Plankton x Patrick Emojis & Text

Copy & Paste Plankton x Patrick Emojis & Symbols

ᴼᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵒ ᵀᵉˣᵃˢ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵇᵒʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ! ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵘˢ?" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ‧" ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᵀʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ? ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵒ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗʳʸ ⁱᵗ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᴮᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵒ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ!" "ᔆˡᵒʷ ᵈᵒʷⁿ! ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵖᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᵗʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ; ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵛᵉʳᵃᵍᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵗ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʳᵘˢʰ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏˡʸ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗ ʰᵒʷ ˡᵒᵒᵖʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵘⁿˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᑫᵘᵉᵃˡᵉᵈ⸴ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵏⁱᵖ ᵐʸ ᵗʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ?" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ‧‧‧" ᶜᵘʳʳᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᶜᵗ ᵘⁿⁿᵃᵗᵘʳᵃˡˡʸ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠʳᵉᵉ‧ ᵀᵒ ᵈⁱᶻᶻʸ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵇᵇˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᶠˡᵃⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍⁱᵈᵈʸ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒ ᵖᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵇʸᵉ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʷᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵈᵒ ʷᵉ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʷᵉ'ᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᴱᵃᵗ ᶜʰᵘᵐ?" "ᴺᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵛᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵃʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᴮᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ⸴ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ ᶠᵒʳᵉᵛᵉʳ!" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʷʳⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ˢʰᵉˡᶠ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ʲᵒᵘʳⁿᵃˡ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ⸴ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵈⁱᵃʳʸ?" "ᴼᵖᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ⁱᵗ; ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ⁿᵒᵗᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᵛᵃʳⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉˢ ᵒʳ ᵉˣᵖᵉʳⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵃʷ ᵃ ˢᶜʳᵃᵖᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵒᶠ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒˢ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶜʰⁱˡᵈʰᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵒᶠ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖⁱᶜᵗᵘʳᵉˢ ᵗᵃᵏᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ 'ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ' ᵃᵇᵒᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵍᵉ! "ᵂʰʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒ ᵃˡᵇᵘᵐ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᵘᵗ; ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵒˢᵗˡʸ ˡᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ; ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴵ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ!" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵐᵉ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ˢᵉˡᶠ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ; ᴵ ᵈ⁻ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʳᵍᵘᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵒᵒʳ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʳᵒᵗᵉ 'ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ ʷᵉˡˡ' ˢᵗⁱᶜᵏʸ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˡʸ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃᵗᵉ‧ 'ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵃᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ' ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢⁱᵍʰ‧ "ᴴᵘʳʳʸ ᵘᵖ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ʸᵉˡˡ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳᵉ ʷᵒʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴼʳᵈᵉʳ ᵘᵖ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʲⁱᵗᵗᵉʳʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ 'ᔆᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ʷᵉⁱʳᵈ ᵇʸ ˢᵉᵉᵐⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵘᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧' ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗˢ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳˢ⸴ ˢᵉᵉᵐⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᵇᵃˢʰᶠᵘˡ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ; ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ‧‧" ˢᵃʸˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵖᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᴺᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉⁿ; ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵒʳ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ⁱᶠ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵃʸ ˢ⁻ˢᵒʳʳʸ ⁱᶠ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ ᵗᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ⁱ⁻ⁱᶠ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁱᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ⁱᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵉˣᵖʳᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‽" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵒᵘʳⁿᵃˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵒⁿᵉˢᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢⁱˡˡʸ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ! ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ; ᵒʰ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃⁱʳ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʳᵘˢʰ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱᵗ!" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵇˡᵘʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴹᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵃᵍᵃᵖᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵘʳˢᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ‽" ᴴᵉ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 𝟽𝟷𝟿
ᴺᵘʳˢᵉ ᴾᵃᵗ ⁽ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃᶰᶠᶤᶜ⁾ [ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ ᵃᶰᵈ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖˡᵃʸᶤᶰᵍ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ] ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰᵎ [ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒˢˢᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: [ᵍʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ] [ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʷᵃˡᵏˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʳᵘᶰ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ᴸᵒᶰᵍᵎ [ʰᵉ ᵗʰʳᵒʷˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ ʰᵃʳᵈ ʷᶤᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᶤˢˢᶤᶰᵍ ᶤᵗ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ ʰᶤᵗ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᶤᶰˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ] ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ: [ᴮᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᶰᵒᵗᶤᶜᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʷʰᵉᶰ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉᶰˡʸ ʰᶤᵗ ᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ; ʰᶤˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʷᵉᶰᵗ ᵍᵒᶤᶰᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶤᶰ ʳᵒˡˡᶤᶰᵍ ᶤᶰ ʰᶤˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᶤᶰᵍ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘᶰᵈ˒ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ ᶠᵃᵈᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇˡᵃᶜᵏ] [ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᶰᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵉᵉᶰ ᵗʰᵉᶰ ˡᵒᵒᵏᶤᶰᵍ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ᴴᵉʸ ᶜᵃᶰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᶤᵛᵉ ᵘˢ ᵒᵘʳ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏˀ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᴾᵃᵗ ᴵ ᵗʰᶤᶰᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵘᶰᶜᵒᶰˢᶜᶤᵒᵘˢˑˑˑ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ᴴᵘʰˀ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: [ᵍᵒᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᶠᵉᵉˡᶤᶰᵍ ʰᶤˢ ᶠᵒʳᵉʰᵉᵃᵈ] ˢᵉᵉ ᵖᵃˢˢ ᵒᵘᵗᵎ [ˡᵉᵃᶰˢ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ˢᵒ˒ ᵈᵒ ʷᵉ ᵈᵒ ᶜᵖʳˀ [ʷᵃˡᵏˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉᵐ] ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: [ᵗᵘʳᶰˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ] ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᶰᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ˒ ˢᵒ ᶰᵒ ᑦᴾᴿ ᶰᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸˑ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: [ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍʳᵃᵇ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃᵏᵉ ʰᶤᵐ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇˡᵒᶜᵏˢ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᶤᶰᵍ] ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: [ʳᵉᵗʳᶤᵉᵛᵉˢ ʰᶤˢ ᵃʳᵐ'ˢ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ ʷᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗᶰ'ᵗ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ʰᶤᵐ ᵘᶰˡᵉˢˢ ʷᵉ ᵃᵇˢᵒˡᵘᵗᵉˡʸ ᶰᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒᵎ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ᴵˢ ʰᵉˑˑˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʷᶤˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵉᵛᵉᶰᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵈᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉˑ [ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵗʰᵉᶰ ᶰᵉˣᵗ ˢᵉᵉᶰ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉᶰᶤᶰᵍ ʰᶤˢ ᵉʸᵉ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃˡᶤᵛᵉᵎ [ˢᵠᵘᵉᵉᶻᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᶤᶰ ᵃ ᵗᶤᵍʰᵗ ʰᵘᵍ] ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᴱᵃˢʸ˒ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏᵎ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: [ᴰʳᵒᵖˢ ʰᶤᵐ] ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ: ᵞᵒʷᵎ ᵂʰᵃˑˑˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᵞᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ [ˢᶤᵗˢ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵘᵖ] ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵐᶤᵍʰᵗ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵘᶰᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃᶰᵈ ʸᵉᵗᵎ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ᴼʰ˒ ˢᵒʳʳʸˑ [ᴸᵉᵃᶰˢ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ] ᴴᶤ˒ ᴵ'ᵐ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏˑ [ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏᶤᶰᵍ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵖᵒᶤᶰᵗᶤᶰᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᶤᵐˢᵉˡᶠ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ ˢᵗᵃʳᵎ ᴬᶰᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶰᵃᵐᵉ ᶤˢ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰᵎ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰˑ ˢᵃʸ ᶤᵗ˒ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵐᵉˑˑˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: [ᴵᶰᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᶤᶰᵍ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ˒ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍˡᵃʳᵉˢ ᵇᵉᶤᶰᵍ ᵃᶰᶰᵒʸᵉᵈ] ᴵ ᵈᵒᶰ'ᵗ ᵗʰᶤᶰᵏ ᶤᵗ'ˢˑˑˑ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ˢˡᵒʷᵉʳˑ ᴹᵉ˒ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏˑˑˑ ᵞᵒᵘ˒ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰˑˑˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᴺᵒ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃᶰˑˑˑ [ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵗʳᶤᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃᶰᵈ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗᵒᵖᵖˡᵉˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ] ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃᵍᵃᶤᶰ; ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵈᵒ ᶜᵖʳ ᵇʸ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰˑˑˑ [ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵖᵘᶰᶜʰᵉˢ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ ᵃʷᵃʸ] ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᶠᶤᶰᵉˑˑˑ [ᶠᵃˡˡˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵘˢʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉᶰ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵘᵖ] ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᶤᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶰᵒʷ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏˑ [ᶠᵃᶜᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ] ᵞᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ˒ ʷᵉ ᵖˡᵃʸᵉᵈ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ [ᵖᶤᶜᵏˢ ᵘᵖ ˢᵃᶤᵈ ᶠʳᶤˢᵇᵉᵉ] ᵃᶰᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᶜᶜᶤᵈᵉᶰᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗˑˑˑ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ: ᴴᵒʷ ˡᵒᶰᵍ ᵃᵍᵒˀ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ: ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉᶰ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᶤᵈᵉ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᶤᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉᶰᵉᵈ˒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵐᵒᵐᵉᶰᵗˢ ᵃᵍᵒᵎ ᴾᵃᵗʳᶤᶜᵏ: ˢᵒʳʳʸˑˑ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ: ᴵ ᶰᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒᶤᶰᵍ ᵐᵒʳᵉˑˑ [ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵉᵖᵃʳᵃᵗᵉ ᵍᵒᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉᶤʳ ᵒʷᶰ ʷᵃʸˢ]
ᔆᵘᵖᵉʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˡʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴬˡˡ ʷᵉᵉᵏ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵃˢ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵃˡˡ ʷᵉᵉᵏ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵈᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉˢᵗ⸴ ᵃˢ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ 'ᵉᵐ! ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈˡʸ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴾᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍʳᵃᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈˡʸ‧ "ᴼʰ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴴᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ʷᵉʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ʷʰᵒˡᵉ ʷᵉᵉᵏ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠᵃᶜᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵉ ʷᵒʳⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ˢᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ⁱᶠ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ⸴ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃⁿ ⁱᵈᵉᵃ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᶠᵘˡ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ; ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵘᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ'ˢ?" ᴴᵉ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳ; ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴳᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ʳᵘᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃʳᵐ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢ ᶜᵒⁿᶠⁱʳᵐᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧‧ 'ᵂʰⁱᶜʰ ᵒⁿᵉ ⁱˢ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ?' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʷʰᵉⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˡᵉˢˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁿᵒʷ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘⁿᵍʳʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ˢᵐᵉˡˡ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵗᶜʰᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ'ˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵃˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢⁿᵃᶜᵏ‧ "ᴼʰ ʰᵉʸ ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵘᵖ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃˡ‧ "ᴵ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴳᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗˢ?" "ᴵ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᵈᵒ!" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇʸ ⁿᵃᵗᵘʳᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ‧ 'ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˡʷᵃʸˢ ˢᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ 'ᴺᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐʸ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ˢᵉᵉᵐˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃˢ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉˢ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ⁿᵒʷ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗˢ‧ 'ᴴᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵐᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆᵒ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ⸴ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧ "ᴵ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗˢ! ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗᵒ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ˢᵐⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉ ˡᵉˢˢ ʳᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵖˡᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵛᵉᵃˡ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᔆᵗᵃʳ‧ "ᴴⁱ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵇʳᵘᵖᵗˡʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ⸴ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵃ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵃᵏᵉ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ˡᵒⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍˡʸ‧ 'ᴴᵉ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵃⁿᵗˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵃˢ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʷʰʸ⸴ ʷʰʸ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ⁱᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ⸴ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ˡᵉˢˢ ⁱᵐᵖᵒʳᵗᵃⁿᵗ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴼᵘᶜʰ!" "ᴼʰ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ⸴ ᴵ ᶠᵒʳᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡⁱᶠᵗ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ‽" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳᵃʷˡᵉᵈ‧ "ᴼʰ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵐᵉᵗ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ? ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˡⁱᶠᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉ‧ "ʸᵉᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵘˢ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ! ᴹᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʳᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘˢ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵐᵒᵛⁱᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉⁿˢⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ᵗʰᵘᵈ‧ ᵀᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵏⁱᶜᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢˡʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᵐᵖᵃᶜᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵘʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴺᵒ⸴ ˢᵗᵒᵖ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃˡˡ⸴ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ‧‧ "ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᴵ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ!" ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵉᵃʳ ᵒᶠ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᵂʰʸ? ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵃⁿᵈˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᶠᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴬ⁻ᵒʷʷʷ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᵏⁱᵈ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵃᶻᵉᵈ‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ‧" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧" 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟖𝟖𝟑
"Hey, how's Plankton doing?" asked Patrick. SpongeBob looks at Plankton, chest rising and falling with snores. "He's sleeping," he said. "But it's the middle of the day!" "Well, he just had his wisdom teeth out," he explained in a hushed tone. "He's pretty out of it. But be quiet, ok?" He turned his attention back to Plankton, who had somehow managed to dislodge the gauze again. With a sigh, SpongeBob carefully repositioned it. "You're going to have to keep that in, Plankton," he said, his voice a gentle scold. But Plankton’s head lolled to the side, his snores growing louder with each breath, drool seeping through the gauze. "Look at him, SpongeBob," Patrick whispers. "He's snoring." "Patrick, shh. He's still recovering." "Can I...can I poke him?" "No, Patrick," he said, his voice a low whisper. Patrick's finger was already outstretched, hovering over Plankton. "Just a little? I just wanna see if he'll snore louder," he whispered. SpongeBob's grip on Patrick's hand tightened. "Patrick, remember what I said about being quiet," he reminded him. Plankton stirred in his sleep, snores turning to mumbles. Patrick was undeterred. He leaned even closer to Plankton, his hand hovering above the sleeping creature's forehead. "You're okay, buddy," he whispered, his voice a mix of concern and glee. "Just rest up, and when you wake up, we'll have the best party ever!" Plankton's snores remained steady. He reached out and gently poked Plankton's forehead. "Wake up, little buddy," he cooed, his voice a soft whisper. Plankton's eye snaps open, his tiny body jolting upright with a snort. The gauze fell from his mouth, and he looked around the room with a glazed expression, his eye finally settling on Patrick's massive grin. "Wha... what's going on?" he slurred, his voice muffled by the anesthesia. Plankton's eye narrowed, his head lolling slightly to the side. "What happened?" he slurred. SpongeBob took a tentative step closer to the couch, his heart racing. "You had your wisdom teeth out," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "You're at my place, just resting." Plankton blinked, his eye focusing on SpongeBob with a look of confusion. "Wisdom teeth?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. SpongeBob nodded, his eyes never leaving Plankton's face. "Yes, Plankton, remember? You're all fixed up now," he said, his voice soothing. But Patrick couldn't resist the urge to add his own twist. "And, you snore!" he whispered, his voice filled with mirth. Plankton's confusion grew. "I... I snore?" he asked, his voice a mix of surprise and mortification. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about," he assured, SpongeBob eyes Patrick with a warning look. "What's it feel like?" he whispered, his voice a mix of excitement and concern. Plankton looked at Patrick with bewilderment. "It feels...weird," he mumbled, his words slurred. "And my mouth is...numb." Drool had formed at the corner of Plankton's mouth. Patrick couldn't resist pointing it out. "Look, Sponge Bob, he's drooling!" Sponge Bob shot him a look that was a mix of annoyance and amusement before turning back to Plankton. "It's okay, Plankton," he whispered, his voice gentle. "It's normal." Plankton's eye grew distant, his mind still clouded by the anesthesia. "Everything's...so...blurry," he murmured, his words slurring together. Sponge Bob and Patrick exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them. "It's the medicine," Sponge Bob explained, his voice calm and reassuring. "It'll wear off soon." But Patrick's curiosity was unquenchable. He leaned closer to Plankton. "Hey, Plankton," he whispered. "I... I don't know," he mumbled, his voice groggy. "Everything's all... wibbly wobbly." "Wibbly wobbly?" He looked over at Plankton, whose eye was still open, staring at the ceiling with a look of wonder. "Everything's...so...pretty,". "It's just the living room, Plankton. You're still a bit out of it." Patrick's eyes grew wide with fascination. "Hey, Sponge Bob," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "Look at his mouth!" Sponge Bob turned his gaze to Plankton, drooling more than ever. "Patrick, shh," he scolded, his voice a gentle whisper. "Let him rest." Plankton's snores grew quieter for a moment before picking up again, a trail of drool connecting his mouth to the pillow. "Is it...normal?" "It's just his body's way of dealing with the surgery, he can’t help it" he murmured. "It'll go away eventually, all part of the process. It's the stuff that makes you sleep through the surgery, like a really deep sleep so he won’t feel or remember.” "But why does it keep coming out?" "It's because his mouth is numb from the dental surgery, Patrick, it's his mouth muscles still asleep." "Can I...I mean, is it okay to, like, nudge it?" He made contact with the drool, sending a ripple through the salivary puddle. Plankton's snores grew louder, his mouth opening even wider. "Patrick," he hissed, his voice a mix of warning and amusement. "You're pushing your luck." His eyes remained fixed on Plankton, watching the drool pool grow and shrink with each snore. He remained blissfully asleep, oblivious to the conversation happening around him "What if I just...dab it with a tissue?" "I guess it’ll help keep him comfortable." He gently touched the tissue to the side of Plankton's mouth, catching the drool before it could fall onto the pillow. The moment the tissue made contact with the saliva Plankton, who was now snoring more heavily, his mouth hanging open even wider, drool cascading onto the pillow, sending a ripple through the salivary puddle. Plankton's snores grew louder, his mouth opening even wider., It was a light touch, just enough to make the saliva wobble like a gelatinous blob. It was a tiny movement, but it was enough to make Plankton's snores hitch. "The anesthesia is wearing off, and his mouth is just... reacting. The numbness is normal." With each dab of the tissue, Plankton's snores grew softer, quieted, his mouth twitching slightly, his breathing even. Then Plankton's face twitched slightly, his expression shifting from remaining asleep with breathing deep and steady, to one of slight discomfort as the lingering anesthesia began to wear off. Snores had turned into soft whimpers of discomfort. "It’s normal he's starting to feel the pain." He reached for the medicine. “Just stay still, Plankton," Sponge Bob whispered. Sponge Bob nodded, his smile gentle. "It's just the start," he murmured, his voice a mix of reassurance and experience. "It'll take a bit for the pain to go away." Plankton's mouth was still slack, the drool now a steady stream that pooled on the pillow. Together, they managed to get Plankton into a sitting position, his legs dangling over the side of the couch. "Hey you need to wake up just a little bit to take your medicine." Plankton's head lolls back against the pillows. "Patrick, hold his shoulders," Sponge Bob whispered urgently. "We don't want him to fall over." Plankton's gaze searched the room, his thoughts clearly muddled. "There you go," Sponge Bob whispered, his voice filled with relief. He carefully laid Plankton back down on the pillows, wiping the last of the drool from him. Plankton's eye remained open, blinking slowly as the world swam back into focus. "You did it," Sponge Bob whispered, his voice filled with pride as he swallowed medicine. "Now, just rest. The pain will start to go away soon." Plankton's eye drifted closed again, his snores returning, though softer than before. Sponge Bob gently let Plankton's head back onto the pillow. "He's okay now," Sponge Bob whispered, his voice a mix of relief and pride. "Good job, helping Patrick." Patrick's eyes remained wide with wonder, his mind still racing with the excitement of the past few moments. "What happens next?" he murmured, his voice filled with anticipation. Sponge Bob's smile was a mix of amusement and reassurance. "Now the medicine will kick in."
