walking.**

**Chris**: **He drives faster and then turns up onto the sidewalk to block Shane from walking further. He opens the door and gets out.** Shane... C'mon, it's gotta be thirty degrees out, it's raining, and your clothing's torn to hell and back. Let me at least give you a ride.

**Shane**: **He stops and stares at Chris.** ...To where?

**Chris**: ...Home?

**Shane**: My parents are dead Chris. There is no more home. There's no more anything. **He starts to walk around the car.**

**Chris**: ...Get in the car Shane, we can try to talk this out...

**Shane**: **He slowly looks over at Chris as he reaches the back of his car. He stops walking and shakes his head.** ...Talk what out? ...The fact that I spent the last week of my life watching something else rip apart any chance of a future? ...What's there to talk about? **He goes back to walking around Chris's car.** I don't want anything to do with you, your horrible lizard family, or that... That... **He trails off and shakes his head.**

**Chris**: **He sighs, starting to get a bit aggrivated.** I know you're pissed, but at least get in the car so I can take you somewhere. Home, a hospital, a hotel, whatever you want. We don't have to talk if you don't want to.

**Shane**: **He just keeps walking, not saying anything.**

**Chris**: **He sighs.** Get in the fucking car Shane! I'm not gonna let you die of hypothermia after all the shit we've both been through! I know all that's happened is total shit, and nothing's gonna make it right, but if you die like this... Then that demon's gotten it's way in the end!

**Shane**: **He stops and looks back at Chris. His eyes look away for a moment, like he's thinking.** ...What's wrong with you? **He looks back at Chris.**

**Chris**: **He looks at Shane strangely.** What?

**Shane**: You don't owe me anything, and you owe Liam even less... So why the hell did you do any of this? Pity? Was it just so you could prove yourself to your fucked-up family?

**Chris**: **He shakes his head.** Does it matter? I could say anything and the answer wouldn't change what's happened. I did what I did, and that's the way it is. I didn't expect any gratitute for it, so you don't owe me anything back.

**Shane**: **He hangs his head slightly. He looks like he's starting to shiver, even though he's trying to stop it.** ...Well at least you didn't make up some bullshit answer...

**Chris**: Are you gonna get in the damn car or am I going to have to *make* you get into the car?

**Shane**: **He looks up at Chris, and after a moment he walks up to the car and gets in.**

**Chris**: **He gets in after him and backs the car back out onto the street. He flicks on the heater and it starts to warm up quickly.**

**Shane**: **He turns his head and looks out the window, staying silent as they drive.**

**Chris**: **As he drives out on the main road he breaks the silence.** I did it because... This place is fucked up, and without someone to help keep people in check... Well I *refuse* to sit around and watch bad things like that just... *Happen*... "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing." **He looks at Shane for a moment.** I'm just some stupid kid... But most of the people with a solution would rather just sit around and let it fucking happen, and I'm not like that... **He sighs.** ...I've no doubt that there was a better solution that I missed... I'm sure there's a hundred things I could've done better, faster even... The things that happened might've been prevented... But I did the best I did, Shane... I'm sorry all of this happened to you.

**Shane**: **He lightly bumps his head against the window a few times as Chris speaks.** ...Thank you... For what you did. **He sighs, and his breath causes a line of fog on the window.** ...I... I realize... None of this was... Your fault...

**Chris**: **He bites the inside of his lip.** ...I'm going to do everything I can to wise up about this... All this supernatural shit... From here on out, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure something like this doesn't happen again... I can promise you that. **He pauses.** Your house is up this road, right?

**Shane**: **He looks ahead.** ...Yeah... **He lets out another sigh.** ...On the left...

**Chris**: **He drives a little faster, pulling into the driveway.** I'm sorry I didn't do better, Shane... I really am.

**Shane**: I already said it's not your fault. **He says it apathetically, like whether it's Chris's fault or not, it really doesn't matter.** ...Things are the way they are.

**Chris**: **He looks over at Shane.** If you ever need anything, anything at all...

**Shane**: **He looks out the window for a moment.** Thanks for the ride Chris.

**Chris**: **He nods.** ...Remember what I said... I mean it.

**Shane**: **He opens the door and gets out of the car. He looks towards his house for a moment in silence, leaning on the car door slightly.** ...Because you saved my life, and I'm grateful for it... I'm going to give you this fair warning... **He lets out a haggard and tired sigh.** I ever see you on this property again after this... I'll take one of my dad's rifles, I'll point it at your face, and I'll pull the trigger. Without so much a flinching hesitation. **He shuts the car door before Chris can respond, and slowly trudges towards his house.**

**Chris**: **He gulps slightly, and then shakes his head a little.** ...Whatever. **After a moment he backs out of the driveway.** ...At least you're safe, and the demon's gone... That's closure enough for me...

***Meanwhile...***

**Shane**: **He walks into his house and sighs, moving towards the center of the living room. The sounds of pre-game sports coverage can be heard on the TV.**

**Clyde**: You gonna help me with this tuna monstrosity your mom's got crawling over the table? **He purposely nudges into Shane and smirks as he walks towards the kitchen table.**

**Bonnie**: You say that, but all three of you always come 'round askin for seconds, every time. **She smirks, as she adjusts her glasses with the back of her hand as she walks to the table with four glass bottles of root beer.**

**Coty**: 'cause if we don't eat it then we don't hear the end of it for *weeks*. **He walks from his room out into the living room. He's wearing a baggy football tee. He smirks at Shane.** Right?

**Shane**: **He smiles.** Yeah.

**Coty**: Please tell me you made something *other* than tuna casserole, though. **He takes a seat at the table and looks to his mother.**

**Bonnie**: **She's back in the kitchen, and shakes her head with a smile as she pulls out a large tray of Lasagna.** Steak lasagna, and big bowl of onion crap dip.

**Coty**: Did you just say *crap* dip?! **He raises an eyebrow at her and smirks.**

**Bonnie**: Crab! I said *crab*! **She looks at Coty sternly, but a slight smile spreads across her face as she sets the Lasagna in front of him.** Stop laughing and stuff your face. **She smacks him on the back of the head with her oven mitt and walks back into the kitchen.**

**Clyde**: **He shakes his head as he pops the cap off of his root beer bottle.**

**Shane**: **He starts laughing as he moves towards the table.**

**Coty**: The hell are you laughing at? **He rubs his eye and looks around the quiet living room. He's in an old tank top and a pair of black pajama pants.** And where the fuck have you been? Mom and dad are pissed. They were out all weekend looking for you.

**Shane**: **His smile is gone as he turns to look at his brother.**

**Coty**: What the fuck happened to your shirt? You go play in some more powerlines with your dumbass friends?

**Shane**: **He stares at Coty for a moment. He looks older, tougher, than he did in that memory of the Superbowl years ago. It's jarring to him for some reason.** It's an old shirt I slept in.

**Coty**: What? **What Shane says clearly doesn't make sense. The shirt is stained and filthy.**

**Shane**: **He walks passed Coty and tears what's left of his torn shirt off, realizing there's no reason to wear it.** Why are you up anyway? It's six in the morning.

**Coty**: **He shakes his head.** Because it's a school day retard. You really think they'd shut down school any longer than they *had* to?

**Shane**: **He pauses as he stops in his door frame. Something about his room seems different. A lot of things seem "off" from what he remembers, but he can't figure out what.**

**Coty**: Where the hell is mom and dad? Their cars weren't in the driveway last night when I got home.

**Shane**: **That catches his interest and he turns to look back at Coty.** Was someone in my room?

**Coty**: **He narrows his eyes in irritated confusion.** No one ever goes into your room except *you*, dumbass, that's one of the reasons for your terrible social status. **He looks passed Shane, into his brother's room. After a moment he sighs and puts his hand to his head, running it through his hair a few times, spiking it up messily.** You going to school or not? 'cause I'm not waiting around to give you a ride if you're going to make me late.