pls note the ai inflicts emotional damage (ᵕ—ᴗ—)
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Plankton's Hardest Lesson by AndyIsConfused As Spongebob fell to the Krusty Krab floor, Plankton knew he'd gone too far. Many of his schemes before were tricking the sponge into trusting him, but never had he caused physical harm to. Plankton felt his heart sink and tears fill his eye as Spongebob spoke, "But… We were supposed to be… friends forever…" He said before his legs gave in and he landed on his side. All at once, Sheldon was hit with memories. Memories of times the optimistic Sponge had been kind and friendly with him, despite all his schemes. Hugs, cookies, smiles, even being lifted higher to see what was happening. All the times Plankton was greeted happily, despite how the entire town treated him in contrast. And all the times Spongebob has swallowed his food, smiling pretending to enjoy it, even if it was a lie. No. This wasn't what he wanted. He wanted a popular restaurant, to be respected, revenge on Krabs. But Spongebob hadn't done anything wrong, he wasn't his target. He felt sick to his stomach as he heard a cry from a familiar friend of the delightful sponge, Patrick, had come to visit his friend, only to see him on the floor, and could only freeze as he watched the events unfold, Patrick running to Spongebob. He was sure that the star was screaming, but Plankton couldn't focus, only the way it sounded, shaking him to his very core. That sound… the pain in his cry. It was horrific. He never heard anything like it. Squidward ran in, followed by Mr. Krabs, Squidward frantically calling an ambulance as Eugene picked plankton up. "Krabs, I can explain! I never meant-... I didn't know he was-" "I see what you're willing to lose for your revenge, now." Eugene's voice was monotone as he popped Sheldon into a glass bottle. Patrick fell to his hands and knees, shaking and crying. After collecting themselves as best as they could, they all walked to the hospital. Plankton being forced to confront what he'd done by Eugene Krabs, himself. In a glass bottle on a lamp table in a hospital waiting room. He looked around before he glanced up to see his nemesis glaring daggers into him, "So… uh… Pretty cloudy today, huh, Krabs?" "I want you to explain yourself. Revenge against me didn't need to involve the kid." He knocked the bottle to its side, making Sheldon fall over with it. Sheldon sighed, "My intention wasn't ever to hurt the boy, Krabs. He's a dumb little angel. My intention was to… I-... I was trying to break into your safe and he got in the way. I panicked! That little idiot was gonna call the cops again and I just wanted him to stop, forever!" He realized what he'd said as he said it. What in this blue ocean had he become? When did the life of a young adult become less of a priority than his revenge? He ran his hands along his antennae, "I… never wanted to hurt that sweet idiot, Krabs…" "You're so full of it!" Sandy, trudging over to Plankton, lifting his container to her face so she could look him in the eye, "You got caught and your first instinct is to hurt the nicest creature in the ocean? After all the love he gives you?" She was tearing up, "Spongebob had plans for your birthday! He has your christmas gifts for the next six years in his closet the same as everyone else in Bikini Bottom!" She turned to the nearest wall and brought her arm back. Plankton knew he was about to be thrown, but a tentacle on her wrist stopped her from throwing. "Sandy… What would he say if he could see you, right now?" Squidward's voice was calm, but also tight, like it was stuck in his throat so he wouldn't cry. "When's Spongebob coming out?" Asked the pink starfish, "We… We have to see Mermaid Man tonight. He promised." He looked to squidward who sighed and sat next to him, patting his back, wordlessly. Patrick curled his legs into his chair to hug them before burying his face, "I miss Spongebob!" He cried as his two friends did their best to comfort him. Plankton stayed seated in his confinement, this time, looking to Mr. Krabs, "I… Don't know how to fix this, Krabs." Eugene looked at him with a shocked expression, "Fix? You can't fix this… But you can stay here and watch how much this action of yours hurts the folks around him. Feel bad. Be ashamed. Maybe then I'll know you're not a complete monster." Plankton nodded before looking away from everyone. He… wanted to apologize to spongebob. But he wasn't sure if he'd ever get the chance. Plankton felt sick. His stomach flipped and turned before he remembered, something, "Hey… Psst! Hey, Squid! HEY!" Squidward lifted his head from Patrick's shoulder, wiping drool from the Starfish's mouth and making a disgusted face as he ran his tentacle along the back of a nearby lamp. He turned to Plankton, "What?" He whispered with a hiss, "If you wake this pink idiot, I'm shaking you until you stop moving!" Hostility. Fair, given what Plankton had done to Spongebob. "Uh… The sponge. He has a pet, right?" Plankton cleared his throat and gulped, "I don't remember what it is, but I know he has one. He's constantly gushing about it." "Gary, a snail." Squidward sighed and lifted the bottle to eye level, "Why do you care?" Plankton was a little stumped at the question, "I… Um… I don't kn-" "Yes, you do!" Squid interrupted, "Just spit it out." "Fine!...." Sheldon rubbed his face and groaned, "The kid… He's a good guy. He never hurts anyone. Maybe he's misunderstandings, but… He's good… And I made some stupid robot… do what it did. And I didn't even understand what I meant when I said destroy until I saw… It lasted too long and then he… was on the floor…" Plankton covered his mouth, his body was quivering. He took a deep breath before he touched his cheek. When… When had he started crying? "So it really was just an accident." Squid seemed to be less shocked about this than he should be, "Because I'll rip off your antennae, squish you until my leg is tired, and Spongebob is the only bright part of my life. That little idiot is my sunshine. Do you understand?" Plankton nodded at this before Squidward placed him back on the table. He watched him lay his head back, cross his arms, and go back to sleep. He felt strange that he was less worried about his own demise and more worried about the kid. He hoped Spongebob survived… He hoped he could apologize, to be there during his recovery to take care of him… Only Spongebob would have enough heart to give him another chance. He didn't deserve one. He knew that, but… Spongebob deserves a long life, only ending in old age. Plankton needed to stay awake until the doctor returned with news. Sheldon wasn't sure when it was that he finally fell asleep like the others, but his dream was riddled with guilt. He wasn't replaying the event over and over. That wasn't really how dreams even worked. No. It had himself and Spongebob, but that was about the only similarity to real life. He seemed to be running to the boy, in his nightmare. Attempting to catch up to him and stop him. The young man was over the edge of a cliff and looking down. He tried to scream to catch his attention, but not only was he too far and not gaining any momentum, he was too small for the young man to even hear. This seemed like a hopeless scenario. It only ended when the dream Spongebob turned to face Plankton. "Wake up." Said the voice. But… it didn't belong to Spongebob. That sounded like… Krabs? He awoke with a start, heart pounding in his chest and hands shaking, "Wh-What's going on." He asked before he noticed the man in the white coat and stethoscope, "Oh... " There were only two possible answers to expect, "Is he-...?" "He's alive. He should make a full recovery." Interrupted the deep voiced man. Plankton sighed with relief, "However… None of this is going to be cheap." For the first time since knowing the red crab, Plankton was shocked at what his nemesis said next, "Talk to me about the money issues. The boy ain't got enough to survive on, much less afford medical care." Sheldon blinked his eye in disbelief, "You… You're serious? No! No way! This is my fault, I should-" "You have a failing business, Plankton." Eugene interrupted, "You ain't gonna afford squat." "I'll sell machines. Devices!" Sheldon insisted, standing in his bottle, "I can't do nothing! I did this!" His volume rose, voice cracking. Eugene sighed, "Fine… Fine. You can help if the kid doesn't press charges." Sandy cleared her throat, "He won't. We all know that." The group nodded. Spongebob was far too kind. Mr. Krabs pulled back the curtain to reveal a very pale Spongebob. Plankton felt his gut twist again, "The Squid stole your house keys, Squarepants." Plankton said before really even realizing he was speaking. A very soft and raspy laugh escaped the sponge, "I gave them to him. He's going to take Gary to his house until I'm better again." That smile. Even after all this, the kid was smiling. How can he be so optimistic? He watched the sponge look to Krabs, "Hi, Mr. Krabs. S-Sorry I can't work for a bit." It was at those words when the stoic crab began to lose his composure, Krabs sat on the bed, "Don't be blaming yourself, you hear? Just focus on being my frycook, again… okay?" His voice wavered as he gently touched the boy's shoulder. "Okay, Mr. Krabs. I'll do my best." He promised. "I know you will, lad. I know." Eugene said as he stood back up, setting Plankton down on Spongebob's bedside table. Cartoons » SpongeBob SquarePants English, Angst & Drama, Words: 2k+ Sep 27 2020

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ᵂᵃⁱˡˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵂʰᵃˡᵉˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃ ʳᵒᵃᵈ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵀᵉˣᵃˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ʷᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ᵇʸ, ˢᶜᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵃᶠᵉ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ’ˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧ “ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᶜʳᵃˢʰ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ?” “ᔆᵘʳᵉ!” ᴵᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ’ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧” ᔆᵃʸˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ, ʰᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ‧” “ᴮᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᴵ…” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉⁿ’ᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ‧” “ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ‧ “ᵂᵉˡˡ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵒ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ‧‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ, ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉˢᵖᵉʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ‧ “ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃʳᵐ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ˡᵉᵗ’ˢ ʷⁱⁿᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ, ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳʸ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ʳᵘᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵘᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ˢᵒᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵘⁿᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒʷ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ʳᵉˡᵃˣ, ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉˢ ᶜᵃˡᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ⁿᵒʷ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡʸ ᵈʳⁱᶠᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ, ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ʳᵘᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒⁿᵍ, ᵒⁿˡʸ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵖᵉᵃᶜᵉᶠᵘˡ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” ᔆˡᵉᵉᵖⁱˡʸ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵉᵛⁱᵒᵘˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵘᵐᵐᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ‘ᴴᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵘᵖ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵈᵒᶻᵉ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ’ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᶜᵒᵒᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ “ᴴⁱ‧‧” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ! ᴴᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ?” “ᴺᵒ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢ ᵒʳ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉˢ!” “ᴵ’ᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ‧” 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟐𝟗𝟎
ᔆⁱᶜᵏ ᴰᵃᶻᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿⁱᶠᶠˡᵉˢ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ⁱⁿ⁻ᵗᵒ ᵀᵉˣᵃˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ʷᵉᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ᵃᵍⁱᵗᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡᵉ ˢᵉᵃˢᵒⁿᵃˡ ᵃˡˡᵉʳᵍⁱᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᶜʰ ⁱⁿᶜˡᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ʷᵉᵃᵗʰᵉʳ? ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒᵒᵏ‧‧‧" "ᔆⁱᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵒᶠᵃ‧ "ᴵ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃˡˡ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵍᵃʳᵈᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ⸴ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵉˡᶠ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵘʳᵉ ˢʰᵉ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵏⁱᵈ⸴ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃʸ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ⁻ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᶠᵃᵗⁱᵍᵘᵉᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵉʸᵉ ˡⁱᵈ ᵈʳᵒᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉᵃᵛⁱˡʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ‧‧" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵈ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ! ᴳᵉᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᶠʸ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢʰⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵒᶠ ˢᵒᶠᵃ‧ ᴳᵒᵒᵈ‧ ᴺᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵈʳᵃᵖᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ʸᵉᵃ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏᵉᵉⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵉˣᶜᵉˢˢⁱᵛᵉ ᵖʰʸˢⁱᶜᵃˡ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵒʳ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵛᵉʳˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᵃˡˡᵒʷ ⁱᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵉˡˢᵉ; ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵘᵖ ʷᵉˡˡ‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʷᵃⁱᵗ; ᴵ'ᵈ‧‧‧ ‧‧‧ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ?" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ; ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃᵏᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢⁿᵘᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧ 'ᴾᵒᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ⸴ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ⁱⁿᶜᵉˢˢᵃⁿᵗ ˢⁿᵘᶠᶠˡʸ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃʸ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵈʳᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ 'ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ‧ 'ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉᵉˡˢ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴿⁱˢᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰⁱⁿᵉ! ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ? ᴸᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢᵒᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˡʸ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʳ ʲᵒˡᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ “…ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ?” “ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ‧” ᔆⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏˡʸ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ 'ᔆʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ᴵ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵒʳ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉ ⁻ ᵃˢˢᵘʳᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵒʷ ⁱᵗ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵃ ʳᵉˢᵘˡᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵉᵃᵗʰᵉʳ?' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉʳˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵃˢᵏ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ ʸᵉᵗ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᵈᵒᵒᵐ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉˢˢ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ‧ ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵃʳ; ᶜᵒᵒˡ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃᶜᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵍʳᵃᵗⁱᵗᵘᵈᵉ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʷᵉ ʰᵃⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ⁿᵒʷ?" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉᵈ ʲᵒʸᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˡᵃᵖ‧
ᴺⁱᵍʰᵗⁱᵉ ᴺⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ╰ ✧ ・゚∙ ∗ — ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ ⟨ 4 2 8 ⟩ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᵈʳⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ⁱˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵒˢˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧ ᴵⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐᵗ ᵒᶠ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵃ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ 'ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵉʳᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ' ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ‧ 'ᴵ ʷⁱˡˡ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧' ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ‧ 'ᴰᵒ ⁱᵗ' ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵍʳᵉᵉˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵗᵃᵘⁿᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵗʰʳᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵈⁱˢᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ⸴ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷʳⁱᵗᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵃ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‽ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵒʳ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᵀᵒ ᵇʳⁱᵍʰᵗ!" "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵃᵈʲᵘˢᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗⁱᵐⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ⁱⁿᵛᵒˡᵛᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉˢ‧‧" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᵃᵇᵃⁿᵈᵒⁿ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵈ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ "ᶜ⁻ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ?" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵃᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉ‧‧‧" "ˢˢˢˢʰʰʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᴮᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ?" "ᴹᵘᶜʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱˡʸ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵃˢʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃˡᵃʳᵐ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱᵐᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢˡᵘᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ˢᵒ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵈʳᵒᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᵏ⁻ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧"
ᵀʰᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ⁱⁿ ᴸⁱᶠᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰᵉ'ᵈ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒˢᵗ ᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᵐᵉᵉᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵍᵃᵗʰᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ˡᵃᵈʸ ʳᵉᵘⁿⁱᵒⁿ ˡᵃˢᵗˢ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵉʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʸᵃʳᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵍᵒᵗ ˡᵉᵐᵒⁿᵃᵈᵉ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ! ᵂᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵘʳᵍᵉʳ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐʸ ʷⁱᶠᵉ'ˢ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˡᵃᵈⁱᵉˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʳᵉᵘⁿⁱᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵈ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ‧ "ᔆᵒ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵉᵉᵏᵉⁿᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵒ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ!" ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵃⁱˡ ᵖᵉᵗ ᶜᵘʳˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵃʳᵃᵈᵉˢ⸴ ᵒˡᵈ ᵖᵃˡ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉᵈ ᶜᵃᶜᵏˡᵉˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵉᵈ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ᵃˡˡᵒʷ ⁱᵗ‧ "‧‧‧ʸᵉˢ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵃᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʳᵃᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ!" ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷⁱⁿᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱᵗ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵃʸ⸴ ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᶠⁱˡᵐ ᵐᵒᵛⁱᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ!" ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵉⁿᵈˢ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵃⁿˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵃᵇˡᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵘʳˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉˡᵉᵛⁱˢⁱᵒⁿ ᵗᵛ ˢᵉᵗ ⁿᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵗᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ?" "ᴺᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʷᵉˡˡ ʳᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ; ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ'ˢ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵛⁱᵉ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵃʸ ʷʰᵃᵗ‽ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ⁱᶠ ʰᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵉ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ⁱᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ ʳᵉʷⁱⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵃˢᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ⁱᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵉʳᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵃˡᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵃᵐᵘˢᵉᵈ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᵍʳᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ʳᵉᵖˡʸ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵃᵛᵉʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵉʸᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃᶜᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵒᵇˡⁱᵛⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱᵐᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ⸴ ᵉⁿˢᵘⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿ ᵃʷᵏʷᵃʳᵈ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᶠ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳᵘⁿᶜʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ʰᵘⁿᵍʳʸ; ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᴵ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵘˢ⸴ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵃᶜᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ‧ 'ᴵⁿ ʰⁱⁿᵈˢⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ 'ᵉᵐ ᵃⁿ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵉⁿᵈᵉⁿᶜʸ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵃᵈ‧ 'ᴶᵘˢᵗ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃʷᵏʷᵃʳᵈˡʸ ᵐᵃⁿⁿᵉʳ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ʰᵃᵈ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ! ᴺᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒⁿ ʰᵒʷ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᵍ‧ "ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ‧‧‧" "ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵒ⸴ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍʸ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ; ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵒʳᵈᵉᵈ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒʳ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʰᵉʸ! ᵂʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ? ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏᵉᵉⁿ ᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵖᵘᵇˡⁱᶜ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐᵉᵃˡ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘˢ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ʳⁱˢᵏ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠⁱʳᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᶠ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ!"
ᵀᵒ ᴴᵉᵃˡˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵉᵗ ᵃ ˢʰᵃʳᵖ ᶜˡᵃᵐᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʳᵃᵖ ⁿᵉᵃʳ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ʰᵒˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʷᵉᵃᵏ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᶜᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰᵃˡᶠ⸴ ᵃˢᵏᵉʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ˡᵒᶜᵃˡ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿˢ ᵈᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ "ᴷⁱᵈ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖˡᵉᵃᵈᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʷᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵉᵈᵃᵗⁱᵛᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁱᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ; ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᶜᵃˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʷᵉ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ᵘᵖ‧" ᵀʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴾᵃⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ʳᵃᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵃʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᴵ'ᵐ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵃ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ‧ 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵃ ʰᵉᶜᵗⁱᶜ ᵈᵃʸ‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵍʳⁱᵖ ᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ˢᵒ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵘᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵉⁿᵈ‧ 'ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵃ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜ' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ‧ "ᵂᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵉᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵉʰᵃᵛⁱᵒᵘʳ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉᵗⁱˢᵉᵈ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ‧‧" 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ⁻ ʷʰᵒ⁻ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵐ⁻' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ⸴ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᶜᵒʰᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉ‧‧" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˡⁱᵈ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ‧ "ᵂʰᵉⁿ’ᵈ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ʰᵒᵐᵉ; ᵃˡˡ'ˢ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵒ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ!" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿ‧ "ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗⁱˡᵗᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ˢᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵘᵖʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵖᵒˢⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵒ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˢᵉᵃᵗ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵈᵒ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃˢ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠⁱˣᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃᵛⁱˡʸ ᵈᵒᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᵗʳᵒᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵉᵗᵗˡᵉᵈ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁿᵒʷ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵛⁱᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʳᵉᵍᵘˡᵃʳⁱᵗʸ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ʰᵉᵃˡᵉᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧
https://perchance.org/ai-story-generator
James Potter was a peculiar boy with a head of unruly black hair and eyes so bright they could outshine the stars. He had a knack for turning the most mundane moments into grand adventures. Whether it was climbing the tallest tree in the schoolyard or racing his friends across the Quidditch pitch, his imagination knew no bounds. But even in the whirlwind of his escapades, there was one person who remained steadfastly out of reach: Lily Evans. Lily was unlike anyone James had ever met. Her fiery red hair was a stark contrast to her soft, porcelain skin, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of intelligence and mischief. She was as fierce as a lioness and as graceful as a swan. Her laugh was like a melody that could charm the sternest of hearts, and it was a sound that James longed to hear directed at him. However, she had a tendency to dismiss his efforts with a roll of her eyes and a smirk that suggested she saw right through his bravado. Severus Snape, on the other hand, was a solitary figure. He lurked in the shadows of the school corridors, his eyes darting like a snake's as he took in every detail. His black hair was always impeccably combed and his robes pristine, as if he had just stepped out of a dark wardrobe. Severus was a prodigy in the art of potions, his talents often overlooked due to his cold demeanor. Yet, beneath the surface, there was something about him that drew James in. Perhaps it was the hint of vulnerability that occasionally flickered across his face, or the way his eyes lit up when he spoke about the most obscure magical herbs. The two boys moved in different circles, but they had one thing in common: a deep admiration for Lily. They watched her from afar, each imagining what it would be like to be the one to make her laugh genuinely or to capture her heart. But as the school year rolled on, their paths began to intertwine in ways they could never have anticipated. It was as if fate had a twisted sense of humor, throwing them together in situations that neither could escape. And as they found themselves drawn closer to Lily, a silent rivalry began to brew between them, a dance of longing glances and unspoken words. James, ever the charmer, tried to win Lily over with his flashy Quidditch moves and cheeky grins. But Lily, ever the enigma, remained unimpressed. In his frustration, James took to teasing Severus, using his popularity to make the other boy's life bad. He'd steal his books, trip him in the halls, and whisper snide comments. One rainy afternoon, as the school was dismissed for the day, James caught Severus crossing the crowded courtyard. He saw his chance and sneered, "Hey, Snapes, where's your broomstick?" His friends snickered, and Severus tensed, his eyes narrowing. Without waiting for a response, James conjured a water spray that drenched Severus' already soggy robes. The laughter grew louder as Severus stumbled away, the weight of his sodden clothes dragging him down. In the Great Hall, James watched as Severus sat alone at the Slytherin table, his shoulders hunched over a book. He whispered to his friends, "Look at the lonely little snake," and they all burst into laughter again. Severus glanced up, his gaze sharp and piercing, but James felt no remorse. In fact, he felt a strange thrill, as if he was in control of something he never had been before. The power of ridicule was potent, and he wielded it with the same ease he did his wand. Days turned into weeks, and James' pranks grew bolder. He'd jinx Severus' shoelaces to trip him up in the halls, replace his potion ingredients with foul-smelling dungbombs, and even cast a spell to make his robes shrink in the middle of class. Each time, Severus took the humiliation in silence, his eyes burning with a quiet anger that James found both fascinating and thrilling. It was a twisted game, but one James was determined to win. But the more James bullied, the more he felt the knot in his stomach tighten. It wasn't just guilt; it was something else. He noticed the way Severus' hands trembled as he poured potions, the way his voice grew softer in the face of his tormentors. And every time Lily saw what was happening, she'd give James a look that made him feel smaller than a house elf. He knew he was losing her respect, but he couldn't stop. It was as if he was under a compulsion to push Severus away from her, to prove to himself that he was the one she truly desired. One day, James' antics reached a new low. He'd convinced a group of his friends to help him pull a prank so elaborate, it was sure to leave Severus humiliated beyond repair. They waited in the shadows of the deserted library, setting up a series of traps that would culminate in a grand finale of slime and laughter. But as Severus approached, his head buried in a dusty tome, James felt a strange tug at his heart. He watched as the other boy stepped onto the first trap, a levitating book that smacked him in the face. The laughter of his friends seemed to echo hollowly in the vast room. Severus stumbled back, dropping his book into the puddle of ink that had appeared under his feet. He looked up, his eyes meeting James' for a brief moment. In that instant, James saw something he hadn't noticed before: a deep sadness that mirrored his own. It was as if the layers of bravado and spite had been peeled away, revealing a soul just as lost and lonely as his. The laughter died in his throat, and for a moment, James felt a flicker of empathy. But the moment was fleeting. His friends were still snickering, and Lily was watching from across the room, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. He knew he had to go through with it. The second trap was triggered, and a cascade of glittering confetti showered Severus, sticking to his damp robes like glittering scales. The Slytherin students looked on with a mix of amusement and contempt, and James felt his heart sink. He'd gone too far. As the last echo of laughter faded away, Severus slowly picked himself up, his eyes never leaving James. He wiped the ink from his face and took a step towards him, his fists clenched at his sides. "Is this what you call fun, Potter?" he spat, his voice low and dangerous. James took a step back, his bravado momentarily forgotten. He hadn't anticipated this. "It was just a joke, Snapes," James said weakly, his smile slipping. Severus took another step closer, his eyes blazing. "Is it a joke to you, to watch someone else's pain?" James's heart hammered in his chest as he searched for the right words, but his usual quips eluded him. The realization of what he'd done washed over him like a cold shower. He'd gone too far, and he couldn't take it back.
"You can totally sit with us," said a voice that seemed to shimmer with the promise of friendship. Cady Heron looked up from her lunch tray, blinking in surprise. The speaker was a girl with a smile so wide it could swallow her whole, her blonde hair glossy and her teeth as bright as the fluorescent lights above. The words hung in the air, tantalizing and slightly intimidating. This was Regina George, the queen bee of High School. Cady had heard the whispers, the stories that painted her as both an angel and a demon. She was the center of the school's social universe, and everyone else was just a planet orbiting around her. Cady felt a swell of excitement. She had been a fish out of water since moving from Africa to the suburbs of Chicago. The simple act of being acknowledged by the most popular girl in school was a beacon of hope in a sea of unfamiliar faces and cliques. She took a tentative step forward, her heart racing. "Thanks," Cady managed to murmur, setting her tray down at the table. The cafeteria buzzed with whispers as the group of pretty, popular girls made room for her. They were known as the Plastics, a name that Cady had learned from her newfound friend Janis Ian. These girls were the epitome of high school royalty, and now she was about to become one of them.
In the quaint town lived a young woman named Charlotte Watsford. Her days were filled with the quiet rhythms of the local library, where she worked meticulously cataloging books that had seen more years than she had. Charlotte had an unassuming beauty, with her auburn hair pinned back. Her smile was gentle, and it had the power to make even the sternest of patrons feel at ease. Beneath the veneer of the town, there was a world of magic, ancient and unseen. It was here that Charlotte's life took an unexpected turn when she met Cleo Sertori, a young woman with secrets as deep as the ocean. Cleo was a mermaid, a guardian of the sea, blessed with the ability to manipulate water and heal the creatures that dwelled within it. The revelation was as shocking as it was fascinating. Yet, with this gift came great responsibility, and Charlotte found herself torn between the life she knew and the allure of the vast, unexplored waters that called to her soul. One moonlit night, while the town slept peacefully, Charlotte felt an eerie emptiness within her. The gentle whispers of the sea that had once resonated in her heart were now silent. Panic set in as she realized her mermaid tail, a symbol of her newfound identity, had withered away, leaving her with the legs of a human once more. The loss of her powers weighed heavily on her, a sudden and profound absence that seemed to dull the vibrant colors of the world around her. Her heart pounded as she approached the edge. The ocean below was a restless canvas of inky blues and greys, a stark contrast to the serene waters that had cradled her during her time as a mermaid. The salt air kissed her cheeks, carrying with it a bittersweet reminder of the freedom she had left behind. Lewis, her devoted best friend, stood beside her, his eyes filled concern and curiosity. With trembling hands, Charlotte reached to Cleo's necklace. It was a talisman of her friendship with the mermaid, a bond that transcended the boundaries of land and sea. "I have to return this to her," she murmured, the weight of her decision etched into every syllable. With a heavy heart, Charlotte unclasped the necklace.
"Come on, it'll be fun," Enid begged, her eyes wide with excitement. Wednesday sat quietly in the corner of the room, her black dress blending into the shadows. She didn't look up from her book, her finger marking her place. "I don't think so," she said, her voice calm and measured. Enid pouted, her cheerleader's spirit momentarily dampened. "But it's the prom dance, Wednesday. Everyone's going to be there!" Wednesday closed her book with a soft thud and looked up, her gaze piercing through Enid's hopeful facade. "I see your enthusiasm, but crowded social gatherings are not my idea of fun." Enid sighed, understanding that pushing the issue would lead nowhere. She sat down next to her friend, her own excitement dimming. "I know, I know. But it's our senior year. It's like, a rite of passage or something." Wednesday's eyes remained on the closed book in her lap. "I'd prefer to pass on that particular rite." Enid leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially, "But it's the perfect place to observe human behavior. Think of it as an anthropological study." Wednesday's eyes lit up slightly at the thought. "I suppose you have a point," she conceded. "But I'll need to establish some ground rules." Enid clapped her hands together. "Of course! What do you need?" Wednesday thought for a moment before listing her conditions. "First, no slow dancing. Second, I control the music playlist. Third, I wear what I want." Enid nodded eagerly. "Deal! I'll handle the first two. And as for the third, I trust your impeccable taste." Wednesday raised an eyebrow. "My taste is not up for debate, nor is it the issue. It's the school's dress code that requires negotiation." Enid's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Leave that to me," she said, already texting away on her phone. Within minutes, she had secured a meeting with the principal to discuss "alternative fashion choices" for the prom. As the big night approached, Enid sent Wednesday a playlist of dark, rhythmic tunes that she had carefully curated. Each song was a masterpiece of gothic rock, a genre that she knew would resonate with her friend's soul. Meanwhile, Wednesday had been busy designing the perfect dress —a long, flowing gown of midnight black with intricate white lace that looked like it had been plucked from a Victorian mourning ceremony. She had paired it with her favorite black boots and a choker necklace adorned with a single crimson rose. The day of the prom, Enid couldn't contain her excitement. She bustled into the room, her own outfit a vibrant mix of neon colors that seemed to glow in the dim light of the Addams' mansion. "Wednesday, you have to come see this!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying the urgency of a child who had just discovered a secret treasure. Wednesday set down her scalpel, which she had been using to dissect a particularly interesting spider, and followed Enid upstairs. The dress laid out on her bed was indeed a sight to behold. It was a macabre symphony of black taffeta and delicate lace, the skirt adorned with a pattern of thorny vines that looked like they could draw blood with a single brush. The bodice hugged her slender frame, the neckline plunging just low enough to hint at the darkness beneath. "It's... " she began, searching for the right word. "Awful," Enid offered, her tone teasing. Wednesday smirked. "Perfect," she corrected, her voice laden with approval. "It's perfect."
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Thinking Out Loud Hawkwrench Summary: Spongebob and Plankton have a heart to heart talk in the broken Krusty Krab. One shot, based on the (second) movie. The only light in the building was a dimly lit candle on the only table that was carefully placed in the middle of the once popular Krusty Krab. They had managed to escape the angry mob. Patrick had betrayed Spongebob, and that itself had broken his heart. The radio blurts out some random love song (with lots of intervals of static, I must admit) that makes his head hurt. He can’t stand silence like this, so he says “I wonder what went wrong… Just this morning, everything was okay, but now it’s just…..” He lets out a sob. “Cheer up, Spongebob. Everything will be okay, I hope. Besides, we’re still a te... m.” He says, trying to pronounce the word ‘team’. Spongebob chuckles, dancing his fingers across the table. “Plankton….Am I really that annoying?” He asks. He’s thought about this time and time again, all he wants to do is make people smile. And if that means driving your co worker insane then so be it. Truth be told, Plankton had a soft spot for the yellow sponge….thing. “Spongebob, if I told you how I really felt about you, I wouldn’t be an evil villain, would I?” This earns another chuckle from Spongebob. Plankton had more than a soft spot for him. He sighs and Spongebob is tempted to just call it a night when Plankton suddenly says “I know people find you annoying. I am one of those people, but seeing you so sad….it just...doesn’t make any sense. You’re the cheerful character, Spongebob. Just because everyone in town-” “Nearly everyone!” Spongebob corrects, and Plankton coughs and continues. “...Just because nearly everyone in town abandoned you, it doesn’t mean that they hate you.” Plankton hoped. Spongebob smiles and says “Thanks. That means a lot.” He puts his arms down and leans on the table, and slowly drifts off to sleep, leaving Plankton to himself. “....You’ve been through a lot, Spongebob. No wonder you’re depressed…..” Plankton begins. “I wonder, if I wasn’t as evil as I am now, if we could’ve been friends. Or even more than friends. Lovers, perhaps.” His cheeks (what cheeks?) burn as he thinks how they could be in this lifetime. “Maybe in our next life, we can work something out. They say that when you die, you get reborn, right?” Spongebob stirs, and Plankton freezes. Did he hear everything? “I want you to know, no matter what happens tonight, I’ll be on your side.” He cuddles up next to Spongebob and drifts off to sleep.
Plankton lay on the makeshift bed of crumpled newspaper, his body contorted into an uncomfortable knot. "I can't get to sleep, Eugene." Krabs sighed. "Why not?" "To hard," Plankton complained. Krabs looked over. "Maybe you need something to relax," he suggested. Plankton nodded, hopeful. "Like what?" Krabs considered for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "How about a bed time story?" "A what?" Plankton's voice was filled with skepticism. "You know, something to lull you to sleep." Plankton's expression softened. "Alright, Krabs, hit me with your best shot." Eugene cleared his throat and began his tale. "Once upon a time, in the vast expanse of the sea, there was a tiny plankton named Planky..." Plankton's eye widened for a moment, but the gentle rhythm of Krabs' voice soon began to work its magic. The crab's words painted a picture of a serene under water world, where the currents were soft whispers and the bioluminescent creatures danced a silent ballet. Plankton's eye grew heavier with each sentence, his body slowly unfurling from its tense state. "Planky," Eugene continued, "was a curious little fellow who loved nothing more than to drift through the sea, discovering its many secrets." His voice took on a soothing quality, each word carefully measured to match the steady rise and fall of the ocean outside their abode. "One night," Krabs went on, "as the moon cast its silver glow through the water, Planky stumbled upon a hidden lagoon. It was a place where the jelly fish swam in lazy circles, their soft bodies pulsing to an ancient lullaby that only the deep-sea creatures knew." Plankton's eyelid grew heavier, the image of the tranquil lagoon filling his mind. "In the center of this secret place," Krabs whispered, "was a giant clam, its shell open just enough to reveal a soft, inviting cushion of algae. Planky couldn't resist the urge to rest his tiny body upon it." Plankton's breathing grew deeper. He could almost feel the gentle sway of the clam's soft inner lining beneath him, the coolness of the water surrounding him, and the hypnotic pull of the moon's glow. Krabs noticed the change in his friend's demeanor and continued the story with renewed enthusiasm. "As Planky lay on the clam's cushion, the jellyfish grew closer, their ethereal lights creating a dazzling display of color that danced in time with the whispers of the water. They sang to him, their melodies echoing through the quiet night." The room grew quieter, save for the sound of the waves outside and Krabs' steady voice. Plankton's eye closed fully, his breathing syncing with the rhythm of the story. The crab went on, "Their song was one of peace and tranquility, of a world where worries were as fleeting as the bubbles that floated to the surface. Planky felt his troubles melt away, replaced by the warm embrace of the sea." Then, amidst the serene imagery, the first faint sound of a snore escaped Plankton. It was a sound so small and delicate that it could have easily been mistaken. Krabs smirked to himself. It's working. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "As the jellyfish serenaded him, Planky felt his eyes grow heavier and heavier, until they could no longer stay open. The lagoon's secrets grew dimmer, the colors of the jellyfish fading into a soft, comforting darkness." The snores grew progressively, more regular. Krabs took a moment to appreciate his own cleverness before continuing the tale. "The sea creatures of the night, noticing Planky's peaceful slumber, decided to join him. They formed a living blanket of fish and algae, wrapping him in their gentle embrace, ensuring his sleep would be uninterrupted." Plankton's body grew slack, the tension in his muscles seeping away as he descended deeper into the realm of sleep. His snores grew more rhythmic. The light from the moon had been absorbed into his dreams, guiding him through a world of peace and contentment. Krabs watched his friend's sleeping form, noticing the way the shadows played across his tiny frame, Plankton's antennae twitching ever so slightly with every snore, mouth slightly open as he inhaled and then to let out the soft, rumbling sounds. The sight was peculiar, yet endearing in its own peculiar way. He had never seen Plankton so relaxed, so free. The crab felt a strange sense of accomplishment and allowed himself a brief moment of pride before remembering his own exhaustion. "Now, Sheldon," Eugene murmured, "Let your mind rest, and tomorrow we'll tackle the world anew."