**Shane**: **He narrows his eyes again as he turns to look into his room. Something seems off about this.** It doesn't start for two hours.

**Coty**: I have try-outs today. I have to be there an hour early, I play a *real* sport, remember? Not your gay-ass synchronized swimming. What the fuck is up with you anyway?

**Shane**: **He lets out a long sigh.** I think I'll go in later... I'll call Kyle or something. **He rubs his eyes. He's exhausted and has no intention of actually going to school today after everything that's happened to him. He walks into his room and looks around.**

**Coty**: Good thing you fixed that fucking carpet. Mom and dad were going to beat the shit outta you after they saw that. **He walks into the bathroom, shutting the door.**

**Shane**: **His tired blue eyes go wide and they look down at the carpet. There's no circle. No evidence of the ritual. Nothing. He looks up at his window, and a vision of it shattering as the house shutters flashes through his memory. He tilts his head as he looks at the window. It's fine. There isn't a crack on it. It's like nothing bad happened here.**

**???**: Cleaned up the mess. I felt partially responsible...

**Shane**: **He turns and looks to the direction of the voice.**

**Nemo**: ...Since it was my Sigil that caused... *Some* of what happened. **He's laying back on Shane's bed.**

**Shane**: *You*. **He narrows his eyes.** What the fuck are you doing here?!

**Coty**: **His muffled voice can be heard from the bathroom.** You say something?

**Shane**: **He calls out.** No! **He looks back to Nemo and speaks more quietly.** ...What the fuck are you doing here? **He moves to his door and closes it, keeping his eyes on Nemo the whole time.**

**Nemo**: You know who I am?

**Shane**: You're that asshole that was trying to make a deal with those two fuck-ups!

**Nemo**: So you really were conscious that *whole* time... Damn, that's fucked up. **He raises an eyebrow at Shane.** But you seem pretty sound of mind... That's awesome. **He smiles as he looks Shane up and down.**

**Shane**: What the *fuck* are *you* doing *here*?!

**Nemo**: Decided to clean up a little. **He looks around the room.** Now it's like nothing ever happened... Well... As far as the house is concerned. **He looks to Shane.** And because I need your help.

**Shane**: I'm about ten seconds away from helping some buckshot into your smug-ass face if you don't get the fuck outta here.

**Nemo**: That's some real grit you got. **He looks Shane up and down.** ...But, I'm not the bad guy. I've done nothing but try to help you. **He shrugs and looks around.** You remember what happened to your parents?

**Shane**: **His fury breaks and he frowns.** I'm getting that twelve gauge. **He turns and heads for the exit of the room.**

**Nemo**: They're gone, Shane. No bodies. Nothing. How are you gonna explain that to Coty? The cops? The life insurgence company?

**Shane**: **He pauses as he reaches for the doorknob. After a moment he looks back to Nemo.**

**Nemo**: **He's standing right behind Shane.** I have a way for us to get what we *both* need... And all these loose ends will go away and you can go back to trying to live your life...

**Shane**: **He lets out a aggravated sigh, then after a long deliberation he speaks.** ...I'm listening.

***Later that day, at school...***

**Chris**: **He's waiting in the front office to meet with the councilor. He's dozed off.**

**Receptionist**: Mr. Courier? **She stands up and looks over her desk.** Mr. Courier.

**Chris**: **He opens his eyes, shaking off the slight nap.** Yeah?

**Receptionist**: Dr. Thredson will see you now. **She sits back down.**

**Chris**: **He showed up to school after he drove by and saw that there were people already gathering outside. He took a nap in the parking lot and then went to the front office first thing in the morning.** Thanks. **He yawns and stands up, heading for the councilor's office.**

**Dr. Thredson**: **As Chris walks in he's taking off his coat. He's clearly just arrived.** Chris. **He motions to the seat in front of his desk.** Take a seat. **He sits down behind his desk.** So what are you here for this morning Chris?

**Chris**: **He scratches the side of his head. His hair is kinda messy.** I wanted to switch out of Water Polo.

**Dr. Thredson**: Really? I'd heard from Coach Boomer that you were performing well. **He looks to Chris as he waits for his computer to boot up.**

**Chris**: I thought it's what I wanted... But... **He shrugs.** I think I'd rather take weights. Somethin new... Ya know?

**Dr. Thredson**: **He turns to look at his computer.** Well... It's still early in the school year... But you might have to try out for football if you really want weights. They get priority over the rest of the student body because... Well the football team makes the school a lot of money...

**Chris**: **He sighs.** What about wrestling?

**Dr. Thredson**: Afraid our school doesn't have a wrestling team.

**Chris**: What, really?

**Dr. Thredson**: A young man broke his arm a few years back, and the parents sued the school district, so we shut it down this year. Sorry to say it wasn't really a very popular sport either.

**Chris**: Lacrosse? You guys gotta have Lacrosse...

**Dr. Thredson**: I'm not even sure what that is...

**Chris**: **He sighs.** Guess I'll try out for football...

**Dr. Thredson**: Lucky for you, try-outs are this morning. **He looks at his watch.** They're probably going on right now, you could still make it.

**Chris**: **He sighs.** ...Great.

***Meanwhile...***

**Liam**: **He's walking into the foyer, looking around. It's been a few hours since Avarada was dealt with, and he has the large demonic tome in his arms. He's slept only a little bit, being too wrapped up in the events of the early morning to get any decent sleep. He speaks out with a slightly raised, but cautious, voice that echoes through the foyer.** Anyone else here?

**Orion**: **He looks down from the Library balcony three stories up.** Need something Liam?

**Liam**: **He pauses, realizing the sound is coming from above him. He turns and looks upwards in its general direction.** ...Are you on the ceiling?

**Orion**: **He smirks a little.** I'm in the library.

**Liam**: Oh... **He pauses.** Could you take me over to Karen's place?

**Natalya**: It is no longer hers. **She's walking into the foyer from the front door, putting down a large black umbrella. Agatha walks in behind her, carrying a small black suitcase.** It is officially *my* property.

**Orion**: You actually left the house during the daylight?

**Liam**: **He stands there, in the middle of the big open foyer, feeling nervous now that Natalya is here.**

**Natalya**: **She glares up at Orion, freezing him in place as their eyes meet. After a moment she looks away and continues towards the stairs without a word, pulling a pin from her hair, causing it to tumble down around her shoulders.**

**Orion**: **He rubs his eyes and blinks a few times, like her glare strained his eyes.** I was going to go for a walk anyway, so I'll take you over there Liam.

**Liam**: Thanks. **He hoists the book up in his arms. It's getting heavier carrying it.**

**Agatha**: Should I prepare Lunch, or will you two be out for some time? **She watches Orion quickly run down the stairs.**

**Orion**: I ate earlier, wasn't sure when you and Natalya would be back.

**Agatha**: **She looks to Liam.** What about you young man?

**Liam**: I'm not sure when I'll be back, you don't have to make anything for me...

**Agatha**: Well then, have a good day Master Liam. **She walks passed Orion, moving towards the back doors.**

**Liam**: Thanks... You too. **He sighs a little.**

**Orion**: **He pats Liam on the back.** Let's go.

***A few minutes later...***

**Liam**: **He drops the heavy book onto the table in the library.** The demon dropped it after we... Killed it or... It was killed... After it was over. **He fiddles with the clasp for a few seconds before he manages to get it open.** I think it's like a spell book. **The pages look really old and strange, like they're not written on paper. The lettering looks more like it's been burned into the page rather than written. It looks similar to english, but it's written in a jumbled way that doesn't make sense.**

**Karen**: **She looks at the book and narrows her eyes at the jumbled mess of text.** Well I can't read any of it if that's what you're asking. **Orion didn't stay, just stuck around long enough to say hi, and then left for his walk.**

**Liam**: No... Umm... I can actually *see* the book, and the writing. It's like... It glows in the dark for me... I think it's because it's demonic... Or something, I'm not really sure... **He runs his hand down the page and the writing smolders like lightly burning paper, reacting to his touch.**

**Karen**: **She watches the text glow.** Maybe you should just leave it be. These old demonic tomes aren't something you should be messing with.