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13315637/1/ RING! Squidward picked it up. "Hello?" "Squidward my man! Hey, you wanna come down to the Chum Bucket? I wanted to see you!" "Sure thing Plankton, I'll come right over!" Squidward entered the Chum Bucket expecting to hear laughter from Plankton, but he heard quite the opposite. "Plankton? Plankton wake up honey...PLANKTON! OH NEPTUNE; SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE!" SpongeBob rushed into the hospital room. "Is he gonna be alright?" SpongeBob asked. Squidward shook his head. Plankton was sick. SpongeBob sighed sadly. "Y-you, s-sponge... Come over here..." Plankton said weakly from his bed. SpongeBob walked over. "L-listen here kid... I n-never was the most generous sea creature out there... Though n-now, as I'm here on my deathbed...There's something ..." Plankton said through coughing. "I realized that m-making customers happy was really what I needed to do... N-not go for w-world domination... While Eugene did many terrible things... He s-sure did know how to make people happy with those p-patties." Plankton further explained. "B-because... Being happy is w-what you take pride in, along with your patties... W-which is why you n-need to build a new legacy for the Krusty Krab, w-will be going to you... I have great faith that you will..." Plankton replied weakly. SpongeBob was shocked. The beeps on the monitor were becoming less frequent, he turned to Karen. "M-my time here has come to an e-end... I'm sure we'll be together a-again someday... Farewell to all of you... I w-wish n-nothing b-but t-the b-best..." And with that, he went into a coughing fit. Plankton passed away. "Plankton DIED?! Neptune..." Mr. Krabs said shaking his head in disbelief. "So wait, if Plankton's been dead, what happened to the Chum Bucket?" "Oh, Karen turned it into a novelty shop. It makes a pretty good profit." SpongeBob explained. "That's nice..." Mr. Krabs replied happily. by NMMacc18 Cartoons » SpongeBob SquarePants Rated: K+, English, Humor & Drama, SpongeBob, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Plankton
ᴳⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵂᵒʳᵈˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉˡᵖ, ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢʰᵒʷⁿ ᵏⁱⁿᵈⁿᵉˢˢ ᵗᵒ ᵃˡˡ, ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱᶠ ᵇᵒʳᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ!” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒʳᵉᵈ ᶜᵃˢʰⁱᵉʳ‧ “ᴮᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ!” ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ “ᴮᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵒʳᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ! ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ʷᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵃᵐᵒᵘⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ˡⁱᶠᵉ! ᴴᵒⁿᵉˢᵗˡʸ ⁿᵒ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ʷⁱˡˡ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ; ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵉᵈ! ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇˡᵃᵐᵉ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃˡⁱᵛᵉ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃⁿ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ʳⁱˢᵉʳ ⁿᵒʳ ᵃ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒʷˡ, ᵃˢ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃʸˢ ᵘᵖ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵘⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵒⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ, ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵘⁿˢ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵃᵐˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵃˢ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴶ…” “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖ, ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ!” “ᴮᵘᵗ ᵈᵒ…” “ᴵ’ᵐ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵉ, ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵒ ᵃʷᵃʸ!” ᴴᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵖʳⁱᵛᵃᶜʸ‧‧” ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢʰᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ˢʰᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏˢ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ’ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶠᶠˡᵉᵈ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᑫᵘᵉᵉᶻᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵐᵉᵃⁿˢ ʷᵉˡˡ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ’ˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ, ᵒᶜᶜᵘᵖⁱᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʳᵃⁱˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉˢ, ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵉˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵗʳᵘᵈⁱⁿᵍ, ˢʰᵉ’ᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵈᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˡᵉᵗ ʰᵉʳ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴱᵛᵉʳ ᶜᵃᵘᵗⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ, ˢʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᵈᵃᵐᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵒᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉˢ ʰᵉ’ᵈ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ, ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ‘ᴼʰ’ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖᵘᵗˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ, ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴺᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ, ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ, ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ?” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᶠᵃᶜᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ‧ “ᴵ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ, ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ…” “…ᶠⁱⁿᵉ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ “ᴬⁿʸ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ?” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢᵏˢ ʰⁱᵐ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ ‘ᴳʳᵉᵃᵗ’ ˢʰᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ “ᴺᵒ, ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ…” “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵗʳʸ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧‧” ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᵂᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵗⁱʳⁱⁿᵍ!” “ᵂᵉˡˡ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷˢ ᵐᵉ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡᵒˢᵗ ᵖᵒᵒᵈˡᵉ?” “ᴮᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰʸ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ, ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ?” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉˢ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵉᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵉᵉᵐˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᶜʰⁱˡᵈ’ˢ ᵖˡᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ! ᴬⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱˡˡ!” ᴬⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ’ˢ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ! ‘ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧’ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ‧ ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵈᵃʸ ʲᵒᵇˢ, ˢᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵗᶜʰᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ’ˢ‧ “ᴷʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᴾᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳⁱˡˡ‧‧” ˢⁱⁿᵍˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ, ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ ᵃˢ ᵉᵛᵉʳ‧ ᴸⁱᵏᵉ ⁿᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉˢ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ˡᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ˢᵒᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ, ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃʷˡⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈ ʷᵃʳᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵃˢᵉ‧ ‘ᴰⁱᵈ ʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ?’ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰʸ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱˢˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵖ ˡᵒʷ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵒʷ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ! “ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐʸ ˢᵉˡᶠ ᵒᵘᵗ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʸᵉˡˡ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ “ᴺᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵉᵗᵉⁿᵈ, ⁿᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵐᵉ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒʳᵐˢ ᵒᵘᵗ, ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ‘ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧‧’ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ, ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᶠᵘˡ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠʳᵃⁿᵗⁱᶜᵃˡˡʸ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ?” “ᴵ…” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ, ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵗᵃʸˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍ, ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ!” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖˡᵉᵃᵈᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵐ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗ’ᵛᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧ “ᔆᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ, ᵖⁱᵖˢᑫᵘᵉᵃᵏ?” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ, ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˡˡᵉʸ‧ “ᴵ…” “ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵇᵃᵇʸ! ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒˢᵗ? ᵂᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᵒⁿᵉˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵇʸᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʷᵉ’ˡˡ ᵉⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴳᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃ ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ… “…ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!” ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢ‧ “ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ‧ “ᴺᵒ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ, ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʰᵘʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒʳᵉⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ‘ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ⁿᵒʷ…’ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ’ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵐᵖᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ “ᴴⁱ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧” ᴴᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᵀʰᵉ ᵍᵃⁿᵍ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃʳᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ, ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵏᵃʳᵃᵗᵉ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉˢ, ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᶜᵒᵒᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ “ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ‧ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ⁱⁿᵉˣᶜᵘˢᵃᵇˡᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ‧ “ᵀʳᵘᵗʰ ᵇᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˢ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ, ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡˡ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶜˡᵉᵛᵉʳ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉˢ!” ᴴᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵒʳᵍⁱᵛᵉⁿᵉˢˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽” ᔆʰᵉ ᵉˣᶜˡᵃⁱᵐˢ‧ “ᴴⁱ, ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵈᵒ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᶠᵒᵒˡⁱˢʰⁿᵉˢˢ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ!” ᔆʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ‧‧” “ᴵ’ᵐ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ⁱᵗ?” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ʷʰᵒ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ʸᵉˢ‧‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉˢ‧ “ᴬˡˡ’ˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ‧‧” ✧ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 | 𝟗𝟖𝟗
r/shortscarystories 4 yr. ago hyperobscura 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙼𝙰𝙽? 𝙴𝚇𝚃. 𝙰 𝙱𝚁𝙸𝙲𝙺 𝙱𝚄𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙶𝙸𝙰𝙽𝚃 𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙿𝙻𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙴𝙳 𝙾𝙽 𝚆𝙰𝙻𝙻, 𝙱𝙾𝙻𝙳 𝙻𝙴𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚂 𝚈𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶: ‘𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙼𝙰𝙽?’ 𝚆𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚊 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑, 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙴𝚡𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜? 𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚜? 𝙷𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚜 𝚊 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍𝚕𝚢. 𝚆𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝? 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎? 𝚆𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎? 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝚆𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙰𝚗𝚍? 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚐𝚗𝚒𝚣𝚎 𝚊 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚒𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎? 𝚆𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗’𝚝. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 ...𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝚆𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙴𝚡𝚌𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚖𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗’𝚜 𝚐𝚛𝚒𝚙. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚡𝚎𝚍, 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚋𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚛. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙸...𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗’𝚝. 𝙲𝚄𝚃 𝚃𝙾: 𝙸𝙽𝚃. 𝙻𝙸𝚅𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚁𝙾𝙾𝙼 - 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙾𝚃𝙸𝙲, 𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙴𝙳 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷 𝙴𝙼𝙿𝚃𝚈 𝙻𝙸𝚀𝚄𝙾𝚁 𝙱𝙾𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴𝚂. 𝚆𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑, 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎...𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚄𝚗𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚖𝚊𝚗. 𝙷𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚞𝚙 𝚞𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚕𝚢, 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚐𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚐 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚏𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚙𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚑. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚖𝚊𝚗. 𝙲𝚄𝚃 𝚃𝙾: 𝙴𝚇𝚃. 𝙱𝙰𝙲𝙺 𝚃𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝚁𝙸𝙲𝙺 𝙱𝚄𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙴𝙰𝚁𝙻𝚈 𝙼𝙾𝚁𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚆𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚝𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚚𝚞𝚘𝚛 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍. 𝙷𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚗. 𝙷𝚎 𝚒𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚎𝚜; 𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚐𝚊𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚝. 𝙰𝚗 𝚎𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚜 𝚋𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗? 𝙷𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗? 𝙴𝙻𝙳𝙴𝚁𝙻𝚈 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙽𝚘. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚖𝚊𝚗’𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏𝚏. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑. 𝙰 𝚋𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚛. 𝙷𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚙𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙲𝚄𝚃 𝚃𝙾: 𝙴𝚇𝚃. 𝙱𝚁𝙸𝙲𝙺 𝙱𝚄𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 - 𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙶𝙻𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝚁𝙴𝙴𝚃 𝙻𝙰𝙼𝙿 𝙸𝙻𝙻𝚄𝙼𝙸𝙽𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚌𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙷𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠-𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚔𝚎𝚍, 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚔𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚙𝚜. 𝙰 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚢. 𝙰 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜. 𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆𝙽 𝙰𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗? 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚓𝚘𝚕𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚔𝚎, 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚌 𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚐𝚎. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙽𝚘...𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗? 𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗? 𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆𝙽 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝙽𝚘 𝚗𝚘 𝚗𝚘. 𝙻𝚘𝚘𝚔. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚗. 𝙷𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚓𝚎𝚛𝚔𝚜 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚞𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚌𝚔. 𝚆𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚗𝚘𝚠. 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚔. 𝙸𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗’𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆𝙽 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗. 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚘𝚠. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗? 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗? 𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆𝙽 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝. 𝚆𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍. 𝙽𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙼𝙰𝙽 𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚊𝚖 𝙸? 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙴𝙽𝙳 “It’s me dad,” I say, tears streaming down my face. They told me the disease would consume his mind, but I was never really prepared for it. I hug him tightly. A part of me knows that this is goodbye. “Who is the man,” he just keeps muttering.
ᴱᵃʳˡʸ ᔆᑫᵘⁱʳʳᵉˡ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʳᵃᶠᶠⁱᶜ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ ᴸᵃˢᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ˢʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ˢʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ʲᵒˡᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵃᵗ ʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵒᵃᶜʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃᶜᵗ‧ 'ᴴᵒʷ ᵃᵐ ᴵ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵒ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ 'ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵗʳʸ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵃⁿʸ ⁿᵃᵖˢ⸴ ⁿᵒʳ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵛᵉˢ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵘʳᵍᵉᵈ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ‧ ᴼⁿᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵃʳⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃʳᵈ ʷᵃʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᶠᵃˡˢᵉʰᵒᵒᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵗⁱʳ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ 'ᵀʳʸ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵒᵘᵈᵉʳ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ' "‧‧‧ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᑫᵘᵉᵉᶻᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵗⁱʳʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴿᵘᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉˡᵈ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᵉʳˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʸᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ ᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵐⁱⁿᵈˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ‧" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᴬⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‽" "ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ!" "ᴸⁱᵏᵉ ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡˢ ᵒᶠᶠ⸴ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵛᵉʰⁱᶜˡᵉ‧ "ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˢᵉᵃᵗ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ʳᵒᵃᵈ ᵗʳⁱᵖ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵗᵒᵖ ˢⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ!" "ᔆᵒ ⁱᵗ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒᵘᵈˡʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵒˡˡᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᔆᵒ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵏⁱᵈ‧" ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵒᵇᵛⁱᵒᵘˢ⸴ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿⁿᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᵀʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ‧" "ᵂᵉ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖᵃᵗⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ‧ ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᵘʳ ᵗʳⁱᵖ‧" "ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᴵ ᵗʳᵃᵛᵉˡˡᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵉˡˡˢ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵐᵘˢᵉᵘᵐ ᵈᵉᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒᶜᶜᵃˢⁱᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃʸˢ 'ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ' 'ʸᵉˢ' ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃᶠᶠⁱʳᵐᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵈʳⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵉˡˡˢ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵘˢᵉᵘᵐ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳᵃᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ‧ "ᴰᵒ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃʳ ᵛⁱᵉʷ ᵐⁱʳʳᵒʳ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʳⁱᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒⁿˢᵗᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵖʳᵒᵛⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵈʳᵒʷˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵃᵖ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳⁱᵈᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛᵉʰⁱᶜˡᵉ ᵒⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃʳᵐ⸴ ᵃˡˢᵒ ⁿᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᶠᵃⁱʳ⸴ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵃʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖᵃʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵃᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ "ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵇᵒʸˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴴᵒʷᵈʸ⸴ ʸ'ᵃˡˡ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ‧ "ᴴⁱ⸴ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ!" ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵒᵐᵇᵃʳᵈᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏˡʸ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ "ᴿᵉᵃᵈʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵃˡˡ ʷᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴬ ᵖᵒᵗᵃᵗᵒ ᵖᵒʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ‽" "ᴼʰ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛᵒˡᶜᵃⁿᵒ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʳᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ⸴ ᵈᵉᵇᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᵒʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵉˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱˢˢᵘᵉ‧ "ᴼʰ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵃᵘᵗᵒᵐᵃᵗⁱᶜ ᶠᵒʳᵗᵘⁿᵉ ᵗᵉˡˡ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᵗᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ!" "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵖᵒᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ‧ "ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧" "ᴼʰ‧" "ᴬ ˢᵉˡᶠ ᵈʳⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵒᵃᵗ‽" ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧" ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ᵈ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃᵈʲᵃᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᔆᵒ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵒʳ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" "ᴱˣᶜᵘˢᵉ ᵐᵉ‽" "ᴼʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒ⸴ ᵃᵇˢᵒˡᵘᵗᵉˡʸ ⁿᵒᵗ‧" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳⁱˡʸ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒᵘᵇᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "‧‧‧ᔆˡᵉᵉᵖ? ᴮᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʳⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵘˡˡ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ʳᵉˢᵗᶠᵘˡ ˢˡᵘᵐᵇᵉʳ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ‧" "ᴷⁱᵈ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵉᵃᶜᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᑫᵘⁱ— ᶜᵃʳ ᵗʳⁱᵖˢ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵒᶠᵗᵉⁿ ᵗⁱʳᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ! ʸᵒᵘ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ⁱᶠ ᵃⁿʸ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡˢ ᵒᶠᶠ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒʷ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁱⁿᵈᵉᶠⁱⁿⁱᵗᵉ ʳᵃᵐᵇˡᵉˢ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ?" "ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ⸴ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵃⁿʸ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳᵃᵛᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ?" "ᴼʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿˢ⸴ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧ "‧‧‧ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧‧‧ ‧‧‧ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉˢ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʷʰᵒ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᴼʰ‧‧" » 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 | 𝟖𝟑𝟑
He felt his eyelid grow heavy to anesthesia. "Alright, Mr. Plankton, you're gonna start feeling sleepy," the doctor's voice echoed. The world around him grew fuzzy, sounds becoming muffled and indistinct. His head lolled, body slack. The nurse's grew blurry, darkness before not even nothingness. Karen, his wife, sat by him. Finally, the doctor stepped back, turned and gave her a thumbs up. The nurse began to clean Plankton's face, wiping away the excess saliva and bleeding with gentle touch. Karen follows as they wheel him out. His bed was pushed into a small cubicle, his breathing slow and even. In stumbled SpongeBob. Karen smiles. "The surgery went well, he's just sleeping it off," she assured. SpongeBob's taking in the beeping monitors. "What's all this for?" he asks, curiosity piqued. "To make sure he's ok while he's asleep," Karen explained. "The doctor said he'd be out for a little while." The yellow sponge nodded, his gaze lingering on the small wads of gauze peeking out from the sides of Plankton's mouth. "What's that?" he asks. "It's to help absorb.." Sponge Bob took in the sight of Plankton, who had begun to drool slightly onto the pillow beneath his head. The saliva pooled. "Oh no, Plankton. You're drooling!" Sponge Bob watched as drool continued to form like a thin string connecting Plankton's mouth to the pillow. Karen chuckled softly. "It's normal, Sponge Bob. He won't feel it as he's asleep." SpongeBob nodded, but curiosity remained. "Can I... I mean, should I... wipe it up?" he asks. Karen laughs. "It's ok, they'd take care of it. Just let him rest." "I promise to be super gentle" Karen nodded, a small smile playing. "Alright. Just be careful." His movements were deliberate, eyes never leaving Plankton's mouth as he approached. The drool strand grew longer, a tiny bridge between his friend and the pillow. The droplet fell away, landing on the pillow with a soft splat. Plankton stirred slightly but didn't wake. "It's fine. He's going to be a bit out of it when he wakes up anyway. Why don't you try talking to him while we wait for him to wake? It might help him feel more at ease." "Hey it's Sponge Bob. You're ok, just having a little nap. No Krabby Patties to steal right now," he added with a chuckle. Plankton's eye began to flutter, a sure sign that he was slowly coming back to consciousness. His body twitched, the anesthesia wearing off. "Looks like he's waking up," she said. Karen leaned closer, her hand reaching out to gently squeeze his. "Honey, it's me," she whispered. "You're ok." Plankton's unfocused and glazed. "Where... what... happened?" he mumbled. "You had wisdom teeth removed. You're in recovery," she said, voice soothing. Plankton blinked. "Wis...wis...what?" "You had a little...uh...dental appointment," SpongeBob said. "Teeth...gone?" he mumbled, still groggy. "You're fine," she assured. "I feel... funny," he giggled, voice silly. "Just relax, Plankton," Karen said. "But...but I wanna...see!" Plankton protested, arms flailing weakly. "Plankton, you need rest." "But I'm not tired!" he exclaimed, as his head lolled back onto the pillow. "I... I want to dance," he said, voice still slurred, which only resulted in more drool escaping. "First, you gotta get better," she said, voice earnest. Plankton's giggles grew, his eye half-closed. "But I'm already the best... at... at... at... " he mumbled, trailing off. "It's anesthesia," the nurse chimed in. "It can make people say some funny things. You're just feeling a bit loopy, Plankton. You'll be back to your usual self soon." Plankton's giggles grew softer, his eye struggling to stay open. "But... but... I'm not tired," he protested weakly, his voice a mere whisper. His eyelid began to droop once more. Sponge Bob leaned in. "You just had surgery, Plankton. You need to rest," he said firmly. Plankton's giggles turned into snores, his tiny body giving in despite his protests. "He's going to be out for a while," the nurse said. "Anesthesia can take time to wear off completely." Karen nodded, watching his chest rise and fall with each snore. Sponge Bob reached out and lightly patted Plankton's arm. Plankton's snores grew quieter and stirred, eye cracking. "Wha... SpongeBob?" he mumbled, groggy. Sponge Bob's heart swelled at the sight of his confused expression. "Just keeping you company as you wake." Plankton's eye rolled to the side. "Wha... what are you doing?" he slurred, his voice barely above a whisper. He tried to lift his hand to his mouth, but it flopped back down onto the bed with a limp thud. "Drool? I...I can't stop," he mumbled, his drool pooling around the fresh gauze. Sponge Bob chuckles. "It's ok, Plankton," he said. Plankton's eye narrows. "Not funny," he mumbled, words barely intelligible. Yet as he said it, another string of drool began to form, stretching from his mouth to the pillow. Sponge Bob's chuckles grew. "I know, I know. It's just... you're so... so... " he couldn't find words, laughter took over. Plankton's unable to control his drool. "I'm so...so...so..." he tried to form a coherent thought. "So what, Plankton?" "I'm...I'm not...not...drooling," he managed to say, words barely coherent. But even as he spoke, a new droplet formed at the corner of his mouth. "You sure?" "St...stop," Plankton managed to mumble, his mouth open and drooling again. "It's...it's...embarrassing." Sponge Bob smiled. "I know, you're ok. The surgery went well," he said. "Alright, we can get him ready to go home now," says nurse. They carefully lift Plankton from the bed, body still limp from the anesthesia. "You ok?" "Mm-hmm," Plankton mumbled, head lolling to one side. He struggled to keep his eye open, but the medication was too strong. Plankton's eye drooped shut once more, his snores echoing through the hall. "Whoa, there he goes again…" "He's still pretty out of it," she said. Plankton's head lolled to the side, his mouth hanging open. "Whoa, Plankton, wake up," Sponge Bob said, gently shaking his shoulder. "Mmph," Plankton mumbled, his eye cracking open. "Where...are we?" "Almost to the car," Karen said. "Just a bit longer." But Plankton's eyelid grew heavier. The nurse disappeared through the doors, leaving Karen and Sponge Bob to maneuver Plankton into a more upright position. His head kept flopping to one side, his snores grew louder. "Come on, Plankton, stay with us," Karen urged. Sponge Bob leaned close. "You ok?" he asked, patting Plankton's shoulder. Plankton's head lolled to the side, eye half- open. "Mmph...tired," he mumbled. Karen managed to get him in, his body collapsing into the seat like a ragdoll. She buckled him in. "You're gonna be ok," she whispered. Sponge Bob climbed into the backseat. Karen started the engine. "Let's get him home." The car ride was a blur of Plankton's snores and occasional mumble. Sponge Bob sat in the back, his hand on Plankton's shoulder, keeping his friend from lolling too far to the side. Each time Plankton nodded off, his mouth would droop, and gauze would slip out. "Plankton, gotta keep it in." Plankton mumbled something incoherent, his mouth still open and drooling. Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his hand ready to catch the gauze if it fell out again. Plankton's eye fluttered open, looking around the car. "Just stay with us, ok?" Sponge Bob nodded, hand on Plankton's shoulder. He watched as Plankton's eye drooped, the gauze slipping again. He leaned over and gently pushed it back. "We're almost there." Karen chuckled from the driver's seat. Sponge Bob’s grip on Plankton's shoulder tightening slightly. "Want to play a game?" "Mmph...game?" he mumbled. "I spy with my little eye, something..." But Plankton's head had already dropped back, snores echoing. Karen glanced in the mirror. "I think he's out for the count," she said. Sponge Bob was still vigilant, making sure Plankton didn't tumble out of the car. With Karen's help, they managed to get him to the couch. Sponge Bob helped prop Plankton up, careful not to jostle him too much. Everything’s just fine.
ᴸᵒᵒᵏˢ ᴸⁱᵏᵉ ᵂᵉ ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ᴬ ᵂⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Part 3 "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵇˡᵘᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᵀᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ; ʸᵉˡˡ ᵃᵗ ᵐᵉ; ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ! ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂᵃⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴷⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ 'ᴵ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿ ᵃᵗᵗᵃᶜᵏ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧' "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰ⸴ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵃʳᵃᵖʰʳᵃˢᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵐʸ ᵇˡᵘᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏⁱᵉ?" "ᴺᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ‧ ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵒʳ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ?" "ᴵᶠ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵃʸ ᵘˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ˢᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴵᶠ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵈ ˢᵃʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵃᵗˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃʷᵏʷᵃʳᵈˡʸ‧ ᴺᵉˣᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵒᶠ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒᵍʳᵃᵖʰˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵖ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃˡᵇᵘᵐ ᵒᶠ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵗʳⁱᵖ!" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵉⁿᵗ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳ! ᴮᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃᵛᵒᵘʳⁱᵗᵉ!" 'ᴺᵒᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱⁿᵍᵉ‧ "ᴰʳᵒᵒˡ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‽ ᵂʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ʳᵃᵐᵖᵃᵍᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ˢˡⁱᵈᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵖᵘˢʰ ⁱᵗ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵒˡˡˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ‧ End Finale
ᵀʰᵉ ᔆˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ᔆᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵈᵒᵍᵍⁱᵉˢ!" ᔆⁱⁿᵍˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᴳᵒᵒᶠʸ ᴳᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᶻᵒᵒᵐ ᶻᵒᵒᵐ ᶻᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵈᵃᵗᵉ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ "ᶻᵒᵒᵐ‧‧‧" ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ ˢʰᵘᵗ‧ "ᔆʷᵉᵉᵗˢ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴳᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ‧‧" ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ⸴ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ; ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ˢᵉᵉᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵗᵒ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ˡⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ⸴ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵉ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜʰᵉᵉᵏ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍʳᵘᵐᵇˡᵉ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵘᵖˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʰᵉᵉᵏ⸴ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵉᵗʳᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵃˣ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴹᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᵁⁿʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ʷᵉᵃʳⁱˡʸ ᵘⁿˢᵘʳᵉ‧ "ᵂᵃ⁻ᵃ⁻ᵃᵍʰ‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ?" "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ˡᵃˢᵗ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʷᵉ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵒᵘʳ ᵃⁿⁿⁱᵛᵉʳˢᵃʳʸ‧‧" "ᶻᵒᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ⸴ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᶠᵃᵐⁱˡⁱᵃʳ?" "ᔆᵃʸ ʷʰᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵈᵒᵍᵍⁱᵉˢ!" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʳ ᵈᵒ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵒᶠ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵃᶜᵗ ᵘᵖ‧‧"
Your Warranty Has Now Expired by Butterfrogmantis Cartoons » SpongeBob SquarePants "Stand down Krabs! Or prepare to meet your doom!" "Yeah right , yer'll never get yer hands on me secret formula!" "My little friend here says otherwise, eheheh! Now hand over the formula Krabs and no- one gets hurt!" Plankton was holding a large ray gun. "I can already smell the patties! COME TO PAPA" He yelled, pressing the trigger. Nothing. He pressed again. Hm, Maybe something was broken? He shook the gun, then aimed it back at the safe and hit release. Nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing. "BARNACLES" He screeched, and squeezed the trigger as hard as he could.. Plankton next woke up in the hospital. "Whaah?" He was aware of a small heart monitor next to him, and the overpowering scent of disinfectant. There was a squeaking trolley moving down the hall, and a slight murmuring from either side of his white curtains. He looked to the left, and then to the right, confused. He had JUST been in the Krusty Krab, hadn't he? Yes, he was trying to melt the safe, so what on earth was he doing in here, he'd been seconds away from blasting the door off of that thing. Ah yes, his ray gun had jammed. Weird. Hadn't done that before. He tapped the side of his head, trying to see if he recalled anything other than pulling the trigger, but his memory was patchy at best. "Sheldon? Oh good, you're alive!" The microorganism looked up to see a very familiar face. Well, screen at the very least. "Ah, Karen! My computer wife – tell me, uh, what happened?" "You exploded, that's what happened. Well, your gun did anyway, I thought you'd died!" "Hm, weird, my trusty old laser shouldn't have gone like that, especially not when I was so CLOSE to getting the secret formula!" He cursed, causing his heart rate monitor to speed up rapidly next to him. Later that evening, once Plankton had been thoroughly checked and confirmed ready for discharge by Nurse Daisy Bazooka, the two returned to the Chum Bucket. The same night, he dreamt about the day. And to think, just like his laser gun, it had all started with the same- "Wires!" Plankton sat up in bed, having been woken up by his thoughts. "Sheldon? What are you doing up at this time? Your left antenna's been twitching ever since I brought you home from the hospital. It only twitches like that when you're stressed or thinking reallll hard about something." "It does?" Plankton blinked, looking up at his own antenna, which was twitching rapidly. "Huh, I wonder why I never noticed". He rubbed his head to get over his daze and turned with a groan to see a familiar yellow sponge bounding up to them from across the other side of the street. He was holding a large balloon. "Hello Karen, Hello Plankton – sorry about your laser the other day." The two of them turned to look out of the window and across the street, to where the sign for the Krusty Krab had just turned from 'closed' to 'open'. "Shall we?" Sheldon grinned a most delighted grin. https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13876443/1/Your-Warranty-Has-Now-Expired
ᵀʳᵉᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵉᵉᵏᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᶜᵉˡᵉᵇʳᵃᵗᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ 'ᴳᵒᵒᶠʸ ᴳᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ? ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵛᵉᵃˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ⁱᶜᵉ⁻ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ᵃ ᵗʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵘˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᔆᵘʳᵉ‧" "ᴴᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᔆᵗᵃʳ ʷᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗ!" "ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗʳʸ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗᵉ ᵒᶠ‧‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʳᵘˢʰ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ˡᵉᵗ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵒʷ? ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ʰᵉ ⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵇᵒʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵃˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᵗ ˢᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ˢᵉᵉ‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʷᵉ'ᵈ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵘⁿᵍʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ⁻ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧‧‧" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢᵉᵖᵃʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴵ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉˢ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡᵉˢ‧ "ᴮʸᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᴳᵒᵒᶠʸ ᴳᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵈ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵈ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵈᵉˢˢᵉʳᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ˢʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ "ᴴᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ᵈ ᵃˢˢᵘᵐᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷⁱᵖᵉˢ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ‧ "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵃ ᴳᵒᵒᶠʸ ᴳᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ⁱᵐᵖᵃᶜᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵈ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˡᵉᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ˢᵉⁿˢⁱᵗⁱᵛᵉ‧ ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉʳˢ‧ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵐᵃᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ⁱᵗ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᶜᵉ‧ "ᴰⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ? ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ⸴ ˢⁱˡˡʸ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃˡʷᵃʸˢ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ⸴ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ˢᵘᶜʰ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ‧ ᴬˢ ᵃ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᶠᵃᶜᵗ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˢᵒ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ! ᴴᵉ ʳᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵍⁱᵛᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵘᵍˢ ᵃⁿᵈ/ᵒʳ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ! ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵈᵒᶻᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳᵃᶜᵗ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉʷ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ! ᴬⁿᵈ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈ ʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʲᵘᵐᵖʸ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ!" ᴴᵉ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵃᶜᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢʷᵃˡˡᵒʷ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳⁱᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵉʳᵃᵗᵉˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ⸴ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ⸴ ᵃˡˡ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵛᵃᵍᵘᵉˡʸ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˡᵏ ⁱⁿᵈᵒᵒʳˢ‧ 'ᴼʰ⸴ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵏⁱᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ⸴ ʷᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ‧‧" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐʸ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ʳᵉᵃˡ ᶠᵃˢᵗ!" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ 'ᴮᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ‧ 'ᴰᵒᵉˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ ᵒʳ ᵃᵐ ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ⁱᵐᵃᵍⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ ᵒᵘᵗˢⁱᵈᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ "ᔆᵒ ʷʰᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ!" ᴴᵉ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆᵒ ᴵ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵛᵘˡⁿᵉʳᵃᵇⁱˡⁱᵗʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵈᵒ ᵒʳ ˢᵃʸ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵘᵐⁱˡⁱᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˡˡ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵈᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉʸ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵒʳʳʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ! ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁱᶜᵉ⁻ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ; ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ⁱᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ! ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵃʷᵏʷᵃʳᵈ‧" "ᴼʰ ᵏⁱᵈ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧" "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᶠᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳ ᶠᵒᵒˡⁱˢʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ‧ ᴵ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˡˡ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵒᶠᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ‽" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ˢᵒ ᴵ'ᵐ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ᵏᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ᵘˢ‧ ᴵᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ᶜᵃˡˡ‧ ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵃᶠʳᵃⁱᵈ! ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢᵏ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ ᴵ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʳᵒᵘᵇˡᵉ ˢᵒ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵒ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃᵛᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧ 'ᴼˡᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ? ᴬˡˢᵒ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ?' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒʳ ᴵ'ᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵉᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴴᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ? ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵖʳᵒᵈᵘᶜᵗⁱᵛᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ‧ "ᵀʰᵉ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ‧‧‧" 'ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᴵ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷᵒʳᵏ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ᴴⁱ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ; ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ʳᵘⁱⁿᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵉˡᵖʸ ᴳ‧" "ᵂᵒʷ; ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ!"