**Liam**: **He looks down and away from her.** I have to look through it. There might be a way to... Maybe make things better.

**Karen**: I've seen a lot of supernatural things do good, but I don't think that's ever been the case with demons. The best you can hope to do is break even, or pick up the pieces.

**Liam**: Then that's what I want to do. Pick up the pieces, even just... Breaking even would be nice compared to what I have right now, which is a dead parent and no home.

**Karen**: **She looks down and crosses her arms.** ...I'm not really an expert on this stuff Liam. I... Basically just watched this library. The only thing I know, is that books like that... Rarely amount to any good...

**Liam**: **He slams the book closed.** Well I have to try. At the very least it would be nice being able to *see* again.

**Karen**: I supposed could make a few calls... I know some people in the area that might be better experts on these things...

**Liam**: Thanks but... There's someone else I might as well try to ask first... **He pulls the tome off the table.**

**Karen**: You need me to walk you back to Chris's place?

**Liam**: **He nods slowly.** That'd be nice. **He smiles slightly.**

***Meanwhile, at School...***

**Chris is sent crashing to the ground for the tenth time in the last few minutes.**

**Coty**: **He gets up off of Chris and pulls off his helmet, smirking as he looks down at him.** I thought you were supposed to be tough. I'm the fucking quarter back. I don't even play defensive. **He laughs a little and shakes his head.**

**Chris**: **He sighs and slowly gets to his feet.**

**Coty**: **He reaches out and grabs Chris's hand, helping him up.** I thought you were in Water Ballet with all those other fairies in Swim Class.

**Chris**: **He pulls off his helmet and looks around the field. He doesn't like football, but he doesn't want to be stuck in a class with Shane for the rest of the semester after all that's happened between them, and he can't live without a PE class at this school full of horrible teachers.** I wanted to take weights, Thredson said that this was the best way to get in.

**Coty**: How much do you weight? Like 140?

**Chris**: They weighed me in at 158 before I put on all this crap. **He's breathing heavily.**

**Coty**: **He laughs again.** I'm gonna say this again... I'm 165, and I'm the *QB*. **He runs his hand through his hair causing it to spike up.** You're gonna have to seriously pack on some muscle if you're gonna play any position other than "speed bump". **He shakes his head and rolls his eyes.**

**Chris**: Well if I can get into weights, that'd fuck'n help... **He wants to rub his shoulder, it's still hurting from being thrown this morning.**

**Coty**: **He takes a deep breath, looking around the football field at the other people trying out.** Sucks, doesn't it?

**Chris**: **He rubs the side of his head, he's starting to get a headache from being tired and thrown around so much from a Demon and a Jock.** ...Huh? ...What does?

**Coty**: Try-outs always sucks. I hate it. **He looks to the bleachers. The PE class that takes place in the morning is sitting there with a free period because of try-outs. Lilith is up there, talking with Tate and Odie's younger brother. The three of them are sitting with a few of the popular hot girls. Two of the girls waves to Coty.** But it has its perks. **He looks at Chris with a slight smirk.**

**Chris**: Ya'know, you're a lot less of an asshole than I thought you'd be. **He coughs a little, his heavy breathing catching in his throat. He just wants to go home and pass out. Coming to school was a stupid idea. He doesn't even know how he's in the mood to talk with this kid he doesn't even know.**

**Coty**: What, you think I was gonna be like Blake or something? That guy's a fuckin moron. **He raises an eyebrow at Chris and smirks.**

**Chris**: I dunno you just got that... Jerkass jock look goin on.

**Coty**: You're trying out for a *real* sport man, and you'll probably get in over these... **He watches as some nerd a few feet away gets, almost literally, crushed into the ground by one of the linebackers.** ...Genetic rejects... **He looks back to Chris.** ...You're *practically* one of us already.