Her strongest memory was of the smell of rain on hot pavement. It was a scent that didn't just fill her nose but seemed to soak into her skin, bringing with it a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a very long time. Bluey Heeler was a creature of the outdoors, a dog with a heart that pounded in sync with the vast wilderness she called home. Her fur, a blend of blue and gray, blended seamlessly with the shadows of the eucalyptus trees that stretched tall beside her family's modest house. Rainy days meant puddles to splash in and the rich scent of earth coming alive around her. But it had been a long time since she'd felt the cool kiss of rainwater on her snout. Now, Bluey was in the city, surrounded by the concrete jungle, a stark contrast to the boundless plains she'd once known. The smells here were overwhelming, a mishmash of exhaust fumes, fast food, and a million different creatures packed into a space so tight it made her feel claustrophobic. The noises were constant, a never-ending din that made her flinch and whine in the quiet moments of the night. Yet, amidst the chaos, she had found a purpose, a reason to push through the fear and confusion. Her new friend, named Mia, had taken her in, offering her a chance at a new life filled with love and companionship. Mia was as vibrant as the flowers she tended in the small patch of earth outside their apartment. Despite the stark difference in their sizes, they shared a bond that transcended the confines of the urban sprawl. Each day, Mia would take her on adventures through the parks, allowing her to feel the grass under her paws and chase the occasional squirrel up a tree. It wasn't the same as the open ranges she'd left behind, but it was a taste of freedom she hadn't known in weeks. One evening, as the two sat on the windowsill watching the rain dance in the streetlights, a distant howl echoed through the concrete valleys. It was faint, almost lost in the symphony of city sounds, but to Bluey, it was as clear as if it had come from right beside her. Her ears perked up, and she let out a soft whine, longing for the days when she could have joined the chorus. Mia looked at her, concern etched on her features. "What is it, girl?" she asked, her tail thumping against the sill as she tried to convey the ache in her soul. The howl grew stronger, more insistent, and suddenly, Bluey realized it wasn't just any howl. It was her sister, Bingo. The same melody that had serenaded their nights back home, now calling to her from across the miles. Bingo's howl was a beacon, a thread of their shared past that had somehow found its way to her here in the city. Mia's eyes widened as she saw the recognition in Bluey's eyes. "Is that...?" she began, but the question was unnecessary. Bingo came in. Without a second thought, Bluey leaped. She didn't care about the water soaking her fur or the cold seeping into her bones. All that mattered was finding Bingo. The city streets were a labyrinth of wet reflections, the neon lights playing tricks on her eyes as she sprinted through the rain. The scent grew stronger with every bound, her nose leading her through alleys and across busy roads, dodging puddles that mirrored the chaos above. Mia, soaked and panting, struggled to keep up. Then, a shadow moving swiftly in the rain. Bluey's heart leaped. That was Bingo! She picked up the pace, her paws barely touching the ground. The howl grew closer, turning into a series of excited barks as the two sisters rounded a corner and locked eyes. Bingo's tail wagged a mile a minute, and she barrels towards Bluey, knocking her over in a joyous reunion of wet dog and muddy paws. They rolled together, the sound of their laughter piercing the rain-soaked silence. Mia skidded to a stop, panting and smiling through the downpour. She watched as the two sisters played, their tails creating a whirlwind of joy in the dim streetlight. The sight was enough to warm her to the core, making the dampness of her fur coat feel like a small price to pay for this moment. "Bingo," she called out, her voice a mix of happiness and relief. "You found her, Bluey!"
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█░░░▒███▓░░░░░░█▓▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓█▒▒▒▒███▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░▒▒▒▓░░░░░░░░░█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░█▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░▓░░░█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒█░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░░██▒░░▓▓░░▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▓░▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░▒█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒░░▓▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓░▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░█▒▒█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓█░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░▓░░▓▒█░░▒░░░░█░██░░▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░████▒░░░░░░████▓▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▓░░░░░░░░░▒▒░░▓░▓░▒░░░░▓▒▒▒░░░░░░█░░░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒█░░▓░░░░▒░░░▒▒░░░░░░░░░▓▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█░░░░░░░░░░▒░▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░▒░░▒░░░░░▒▓█▒░░░░░▒█▒░░░▒░░░░░░░░░░▒░░░░▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░░░░█░░░░░░░░░░░▒░░░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█░▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒█░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░█▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒░░░▓░░▒▒▒▒▒▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒█░░░░░░░▒▒▒█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▓░░░▒░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒░▒▒▒▒▒█▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒█░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▓▒▓░░░▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒█▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▓█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒▒▒░░█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒░▓▓░░░░░░░░░▒▓▓█████▓▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒░█░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒░█░░▓▓█░▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓░▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░█▒▓▓██████▓▒░░░░░░░█▓▓▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░█░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█░█▒█████▒█████▒█████▓▓▓█████▒██████▒█▓▓▓▓▒██░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▓▓▓▓▓██████▓▓▓▓██▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒██░█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓█▓▓▓▓██▒▒▒▒▒▓█▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓█▓▓▓▓█▒▒▒▒▒▓█▒░░▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒███████▒▒▒█░░░░░░█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▓█▒▓▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓░░██░██▒▒░░▓▒▒▒▓░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▓░░░░░░░░▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓██████▓▒▒█░░█▒▒██▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▓░░░▓▒░░░░░░▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓██▓▓▓▓▒▓██▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓░█▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒█░█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▓▓█▓▓███▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▓▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒██▓▓▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒█░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▓█▓▓▓▓▓█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▓█▓▓▓▓▓█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒███▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒███▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▓██▓▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓███▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒███▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒██▒▒▒▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█████▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█████▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒██▒▒▒▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█████▓▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▓█████▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█████▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█████▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒
"Hi, my boss Mr. Krabs told me I need to work on my people skills and to volunteer.." SpongeBob says in the surgery room before recognizing Plankton and Karen. Plankton lay on the operating table, a small tube delivering medicine that kept him asleep. Karen sat by him. "Plankton‽" "Plankton's had his wisdom teeth removed." She glanced at the sleeping Plankton with affection. Sponge Bob leaned closer. He poked Plankton gently. "Hey, Plankton; wake up, buddy!" No response. Plankton's breathing remained slow and even, the rhythm unchanged by Sponge Bob's nudges. Karen's robotic hand shot up to stop Sponge Bob's poking. "He's not going to wake up anytime soon, Sponge Bob. The anesthesia will wear off in a couple of hours," she explained in her usual monotone. Sponge Bob's bubbly demeanor deflated a bit. He had never seen Plankton so... peaceful. Usually the tiny villain was full of mischief and plotting his next Krabby Patty heist. But the sight of his arch-nemesis helpless and snoring? "Karen, do you think a little light chat would help him wake up?" "Sponge Bob, the purpose of anesthesia is to keep him unconscious during surgery and ensure a painless recovery. Your efforts are futile." Undeterred, Sponge Bob leaned in closer. "Come on, Plankton. Time to wakey-wakey!" He waved his hands in front of Plankton's face, creating a gentle breeze that tickled his antennae. Still, Plankton remained steadfast in his slumber, oblivious to the world around him. Karen sighed again, the closest she ever got to expressing exasperation. "As I said, Sponge Bob, he's under the effects of anesthesia. There's nothing you can do to wake him up." She went back to reading her magazine, the glow from her screen casting a soft blue light on her metallic features. Sponge Bob studied Plankton's sleeping features. His mouth was open just enough to reveal his top row of teeth, and Sponge Bob had to stifle a giggle when a small bubble of drool formed at the corner of his mouth. "You know," he mused aloud, "I never realized Plankton had such a... cute snoring sound." The statement hung in the air, and even the normally stoic Karen couldn't resist cracking a smile. "Cute is hardly the word I'd use," she murmured, but the warmth in her voice belied the affection she had for her partner. Sponge Bob's curiosity grew as he continued to gaze at the unconscious Plankton. He'd seen him in various states before—angry, plotting and occasionally defeated—but never so vulnerable. The sight was strange yet fascinating. He reached out and carefully wiped away the drool. Plankton's head lolled to the side, but he remained asleep. SpongeBob put his head back up on a pillow. Plankton's snores grew quieter as his head settled into the cushioned embrace. "Don't worry, Plankton," he whispered, patting the villain's arm gently. "I'll watch over you." Sponge Bob's curiosity grew stronger as he watched the drool form at the side of Plankton's mouth. He leaned in closer, studying the phenomenon. He'd never noticed Plankton drool before. "It's like a tiny river," he said to himself. What would happen if he tried to touch it? He tapped it lightly. It wobbled, bulging slightly before collapsing back into its original state. He poked the drool again. This time, it grew slightly larger before popping, leaving a tiny, wet splatter on the pillow. Plankton's snores grew louder for a moment, but didn't stir. Sponge Bob couldn't resist a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like he's enjoying his nap," he whispered to Karen who remained engrossed in her magazine. The drool was fascinating—like a living organism, pulsating with every one of Plankton's breaths. He poked it again, gently this time. The drool grew larger, stretching out like a bubble of gum. It was almost mesmerizing. "I wonder if I can make it pop," he thought, eyes gleaming with child-like excitement. Slowly, Sponge Bob poked the drool bubble once more. It grew to the size of a marble before it burst with a tiny splat, splattering on to the pillow. Plankton's snoring remained undisturbed. Sponge Bob could see the light from the ceiling reflecting off the droplet's surface. He waited, the anticipation building, eyes fixed on the wobbling mass. At the last second, he poked it. The bubble popped with a sound that echoed through the quiet room. Plankton's snore caught in his throat for a split second, then resumed with renewed vigor. The splatter was more substantial this time, leaving a wet spot on the pillow. The sudden noise made Karen look up from her magazine. "What on earth are you doing, Sponge Bob?" she asked, voice a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Just... science," Sponge Bob said, his grin unabated. "I'm studying Plankton's snoring pattern... and drool." Karen rolled her digital eyes. "Fine. Just don't wake him. And for the love of Krabby Patties, please don't make a mess." She returned her focus to her magazine, seemingly unfazed by the sight of her arch-enemy playing with drool. Sponge Bob nodded solemnly, his eyes lighting up with newfound purpose. He decided to be more strategic in his scientific endeavor. He would need precision and timing. The drool bubble grew again, this time larger and more robust. Sponge Bob waited, his heart beating faster with every pulse of Plankton's snore. He took a deep breath, held it, and at the peak of the snore's crescendo, poked the bubble with a controlled flick. It exploded with a sound like a miniature water balloon, splattering across Plankton's cheek. The pillow was now a Jackson Pollock canvas of drool. Plankton's snoring hitched but he didn't wake. "Oops," Sponge Bob whispered, giggling quietly. He reached for a near by tissue to clean up the mess, his eyes glancing nervously at Karen. She peeked over her magazine, the corners of her robotic mouth curving upward slightly. "If you're going to play, at least be tidy," she said, voice a blend of reprimand and amusement. Sponge Bob nodded, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course, Karen," he whispered back, dabbing at Plankton's cheek with the tissue. The drool was sticky and clung to the fabric but Sponge Bob managed to clean when Plankton's snoring hitched. This time, Plankton's eyes opened a crack, his single eyelid revealing a sliver of his iris before dropping shut again. "What's going on?" he mumbled sleepily. Sponge Bob froze, tissue in mid-air. "Oh nothing," he said quickly, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just admiring your snoring." Plankton's eyelid quivered but remained shut. "Mmph." His mouth moved around the word. "Don't worry, buddy," Sponge Bob said softly patting Plankton's arm. "You're just resting. Nothing to worry about." The half-awake Plankton mumbled something unintelligible, and Sponge Bob took it as a sign to back off. He retreated to his chair, watching as Karen put down her magazine and began to fuss over Plankton, checking his vitals and making sure he was comfortable. For once, he wasn't at odds with Plankton.
In the quiet town of Ponyville, there lived a young earth pony named Applejack. Her coarse, burnt- orange coat was always dotted with freckles of dirt from a hard day's work on her family's farm, Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was known for her honesty and her strong work ethic, which were as solid as the oak trees that lined the property. Her mane and tail, a fiery shade of red, matched the color of the apples she grew with such care. One sweltering afternoon, Applejack took a break from her chores, wiping the sweat from her brow with a bandana that smelled faintly of apple blossoms. She looked out over the fields, the sun blazing down like a second sun, and sighed. The harvest was coming soon, and she had so much to do. Her thoughts drifted to her friends, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and the others, and she wondered how they were spending their day. Her contemplation was interrupted by the distant sound of hoofbeats. She shielded her eyes from the glare and saw a figure approaching. As it grew closer, she recognized the purple and white unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, her friend and the town's resident scholar. Twilight looked flustered, her eyes wide with excitement. "Applejack!" Twilight called out, her voice strained from the run. "You won't believe what I've found in the library archives!" Applejack leaned against the fence post, her curiosity piqued. "What is it, Twilight?" Twilight's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I've discovered something absolutely fascinating, Applejack. It's about an ancient artifact called the Element of Honesty!" Applejack's ears perked up at the mention of something old and precious. "The Element of Honesty? What's so special about it?" Twilight paused to catch her breath, her flank heaving. "It's one of the six Elements of Harmony," she began, "each representing one of the core virtues of our world. The Element of Honesty is said to be a rare and powerful artifact that can reveal the truth in any situation. It's been lost for centuries, but I found a map leading to its last known location!" Her voice grew hushed as she unfolded the ancient parchment, its edges yellowed with age. The map was intricate, with swirling symbols and cryptic notations that seemed to dance before Applejack's eyes. "It's somewhere in the Whispering Woods," Twilight whispered, her horn glowing softly as she traced a line over the paper. "Well, shucks," Applejack drawled, "that's a place I've heard plenty of tall tales about, but never actually visited." The wood had a reputation for being eerie and mysterious, a place where whispers of forgotten secrets lingered on the breeze. But the prospect of finding something as important as the Element of Honesty was too tempting to pass up. Twilight's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Applejack, I think we should go look for it. It's not far from here, and who knows what kind of trouble it could prevent if it falls into the wrong hooves?" Applejack nodded, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in her gaze. "Alright, but we'd better tell the others. They might want to come along." They gathered their friends, who were equally intrigued by the prospect of an adventure. Pinkie Pie bounced with excitement, Rarity's eyes gleamed with the promise of a new treasure to add to her collection, and Fluttershy looked nervous but determined. Rainbow Dash and Rarity promised to keep an eye on Fluttershy, who had a tendency to get spooked in unfamiliar places. They set out into the late afternoon sun, the map fluttering in Twilight's magic as they followed the path into the wood. The Whispering Woods lived up to their name, with rustling leaves and hushed whispers that seemed to follow them through the dappled shade. The air grew cooler, and the scent of damp earth and pine needles filled their nostrils as they ventured deeper. Suddenly, a shadow flitted through the trees. "Greetings, travelers, I am Aloysius, keeper of the woods' lore." His feathers were the color of moonlit silver, and his eyes held a knowing glint. Twilight stepped forward, the map still clutched in her telekinetic grip. "We're looking for the Element of Honesty," she said with a hint of urgency. "Could you help us?" Aloysius tilted his head, his beak clicking thoughtfully. "Ah, the Element of Honesty," he murmured. "A treasure indeed. But beware, for the woods are not kind to those who seek without pure intentions." The friends exchanged glances, their determination unwavering. Applejack stepped up, her eyes meeting the owl's. "Our intentions are as true as my word. We aim to protect our town and find this artifact before it falls into the wrong hooves." Aloysius studied them for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I will guide you to the spot where the Element lies hidden. But heed my warning: the woods hold secrets, and they do not give them up easily." The group followed the him, their hoofsteps echoing through the quiet wood. The whispers grew louder, and Applejack couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Twilight, ever the scholar, took notes on the various plants and magical phenomena they encountered, while Pinkie Pie chattered away, trying to keep everyone's spirits high. As they ventured further in, the wood grew denser, the path narrower. The light grew dimmer, the sun's rays barely piercing the thick canopy above. The air grew colder, carrying with it a sense of unease that made even Rainbow Dash's wings flutter anxiously. "This place is giving me the creeps," Fluttershy whispered, her eyes darting around nervously. "Don't worry, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash assured her, "we're all here for you." Aloysius led them to a clearing, where an ancient tree stood tall, its trunk twisted with age. The whispers grew to a crescendo, swirling around the tree's base like a cacophony of secrets yearning to be heard. "Here it is," He announced, his voice barely audible over the din. "The Element of Honesty lies within this tree. But remember, it will only reveal itself to the worthy." Applejack squinted at the tree, her heart racing. The whispers grew so loud, they seemed to form words, urging them to turn back. But she knew they couldn't. "Thanks, Aloysius," she said, turning to her friends. "Let's get to it."
"Honey, wake up," Karen said gently. Her voice was the sweet sound of a lullaby echoing through the silent, sterile room, but Plankton remained unresponsive. The steady rhythm of the heart monitor was the only reply to her soft pleas. She sat by his side, her hand intertwined with his, her thumb brushing the back of his palm. But now, his hand lay limp, a stark contrast to the warmth and strength it usually exuded. The antiseptic smell of the hospital filled the air, a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a cold, artificial glow on Plankton's pale face. His chest rose and fell with each shallow breath, and the rhythm was the only reassurance Karen had that he was still with her. The doctor had said it was a mild concussion, but the sight of him lying there, so vulnerable, filled her with dread. She knew that she had to stay strong, not just for herself, but for Plankton. The door to the room creaked open, and the doctor stepped in, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. He was a young man, his expression a mix of professionalism and concern. He looked at the charts in his hand before glancing up at Karen. "How is he?" he asked. Karen's eyes never left her husband's face as she replied, "The same." The doctor nodded, his eye reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "It's not uncommon for someone with a concussion to sleep longer than usual. We're monitoring him closely, and his vitals are stable. We've given him medication to manage the pain and reduce the swelling." Karen leaned forward, her grip on Plankton's hand tightening. "But when will he wake up?" she asked, her voice a whisper of hope. The doctor's eyes softened. "It could be hours, or even days. The brain needs time to heal. But rest assured, Mrs. Plankton, we're doing everything we can to ensure a swift and full recovery." Karen nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She didn't want to believe it would take that long, but she knew that patience was the only option she had. She leaned back in the chair, her eyes never leaving Plankton's face. Time stretched out before her, each minute feeling like an eternity. The only sounds in the room were the tick of the clock on the wall and the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor. The hospital's white walls closed in around her, making her feel trapped in a world where time had ceased to have meaning. Her thoughts raced, playing out every possible scenario in her head, each one more alarming than the last. A nurse came in to check on Plankton, her shoes squeaking against the floor. She offered Karen a kind smile and a reassuring pat on the shoulder before she tended to her husband, checking his bandages and administering fluids through the IV. Karen watched her every move, feeling helpless and out of place. The nurse noticed her distress and offered her a cup of tea, which she accepted with a nod of gratitude. The warm liquid helped soothe her nerves as she took a sip, her eyes never straying from Plankton. The minutes ticked by, each one feeling heavier than the last. The silence was broken only by the occasional murmur from the hallway or the rustle of pages as the nurse updated his chart. Karen's mind drifted back to the moments before the accident, the laughter and the joy that seemed so distant now. Plankton had been working on his latest invention, a contraption he swore would revolutionize the fast-food industry. It was a wild tangle of metal and wires, something that only he could understand. Karen had watched him, her curiosity piqued but her technical knowledge barely scratching the surface of his genius. "What does it do?" she had asked, her eyes wide with wonder. He had grinned, his teeth gleaming in the light of the makeshift workshop. "It's a secret," he had said, his voice filled with mischief. Now, as she sat by his side in the hospital room, she wished she had paid more attention. Perhaps then she could have anticipated the malfunction that had sent him to the emergency room with a concussion. Plankton had always been so driven by his ideas, so wrapped up in his world of gadgets and gizmos, that he often forgot the dangers that came with his experiments. It was his passion, and she had always admired it, but in moments like these, she couldn't help but worry. The room grew dimmer as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the floor. Karen's eyes grew heavy, and she fought the urge to sleep. Suddenly, Plankton's eyelid fluttered open, revealing eye that searched the room with confusion. "Where am I?" he croaked, his voice dry and scratchy. Karen's heart leaped into her throat, and she leaned forward, her hand tightening around his. "You're in the hospital, sweetie. You had an accident," she said softly, her voice trembling. Plankton blinked several times, his gaze shifting from the blurry ceiling to Karen's face. Recognition dawned in his eyes, but confusion remained etched on his furrowed brow. "What happened?" he murmured, his voice still weak and groggy. Karen's heart swelled with relief at the sound of his voice. She took a deep breath, then explained the accident as calmly as she could. "You fell while working on your latest invention. You hit your head pretty hard. The doctor said it's just a concussion, but you need to rest." Plankton's eyes searched hers, trying to piece together the puzzle of his foggy memory. "A concussion?" he repeated, his voice a mere whisper. "How long have I been out?" Karen's grip on his hand tightened, her knuckles white. "A few hours, darling. But it's going to be okay." She hoped her words were true, that the fear and doubt didn't seep through. Plankton's gaze was unfocused, his thoughts jumbled. He didn't remember the accident, the pain, or the panic that had brought him here. All he knew was the gentle squeeze of her hand and the sterile scent of the hospital room. As he began to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over him. Karen's other hand shot out to steady him, her eyes filled with concern. "Lie back down, Plankton. You need to rest." He obeyed, his head heavy on the pillow, and his eye fell shut again. The doctor had warned her about the potential side effects of the concussion: confusion, dizziness, and memory loss. It was a strange sight, seeing him so unsure of himself, a stark contrast to the usual confidence that radiated from him. When he opened his eye again, the confusion had deepened. "What's the last thing you remember?" Karen asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Plankton's eye searched the room, as if the answer was hidden in the shadows. "I... I don't remember," he said, his voice filled with a sense of panic that was alien to him. "It's all blank." Karen felt a chill run down her spine. The doctor had mentioned that amnesia was a possibility, but she hadn't allowed herself to believe it would happen to Plankton. "It's okay," she assured him, her voice shaky. Plankton's eye searched hers, desperation flickering in their depths. "What do you mean, I don't remember?" Karen took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of anxiety brewing within her. "Sometimes with concussions, memories can be a bit jumbled. But don't worry, they'll come back to you." She hoped her reassurance sounded more convincing than it felt. The doctor had warned her that the road to recovery might be bumpy, but she had never anticipated Plankton's memory loss. Her mind raced, trying to think of ways to help him, to fill in the blanks without overwhelming him. "Do you remember anything at all?" she asked, her voice gentle. Plankton's eye searched the room again, as if the answer was hiding in the corners. "I remember... I remember working," he said, his voice trailing off. "But it's all... fuzzy." Karen felt a pang of sadness at the lost look on her husband's face. She didn't know how to navigate this new, uncharted territory. But she knew she had to be strong for him. "It's okay, Plankton," she said, stroking his forehead with the back of her hand. "You just need to rest." The doctor had instructed her to keep the environment calm and familiar to aid in his recovery. So, she began to speak in soothing tones, telling him stories of their past adventures. Her words painted a picture of a life filled with love and adventure, and she watched as his face relaxed with each passing moment. His breathing grew steadier, his chest rising and falling in a more natural rhythm. The hospital room was a cocoon of beige and white, the only color coming from the bouquet of flowers she had brought from home. Plankton's chest rose and fell in the rhythm of deep sleep, his breathing steady and even. The heart monitor beeped reassuringly, a metronome to the symphony of his rest. His face was peaceful, free from the tension that had gripped it earlier. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she realized the immediate danger had passed. For now, at least, he was safe, and she was grateful for every moment of his peaceful rest. She knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but for now, she was content to sit by his side and enjoy the quiet.
ᴸⁱᵃʳ ᴸⁱᵃʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ'ˢ ᵒⁿ ᶠⁱʳᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʲᵉˡˡʸ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱᵉˡᵈˢ⸴ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ⸴ ᵃ ˢᵗᵒʳᵐ ᶜˡᵒᵘᵈ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ‧ ᴸⁱᵍʰᵗⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ˢᵗʳⁱᵏᵉˢ ᵃ ᵈʸⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒʳᵃˡ ᵗʳᵉᵉ⸴ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵒⁿ ᶠⁱʳᵉ‧ ᴵᵗ ˢᵖʳᵉᵃᵈ ʳᵃᵖⁱᵈˡʸ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵃᵐᵉˢ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱˡᵈ ᶠⁱʳᵉ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵈⁱᶠᶠⁱᶜᵘˡᵗʸ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵖʳᵒᵖᵉʳˡʸ‧ ᵁⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵉˢᶜᵃᵖᵉ ᶠˡᵃᵐᵉˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶠᵃⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ/ᵖᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴸᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳᵉ ᵈⁱᵉᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵘⁿᶠᵒʳᵗᵘⁿᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʳᵉⁿᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵃᵐᵉˢ ᵇʸ ʲᵘᵐᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᶜᵒᵒᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵘⁿˢ⸴ ᵖᵘˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳᵉ‧ ᴰᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡⁱᵐᵖˡʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ⁻ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵐ ˢ⁻ˢᵒʳʳʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʳᵉˢⁱᵈᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠⁱˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵇᵒʷˡ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱⁿᵏ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢˡⁱᵖ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʳⁱⁿˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ᵈʳⁱᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵗʰⁱⁿ ᵗᵒʷᵉˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵒʳᵉʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗᵉᵐᵖᵉʳᵃᵗᵘʳᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵒᵗ ᵃˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ ˢᵒ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ᵈⁱʳᵉᶜᵗˡʸ ᵖᵘᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᶜᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃⁿ ᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᴿᵘᵇⁱᵏ'ˢ ᶜᵘᵇᵉ⸴ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" "ᵁᵍʰʰʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᵂᵘʰ? ᵂʰᵃᵃ⁻ ʷʰᵃ’ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵐ ᴵ?" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉᵃᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵐᵒᵏᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮ⁻⁻ ʷʰ⁻ʷʰᵃ⁻ʰᵘʰ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵍʳᵒᵍᵍʸ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ᴿᵘᵇⁱᵏ'ˢ ᶜᵘᵇᵉ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ?" ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏᵉᵉⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᶠⁱⁿᵉ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃⁿ‧ "ᴿᵉᵃᵈʸ?" ᴴᵉ ˢᶜᵒᵒᵗˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢⁱᵗˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʷᵃʳᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ; ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶠʳᵉˢʰ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ‧ "ᴵ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱᶜᵉ ⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ˢᵗʳᵃʷ‧" ᴴᵉ ˢᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᵀᵃˢᵗᵉˢ ʳᵉᶠʳᵉˢʰⁱⁿᵍ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒˡᵛᵉ ᵃ ᴿᵘᵇⁱᵏ'ˢ ᶜᵘᵇᵉ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵒʳ ᵍᵒ ᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᵗᵒʳᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ‧" "ᵂʰʸ ᵈᵒ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˢʷᵉᵃᵗʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉᵃᵏ?" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᶠⁱʳᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿˡʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᶜᵒᵒˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ⁱⁿ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱᵉˡᵈˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃ ᶜᵒʳᵃˡ ᵗʳᵉᵉ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᶠⁱʳᵉ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵐᵉˡᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᴮᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ˢᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᴵ ᵃˢˢᵘᵐᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ˢᵒ⸴ ᵗʰᵃ⁻ ᵘʰ⸴ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸ⁻ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᴵ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ‧‧‧" "ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ‧" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵃ ʷᵃˢʰ ᶜˡᵒᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵃˡᵃʳᵐ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵒᵛᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᵗʰ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵉᵉᶻᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇʸ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ˡⁱᶠᵗ ʸᵒᵘ?" "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃˢʰ ᶜˡᵒᵗʰ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ˢᵘʳᵉ‧" ᴴᵉ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˢᵘᵖⁱⁿᵉ‧ "ᶠᵉᵉˡˢ ˢᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵐᵉ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ‧" ᴴᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵒᵖᵉˢ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵇʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ‧ "ᴬˡˡ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᵗʰ⸴ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʳᵉˢᵗᶠᵘˡ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵘʳᶜʰᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ‧ 'ᴿᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵖᵒᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧‧' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ‧ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 𝟔𝟓𝟎
(Autistic author) Plankton had a mind that marched to the beat of a different sea anemone. And only Plankton and Karen knew about it. "It's not complicated," she said softly. "It's just who you are, and it's what makes you so brilliant at what you do. It's why you're able to focus like nobody else, why you see patterns that no one else can and why you're so passionate." But today, he came to the park when he got triggered at the sight of Pearl. Plankton's eye rolled back, his body went rigid. SpongeBob, who had been watching him from afar, noticed. He waved his hand in front of Plankton, but no response. "Plankton? Plankton, buddy, are you ok?" Sponge Bob asked. He placed a gentle hand on Plankton's shoulder, but he flinched violently at the unexpected touch. He was in the throes of a sensory meltdown, his small frame trembling with the effort to keep it all at bay. SpongeBob wasn't one to shy away from lending a hand, even to his adversaries. "Looks like you've had too much park for one day," Sponge Bob said. He gently Plankton away to a quiet bench beneath a giant kelp tree. Eventually Plankton's breathing slowed as he sat, antennae stilling. Sponge Bob took a seat beside him, his porous yellow body a comforting presence in the shade spot. "You ok now, Plank?" Plankton blinked rapidly, eye refocusing on the world around him. "Too much... too much every thing," he murmured, voice sounding strained. "Yeah, the park can be like that. But hey, we all have limits," Sponge Bob said. He handed Plankton a jelly sandwich. "Here, this might help." Plankton took the sandwich tentatively, eye darting around. He didn't want anyone else to see him like this. His condition was his secret, one he feared would be used against him. In Bikini Bottom, where everyone had their quirks and eccentricities his was something he felt set him apart, something that could be weaponized by the likes of Mr. Krabs. He took a bite, the sweet and sour flavor momentarily grounding him. "Thanks, Sponge Bob," he managed to say, his voice still shaky. Sponge Bob nods. He'd always known Plankton was different, but he'd never seen him so overwhelmed before. "It's ok buddy! We all get overwhelmed sometimes." But SpongeBob never seen such a reaction.. The two sat. Plankton took slow deliberate breaths, clutching the sandwich. His mind was racing with thoughts, fearful of what Sponge Bob might think of him, of what everyone else might think if they knew. Sponge Bob noticed turmoil in Plankton's eye. He knew his friend was more than just a simple-minded villain; he had depths that no one else in Bikini Bottom seemed to understand. Something's up with Plankton, SpongeBob knew that much. The jellyfish jelly sandwich sat forgotten between Plankton's trembling fingers. He looked at Sponge Bob, blinking rapidly. "I-I don't know what happened," he stutters. Sponge Bob nods solemnly. He had a feeling Plankton wasn't just talking about the park. He knew that look, that desperate attempt to articulate something much bigger than oneself. It was a look he'd seen in his best friend Patrick during his own moments of distress. But Plankton wasn't Patrick; he was a complex being with secrets of his own. "Well, Plank, you're obviously going through something," Sponge Bob replied, patting him on the back. "I've seen you in all sorts of pickles before, but never like this. It's like the park got to you in a way it's never done before. I know you're more than just a tiny troublemaker with a big brain. Maybe you're dealing with something like..." Sponge Bob trailed off, searching for the right words. Plankton's antennae shot up. "Like what?" he asked with defensiveness. "Well, like maybe your senses are extra sensitive," Sponge Bob offered. Plankton looked at Sponge Bob. "What are you talking about? I-I'm not like that," he said quickly trying to brush off the comment. But the words felt hollow, even to him. Sponge Bob, however, wasn't so easily deterred. He had a knack for understanding his friends and he wasn't going to let this go. "I've seen it before, Plank. When Patrick gets overwhelmed, he shuts down too," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "And it's ok. Everyone in Bikini Bottom has their quirks. It's what makes us all special." Plankton stared at Sponge Bob. The fear of being seen as weak or different was something he'd carried with him since he was young. But there was something in Sponge Bob's gaze that made him feel... seen. "What do you mean, Sponge Bob?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. Sponge Bob paused for a moment, considering his words carefully. "Well, Plank," he began, "sometimes when things are too much for Patrick he needs some quiet time to regroup. Maybe you're the same way, buddy. Maybe your brain works differently, and that's what makes you so smart!" Plankton's heart skipped a beat. He knew all about his own autism. But he had never told about it other than Karen. It was his secret, one that he feared could be used against him. But Sponge Bob had seen through his façade, had seen the truth in that one moment of vulnerability. Plankton felt exposed. What would happen? He took a deep breath and looked up at Sponge Bob. "What do you mean by 'quirks'?" He tried to keep his voice steady, but the tremor was still there. "Well, you know," Sponge Bob said, his tone assuring, "like how Patrick gets when he tries to think too hard because of his..." But he couldn't find the right words. Plankton's mind raced. He didn't want pity or misunderstanding. He didn't want Sponge Bob to treat him differently, or worse, tell. "And you, Plank, you're always so focused on your inventions. Maybe it's all part of your..." Plankton's cutting Sponge Bob off before he could say. "My... what?" Sponge Bob paused, his smile faltering slightly. "Well, you know, how you get so focused on things. Like with your inventions," he said. "And today I noticed the world can be too much for you to handle all at once." Plankton's worked so hard to keep his condition hidden, to ensure no one could use it against him in his quest for the Krabby Patty formula. But Sponge Bob wasn't just anyone; he was his... well, not best friend, but certainly an acquaintance who had shown him kindness on more than one occasion. "I'm... I'm not sure what you're talking about, Sponge Bob," Plankton lied, his voice strained. But Sponge Bob knew. "I know it's tough to talk about Plank," he said gently. "But I've noticed things. Like how you get really focused on your work, or how sometimes the little stuff throws you off." Plankton's eye widened. "I-I'm just... particular," he stuttered. "Plank, I know you're not like everyone else, and that's ok. Maybe you've got some..." "Sorry, Sponge Bob," Plankton said abruptly, pushing himself up. "I've got to get back to the Chum Bucket." Without waiting for a response, he bolted, his legs a blur of movement as he darted through the crowd. Sponge Bob watched him go, realizing they both knew. Plankton was more than just a villain with a penchant for stealing recipes; he was a friend in his own peculiar way. And friends looked out for each other, even if they didn't always see eye to eyes. Sponge Bob hesitated for a moment before following. Sponge Bob cautiously approached the bedroom door, which was slightly ajar. Through the gap, he could see Plankton and Spot. Plankton's holding a baby blue weighted blanket, further confirming SpongeBob's suspicions. The sight was unexpected. Plankton, the mastermind behind so many Krabby Patty heists, curled up under the blanket. Spot, ever loyal, lay by his side, providing comfort with a gentle nudge every few seconds. It was a side of Plankton that Sponge Bob had never seen before, and it was clear that Plankton had the telltale sensitivities that come with autism. Sponge Bob's heart swelled. He knew what it felt like to be different, to struggle with things that came so naturally to others. He didn't know much about autism but he knew that it didn't define Plankton, just as his own square shape didn't define him. He tapped lightly on the door. "Plankton?" "S-Sponge Bob?" "I know something's up. Can we talk about it?" Plankton sighed. Here he was, caught in the act of being less than the supervillain he strived to be. The room was cluttered with half-finished inventions and gizmos, but there was a small, tidy corner where Spot slept. The amoeba looked up and wagged his tail but stayed by Plankton. "I just needed to..." "You don't have to explain, Plank." Plankton peered at him over the edge of the blanket. "You don't know what's going on?" "Well, I know the park was just to much for you today." Plankton sighed. "It's... it's just that everything gets so loud and bright and..." He trailed off. Sponge Bob nods. "Sometimes the world can be a real krabby krabby place. But you know what? You've got friends who won't think any less of you for needing a break." Plankton's antennae twitched with skepticism. "Friends, like who?" he asked, his voice still muffled by the fabric. Sponge Bob leaned in closer. "Friends like me," he said firmly. "I know we're not exactly buddies, but we're not enemies either, not deep down. And I've noticed things about you, Plankton. Like how you sometimes need a break from all the noise and the chaos. And that's ok." Plankton looked up at him, his single eye blinking rapidly. "I don't know everything about it, but I know what it's like to struggle," Sponge Bob replied. "And if you need help figuring this out, I'm here for you."
Wisdoms i i/i Sponge Bob leaned in close. "What you say, Planky?" Plankton's head lolled to the side, eye half-closed. "Bubbles?" "You're gonna have to stay still." "Kay," Plankton mumbled, eye shut again. Karen chuckled. "You're a riot, you know that?" she said. Plankton's head lolled back on the chair. "Don't worry, Plankton. You're going to be just fine. It's all over now." Plankton nodded, trying to keep up. "Th-thank you," he slurred. "I think I need... need a nap." "You've already had nap, Plankton, we can go now." The nurse handed her gauze. "Keep this with you as needed," she instructed. Karen nodded. They helped Plankton into the car. Karen buckled him in, his head lolling to the side. "You're gonna be ok," she said, her voice a comforting hum. "Mm-hmm," Plankton murmured, head lolling to the side. "Mmm, ch...ch...chew some...some ch...ch...chum," Plankton mumbled, eye half-closed. Karen chuckled. "No chum for you, Plankton. You need your mouth heal." Sponge Bob nods. "I can make you a chum-free smoothie without chewing!" Plankton's eye rolled back in his head. "Mm...no...no chewing..." Karen laughed softly. "You're gonna be fine," she said. Plankton nodded, eyelid fluttering open and closed. "Mmm...Karen...my hero," he slurred, speech still thick and wobbly. "Mmm...no...more...tweef...," Plankton mumbled, eyelid drooping again. "Don't worry, Plankton," Karen said. "You're all done." Plankton nodded, eye still half-closed. "Mmm...no more tweef," he murmured, voice distant. Sponge Bob giggled. "That's right, Planky," he said, patting Plankton's arm. Plankton began to snore gently. Karen laughed, shaking her head. "Bet he's going to be so surprised when he wakes up home without tweef!" "Home...," Plankton's voice trails off as he snored. "We're almost," Karen said smiling at his loopy state. Plankton's eye fluttered open, speech still thick. "Tweef...tweef..." Sponge Bob looked with amusement. "Planky, no more tweef for you," he said. Plankton nodded slowly, his mind still in anesthesia. "Mm-hmm," he murmured. Karen pulled the car in their driveway. "Plankton, we're home," she said, her voice gentle. "Come on, Plankton," she said, her voice a gentle coax. "Let's get you in." Plankton leaned heavily on her, eye half-closed. "Mm'kay," he mumbled, his voice a slow drawl. "Home...no tweef." They managed in. "Sit down, Plankton," she instructed. "Mmm...sit," Plankton mumbled, his head lolling as he plopped on the couch. "Planky, I'm going to make you the best chum-free smoothie!" Plankton nodded, his head rolling to the side. "Mm'kay," he murmured, tongue thick in his mouth. "Mmm...no...no chewing," he slurred. Karen laughed softly, stroking his arm. "Voilà!" he exclaimed. "The Chum Bucket's finest, no-chew-required smoothie!" Plankton's eye flickered. "Fru...fruit?" "Yep, Planky's favorite!" Plankton's eye squinted. "Mm...no...no chum?" "Nope, no chum! It's all fruity goodness for you, Planky!" Karen took the glass with a smile, taking a spoon after removing gauze. "Mm...tastes...tastes..." His eye widened as the sweetness hit. "Goooood," he mumbled. Karen chuckled, carefully feeding him another spoonful. "You see, Plankton? No more troublesome tweef." "Mm-hmm," he murmured, eyelid fluttering as he tasted the cool, fruity blend. "M'good." "Just keep sipping," she said, her voice a soothing wave. "It'll help." Plankton nodded, his eyelid drooping. "Mm...good," he took another spoonful, the fruit blend cool and comforting. "You're doing great, Plankton!" "Mm...thanks. Fruit...tastes...tastes like...like...a vacation." Plankton managed to convey his appreciation. "Mm...fank...fank you," he slurred, eye drifting shut. Sponge Bob giggled. Plankton took another spoonful. "Mm...so...so good," he murmured, words still as wobbly as his legs had been. Sponge Bob nods. "See, Planky, I told you no more tweef would be a good thing!" Plankton's eye remained half-closed as he slurred his words. "Mm...good...no...no more tweef." Karen and Sponge Bob exchanged glances, smiles growing wider at the sight of him. "That's right, Plankton," Karen said, her voice a gentle tide. "No more pesky wisdom teeth." Plankton nodded, eyelid still drooping. "Mm...so...so happy," he mumbled. "No...more...owies." Karen chuckled. "You're going to be just fine," she assured. "Mm...fine," Plankton murmured, his head lolling back. "M'glad...glad it's...it's over." Karen chuckled, stroking his arm. "You're gonna need rest, Plankton," she said. "The anesthesia will wear off soon." "Mmm...rest," Plankton mumbled, eye struggling to stay open. "No...no more tweef." "That's right, Plankton." Plankton's eye rolled back in his head. "M'tired," he mumbled. "Wis...wisdom...wis...wis...wis..." Karen laughed. "It's ok, Plankton," she said. "Wis...wis...wis...wis...," Plankton's voice trailed off as his head lolled to the side. Karen laughed softly. "You don't have to say it anymore." Plankton nods. "M'tired," he murmured. "M'going...going to...to..." His sentence trailed off as his eye closed completely, snoring gently as his head slips onto Sponge Bob's shoulder. "Looks like he's out," he said, patting Plankton's back. Karen couldn't help but smile at the sight of Plankton's peaceful slumber. "Let's get you cleaned up, Plankton," she said. Sponge Bob carefully lifted Plankton's head, the tiny villain's snores becoming more pronounced. "We need to keep his mouth clean and get him to bed." Karen stood up. "Like this," she demonstrated, placing one hand under Plankton's back and the other under his knees. They shuffled him into the bathroom, his snores echoing down the hall. Karen wet a washcloth with warm water. "Open up, Plankton," she instructed, her voice a gentle wave. Plankton's eye flickered open with effort. He leaned his head back, allowing her to clean his mouth. The warm water felt like a kiss from the ocean, soothing his dull feeling gums. "Good job," Karen praised. "Almost done." Sponge Bob hovered nearby. "You're doing great, Planky," he said, eyes shining with kindness. "Mm...tanks," Plankton mumbled, eyelid fluttering. "M'tired." Karen nodded. "I know, sweetie. Let's get you some gauze." She unwrapped a piece of gauze. "Bite down on this," she instructed gently. Plankton's tiny mouth opened, and he took the gauze between his teeth, his eye fluttering shut as he felt the softness against his swollen gums. The warmth of the water and the gentle pressure of the cloth brought him a semblance of comfort. "Mm...better," he murmured, his voice a sleepy whisper. With Plankton's mouth now clean and gauzed, they carefully guided him to the bedroom. They managed to get Plankton into bed. Karen arranged the blankets around him, her movements careful and tender. Plankton's single eyelid fluttered open. "M'good," he slurred, his voice barely above a whisper. Karen chuckled. "Rest now," she said, her voice a gentle tide. "Spongey will stay with you." "M'kay," Plankton murmured, his eyelid slipping shut. Sponge Bob settled into the chair beside the bed, his eyes never leaving his friend. "You just sleep, Planky," he whispered, his voice like the soft lapping of waves. Plankton's snores grew deeper, the sound of his breathing rhythmic and soothing. Karen leaned down to kiss him on the forehead. "Rest well, my love," she said, her voice a gentle murmur. Sponge Bob's eyes grew wide as he took in the quiet room. He sat up straight in the chair, his eyes darting to the sleeping Plankton. "Okay, Planky," he murmured, his voice a soft rumble of the ocean floor. "I'm here. No more tweef for you." Plankton's snores grew softer, his body relaxing into the embrace of the bed. In the quiet room, Plankton stirred, his snoreless breathing the only sound. Plankton's single eyelid eventually flickered open. "Mm...wha?" he mumbled, his voice still thick. Sponge Bob's eyes grew wide. "It's ok, Planky," he whispered, his voice a soft ripple. Plankton's eye blinked rapidly, trying to focus on his surroundings. "What...what happen'd?" he mumbled, his speech still wobbly like jelly on a plate. Sponge Bob leaned closer. "You had your wisdom teeth removed," he whispered, his voice a gentle nudge. "Remember?" Plankton's eye squinted, his brain working to piece together the fragments of the day. "Mm...teef?" he murmured, his voice a foggy memory. Sponge Bob nodded solemnly. "Yes, Planky, no more tweef," he whispered, his voice a gentle echo in the quiet room. Plankton's eye widened, his mind racing. "I...I don't remember anything," he said, his voice still thick. Sponge Bob nods. "Don't worry, Planky," he whispered, his voice a warm current. "You're all fixed up now. No more tweef to worry about." "But...but how?" he mumbled, his voice a distant echo. Sponge Bob chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You were sleeping like a rock," he whispered, his voice a playful bubble. Plankton's curiosity piqued despite his grogginess. "But...but how did I get here?" he slurred, a slow, meandering stream. "Karen brought you home after the surgery," he explained, his eyes as bright as the moon's reflection on the water. Plankton's eye fluttered as he tried to process the information. "Sur...surgery?" Sponge Bob nodded, his grin as wide as the ocean. "Yeah, Planky," he whispered. "You were out like a light!" Plankton's eye wandered around the room, his mind racing. "But, why'd I agwee to something like that? Nevermind; what are you doin’ here?" "I'm here to take care of you, Planky," he whispered. "And as for the surgery, well, your teeth were causing you a lot of trouble. You were pretty out of it. But Dr. Bubblefish said it's all over now, and you're going to be fine." Plankton's trying to remember. "Dr. Bubblefish? I remember the x-ray.." he mumbled, his voice like a distant echo. "That's right, Planky," he said. "But everything went well. You're all fixed up now."
A LIFE OF DIVERSITY i (Autistic author) "You know, Shel, just put yourself out there. You think to much! Just steal a patty from the krusty krab, and bring it back. No inventions, just believe. I'll wait out front." Karen says. Sheldon Plankton, whose ambition often outstripped his grasp, took a deep breath and nodded. It was a simple enough plan, he thought, and maybe, just maybe, it would be enough. For years he'd been trying to outsmart Mr. Krabs, crafting ingenious contraptions and elaborate schemes to swipe the Krabby Patty secret formula. Yet here he was, standing in the shadow of the gleaming neon sign of the Chum Bucket, his own restaurant, contemplating the unthinkable: a straight-up heist. He tiptoed to the Krabby Krab, eye darting back and forth for any signs of movement. Karen, ever the impatient one, was pacing back and forth outside the Chum Bucket. She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity. "What's taking him so long?" she murmured to herself, her frustration building. Meanwhile, Plankton took a final shaky breath and slid open the kitchen window, his heart racing. The scent of greasy fryers and salty ocean air filled his nostrils. He reached out, his tiny hand trembling, and snatched the Krabby Patty that lay unguarded on the counter. With the stolen patty in hand, Plankton's confidence grew. He had done it; the secret was within his grasp! He turned to leave, but his elation was cut short when a shadow fell over him. He looked up to find Mr. Krabs standing there, his eyes narrowed and his claw raised. "Plankton, I knew it was you!" he bellowed. Plankton froze. Mr. Krabs lunged at him, but Plankton was quick. He dashed under the cash register, the Krabby Patty clutched to his chest like a football player crossing the finish line. "You'll never get me!" he yelled, his voice echoing in the quiet restaurant. But Krabs was persistent, his claws snapping shut just millimeters from Plankton's antennae. With a cunning smile, Mr. Krabs stepped back eyeing the cash register. "Maybe not," he said reaching over the counter and hoisting the heavy metal contraption off its stand. Plankton's eye went wide with horror as he realized what Krabs intended to do. He tried to dodge, but the space was too cramped, and the cash register came down on him like a guillotine blade. The sound of metal on metal reverberated through the kitchen, and the Krabby Patty went flying out of his grasp. Mr. Krabs' victory roar filled the room as Plankton crumpled to the floor, stars dancing in his vision. The impact had been tremendous, and for a moment, he lay dazed and defeated. The cash register's heavy weight had not only knocked him out cold but also left a sizable dent in the floorboards. Outside, Karen's pacing grew more erratic. as "What's keeping him?" she groused. Just as she was about to storm inside, she hears the cash register, which hit Plankton's head. Peering in she saw Plankton lying on the floor. "Plankton?" she shrieked, her voice cracking with panic. Karen opens the door and goes to him. "Plankton! Oh no!" she screamed, voice shaking the very foundation of the Krabby Krab. She rushed over to him, shaking with fear. Plankton's eye closed, and his body was completely still. The Patty lay forgotten. Panic set in, and she began to pat his face. "Plankton, wake up!!" she yelled, echoing through the deserted kitchen. She knew that Plankton could be dramatic, but this was unlike him. He'd always bounced back from Mr. Krabs' traps before, albeit with a bruised ego. There was a pulse, faint but steady. "Thank Neptune," she whispered, her relief palpable. "Plankton, please," Karen begged, a mix of desperation and fear. She knew she had to do something, and fast. But what? Her medical expertise was limited to patching up her husband's bruises from past failed schemes, not dealing with a concussion from a cash register to the head. She then managed to scoop up her unconscious husband and sprinted to the Bikini Bottom Hospital. Once inside the hospital, she explained what happened with the cash register. "We'll do a brain scan." They said. Karen laid Plankton on the hospital bed. Finally a doctor approached with a solemn expression. "The brain scan results are in." Karen nodded for him to go on. "It seems your husband has suffered significant brain damage from impact," the doctor continued, fidgeting with a clipboard. "The good news is that he will wake up, but... your husband has experienced severe brain trauma. While he will regain consciousness, it appears that he may have developed permanent autism." "What does that mean?" she managed to whisper. The doctor explained that while Plankton would still be able to talk and/or communicate, his interactions and reactions to sensory would be significantly affected. "But he'll still be the same Plankton?" The doctor nods. "In many ways, yes. His personality, his memories, they should all be intact. But his ability to process, to understand and respond appropriately... those might be altered. It's a complex condition, Mrs. Plankton. He can go home whence he wakes up." Karen nodded numbly, mind racing with the implications. As she sat by Plankton's bedside the hospital lights flickered, and the constant beeping of the heart monitor was the only company she had. The quiet was broken her husband's eye fluttering open. "Karen?" he croaked, his voice hoarse from the trauma. Her heart leaped at the sound, and she took his hand, squeezing it tightly. "I'm here," she said, her voice cracking. "How do you feel?" Plankton's gaze darted around the room. "Where am I?" he asked, his voice a mix of confusion and fear. "You're at the hospital, sweetie," Karen replied, voice gentle and soothing. "You had hit your head on the cash register at the Krabby Krab." Karen said, her voice shaking slightly. "Mr. Krabs hit you." Plankton blinked rapidly, trying to process her words. "Cash... register?" he murmured, voice sounding distant and confused. Karen nodded, her eyes never leaving his. The room was a cacophony of sounds: the beep of the monitor, the rustle of nurses' shoes, and the distant wail of a siren. Plankton's senses seemed to amplify, each noise stabbing at his brain like a thousand tiny needles. "What happened to me?" he asked, voice small and scared. Karen took a deep breath preparing herself to explain the gravity of the situation. "You hit your head," she began, "and now, the doctor says you have... acquired a neurodisability." Plankton stared at her, his eyes unfocused. "Neuro... what?" he repeated. Karen took a deep breath, her heart heavy. "It's like your brain is wired differently now. You might see things, hear things, feel things more intensely. And sometimes, you might not understand people, or process differently." "Does it... does it mean I'm broken?" he asked, voice barely a whisper. "No, Plankton," she said firmly, "You're not broken. You're just... different. And we'll figure this out together."