**Chris**: **He coughs again, surveying the are. There's another kid in the same crappy loaner gear that Chris is in. He slams into one of the defensive linemen and actually blocks him for a few seconds before he starts getting pushed back a little. He manages to stand his ground, but starts sliding back as his cleats stop catching the wet grass and the lineman pushes him with too much strength.** He looks like he's doin alright. **As he says that, the kid gets knocked on his ass and the big guy falls on him. Chris winces slightly.** ...Better than me at least.

**Coty**: **He looks over at the kid.** Yeah, I'm not really sure who that is. Some newbie, like you.

**After a moment the lineman helps the boy up, and he pulls off his helmet.**

**Lineman**: You alright man?

**Boy**: Yeah, I'm good. **He shakes his head and wipes sweat from his eyes. He has a weird haircut that looks like he's shaved the right side of his head, and the rest of his hair hangs messily to the left. Despite his dark hair and naturally tanned skin, he has piercingly light-blue eyes. He looks to the bleachers and waves at someone over there before walking off.**

**Chris**: **He slides his hand under his shoulder pad and rubs his shoulder as he watches the kid walk off. He looks back to Coty.** Guess he'll be getting on the team too?

**Coty**: Not sure, they pick seniors over lower grades. **He puts his helmet back on.** But, that said, there's no free rides to greatness, Kentucky. **He takes a few agile steps back and hunches down.** So you better get that bucket back on your head... Cause I'm about to get *real mean*.

**Chris**: **He sighs and puts his helmet back on, preparing for the next crushing tackle.**

***Later, after school...***

**Chris**: **He's laying on the cold floor of the foyer. He's so sore that he didn't even make it to the stairs before he gave up to lay down for a few minutes. His room is practically a football field away, and he just doesn't want to walk up three flights up stairs to get to his bed.**

**Orion**: **He walks into the foyer from the ballroom. He's eating an apple with one hand and reading a small medical book with the other. He does a double take as Chris catches his eye. He stops and looks downa at him.** Rough day?

**Chris**: Rough everythin. **He turns his head to look at Orion.** You're such a nerd.

**Orion**: **He looks at his book and then his apple.** Okay?

**Chris**: ...Sorry... **He turns his head to stare at the far-off ceiling.** I tried out for football today. Some of it must've rubbed off on me. **He starts to sit up, then stops, laying back down.** ...Well that's all the effort I care to muster...

**Orion**: We're talking about football after the demon fight you had this morning? I feeel like I'm on that Vampire Slayer show.

**Chris**: I thought mom would've told you what happened. **He lets out a confortable sigh. The cold wooden floor still feels nice.**

**Orion**: She did. Said you were *exemplary*. So you must have done *really* well.

**Chris**: No one died... Not to be grim, but, thought someone would die for sure... There was a point where, the Demon made me think it had all my friends held hostage... I was *this* close to giving in and making a deal with him... **He lets out another sigh.** ...Glad I didn't I guess.

**Orion**: Doesn't sound too pleasant...

**Chris**: **He sighs again.** ...I'd like to never have to do it again. Especially since... This... Pair of... Demons showed up at the end and ripped the thing we were fighting in half like it was *nothing*, with all these red chains... **He shakes his head.** ...Once I saw those things I got the feeling that whatever we were dealing with, it was small potatoes in comparison... And I think that's what scares me the most... So... I decided to go to school to try and forget about all the nightmarish shit that has happened, and pretend I was a normal, non-demon fighting, non-serpentine, stressed out teenager. **He lets out a groan.** That reminds me... I have a mountain of biology and science homework because the school was shut down last week. **He bites the inside of his lip. After a moment he slowly gets to his feet.**

**Orion**: You're impressive Chris. I don't think a lot of guys your age could do what you did, *and* survive football try-outs on top of that. You should feel better. **He smirks, almost condescendingly.**

**Chris**: **He stretches his shoulder a little. It's really sore.** So I think I figured out your deep dark secret while I was dozing off at school today...