ᶠᵃᵐⁱˡʸ ᵀʳᵃᵛᵉˡˢ — 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜; 𝟷,𝟷𝟽𝟶 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵃᵍʳᵉᵉᵈ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʰᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ᵍᵃᵈᵍᵉᵗˢ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵐʸ ᵐᵘᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵃᵈ ᵃʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᵐʸ ᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ‧‧‧" "ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵏⁱᵈ⸴ ⁱᶠ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳᵏ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳˢ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ‧ "ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵒˡᵏˢ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘˢ ᵘᵖ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ; ᴹʳ‧ ᴴᵃʳᵒˡᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴹˢ‧ ᴹᵃʳᵍʳᵉᵗ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢᵏˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʳᵉᶜᵉⁱᵛᵉᵈ ⁿᵒ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ 'ᴴᵒʷ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ˢᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ? ᴬᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵉᵃᶜᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ ⁿᵒʷ!' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ 'ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵃʳᵏ ᵒᵘᵗ!' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂᵃᵏᵉʸ⁻ʷᵃᵏᵉʸ⸴ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ⁻ᵈᵒᵒ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᶜˡᵃⁱᵐˢ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʳᵒᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢⁿᵃᵖˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʲᵉʳᵏˢ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ "ᵂᵃ⁻ᵃ⁻ᵃᵍʰ‽" "ᵀⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ˢᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐʸ ᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʷᵃʸ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘˢ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵒᶠᶠ! "ᵀʰᵉ ʳⁱᵈᵉ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉˢ ˢᵒ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵈˢ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉʳʸ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃʳᵐ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵈˢ‧ "ᴺᵒᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵗʳᵃᶠᶠⁱᶜ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵏᵉˡᵖ ᶠʳⁱᵉˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵒʸˢ!" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᴹˢ‧ ᴹᵃʳᵍʳᵉᵗ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ˢʰᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˢᵉᵃᵗ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᴹᵘᵐ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵉˢᶜʳⁱᵇⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵖᵃˢˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʸ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿ'ˢ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵈʳᵒʷˢʸ ʸᵉᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳˢ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳⁱᵈᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵇᵒʳᵉᵈ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ ˢᵒⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡˢ ᵒᶠᶠ⸴ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵃ ⁿᵃᵖ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡⁱⁿᵍ; ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠᶠ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ'ᵈ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵘᵈᵍᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ⸴ ᵉˣᶜᵉᵖᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃˢ ˢᵗᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗʳᵉᵗᶜʰ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡᵉᵍˢ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵈᵃᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵘᵇˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿ‧ "ᵁⁿʰ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ˢᵒᵈᵃ ᵖᵒᵖ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ; ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ᵍᵃˢ ˢᵗᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵉᵛⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ 'ᴴᵒʷ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ? ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴵ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ?' ᵀʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵏᵉˡᵖ ˢʰᵃᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃˡᶠ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ ˢᵒⁿᵍ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃʳᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ⁿᵃᵖˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵍᵃˢ‧ "ᴮᵒᵇᵇʸ!" ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ʰᵘᵍˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴼʰ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ!" ᵀʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴹʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ!" "ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵃⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ!" "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ?" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ‧‧‧" ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᔆᵒ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒ⁻ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵘʳˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᶠˡⁱᶜᵏᵉʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵍʳᵃⁿᵈᵐᵃ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗ ʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳˢ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵘᵖ ˡᵃᵗᵉ‧" ᵀʰᵉʸ ʰᵘᵍ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧" ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵃᵈˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵍʳᵃⁿᵈᵐᵃ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʰᵉ ˢʰᵃʳᵉˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ᵒʷⁿ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ!" ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉˢ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʷⁿ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉ ᴹˢ‧ ᴹᵃʳᵍʳᵉᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴴᵃʳᵒˡᵈ ˢᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ; ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ? ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵍⁱᶻᵐᵒ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ˢᵃʸ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃᵗᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵉᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ‧" "ᴴᵃʳᵒˡᵈ ᵈᵉᵃʳ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ˢᵒᶜⁱᵃˡ ᵇᵘᵗᵗᵉʳᶠˡʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈ ʷᵃʳⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃⁿⁿᵒʸᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁱᵗ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵒᶠᶠᵉⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵖᵃᵗʳᵒⁿⁱˢᵉ; ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱᵗ‧" 'ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃʳᵉˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ?' "ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧" 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ‽ ᴺᵒ‧‧‧' "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ?" "ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜⁱᵃˡˡʸ ᵐᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ ᵍᵘʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵏ?" "ᴼⁿˡʸ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧" ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ᵗᵒˡᵈ⸴ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃˡˡ⸴ ᵃˡᵉʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳᵉˢᵉⁿᶜᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ʳᵘⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᵂᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃʳⁿ‧ "ᴺᵒʷ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃʳⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵇᵃʳⁿ‧" ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ʰᵒᵖᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵃˣ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒ ⁱⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵈᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃʳⁿ‧" ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ'ᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱᵉˢ⸴ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ‧ ᴹᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱᵉˢ!" "ᴵ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵗ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱᵉ ᶜᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵘᵗⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ˢʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴴᵉ ʷᵉᵃʳⁱˡʸ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷˢ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵐʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱᵉˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢᶜʳᵃᵗᶜʰ!" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᵐⁱˡʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉˢ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ!" ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ʰᵘᵍˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳˢ⸴ ˡᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ᵒʳ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴰᵒᵉˢ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵃˡᵏ?" "ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ʳᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ! ᵂʰʸ?" "ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵉᵛᵉᵃˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵒᵃᶜʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱᵉ ᶜᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ "ᴰⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵈᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃʳⁿ? ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵘʳᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱᵉˢ! ᔆʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ˡⁱᶜᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵖᵒᵒⁿ‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵉʳᵗᵃⁱⁿˡʸ ᵈⁱᵈ!" ᔆʰᵉ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ᵖᵃᶜᵏᵉᵗˢ! ᴳʳᵃᵐᵐᵃ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ˢᵖᵒᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʰᵉˡᵖˢ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ᵍᵒ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᴮᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ᵃᵗ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ⸴ ᶠᵃᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ‧ "ᴿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵁⁿᶜˡᵉ ᔆʰᵉʳᵐ?" "ᴵ ᵐᵃʸ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᵘʳ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇˡᵃᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵍʳᵃⁿᵈᵐᵃ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵘˢ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵒᵈˢ‧ "ᵀʰᵃ⁻ ᵘʰᵐ– ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ‧" "ᴺᵒʷ ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱᵉˢ!"
A JOURNEY TO AUTISM ix (Autistic author) The silence in the room was suffocating, the echo of Mr. Krabs' footsteps the only sound as he retreated to his home, his heart feeling heavier than his treasure chest. Sponge Bob's heart torn between pity and frustration. He looked at Plankton, his friend's gaze still locked on the chessboard, his body a portrait of rejection. "Plankton," he whispered, his voice full of pain. But Plankton didn't move, his antennas twitching slightly. Sponge Bob felt a lump form in his throat, his eyes brimming with tears. He didn't know what to do, what to say, to make things right. He glanced at Karen, her lights dimming slightly with sadness. "I'll leave you two to talk." With a nod to Sponge Bob, she left the room, leaving them alone in the stifling silence. Sponge Bob approached Plankton cautiously, his heart pounding. "What can I do?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. Plankton's antennas twitched slightly, but he didn't look up. "Nothing," he murmured, his voice flat. "Cannot change." Sponge Bob's eyes welled with tears. "I mean right now, I can do what you want me to," he pleaded. "You're my best friend, Plankton." Plankton's antennas lifted, his single eye meeting Sponge Bob's gaze. "We can talk, we can play a game, we can watch some thing..." Plankton's antennas remained still, his expression unreadable. "Watch," he said finally, his voice devoid of enthusiasm. Sponge Bob nodded, his heart heavy with disappointment. He knew his friend needed space, and he would give it to him. The screen flickered to life. Sponge Bob felt a pang of despair, his hand hovering over the remote. "Is this okay?" he asked, his voice trembling. Plankton nodded, his gaze unfocused. "Okay," he murmured. Sponge Bob selected a nature documentary, knowing Plankton. They sat in silence as the soothing sounds of the ocean filled the room, the TV's blue light washing over them. Plankton's body relaxed slightly, his antennas still as he watched. Sponge Bob felt a tiny spark of hope when Plankton scoots up next to him. The documentary played on, the narrator's soothing voice detailing the lives of jellyfish. Sponge Bob watched Plankton from the corner of his eye, his heart aching at the sight of his friend's vacant gaze. He reached over and gently placed his hand on Plankton's shoulder, his touch tentative. Plankton didn't flinch, his eye never leaving the screen. Sponge Bob swallowed the lump in his throat and whispered, "I'm here for you." Plankton's antenna twitched slightly, a barely perceptible acknowledgment. The silence stretched on, the only sound the rhythmic pulse of the jellyfish through the speakers. Sponge Bob's hand remained on Plankton's shoulder, his thumb making small, comforting circles. As the documentary droned on, Plankton's antennas gradually lost their rigidity, drooping slightly with each passing moment. The rhythmic pulse of the jellyfish on the screen seemed to lull him into a state of quiet contemplation. His gaze grew unfocused, his eyelid fluttered once, then twice, before finally settling shut. Plankton's tiny frame relaxed into SpongeBob's side, breathing evening out. His hand remained on Plankton's shoulder, his thumb continuing to make small circles as his friend slipped into slumber. When SpongeBob turned off the tv, he noticed Plankton's head drooped to the side with a soft snore, his body gone slack. Plankton was asleep, his chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. The yellow sponge felt a wave of relief wash over him as he realized that his friend had finally found some peace. He carefully scooted Plankton closer. He knew Plankton needed his rest, especially with his brain trying to adjust to this new reality. Karen came back in to see Plankton's antennas limp and Sponge Bob's hand on his shoulder. She nodded gently at the sponge, who looked up and sighed. "It's ok to let him rest. He's been through a lot." She says. Sponge Bob nods, his grip on Plankton's shoulder tightening slightly. "I know. I just want to help," he replies, his voice barely audible over Plankton's soft snores. Karen's lights flicker gently. "You are helping by being here, Sponge Bob. Just give him time and space to adjust." Sponge Bob nods, his eyes never leaving Plankton's sleeping face. "I'll do anything for him." Karen's light blips. "I know you will. But for now, let's get him to his bed." Sponge Bob nods, carefully scooping up Plankton, cradling him like a fragile shell. He carries him to the bedroom. He lays him down, tucking the blanket under his chin with extra care. Plankton's snores soften into a gentle purr, his antennas twitching slightly in his sleep. Sponge Bob pulls up a chair beside the bed, his eyes never leaving his friend's face. He feels a heavy responsibility, a desire to be there for Plankton in ways he's never had to before. As the minutes tick by, Sponge Bob begins to feel the weight of the day's events. His eyes grow heavy, his body swaying with exhaustion. Despite his resolve, he can't keep his lids open any longer. With a yawn, he collapses into the chair beside Plankton's bed, his head lolling to the side. His eyes close. Plankton opens his eye to find Sponge Bob asleep next to him. Plankton's gaze lingers on the sponge, his expression unreadable. He moves his antennas slightly, testing the boundaries of his new reality. The weight of Mr. Krabs' apology and his own words hang heavy on him. With a deep sigh, he knew that his relationship with Mr. Krabs was irrevocably changed, but he hadn't expected the sadness that accompanied the realization. He watched as Sponge Bob's chest lifted and fell in a steady rhythm, his grip on the blanket tight. A strange warmth spread through Plankton's heart, something he hadn't felt in a long time. Sponge Bob had always been his friend, even when he was at his worst. But this... This was different. This was someone sticking by him, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. The warmth grew, spreading through Plankton like a gentle current. It was unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. He had felt it before, with Karen. Yet this was a different kind of warmth. This was friendship, pure and untainted by the greed that usually consumed him before... He studied Sponge Bob's peaceful face, his mind racing. This sponge, his enemy's best worker, had shown more kindness and understanding in the past few hours than anyone else in his life, other than Karen. And for what? A chance at the Krabby formula? No, for him. For Plankton. The warmth grew stronger, pushing out the coldness that usually dominated his thoughts. He felt a strange urge to reciprocate, to be... nicer. Sponge Bob stirred, his eyes fluttering open. "Plankton?" he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep. Plankton's antennas lift slightly, his single eye focusing on the yellow form beside him. "Yes, Sponge Bob," he replies, his voice gentler than before. Sponge Bob sits up with a start. "How long have you been up?" he asks, his eyes searching Plankton's face for any sign of pain or distress. Plankton's antennas twitch slightly. "Not long," he murmurs, his gaze lingering on Sponge Bob. Sponge Bob's expression is a mixture of relief and concern. "Do you want to talk?" he asks, his voice gentle. Plankton's antennas wave slightly, a tiny nod of his head. "Talk," he echoes, his voice soft. Sponge Bob takes a deep breath, trying to form the words he desperately wants to say. "I just... I want you to know that I'm here for you, Plankton," he says, his voice shaking. Plankton's antennas wave slightly, and his eye narrows. "Here for Plankton," he echoes, his voice flat. Sponge Bob's eyes fill with tears. "Yes, Plankton," he whispers. "Always." Plankton's antennas twitch again, the word "always" echoing in his mind. "Always," he murmurs.
TEETHIES ii The nurse dimmed lights and adjusted the bed, giving Plankton's body a chance to recover from the wisdom tooth surgery. Gently, Karen began to hum a tune she knew Plankton loved. The melody filled the room, wrapping around them like a warm blanket. His breathing grew a little easier, the tension in his hand loosening slightly. Plankton stirred, eye fluttering open to reveal a world still blurred by the fog of anesthesia. "Where... what...?" Plankton slurred. "Who... who are you?" "The dentist had to get your wisdom teeth out in surgery." Karen told him. "Wis...dommm...surgery? I don't...I don't remembe--- much." Plankton says. "Had to take them out. You've been asleep for a while." The nurse said. The door to the room creaked open to SpongeBob, his face a picture of concern. "Plankton!" he exclaimed. "How are ya?" Plankton, still groggy from the surgery, tried to form a coherent sentence. "S-SpongeBob," he slurred. "M-more wike... 'Arrr, matey' than usual, I s'pose." Karen rolled her pixel eyes. "It's the anesthesia." Plankton chuckled. "Ahoy ther- Spongey! Aye, it's awh’ 'cause of tweasare... I mean, surgery," he corrected, his speech still swaying. "You two are always so... " Karen trailed off, searching for the right word. "Inseparabubble?" Plankton suggested. Sponge Bob's laughter bubbled up again. "You mean, no Krabby Patty stealing schemes?" "Thath's righ'. No mow... Krabby... Patties... fow awhile." The words came out in a drawn-out slur, his head lolling slightly on the pillow. "Thath's... wath I wath thhinking," his speech still slurred but fading as his eyelid growing heavy. "Arr, thith... thith way, me... hearty," Plankton mumbled, as the nurse helped 'em into the car. "Arr, me... tweasuwe... home,". Sponge Bob watched his eyelid grew heavier. Plankton's head lolled back against the seat and his mouth fell open slightly, emitting a soft snore. "He's gonna be out for a bit," Karen said, glancing in the rearview mirror. "The anesthesia usually takes a few hours to wear off completely. He'll be fine." He reached out and gently patted Plankton's arm, whispering, "Don't worry, buddy. We're almost there." "We're home, Plankton," Karen said, her voice a gentle nudge. Sponge Bob turned to see Plankton's chest rising and falling in deep, even breaths, his mouth open in snore's. His usually scheming eye were shut tight. Karen carefully opened the door. Sponge Bob looked at Plankton, who was still out cold. Sponge Bob leaned over the seat, his arms wrapping around Plankton's frail body. Plankton's head lolled back, his mouth still open in snore's. "Should we... should we wake him?" "Let him rest, Sponge Bob. He's had a rough day." Karen puts him on the couch. "Do you think he'll... you know, remember any of this?" Sponge Bob asked, his voice low and tentative. Karen's smile was a gentle wave. "I doubt it. The anesthesia usually wipes out memories for a bit." "Rest well, honey," she whispered, kissing his forehead. "You've had a long day." Suddenly Plankton stirs in his sleep, his snores morphing into a groan as he shifts beneath the blanket. "Is he okay?" SpongeBob asks. "He's okay," she nods, her voice a gentle lullaby in the stillness. "Just anesthesia wearing off." She stood by him. "Easy, Plankton," Karen cooed, gently rubbing Plankton's back. "You're okay." The little villain's body twitched, and his eye fluttered open. For a brief moment, confusion clouded his gaze before he spotted Sponge Bob and Karen. "W-wha... whass happening?" Plankton's words were slurred, his lisp more pronounced than ever. "You're home, Plankton. You had wisdom teeth removed." "W-what? Did I miss... somefink?" He tried to sit up, his body moving as if through syrup. "You've been out for a bit," Karen said. "But you're home now." Plankton blinked. "Home?" he mumbled. "Yes, sweetie," Karen said, her voice a gentle caress. "You had your wisdom teeth out. You're going to be fine." "Oww... wha’ happened to my mouf?" "Your wisdom teeth were out." "Oh... wight," he murmured. "Need anything?" "Could... could I have some... ice... cweam?" His voice was a whispered plea. They get him some. "Thath's... thoothing. So, how'd I get home?" "Karen and I brought you back," Sponge Bob said. "You were out cold. Didn't even wake up when we carried you in." "Did... did you two... take care of me?" His voice was a mix of surprise and vulnerability. "Of course, Plankton!" He turned to Plankton. "Want me to pick something to watch?" "Mm-hmm," Plankton mumbled, eye already closing again. Sponge Bob flicked through the tv channels, finally settling on a rerun of their favorite show, "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy." The familiar theme song filled the room, and Karen took a seat next to Plankton on the couch, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. As the adventure unfolded on the screen, Plankton's breathing grew deeper and more regular, his body gradually relaxing into the cushions. "Looks like he's out again," Karen said softly. Sponge Bob nodded, watching Plankton's chest rise and fall rhythmically. "Guess the surgery really took it out of him." The room grew quiet, save for the distant laugh track of their favorite show and the occasional snore from Plankton. Karen's hand remained on his shoulder, her thumb tracing small circles. At night, turning the tv off, Spongebob picked Plankton up, cradling him. His friend's head lolled back, his mouth slightly open in a peaceful snore. Sponge Bob carefully made his way to his bed, setting him down. He pulled the blanket up to Plankton and gave him a soft pat. They both settled into the makeshift beds they had set up next to Plankton's. The next morning, both woke up before Plankton. Karen chuckled. "We should take a picture." Spongebob snapped a picture of Plankton, still asleep with his mouth slightly open, a trail of drool escaping onto the pillow. "Morning, Captain Snores-a-lot," Sponge Bob whispered with a smirk, rousing Plankton. Plankton's eye opened, only to wince. "Oww... wath... what's happening?" "It's morning, Plankton," Karen said, her tone still gentle. "Look your post-surgery glamour shot," Spongebob teased, holding the phone out of reach. "You were out cold last night." Plankton's eye widened as he took in the image. "You... you took a picture of me?!" He was half horrified, half amused. "Couldn't resist," Karen said, grinning. Plankton rolled his eye and wiped his mouth, then winced. "How wong hav- I been out?" "Overnight," Sponge Bob said, unable to hold back a chuckle. "You had quite the ride home yesterday." Plankton groaned, his hand reaching up to gingerly touch his swollen cheek. "Whath happened?" "You had your wisdom teeth out," Karen reminded him, her voice filled with a touch of amusement. "It's normal to be a bit out of it after surgery." "Wisdom teeth?" Plankton echoed, his voice still groggy. "Oh, wight. The dentist." Karen chuckled. "Yeah, you don't remember much, do you?" Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You talked like a pirate all the way home, matey." Plankton's eye widened in horror. "I did what?" Sponge Bob nodded. "Yeah, you kept calling me 'Spongey' and said we were 'inseparabubble'." Plankton blushed. "Oh, come on," he mumbled, trying to hide his face in the pillow. Sponge Bob and Karen shared a knowing look, their laughter subsiding into a comfortable silence. They could both tell that despite his tough exterior, Plankton was a bit embarrassed. Plankton sighed, his small body sinking deeper into the pillows. "Okay, okay," he conceded. "But if I don't get to do anything, can I at leash wash TV?" "Of course," Karen said, handing him the remote. "But take it easy today, okay?" With a groan, Plankton managed to sit up, his hand still tentatively exploring his tender cheeks. He squinted at the TV, searching for something to watch. His eye lit up when he found a science fiction marathon. "Jackpot," he murmured.
WISDOMS i Plankton had an appointment at the dentist and Karen promised to take him. SpongeBob, an ever-cheerful neighbor, had offered to come along. The trio stepped out of the car, the door of dentist's office chiming a tune that seemed like the 'Jolly Roger' theme. Sponge Bob bounced in place. The door to the room opened, and in waddled Dr. Bubblefish. "Ah, Mr. Plankton, right on time for x-rays!" The room was a stark contrast to the playful tune. It smelled faintly of mint and antiseptic, with the metallic instruments glinting in bright lights. Dr. Bubblefish waddled over, his flippers moving swiftly as he gestured to the chair. Plankton's eye darts around. "Now, Mr. Plankton if you could just open wide," Dr. Bubblefish instructed holding up a contraption. Karen gave a gentle pat on his shoulder. "It's ok, Plankton. It'll be over before you know it," she assured with a comforting smile. Plankton took a deep breath and opened his mouth. Sponge Bob stood by his side. Dr. Bubblefish slid the x-ray plate in to place and positioned the contraption. "Here we go," he announced, as he stepped back and pressed the button. Sponge Bob watched in fascination. "Alright, all done!" The plate was removed, and Dr. Bubblefish took a moment to examine the results. "Hmm," he murmured, holding the film up to the light. "It seems we have a situation with your wisdom teeth." Plankton's eye bulged with alarm. "Wisdom teeth?" he squeaked. "But I'm a microscopic creature! I don't have room for those!" Dr. Bubblefish nodded solemnly. "Which is why we need to remove now them to prevent any issues." Karen's grip tightened on Plankton's shoulder. "Removal?" Dr. Bubblefish nodded. "It's the best course of action, a common procedure." The doctor led them into his office, walls lined with diplomas. Dr. Bubblefish noticed apprehension and offered a smile. "Now, Mr. Plankton, I know this might be a bit daunting, but I assure you, I'm quite skilled at working. Let's go over details of the procedure, shall we?" Karen's grip tightened more. "You're going to be ok," she whispered. Sponge Bob, the optimist, patted Plankton's arm. "Don't worry, buddy!" Plankton swallowed hard as he sat down in the chair. It was like sitting in a moon crater compared to his usual chair at the Chum Bucket. He gripped the chair's armrests. "But how does it work?" Plankton's voice tight with anxiety. "It's quite simple really. We use anesthesia," he explained, "which will drift off to sleep. You won't feel a thing." "It's like a little nap," Karen offered trying to ease his fears. Dr. Bubblefish nodded. "The anesthesia will make you unconscious for duration of the procedure. It's safe painless way to ensure you don't experience discomfort during extraction." The doctor began preparing. Sponge Bob looks through the window, mix of curiosity and concern. He had never seen anything like this. Plankton's eye pleaded with him for assurance, and Sponge Bob gave him a thumbs up. The chair reclined, and Karen held Plankton's hand tightly. "Ready?" Dr. Bubblefish asked, voice a gentle rumble. Plankton nodded, though his eye shut. Karen squeezed his hand. "You can do this, Plankton," she whispered. The doctor approached with what looked like a pair of tiny tongs. "This will help keep your mouth open," he said, inserting the device into Plankton's mouth. The nurse came over. "This is the anesthesia," she said cheerfully, tentacles flicking the air. "It'll make every thing nice and relaxing." Plankton nodded, his grip tightening. He felt the room spin. "Just breathe," Karen said, the only steady thing in the spinning room. "You're great." Sponge Bob watched as Plankton's eye lid grew heavy, his grip on chair armrests loosening. Dr. Bubblefish nods to the nurse. Plankton took a deep breath, eye shut, body went slack. His grip on the chair arm rests loosened and his breaths grew even. Karen felt a mix of relief and anxiety as the doctor nodded in satisfaction. "And he's out," he murmured. The room was silent except for the occasional blip of medical equipment and sound of Dr. Bubblefish preparing for the extraction. Karen's gaze fixed on Plankton, watching his chest rise and fall with each breath. Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. Plankton remained still, lost in his anesthesia-induced slumber. "Sponge Bob, you can wait out side now," Karen said gently never leaving her husband. After surgery, Karen calls Sponge Bob from the waiting room. "He's in recovery now," she says. "You can come see him." Sponge Bob bounces in, eyes wide with excitement. He goes in the room, his curiosity piqued by the sight of Plankton lying peacefully on the chair, his mouth slightly open but without the prop anymore. Plankton's hand lies limp on his own lap. The room remained silent except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and occasional snore from Plankton. "The surgery went well. He'll wake in a bit." Sponge Bob peers closer at Plankton, noticing drool formed at the corner of his mouth. He reaches out and gently strokes Plankton's forehead. "You're ok," he whispers. But Plankton was deep in the abyss of sleep, breathing even and calm. "What's that?" he pointed to a beeping machine. Karen looked over. "That's a monitor," she said softly. "It makes sure everything's ok with Plankton while he's out." The nurse comes in checking vitals. "He's doing great," she says with a nod. "He'll wake up soon." "Wakey, wakey, Plankton," Sponge Bob whispers, a hint of excitement in his voice. He reaches out a finger, gently poking Plankton's arm. No response. Plankton's chest continues to rise and fall rhythmically. Plankton didn't react. "Wow, he's really out," Sponge Bob murmured. "Just don't startle him. He'll wake up groggy." The nurse gently wiped Plankton's mouth with a damp cloth, cleaning away the drool. Plankton's head lolled to the side. "Alright, let's get some gauze," Dr. Bubblefish said, voice interrupting the quiet. Sponge Bob's eyes grew even wider as he watched the nurse carefully fold a piece of white gauze in to a minuscule square. It looked like a tiny cloud in her tentacle. She approached Plankton with the utmost care, as if handling some thing incredibly delicate. With a gentle touch, she inserted gauze into Plankton's mouth, pressing it against his gums. Plankton didn't flinch or stir, his breathing deep and even. The nurse stepped back and gave a satisfied nod. "Alright, he's all set," Dr. Bubblefish said, his voice a comforting rumble. "The gauze will help with any bleeding and keep the area clean." Karen nodded. "Thank you, doctor," she murmured. The room remained silent, except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and the occasional snore from Plankton. "Let's get you sitting up, Mr. Plankton," Dr. Bubblefish instructed as he lifted Plankton's head back up. The chair whirred in to an upright position. After a few moments, Plankton's eye lid began to flutter. He blinked, his vision blurry from anesthesia. He groaned, mouth feeling strange and full. "You're all done!" "Plankton," Karen says, voice soft and warm. Sponge Bob nods eagerly, his eyes never leaving Plankton's face. "How do you feel?" he asks. "Wha..." Plankton mumbles, voice muffled by the gauze. "Wh-where am I?" Karen chuckles. "You're in the dentist's office, Plankton. You had wisdom teeth removed." Sponge Bob's face lights up. "Yeah, buddy, you're all fixed up!" Karen gently helps Plankton sit up, supporting him with an arm around his back. "You're going to feel a bit woozy," she warns. Plankton spots Sponge Bob's grinning face. "Hey, Spongey," he says, his voice still slurred. "Hey, Planky!" Sponge Bob says, smile growing wide. "You're done! No more teeth woes for you!" "W-who's Planky?" Plankton mumbles, voice thick from anesthesia. Sponge Bob laughs, his laugh echoing. "That's you, buddy! Planky, Plankton!" "I survived the tooth monster.." Sponge Bob nods. "Yep, the pesky things in your mouth supposed to make smarter were just causing trouble!" "Troub...troub...tweef?" "Yes, Plankton. Your wisdom teeth are gone." "Miwwow, miwwow, on the wawl," he slurred, wobbly. "Do I wook smarter wi’out my tweef?" Patrick Star was waiting outside the dentist office, his large, star-shaped body leaning against the wall. Patrick Star was waiting outside the dentist's office, his large, star-shaped body leaning against the wall. He had heard that Sponge Bob was escorting Plankton and Karen to the appointment. Once Plankton was discharged, the four crammed into the car. Plankton sat in between Sponge Bob and Patrick, but was too groggy to care. Karen took the wheel, her grip firm. "Alright, let's get you home," she said, starting the engine.