**Orion**: ...Huh? **He looks at Chris with a little confusion.**

**Chris**: Mom's from 800 B.C... So, far as I can tell, she doesn't have any parents... You're not *her* brother, you're *my* brother... Right?

**Orion**: **He looks a little awkward and looks away, trying to figure out how he'd explain this.** Uhh... Half brother I guess...

**Chris**: **He's suddenly hugging Orion.** ...I always wanted a brother. **He hugs him tighter, it's out of character for Chris, but he's in an emotional state at the moment.**

**Orion**: **He hugs him back after a moment.** ...Me too. **He smiles slightly.**

**Chris**: **After a brief silence he sighs for the eightieth time.** ...So can you use your doctor authority to call in a helicopter to lift me to my room? **He let's go and takes a few steps back from his brother and smiles a little, feeling closer to Orion.**

**Orion**: 'fraid not, little bro... You'll have to rough the hike all the way up to your room, the downside of living in an entirely too-large castle... Anyway, I have to head to work, I'm already running late. **He takes another bite out of his apple.** Oh yeah, Agatha said the construction on... **He motions to the massive pile of rubble in the front of the foyer and ballroom.** ...Well, *that*. Is starting tomorrow morning.

**Liam**: Are they really gonna finish it in a few days? **He's walking in from the ballroom.**

**Orion**: Our family motto is "Where there's a will there's a way, and where there isn't a will, there's a lot of money." **He walks towards the back door.** See you two later.

**Chris**: Have fun at work! **He winces and rubs his shoulder.**

**Orion**: **He shakes his head as he walks through the back door.**

**Liam**: **He sounds a little annoyed.** ...Well? How'd it go with Shane? I thought you would come back, but it's like... Well I can't actually tell time anymore, but it's been a while... So what happened?

**Chris**: **He looks from Orion to Liam.** Shane said thanks, then threatened to kill me. Can't say I blame him. **He rubs his forehead.** I switched out of Water Polo and into football, so I wouldn't have to share a class with him. I think that'd be too... Uncomfortable.

**Liam**: His life is ruined... **He frowns.** ...I know how he feels... **He shakes his head a little.** For a second, after the demon died, I was happy... Like we won... Like we actually accomplished something... But we *didn't*, did we?

**Chris**: We stopped the demon from killing more people. That's accomplishment enough for me as far as I'm concerned. I'll be more prepared if there's a next time. Can fucking count on *that*... **He sighs.** Anyway I'm... So fed up with talking about Shane and this Demon... It's over, and I don't want it to keep consuming every social aspect of my life... What are we gonna do about you? Still haven't heard from your mom?

**Liam**: **He looks downward.** She'd go away for weeks at a time, so it's not really surprising... I understand if you don't want me here though, now that everything's over.

**Chris**: That's not it at all. You saved my life, remember? I'm just wondering what you're going to do. I can't imagine sitting around alone in this house is any fun.

**Liam**: I'm still thinking about it I guess...

**Chris**: We could hire a private tutor or something, maybe even someone who could teach you braille.

**Liam**: Yeah, that might be nice.

**Chris**: And I think I'll hire a detective to track down your mom, she has a right to know what's happened.

**Liam**: **He nods and smiles a little.** I miss her.

**Chris**: **He walks up and hugs Liam, again, out of character for him, but he feels like Liam needs it.** ...Just remember what I said, ok? Take it one day at a time. You'll get through it.

**Liam**: **As he hugs Chris back he clutches Nemo's Sigil in his hand.** ...Yeah.