He slurred his words, a side effect of his wisdom tooth surgery. "W-wha...wha' happened?" he mumbled. Karen held his hand, her thumb tracing comforting circles on his palm. "You're ok, just had wisdom teeth removed." Plankton blinked, trying to make sense of the world. "Teeth?" He says through thickness of his mouth. "What teeth?" The nurse then tells "Looks good. Just rest for a bit. The anesthesia can feel loopy." A trickle of drool slid down the side of his mouth. He tried to lift his hand. "H-here," Karen said, gently dabbing at the corner of his mouth. "You're ok. It's normal." Plankton's eye closed, and he leaned into her touch, the world fading to comforting haze. "Don't worry," she whispered, stroking him. "I'm here." Within moments, his breathing grew even, chest rising and falling in gentle rhythm that told her he had succumbed to sleep. His breathing deepened, mouth slightly agape. Karen watched the rise and fall of his chest, the soft snores that punctuated the silence. The steady beep of the heart monitor was an assuring metronome as she waited. A droplet of drool had formed and was slowly making its way to the pillow. The nurse told it might happen. It clung to the edge of his mouth before splattering onto the pillow. His mouth twitched in his sleep, and she wondered if he’s dreaming. The nurse returns with water and ice chips, placing them on the tray. "He'll need these when he wakes," she instructed. "They'd help with the swelling and keep him hydrated." Karen nodded. "How long til he's fully awake?" she asked. "Could be an hour." The only sounds the occasional snore from Plankton. Drool continued to escape, forming a puddle on the pillow. She wiped it. She saw the gauze pads tucked in his cheeks. They looked out of place, despite the sleep medication lulled him to. The door creaked open, and in stumbled SpongeBob. "Plankton! You ok?" he exclaimed. "Shh, he's sleeping," Karen whispers. "They took his wisdom teeth." SpongeBob's eyes widened further. "Wisdom teeth? Gosh, Plankton, sounds painful!" Karen nodded solemnly. "But he's tough. He'll be ok." Plankton stirred in his sleep, a low groan escaping his throat. "Shh," Karen soothed, her voice gentle. "You're ok. Just rest." SpongeBob tiptoed over. "How's he?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sleeping it off. The anesthesia wearing off." SpongeBob nods, eyes not leaving Plankton. "What's with gauze?" "Helps with bleeding," Karen explained. "It's normal." SpongeBob's concern palpable. "B-bleeding?" "It's ok," Karen assured him. "Just a precaution. He'll be fine." SpongeBob’s gaze lingers. He gently took Plankton's hand, his own fingers wrapping around his. His grip was firm but gentle, a silent promise to be there. The nurse removes the gauze, leaving his mouth open and vulnerable. Finally, Plankton's eye flutters open, still clouded by the anesthesia. "What...wha's goin' on?" he slurred, voice thick and groggy in confusion. "You had your wisdom teeth out," Karen said. "Mmph," he managed. SpongeBob leans in with concern. "You had a little operation. We’re in the recovery room." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he tried to sit up, only to be met with dizziness that sent him back. "Mm...Krabby Patty...?" he mumbled. Karen chuckled. "No, aren’t at the Krusty Krab." The reality of the situation slowly dawned on him. His mouth felt like it was filled with cotton. He reached for the cup of water, but his hand trembled, spilling the contents onto the tray. "Oops," SpongeBob said getting napkins. "Let me help you." But Plankton's eye had already rolled back into his head, his hand dropping limply to the side, slipping back into the abyss of his drug-induced haze. The nurse returned, checked his vitals again, expression unchanged by his state. "It's normal as it can take awhile." SpongeBob fidgeted, eyes never leaving Plankton's face. "Is he...drooling?" Karen nodded holding tissue ready. "Just be careful not to wake him up." "Oh, right. I just wanted to make sure he was ok." Karen gave his hand a comforting squeeze. "He is. Just let him rest, we're here for him when he wakes." They sat in companionable silence, only sound the soft snores and occasional dribble. "Is that...normal?" he asked, voice a mix of fascination and horror. "It's a side effect of the surgery," Karen explained gently, using a fresh tissue to wipe Plankton's mouth. "It can stop when he's fully awake." The nurse checked on him again. "Almost ready to go?" Karen nods. "Yes, let's get him home. He might be a bit out of it." SpongeBob nods, eager. "I'll help too!" "Thanks, SpongeBob," Karen said. "But remember, he's going to need lots of rest and quiet. Now, let's get him into the wheelchair." With Karen's help, they managed to get Plankton into the chair, body limply compliant. His eye remained closed, his breathing even. As they wheeled him out, his snores grew quieter. In the car, Karen adjusted the seat so Plankton could lean back, his mouth still a little slack, drool pooling on the gauze she had placed. His mouth remained slightly open, gauze in his cheeks bulging with each inhale. "Look at the drool," SpongeBob whispered. "It's just a side effect of the surgery," she said, handing SpongeBob a fresh tissue. "Make sure to keep his mouth clean. We don't want to get too messy." SpongeBob nodded, expression earnest as he took the tissue and began to dab at Plankton's mouth. Plankton's head lolled to the side again, and he let out a snort. "It's okay, Plankton. We're almost home." she whispered, her voice gentle. Sponge Bob whispered, "I never knew Plankton to be so...so drooly." Karen's eyes remained on the road. "It's a side effect of the surgery," she reminded him. "It's nothing to be too concerned about." Sponge Bob nodded, his gaze lingering on Plankton's slack jaw. "We're home," Karen whispered, her voice barely audible. Sponge Bob nodded, eyes glued to Plankton's still form. "Must we wake him?" "Wait til we get him inside," Karen said, her voice soft. "He'd be more comfortable in his own bed." They carefully maneuvered Plankton out of the car, his body still limp with sleep. Karen settled him into his bed, pulling the blankets up. "Leave him be," she said. "He needs his rest. He'll be ok," Karen assured him. "Just let him sleep it off." "I'll keep an eye on him," Sponge Bob offered, pulling up a chair. "Thanks," she said with gratitude. "I'll just be in the next room." Sponge Bob nodded solemnly, taking his post by Plankton's bedside. He knew Plankton’s surgery had to have been tough on him. He reached out and touched Plankton's arm. "Rest up, Plankton," he whispered. "I'll be here when you wake.." Plankton stirred slightly, a soft groan escaping. His eye remained closed, but his hand twitched. SpongeBob leaned in closer, his heart racing. "You ok, buddy?" he asked. Plankton's eye opens, tongue thick and unresponsive. He tried to speak, but all that came out was slurred mumble. "Wha...wha's...goin' on?" The words were barely discernible, muffled by the gauze in his mouth and the thickness of his own drool. Plankton's trying to make sense of the shadows that surrounded him. "You're home, Plankton," Sponge Bob said softly. "You had your wisdom teeth removed." Plankton's mind raced as the fog of anesthesia slowly lifted. "T-teeth?" he slurred barely above a whisper. SpongeBob nods. "You had your wisdom teeth out. It's ok, you're going to be fine." He sat in the chair by the bed, watching the steady rise and fall of Plankton's chest. The gauze in his mouth was still soaked with drool. As the light outside began to fade, Plankton stirred again, his eye fluttering. The pain in his mouth was a dull throb now, and the drugs had left him feeling groggy and disoriented. He tried to sit up, but the effort was too much. SpongeBob jumped to his side, his hands gentle as he put Plankton back down onto the pillow. "Easy," he said. Plankton's eye searched, the fog of anesthesia still clouding his thoughts. "Sponge...Bob?" he managed to croak out. "I'm here, Plankton," SpongeBob said, his voice filled with gentle concern. Plankton's eye searched SpongeBob's face. "Why...are you...here?" "I'm here to take care of you got wisdom teeth out, remember?" Plankton's mouth felt like it was filled with soggy seaweed, thoughts jumbled. "Wisdom teeth?" he mumbled, his voice barely audible. SpongeBob nods. "The surgery went well." Plankton's gaze grew distant as he tried to piece together the events of the day. "What...what happened?" Sponge Bob took a deep breath, preparing to explain it again. "You had to have your wisdom teeth out. Remember? You've been out of it all day." "My...my teeth?" Plankton repeated, still slurred. Sponge Bob nods solemnly. "They had to take them out." Plankton's eye grew even wider. "My...my...precious..." Sponge Bob gently pushed him back. "It's ok. You don't have to worry. They're gone." Plankton filled with panic. "Gone? How could I forget?" SpongeBob looked at him with a mix of confusion and concern. "It's the medicine," he said, his voice calm. "It messes with your memory a bit." Plankton's eye searched the room again, desperation growing with each passing second. "But...but I can't forget!" he slurred. "I can't forget about the...the...what was it again?" SpongeBob leaned in closer, his voice filled with patience. "Your wisdom teeth. You had them removed." Plankton's mind a jumble of half-formed thoughts. "Wisdom teeth," he murmured, words tasting foreign on his tongue. "Why would I forget something so...so..." His voice trailed off, and he frowned, his tiny brow furrowing. Sponge Bob's gaze was steady and reassuring. "It's normal. I never knew you could be so... drool-y." Plankton shot up. "Drooly?" "Don't worry," SpongeBob said. "It's a temporary side effect." Plankton's eye narrowed, and he managed to slur out, "You better not tell, I'd hate for my reputation to be ruined.." "Don't worry," Sponge Bob promised. "Your secret's safe."
ᴵⁿ ᴬ ᵀᵃⁿᵍˡᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ᶠᵃⁱˡᵘʳᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᶜᵒˡˡᵃᵖˢᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵈʳᵒᵛᵉ ⁱⁿᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵇˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵃⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵏᵉˡᵖ ᶠᵒʳᵉˢᵗ⸴ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒᵒᵈˢ ᵃᵈʲᵃᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱᵉˡᵈˢ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵗʳᵃⁿᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ˢᵉᵃ ʷᵉᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵘⁿˢᵘᶜᶜᵉˢˢᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈˡʸ‧ 'ᴹᵘˢᵗ⸴ ᵍᵒ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵃ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵗ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ‧ ᴬˢ ⁱᵗ ᵗⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍⁿᵉˢˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡⁱᵖˢ ᵃʷᵃʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱᵉˡᵈˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ‧ ᴬ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏᵉˡᵖ‧ ᴸᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳⁱᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵘⁿᵗᵃⁿᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖʳⁱᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵉᵉ‧ ᴮᵒᵈʸ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˡⁱᵐᵖ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉᵈ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˡⁱᵛᵉ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" ᶜᵘᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ⸴ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢˢᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᵐᵖᵃᶜᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᵒʷ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏᵉˡᵖ ᵍᵒᵗ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵉʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ "ᔆᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" 'ᴹᵉᵒʷ‧‧' "ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵃⁱˡ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵖˡᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ "ᴹʸ ʰᵒᵐᵉ⸴ ᵐʸ ʳᵘˡᵉˢ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵘʳᵍᵉⁿᶜʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ 'ᵉᵐ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵒʳ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵘⁿᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵒʳᵉ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ˢʰᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˢᵗʳᵒⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃˡᵐ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʰᵉ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ‧ ᴼʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃⁿ ᵉˡᵇᵒʷ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵘˢ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢᵏ ᶠᵒʳ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵃ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁱᵗˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᵒʳ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵇʸ ᵃ ᵗʰᵘᵐᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᵁᵍʰʰʰʰʰ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵃ⁻" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂʰ⁻ʷʰᵃ⸴ ʷʰ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠˡᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐᵒˢᵗˡʸ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ‧ "ᴳᵃʰ⸴ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ʰ⁻ʰᵘʳᵗ⸴ ʰᵘʳᵗˢ‧" ᴴᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵖᵘᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒ‧ "ᵁʳᵍʰ⸴ ᵒʷ! ᵂʰ⁻ʷʰ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʰʸ'ˢ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ᵒ⁻ᵒʰ ᵒᵘᶜʰ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ˢᵒʳᵉ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵘᶜᵏ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ ᵛᵃᵍᵘᵉˡʸ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵒʷ'ᵈ ᴵ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ?" "ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵗᵒ! ʸᵃᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃˢ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴼᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ?" "ᵁʰᵐ ᴵ⸴ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵗᵒ ʷᵉᵃᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵐᵘᶜʰ‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ‧ ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵒʳ ᵉᵃᵗ? ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸ⁻ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ? ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᴵ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ‧" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ! ᴶᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʰᵘⁿᵍʳʸ ᵒʳ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧" "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ʳᵘᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʰᵘᵐᵇ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧
NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH vi "I... I just want to make sure he's ok," Krabs said. "He's not in a good place right now," Karen admitted. "Tell him... I didn't mean to embarrass him, that I'm sorry for... everything." "I'll let him know," she said. Heading into the bedroom she found Plankton fast asleep, his face a picture of peace amidst the chaos of his mind, a stark contrast to the turmoil she knew was churning within him. She knew waking him would only stir up more pain and anger, so she decided to let him rest. Karen sat on the edge of the bed, watching him sleep. His chest rose and fell with each breath, the gentle snores a soothing soundtrack to the quiet room. She reached out to brush his antennae, with love and concern. Karen knew this wisdom teeth extraction had taken a toll on him, but she had no idea the depth of his embarrassment til she saw the photo. The next morning, Plankton woke to Karen's gentle humming. The stiffness in his jaw had subsided to a dull throb. As he sat up, the events of the previous day crashed down on him like a tidal wave. Karen turned, her smile fading as she took in his expression. "You're up," she said tentatively. Plankton nodded, jaw still aching. "Krabs called," Karen said, breaking the silence. Plankton's eye snapped to hers, his body tensing. "What." Karen took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm. "He said he's sorry for everything," she replied, her voice measured. "And that he didn't mean to embarrass you." Plankton stared at her, his jaw clenched. Karen understood the depth of his pain. "Maybe it wasn't about embarrassment," she suggested gently. "Maybe he was just trying to help." Plankton snorted, but the anger in his eye was fading, replaced by something closer to defeat. "Help." he repeated. "From Krabs!" Karen nodded. "He seemed genuinely concerned," she said. "And he did bring over those jellyfish for you." Plankton's skeptical, but didn't argue. Mr. Krabs wasn't exactly known for warm and fuzzy moments. But the idea that he had shown any care was unsettling. He always seen Krabs as the epitome of greed and self-interest, this newer side as unwelcome as the pain in his mouth. But as the day wore on, Plankton couldn't shake the feeling there's more to the story. Despite pride, he was curious about what happened between them. He knew he had to confront Krabs to set things straight, to regain some semblance of control over. So, when Mr. Krabs appeared at the chum bucket door, unannounced and looking unusually nervous, Plankton's curiosity won over. He begrudgingly let him in, posture stiff. Mr. Krabs fidgeted, his claws twitching as he looked around the cluttered room. "Plankton," he began, his voice tentative. "I know I've not always been the... the most sensitive crab in the sea, but I never meant to cause ye distress." Plankton's eye narrowed. "What do you want?" he demanded, his voice gruff. Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his claws fidgeting. "I just... I wanted to apologize," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "For the photo. For... everything." Plankton's eye never left Mr. Krabs' face. "You had no right," he said, his voice cold. Mr. Krabs swallowed. "I know," he admits. "But I didn't mean for it to go viral. Pearl... she's young, she doesn't understand the implications." Mr. Krabs shifted uncomfortably. "I don't expect anything," he said. "But I want to explain. You were in a lot of pain, and I just... I just wanted to help." Plankton's expression unyielding. "And what exactly?" Mr. Krabs took a step back, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Well, you were delirious," he began. "You talked a bit, but it was mostly nonsense." Plankton wasn't satisfied. "I want details?" Mr. Krabs sighed heavily, his shoulders dropping. "You talked about the good ol' days," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And how, despite our rivalry, we've always had a... a sort of respect for each other." Plankton felt a flicker of something in his chest, but pushed it aside. "Respect?" he sneered. "You expect me to believe that?" Mr. Krabs nodded, his eyes earnest. "It's the truth," he said. "You talked about how we've been through a lot together, even though we're enemies." Plankton felt his anger dissipate with a strange curiosity. "Why?" he asked, his voice softer. "Why would I?" Mr. Krabs shrugged uncomfortably. "I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe anesthesia brought out some hidden feelings?" Plankton's antennae quivered with irritation. "Hidden feelings!" he echoed. "You're telling me I have feelings for you?" Mr. Krabs' face flushed a deep red. "No, no, no!" he sputtered, holding up his claws defensively. "It's just... you were out of it, Plankton, unable to know what you were saying." But Plankton wasn't letting it go. "I need to know," he insisted, his voice low and intense. "What did I say to you?" Mr. Krabs squirmed, his eyes darting around the room. "It's... it's nothing, really," he stammered. "Just random, incoherent babble." But Plankton's gaze was unyielding. "Tell me," he demanded. Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, eyes downcast. "You called me your... your best friend," he murmured. "And you said you admire me." Plankton's eye bulged, his antennae standing straight up. "Admired you?" he echoed, his voice incredulous. Mr. Krabs nodded, his cheeks burning. "Yes," he said, his voice barely audible. "But it was just the medication, I'm sure." Plankton's mind reeled at the revelation. Best friend? Admired? Inconceivable. He had spent his life plotting against Mr. Krabs, trying to steal the Krabby Patty secret, and here he was, confessing his admiration and friendship? A nightmare. "Why would I?" he croaked, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger. Mr. Krabs shuffled his feet. "I told ya," he repeated. "You were out of it, babbling about all sorts of things." But Plankton's mind was racing, trying to piece together the puzzle of his subconscious. "What else did I do?" he pressed, his voice tight. Mr. Krabs fidgeted, his eyes darting around the room. "You... you also thanked me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "For being here." Plankton's jaw dropped, his arms flailing. "Thanked you?" he echoed, his voice filled with disbelief. "What, exactly?" Mr. Krabs squirmed, his eyes darting around the room. "You said I was a... friend," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "And that you were grateful for my help." Plankton quivered with rage. "Grateful?" he spat, his voice filled with revulsion. "To you?" Mr. Krabs looked down at his claws, his eyes pleading. "I know it's hard to believe," he said. "But you were in a lot of pain, and the medication can do funny things." Plankton's mind raced, trying to process this new information. He had always seen Mr. Krabs as the epitome of everything he despised: greedy, selfish, and always one step ahead in their eternal dance for the Krabby Patty secret. But here he was, describing a moment Plankton couldn't even remember. "What else?" Plankton demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What other humiliating things?" Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his eyes flicking up to meet Plankton's. "Well, you dozed off during my story," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "You leaned against me, and before I knew it, you were out cold." Plankton's tentacles stilled, his mind racing with the absurdity of the situation. "Story time?" he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief. "I fell asleep on your shoulder?" Mr. Krabs nodded, his face a picture of awkwardness. "It was quite... unexpected," he said, his eyes darting around the room. "But you seemed to enjoy it." Plankton stared at him, his mind reeling. "What was the story?" he asked, his voice a hoarse whisper. Mr. Krabs' cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. "It was about... You, per your request." Plankton's eye widened. Mr. Krabs nodded, turning a shade of red that matched his shell. "Yeah," he said, his voice small. "You said you liked the sound of my voice. It's the anesthesia," he said, his voice gentle. "It can do funny things to a body, make 'em say and do things they wouldn't normally." Plankton tightened around the ice pack, his mind racing. He had always seen Mr. Krabs as his sworn enemy, the one who stood between him and the Krabby Patty secret. But here was Krabs, describing a moment of intimacy that was as far from their usual interactions as the moon was from the ocean floor. Mr. Krabs cleared his throat, in discomfort. "It's alright, Plankton," he said, his voice gruff. "It's not something anyone needs to know about." But Plankton was insistent, his curiosity piqued. "I need to know," he said, his voice a mix of anger and desperation. "How did it happen?" Mr. Krabs sighed, eyes dropping to the floor. "Well," he began, his voice halting. "You seemed to get tired," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Your eye closed, and your head just... kind of fell onto my shoulder." Plankton's antennae twitched with discomfort, his cheeks burning. "And?" "Well, you were in pain," he said, his voice gruff. "I didn't want to disturb you ." Karen watched the exchange from the doorway. She knew Plankton was tough, but this was a side of him she had never seen before. Vulnerable and exposed. "Mr. Krabs," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Thank you for coming over." Mr. Krabs looked up, his eyes darting to her before returning to Plankton. "It's no trouble, Karen," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I just wanted to make sure he's okay." Karen nodded, her gaze never leaving Plankton's face. "I think we can handle it from here," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. Mr. Krabs' eyes darted between the two of them, fidgeting. "If... if there's anything I can do," he offered, his voice trailing off. Karen gave a small smile filled with gratitude. "I think we got it from here," she said. "But thank you for caring."
ᶠᵘⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ!" ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢⁱᵗˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒʷᵉˡ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵃᵖ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳˢ ᵃᵗ ᵍᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵍᵒᵒⁿ‧ "ᴴⁱ ᵏⁱᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉʸ; ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ˢʷⁱᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵒᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵘᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ ᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵃˡˡ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃˢ ᵗᵃˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ʳⁱˢᵏʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈⁱˢʳᵉᵍᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵃⁿ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʳⁱˢᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍᵒᵉˢ⸴ ᵈⁱˢˡᵒᵈᵍᵉˢ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ᶠᵒᵒᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢʷⁱᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᵛᵘˡⁿᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵘᶜᵏ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ʸᵉᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉˢᵘʳᶠᵃᶜᵉ‧ "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ; ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ!" ᴸᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵘᶜᵏ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵒʳᵉ ˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ˡᵘᶜᵏʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ!" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢᵉᵃ‧ 'ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ʷᵉ ᵒʷᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ' ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵃᶜᵗ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ⁱᶠ ʷᵉ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧" ᶜʰᵉˢᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿˢ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉˣᵖᵉˡ ᵉˣᶜᵉˢˢ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ '‧‧‧ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉᵃʳ‧‧‧' ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᶜᵒᵃˣᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧ '‧‧‧ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵘˢ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵒᵏᵉ‧ "ᴮʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ ᵍᵒ ⁿᵉᵃʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶜᵉᵃⁿ ʷᵃᵛᵉˢ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵍʳᵃᵗⁱᵗᵘᵈᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵇᵘˢʸ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ˢᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃˢᵗˡᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʷᵉʳᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐˢᵉˡᵛᵉˢ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵗˢ‧ 'ᴴᵒʷ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᴵ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ʳᵉᵍⁱˢᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵒʷᵉˡ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵖˡᵃʸᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰʳᵘᵍᵍᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢʰᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵈʳᵒʷⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵃᵇʳᵘᵖᵗˡʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴼᵗʰᵉʳʷⁱˢᵉ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ‧‧‧" ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ʷᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ! ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵛᵉ ˢᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵘˢ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ; ᵍᵒ ᵃʷᵃʸ!" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᵀʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵃʷˡ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵇˢ ᵃˢ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ᵒᵘᵗᵇᵘʳˢᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵃⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ‧‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᴴⁱ ʰᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡʸ ᵗᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ‧ ᴮᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵃᶜᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ᵉˣⁱˢᵗᵉⁿᶜᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᴴᵒⁿᵉʸ ᵇᵘⁿᶜʰ‧‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ʷᵃʸ ᵖᵉᵉᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉᵈ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ!" ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉˢ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ʷᵃʸ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵘʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᴮᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ?" "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ⸴ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉˡᵖ? ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃⁿ ⁱⁿᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᶜᶜᵘʳʳᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᴵ'ᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂʰʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵒ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵖᵃᵗⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʳᵘⁿˢ ˡᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵖˡᵃʸᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ʳⁱˡᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧‧" ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖˢ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵘᵍˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧
NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH i "Why do we have to go so early?" he grumbled. "I know, sweetie," Karen said, patting his hand reassuringly. "But it's for the best. You'll be out like a light during the surgery, and you won't feel a thing." The nurse noticed his distress and offered a kind smile. "Don't worry, Mr. Plankton. We're going to make this as comfortable for you as possible. First things first, let's get you in and then we'll start with some anesthesia." Karen watched as Plankton reluctantly climbed into the chair. The nurse dimmed the lights and adjusted the chair's recline. She placed a warm blanket over him, and the softness enveloped him like a comforting embrace, the nurse preparing Plankton for the surgery. She chatted away, "So, any plans for the weekend?" "Not really," he said, "Just recovery." The nurse nodded. She began to insert the IV, talked him through each step, her voice a comforting lullaby guiding him into a state of relaxation. She continued to engage in light conversation, told about her weekend plans, a lifeline to the outside world that seemed so far away in the cold, clinical environment. As the anesthesia began to work, Plankton felt his body grow heavier, his eyelid drooping. "You're doing great," she said softly. "Just keep breathing, ok?" Plankton's thoughts began to blur together. The doctor's voice grew distant, his words melding into a comforting murmur as Plankton felt himself slipping away. The last thing he heard was Karen's voice, a gentle whisper in his ear. "I'm here," she said, her hand holding onto his with a fierce tenderness. "I love you." And then there was nothing, the last sensation he felt before everything went quiet. The anesthetist monitored Plankton's vitals, ensuring he remained safely asleep throughout the procedure. Plankton was a picture of peace, mouth agape as the anesthesia kept him blissfully unaware of the world around him. The nurse's eyes flick from the monitors to Plankton's serene face. Plankton's body didn't even flinch. Plankton's face remained relaxed, his breathing even, as the anesthetic kept him in a state of blissful unconsciousness, ensuring that his comfort remained top priority. Plankton's body remained still, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence that soothed the room. The nurse gently swabbed his mouth, keeping the area clean and clear. The doctor stitched up the small incisions with a gentle touch, while the nurse cleaned Plankton's mouth. The anesthetist monitored the levels, ensuring a smooth and safe emergence from the depths of unconsciousness. The doctor looked at Karen, his eyes weary but his smile reassuring. "It's all done," he said. "Everything went smoothly. He's still sleeping it off, but you can go in and see him." Karen rushed in, her screen searching for Plankton. He was there, lying back in the chair, his mouth slightly open, a line of drool escaping the corner of his mouth. He looked so peaceful, vulnerable. She reached out and touched his hand, for the surgery was over. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm as he slept. "He's doing great," she assured her. "The surgery went well." Karen leaned over Plankton, as she brushed his antennae with her hand. She took in the sight of him, the gentle rise and fall of his chest, the soft snorish sounds escaping his mouth. His face was a portrait of peace, a stark contrast to the chaos of the surgery that had just taken place. The nurse finished her work and dimmed the lights, leaving the room in a soft glow that cast shadows across the floor. Karen pulled up a chair and sat down, her hand finding Plankton's again. "You're ok," she murmured, willing him to hear her voice, to feel her presence. "You're going to be ok." Karen's entire world was contained in reassuring her that he was still there. The nurse approached with a wad of gauze. "We need to put this in his mouth to help with bleeding," she explained gently. Karen nodded. The nurse placed the gauze with the same care she had shown throughout the entire ordeal, pressing it gently against the raw, tender spots where Plankton's teeth had once been. The nurse finished her cleanup and checked Plankton's vitals one last time. "He'll come around soon," she assured. "The anesthesia takes a bit to wear off." His breathing was still deep and steady, the gentle rumble of his snores filling the room. She found comfort in the mundane sounds of his slumber. His chest rose and fell in a rhythm that seemed to match the beeping of the heart monitor. The anesthesia had done its job well, leaving him in a deep, dreamless sleep. His face was serene. His antennae lay limp on the chair's headrest, and his mouth was open slightly, revealing the gauze the nurse had placed to stem the bleeding. The drool that had pooled at the corners of his mouth began to seep out onto the chair. The nurse noticed and nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "It's normal," she said. Plankton's snores grew louder, the drool now a small river that trickled down. Karen reached out with a trembling hand, her thumb catching the droplets before they could stain the fabric. The drool was a stark reminder of the reality of the situation. Her screen focused on the slow, steady flow of dribble, forming and breaking away, each one a little more substantial than the last. The nurse had said it was normal, but to Karen, it was a sign of his vulnerability, a tangible proof of the surgery's aftermath. As the drool grew into a small puddle on the chair, Karen's resolve to be strong for him grew stronger. She grabbed a tissue from the box on the side table and gently wiped. The nurse looked at her with understanding. "It's alright," she said softly. "He'll wake un his own time." Karen nodded, her screen never leaving Plankton's face. She felt a strange mix of love and pity. Here he was, reduced to a drooling mess in a chair, and yet she had never felt more connected to him. It was a strange intimacy, this moment of vulnerability, a silent pact between them that she would always be there to wipe away his fears, both literal and figurative. The nurse moved around the room, her movements efficient and silent. She checked the machines one last time before turning to Karen. "Why don't you sit down?" she suggested, patting the chair beside Plankton's. "It'll be a bit before he wakes up. Might as well get comfortable." Karen nodded, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She pulled up a chair and held his hand tightly, her thumb brushing back and forth across his knuckles. "Plankton," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "You did it, sweetie." She leaned closer. "The teeth are out. You're okay." She waited, watching the rise and fall of his chest, listening to the steady beep of the heart monitor, and willing him to open his eye. "Remember what I said about ice cream?" she asked, her voice a little louder this time. "You can have as much as you want when we get home." She tried to keep her tone light, despite the gravity of the situation. The thought of his favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream was supposed to make him smile, but his face remained slack. But she knew he was strong, and he would bounce back. He always did. "I just want you to know how much I love you. How much I need you. We've been through so much together, and I can't imagine my life without you. You're going to wake up soon, and it'll all be over. And then we can go home, and I'll take care of you, just like you always take care of me. Remember when we said 'in sickness and in health'?" she whispered. "Well, this is definitely a 'sickness' moment, but I'm right here. And I'll be here through all the healthy moments too." The nurse quietly left them a moment of privacy. Karen leaned in closer. "You're going to feel a bit funny when you wake up," she said with a soft laugh. "Your mouth will be sore, and your face will be puffy. But I'll be there. And maybe I'll let you win at Scrabble for once." She chuckles. "Just don't let it go to your head." Plankton's eyelid fluttered, and a low moan escaped his throat. She squeezed his hand. "That's it, baby," she encouraged. "You're waking up." His eye opened slowly dilated and unfocused. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the harsh lights of the recovery room. He turned his head to the side, and she knew he was searching for her. "Hi," she said, her voice a warm whisper. "It's me, Karen. You're ok." His gaze found hers, and she saw the flicker of recognition. "Where am I?" he slurred, his voice thick and groggy. "You're in the recovery room, sweetheart," Karen said, her voice steady and soothing. "You just had your wisdom teeth out." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he nodded, trying to sit up. Karen gently pushed him back down. "Easy," she said. "You need to rest." "But I'm so tired," he mumbled, his voice weak. "I know," Karen said, stroking his forehead with her cool hand. "But you're doing great. Just stay still for a little while longer. They got all four teeth out without any complications." He nodded, his eye still closed. "Good," he mumbled.
NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH ii "You're in the recovery room, sweetheart," Karen said, her voice steady and soothing. "You just had wisdom teeth out." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he nodded, trying to sit up. Karen gently pushed him back down. "Easy," she said. "You need to rest." "But I'm so tired," he mumbled, his voice weak. "I know," Karen said, stroking his forehead with her hand. "But you're doing great. Just stay still for a little while longer. They got all four teeth out without any complications." He nodded, his eye still closed. "Good," he mumbled. "I don't... I don't member any ting." His words were slurred. The anesthesia was definitely still working its magic on him. "It's ok," she said, her voice soothing. "You don't need to.." Plankton's head lolled to the side, and his eyelid grew heavy again. "Karen?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. "I'm right here," she assured him, her voice steady and calm. She watched as he tried to lift his hand to wipe at his mouth, but it flopped back down onto the chair's armrest, his fingers brushing against hers. Plankton's eye grew heavy again, and his head lolled to the side. The anesthesia was working its way out of his system, but it was taking its time. She chuckled as she watched him struggle to keep his eye open. "I'm... I'm," Plankton mumbled, his words coming out slurred and sloppy. His eye rolled back in his head, and he let out a snore. "You're a mess," she laughs, her voice filled with love. "But you're my mess." She watched as his chest rose and fell with each snore. It was clear that the anesthesia was still holding him in its grasp, and she knew it would be a while before he was fully awake. Karen couldn't help but laugh at his antics. Plankton's snores grew louder. Karen reached out and gently wiped the line of drool from his mouth with a tissue. He stirred, his eye blinking open again. "You're drooling," she whispered, smiling at him. "What's happening?" he asked, his words slurred. "You're coming out of the anesthesia," Karen said, her voice a lifeline in the haze. "Everything went fine." Plankton's eye searched hers, his thoughts racing. "Mmmy...nesia?" he mumbled. Karen's smile grew, understanding his attempt to ask about his sleep during surgery. "You mean the anesthesia?" Karen couldn't help but chuckle at his endeavor. "You're just a little out of it," she said, her voice gentle. "The anesthesia is wearing off." "Thish...thish ish...shomefinny," Plankton tried to say. "What?" Karen asked, her curiosity piqued by his attempt at speech. "Nothin'." Plankton's words were slurred into a single syllable. He looked utterly lost in the haze. Karen leaned closer. "You sure?" Plankton nodded, his smile lopsided. "Jush...jush glad." Karen couldn't help but laugh at his adorable incoherence. "You're so loopy," she said, her voice filled with affection. She squeezed his hand gently. "I love you." "Ish love...love you too, Karen," he slurred. "I know," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and affection. "Tish...tish hard," Plankton mumbled, his cheeks dimpling with his own private joke. The nurse entered the room, checking his vitals with a knowing smile. "It's normal for patients to be a bit out of it after surgery," she said, scribbling notes on her clipboard. "I'm shorry," he said, words still a jumble. Karen couldn't help but lean in closer, her own smile growing wider. "It's ok," she assured him, her voice gentle. The nurse nodded in agreement, her own smile playing at the corners of her lips. "It's quite common," she said, her voice professional but kind. "Ish...Ish...it...over?" he managed to ask, his tongue thick in his mouth. "Yes, sweetheart," Karen said, her voice still filled with love and amusement. "You're all done. They got all your wisdom teeth out." "Thish...thish allll over now-ow." "Almost," Karen said, her voice a gentle melody. "We just need to wait for the anesthesia to wear off a bit more, and then we can go home." Plankton nodded, his eye already drifting shut again. His mouth moved as he attempted to speak, but only slurred sounds came out. Karen leaned in closer, her smile never wavering. "You know, you're pretty chatty for someone who's had their wisdom teeth out." "Ish...Ish always had...shomeshin' to shay," Plankton managed, his speech a series of lisped and elongated sounds. Plankton's eye began to drift closed again, his breathing growing deep and even. The nurse finished her checks and gave Karen instructions for his aftercare. "Make sure he takes it easy," she said. "I will," Karen promised, her screen never leaving Plankton's face. The quiet was filled with the sound of Plankton's snores, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm beneath the blanket. His mouth was still slightly open, and she could see the drool forming at the corner of his lips. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see a text from Mr. Krabs, Plankton's rival at the Krabby Patty. "How's he doing?" it read. "Loopy," she replied with a smiley face. She had told Mr. Krabs about the surgery the day before, and despite their rivalry, he had offered to come visit when they get back home. The nurse poked her head back in, checking the clock on the wall. "Alright, he's ready to go," she said, her smile warm. Karen nodded, standing up and gently shaking Plankton's shoulder. "Come on," she whispered. "Let's get you home." Plankton's eye blinked open slowly, and he looked around the room with confusion. "Home?" he mumbled, his voice still thick. "Yes, we're going home," Karen said, her voice the balm to his disorientation. She helped him to his feet, supporting his weight as he swayed slightly. The drive back home was a blur of sleep. Plankton's head lolled against the car window, the vibration of the engine lulling him to a doze. "You okay?" Karen asked, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. "Yeah," Plankton mumbled, his voice a sleepy rumble. "Just...tiwed." The drive home was quiet, with only the occasional snore piercing the silence. Karen drove carefully, her eyes flicking between the road and the mirror to check on Plankton. She knew he would be out for the count for a while, and his face was still swollen. As they pulled into their driveway, Plankton stirred. "We're home," Karen said, her voice gentle. He nodded, his eye still half-closed. "Home," he murmured. Karen helped him out of the car, his legs wobbly as he tried to find his balance. She wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting him as they made their way, and he leaned into her, his body heavy with fatigue. The house was quiet as they entered, the only sound the occasional tick of the grandfather clock in the hallway. Karen guided him to the couch, carefully helping him sit down. "Rest here," she said, her voice a gentle command. Plankton nodded, eye closing again. She disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a glass of water and a pillow. "Here," she said, placing the pillow behind his head. He took the glass with a nod, his hand shaking slightly. He took a sip. "Thish...thish ish...good," he managed to say. She knew he was in pain, and the anesthesia was only adding to his confusion. "I'll be right back," she said, her voice a soft whisper. Karen grabbed the pet amoeba puppy, Spot. She carried him back to the living room, where Plankton was slowly coming around. "Look who's here," she said, holding Spot out to him. Spot's blob-like body stretched out in excitement, his little legs waving in the air. Plankton's eye widened at the sight, and a smile spread across his swollen face. "Spot," he murmured, his voice still thick with anesthesia. Karen set Spot on his lap, and the amoeba immediately began to cover him in wet, loving kisses. Plankton chuckled, his hand rising to pet the creature's gelatinous head. "Hey, bubby," he slurred, his speech still compromised. The simple act of touch brought a spark of life to Plankton's eye. "You're good boyth," he said, his voice a mix of affection and pain. Spot's response was a happy wiggle. Karen couldn't help but smile at the sight, Plankton's love for their little amoeba was unwavering. She took a seat beside him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "Just rest," she said, her voice a soft command. Plankton nodded, his eyes closing again. Spot continued to shower him with affection, his slimy kisses landing on Plankton. Karen watched them for a moment, her heart swelling with warmth. Then she stood up, knowing there was still more to do to ensure Plankton's recovery went smoothly. In the kitchen, she put together a soft meal for him, something that wouldn't irritate his sensitive mouth. She chopped up some fruit into a small bowl and warmed up a cup of soup. The smells of chicken broth and sweet berries filled the air, a comforting aroma that she hoped would ease his pain. When she returned to the living room, Plankton was asleep, Spot curled up with him. She set the food down on the table, the spoon clinking gently against the porcelain bowl. She took a moment to appreciate the peaceful scene before her, the two of them nestled together, the TV playing a low murmur of background noise. Karen decided to let him sleep for a bit longer. Gently, she lifted Spot off Plankton's lap and placed him on the floor. The amoeba pup quickly scuttled back by the couch, but still on the floor. Karen then turned off the TV, not wanting the noise to disturb Plankton's rest. Just as she was about to leave the room to let him sleep, the doorbell rang. It was Mr. Krabs, his beady eyes looking concerned. She opened the door, whispering, "Shh, he's asleep." Mr. Krabs nodded, his usual gruffness replaced with a rare display of compassion. He held a bag of ice. "Thought he might need these," he said, handing them to her. Karen took the bag gratefully. "Thank you," she whispered. "He's in the living room."
NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH iii Just as Karen's about to leave the room to let him sleep, the doorbell rang. It was Mr. Krabs, eyes looking concerned. She opened the door, whispering, "Shh, he's asleep." Mr. Krabs nodded, his usual gruffness replaced with a rare display of compassion. He held a bag of ice. "Thought he might need these," he said. Karen took the bag gratefully. "Thank you," she whispered. "He's in the living room." Mr. Krabs nodded again and followed her into the room. He took in the sight of Plankton, sprawled out on the couch with his mouth slightly open, snoring softly. "Tough day, eh?" he murmured. "You have no idea," Karen replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion. She took the gauze out of Plankton's swollen cheeks. He stirred but didn't wake. Mr. Krabs took a seat in the chair opposite the couch, fidgeting nervously. "How's he been?" he asked. "In and out," Karen replied, watching as Plankton shifted slightly. Mr. Krabs leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "And what'd they say?" Karen sighed, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders. "It went well, the doctor said. They had to remove all four of his wisdom teeth. It wasn't easy, but he was pretty out of it. They had to give him extra sedative." Mr. Krabs' eyebrows shot up. "Plankton, out of it?" Karen nodded, a small smile playing on her lips despite the situation. "Just sleeping, drooling a bit.." Mr. Krabs chuckled quietly. "I think this really knocked him out." Karen nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, he's been pretty out of it since he went under," she whispered. "But it's ok, it's just til the anesthesia wears off." Mr. Krabs leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Plankton's sleeping form. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but...he looks peaceful." Karen chuckled softly. "He's not one to sit still, so it's definitely a rare sight." She took the bag of ice from Mr. Krabs and placed it gently on Plankton's swollen cheek. He didn't even flinch, lost in a world of drug-induced slumber. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, the only sound being Plankton's rhythmic snores. Eventually, Plankton's eye opens. "K-Krabs?" he slurred, his voice groggy. Mr. Krabs jolted upright, his claws clutching the chair's armrests. "Yes, yes, it's me," he said, his voice a mix of surprise and awkwardness. Plankton's eye searched the room, his gaze landing on the bag of ice on his cheek. He reached up to touch it, his hand wobbly. "What...happened?" "You had your wisdom teeth out, honey," Karen said, her voice soothing. "Remember?" Plankton's expression grew comically confused. "Wish-dish...teef?" Mr. Krabs coughed, clearing his throat. "Ah, yes, your wisdom teeth," he said. "Yes, those pesky things," he said. "But don't worry, they're gone now." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he tried to sit up, only to wince in pain. "Oh, wight," he murmured, his hand moving to his mouth. Karen quickly leaned over and pushed him back down gently. "Easy, you need to rest," she said. Plankton's eye searched the room again before focusing on Mr. Krabs. "K-Krabs?" he slurred, a hint of a smile forming. "Youw here?" Mr. Krabs nodded, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Yes, I am. Thought I'd check on my favorite...uh, rival." Karen couldn't help but chuckle at the awkwardness, but Plankton's face lit up. "You're my best fwiend," he slurred, his arm reaching out to pat Mr. Krabs' hand. Mr. Krabs looked down at the small, tentacle-like hand on his arm, and for a brief moment, his usual stern expression softened. "Plankton, I...I'm just here to check on you," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. Plankton's smile grew wider, his one eye shining with what could only be described as affection. "Mr. Kwabs, you're the best," he slurred, his voice thick with the remnants of the anesthesia. Mr. Krabs looked at Karen, his beady eyes wide with surprise. "Is he...is he okay?" he whispered. Karen nodded, her own smile growing. "It's just the anesthesia. He'll be back to his usual self in no time." Plankton's hand remained on Mr. Krabs' arm, his grip tightening slightly. Mr. Krabs' shell flushed, unused to such affection from his nemesis. "Th-thank you, Plankton," he stuttered. "Just get some rest now." Just something endearing about Plankton's vulnerability in this state. She knew Mr. Krabs felt it too, his gruff exterior melting away like the ice on Plankton's cheek. "Mr. Kwabs," Plankton mumbled again. Mr. Krabs cleared his throat, his pinchers fidgeting with the chair's armrest. "Yes, Plankton?" "Can you...tell me a stowwy?" Plankton's voice was barely audible, his one eye pleading. Mr. Krabs' eyebrows shot up. "A story?" he repeated, surprised. "It'd help him relax," Karen shrugs. "Just something simple." Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his mind racing for a suitable tale. "Once upon a time," he began, his voice softer than usual, "there was a tiny plankton named... Sheldon." Plankton's eye fluttered open, a smile spreading across his swollen face. "Thath's me!" he exclaimed, his voice still slurred. Mr. Krabs chuckled, his usual stern expression replaced with a warm smile. "Indeed it is," he said, his eyes crinkling at the edges. He took a deep breath and continued, "Sheldon Plankton lived in a big, blue sea. And he had the most amazing plan." Plankton's eye remained open, focusing on Mr. Krabs as best he could. "Whath's the plan?" he mumbled. Mr. Krabs paused, surprised by Plankton's interest. "Well, Plankton had the most ingenious plan to become the best chef in the sea," he said, his voice taking on a storytelling lilt. Plankton's eye fluttered, his gaze fixed on Mr. Krabs. "Chef?" he repeated, his voice a hopeful murmur. Mr. Krabs nodded, his smile growing. "Yes, a chef," he said. "And every day, Sheldon would try new recipes, searching for the perfect Krabby Patty secret." Plankton's grip on Mr. Krabs' tightened. "Mr. Kwabs," he slurred again, his voice thick with emotion. "You're...you're the besht...the beth...chef." Mr. Krabs blinked, his eyes misting over. It was the closest thing to a compliment he had ever received from Plankton, and it was enough to make his heart swell. "Why, thank you, Plankton," he said, his voice cracking slightly. Karen watched the scene unfold with a warm smile. It was clear that despite their rivalry, Plankton looked up to Mr. Krabs in some way. It anesthetic loopiness was a side of him she had never seen before. "You...you're wike a fath-ther to me," he mumbled, his grip on Mr. Krabs' arm tightening. Mr. Krabs was taken aback, his claws patting Plankton's awkwardly. "Plankton," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're like...a...a...uh, a...uh, a...challenge," he finished lamely, not quite able to express the feelings that Plankton's words had stirred in him. Plankton's smile grew, his one eye gleaming with happiness. "I wike you." Mr. Krabs nodded, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "So, Sheldon Plankton," he began, his voice soothing. "He worked tirelessly, trying to outdo the Krabby Patty with his own secret recipe." Plankton's head lolled back against Mr. Krabs' arm, his breathing growing shallower. His grip on Mr. Krabs' hand loosened, and his eyelid began to droop again. Mr. Krabs noticed the change and paused his story, watching him carefully. "Don't stop," Karen whispered, brimming with tears. "It's helping him relax." Mr. Krabs nodded, understanding the unspoken request. He took a deep breath and resumed the tale. "But no matter how hard Sheldon Plankton tried, he just couldn't crack the code. One day, he stumbled upon an ancient scroll..." Mr. Krabs' voice droned on. Plankton's breathing grew more rhythmic, his grip on Mr. Krabs' arm loosening. His head slowly sank against Mr. Krabs' chest, and his eye closed completely. Mr. Krabs felt the weight of his rival, his own heart beating a little faster. He'd never had Plankton this close, this...trusting. The room grew quiet, only the occasional snore from Plankton piercing the silence. Mr. Krabs paused in his storytelling, his pinchers hovering over the bowl of soup. He looked down at Plankton, his expression a mix of confusion and something else. Something he couldn't quite put his claw on. "Should we get him to bed?" he whispered to Karen. "Yes," she said, pixelated eyes shining with unshed tears. "Let's get him comfortable." They carefully lifted Plankton from the couch. Karen picked up Spot, cradling him in her arms as they moved to the bedroom. Mr. Krabs took the lead. Plankton's snores grew louder as they climbed the stairs, each step a test of their coordination. Karen followed closely behind, her eyes never leaving Plankton's peaceful face. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen him so at ease, so vulnerable. It was a side of him she had rarely glimpsed, and it filled her with a warmth she hadn't expected. They laid Plankton down gently, his body sinking into the mattress with a sigh. Spot squirmed in Karen's arms, sensing the shift in his owner's condition. She placed the amoeba pup on the bed beside Plankton, who automatically curled into the warm blob, his snores growing quieter. Mr. Krabs hovered over the bed, his claws twitching as he surveyed the scene. "Is he...is he okay?" he asked, his voice a whisper. Karen nodded, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "He's just sleeping," she assured him. "Thanks for staying." Mr. Krabs nodded, his eyes lingering on the sleeping Plankton. "Of course," he said gruffly. "Can't have you two dealing with this alone." Karen tucked the blankets around him, smoothing out the wrinkles with a gentle hand.
NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH iv "Thanks for staying." Mr. Krabs nodded, his eyes lingering on the sleeping Plankton. "Of course," he said gruffly. "Can't have you two dealing it alone." Karen tucked the blankets around him, smoothing out the wrinkles with a gentle hand. The next day, Plankton woke, all traces of anesthesia worn off, cheeks tender to the touch. He vaguely remembered surgery, but everything after was a blur. "Morning," Karen said. She sat beside the bed, her screen warm with concern. "How are you feeling?" Plankton blinked. "K-Karen?" he asked. "Whath's...what happened?" "You had wisdom teeth removed, darling," she said softly. "You're going to be fine." The memory of surgery rushed back to Plankton in fragments—the operating room, machines, and then Karen holding his hand as he woke up. Wincing, he reached to tentatively touch his swollen face, the pain a reminder of his ordeal. Karen noticed his discomfort and handed him water. "Take it slow," she advised, watching him intently. Plankton took a sip, the cool liquid soothing. He leaned back into the pillows with a sigh. "Do you remember surgery?" she asked, stroking his arm. "It's all a bit fuzzy," he admitted. "Just going in, waking up. Going in the car to drive home? But nothing else.." The surgery had gone well. Karen knew Plankton and Krabs had a frenemy relationship, at best; but she had never considered the possibility that Plankton could harbor any genuine feelings for the crab, delirious or not. Now, as she watched him suffer, she debated whether to tell him. Would it help? Would it hurt? She didn't know. But Plankton's curiosity was piqued. "What's going on?" he asked, trying to read her expression. "Did I do something weird?" "It's nothing," she said, forcing a laugh. "Just the usual post-surgery confusion." Plankton's eye wandered around the room, and his gaze landed on a bouquet of jellyfish on the nightstand. "Who sent those?" he asked, his voice still hoarse. Karen looked at the jellyfish, then back at him. "Mr. Krabs," she said. Plankton's eyebrow shot up. "Krabs? Why would he send me jellyfish?" Plankton's eye narrowed slightly. "Does he know about the surgery?" he asked, a hint of concerned horror in his voice. Karen nodded, "I didn't know who else to turn to," she said, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and trepidation, her voice wavering slightly, "after you were admitted, I called him. I didn't know who else to call for help. You know, with the recovery necessities." Plankton felt his stomach drop. He had hoped that his arch-nemesis, Mr. Krabs, had been blissfully unaware of his weakened state. The thought of Krabs even knowing he was laid up and helpless was more than he could bear. "You called Krabs?" he croaked, disbelief etched into his features. Karen nodded again, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "He was the only one I could think of who could help us. And he was so kind, Plankton. He didn't even make fun of you." Plankton's mind raced. The mere thought of Krabs seeing him in such a vulnerable condition was almost too much to handle. He had always prided himself on being the smarter, more cunning one, the one who could outwit Krabs at every turn. Now, here he was, unable to chew, looking like a balloon with legs, and being witnessed by the very crab he had spent his life trying to outdo. "What did he see?" Plankton managed to ask, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. Karen looked surprised. "What do you mean?" "I mean, what did he see me?" Plankton's voice grew more urgent, the fear of humiliation coloring his words. "He saw you sleeping," she said gently. "But you were out of it. You don't have to worry about him." Plankton felt a wave of embarrassment. "How did I look?" "Looked like you were sleeping peacefully," Karen said, trying to reassure him. But she knew that wasn't what he wanted to hear. He wanted to hear that he looked strong, in control, not like the blubbering mess he actually was. Plankton sighed, the sound a sad, defeated hiss. "I can't believe you called him," he said, his voice filled with a mix of pain and annoyance. Karen's hand tightened on his shoulder. "I had to," she said firmly. "You needed someone, and he was the only one I could think of who would help." Plankton's gaze fell to the bouquet of jellyfish. "I hope I didn't budge or talk?" he asked, his voice tight. Karen squeezed his hand. "You were completely out of it," she assured him. "He said you looked tired." Plankton's eye searched hers for any hint of mockery, but all he found was sincerity. He took a deep breath, the pain in his cheeks flaring up, and nodded. He knew he had to accept help, but the thought of Krabs knowing he was down, even for a moment, was maddening. He shifted, trying to find a position that didn't make his mouth throb. "What else happened, with Krabs?" he asked, his voice strained. "He just dropped off the jellyfish and said to tell you to get better soon," Karen said, not giving answers. "I've said all I can say." The silence grew tense as Plankton's mind whirled with scenarios of what Krabs might have seen or heard. He knew his rival had a knack exploiting weakness, and he couldn't let his guard down, even in a state like this. He had to recover quickly, be sharp, to ensure that Krabs didn't use this moment of vulnerability against him. He also knew Karen's not gonna tell him whatever went down. Karen, noticing his discomfort, decided to change the subject. "I'll go grab some ice cream for you," she offered, standing up. "It'll help with the swelling, but don't do anything foolish while I'm gone." Plankton nodded, his thoughts racing. As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, he began to formulate a plan. He had to speak to Krabs, to make sure there were no misunderstandings, no ammo for future taunts. Wincing, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, using the momentum to stand up. He wobbled for a moment, his head spinning, but steadied himself against the wall. In his office at the krusty krab, Mr. Krabs sat at the table, sipping a cup of tea and staring at the floor. He had hoped Plankton's odd behavior was just the drugs talking, but deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. He had felt a strange warmth when Plankton had called him 'my dearest friend' in his delirious state. But friends? That was a concept that seemed as foreign to him as a day without the Krabby Patty. He sighed, setting the cup down. It was nonsense, of course. Plankton was just confused. He had to be. After all, they had spent years in a cutthroat competition, stealing ideals, customers, the occasional secret ingredient. The thought of Plankton actually caring for him was absurd. But as he sat, Krabs couldn't help but feel a twinge of something he hadn't felt in a long time—awkward. But Plankton wasn't one to let things go easily. After a few moments of gathering his strength, he shuffled out of the bedroom, the pain in his mouth a distant second to the urgency of his mission. He goes to the Krusty Krab. He pushed open the door to the restaurant, the bell jingling overhead. Mr. Krabs looked up from his ledger, his heart skipping a beat as he saw Plankton stumble in. "What are you doing here?" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "You should be resting!" Plankton's eye narrowed, his jaw clenched in pain. "I need to talk to you," he ground out, each word a challenge. Mr. Krabs' claws clutched the edge of the table, twitching nervously. "Sure, sure," he said, trying to sound casual. "What's on your mind?" "Not here," Plankton hissed, gesturing to the open restaurant. The last thing he wanted was for their conversation to be overheard by prying ears, especially not by customers. Mr. Krabs, visibly confused, nodded and led him out back. The tension in the air was palpable. "Alright, what's so important?" he asked, trying to keep his cool. Plankton took a deep breath, his cheeks flushing with pain. "What did I say to you after the surgery?" he demanded, his voice gruff. "What do you mean?" he stalled, heart racing. Plankton's voice was low and intense. "You know what I mean," he said. "What happened at the house?" Mr. Krabs' eyes searched Plankton's for any hint of a bluff, but found only pain and determination. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his secret lift slightly. "You don't remember?" he asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Plankton's gaze was unwavering. "I remember enough," he said, voice tight. "I just know you were there. Don't gloat. Spill." Mr. Krabs looked at him, realization sinking in. He met Plankton's gaze. "You were in a bit of pain," he said, his voice carefully measured. "You were talking nonsense." "What kind of nonsense?" he demanded. Mr. Krabs took a step back, his eyes darting around the alleyway. "Oh, you know, the usual post-surgery babble," he said, trying to play it off. "Nothing important." But Plankton wasn't buying it. He could see relief in Krabs' eyes, and it made him more nervous. "I need to know," he insisted, his voice hoarse. "What did I say?" Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his claws drumming on the counter. "Said something about how we've been through a lot together?" But Pearl, Mr. Krabs' daughter, interrupted, wandering in, phone in hand, scrolling through images. "Daddy!" she exclaimed. "Look what I found on the phone!" Mr. Krabs' heart sank as he realized what's happening. He turned to see Pearl holding up a phone showing a photo of Plankton, post-surgery, asleep with his head resting on Krabs' elbow.
NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH v "I need to know," he insisted, his voice hoarse. "What did I say?" Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his claws drumming on the counter. "Something about how we've been through a lot?" But Pearl, Mr. Krabs' daughter, interrupted, wandering in, phone in hand, scrolling through images. "Daddy!" she exclaimed. "Look what I found on the phone!" Mr. Krabs' heart sank as he realized what's happening. He turned to see Pearl holding up a phone showing a photo of Plankton, post-surgery, asleep with his head resting on Krabs' elbow as Plankton's arm was slung around him. The expression on Plankton's face was one of complete peace, with his mouth hanging open slightly, a stark contrast to the fiery look in his eye now. "Oh, Plankton!" Pearl exclaimed, spotting him standing there. "You look so cute sleeping all snuggled up to Daddy! You even drooled a bit on Dad's shirt! It's gone viral, and it got me more views!" The whale's innocent revelation hit the two like a ton of bricks. Mr. Krabs' eyes bulged, and his claws shot up to cover his mouth. "Pearl, what in Neptune's name are you doing with me phone?" he spluttered, his voice tight with panic. Pearl looked up, her cheery demeanor unchanged. "Oh, I just borrowed it to send myself, which I forwarded to post. Didn't you know you had this adorable selfie with Plankton?" She giggled, unaware of the tension in the air. Plankton's shocked mind was a blur, trying to piece together the reality of the moment. He looked from the photo to Mr. Krabs and back again, utterly speechless. The sight of himself in such a compromising position with his enemy was surreal. His mind raced, trying to remember any semblance of a conversation that could have led to this bizarre scenario. Mr. Krabs' face was a mask of horror, his claws fumbling for words. "It's not what it looks like," he stammered. But Plankton was beyond speech. The image of himself, in such a vulnerable state, nestled against Mr. Krabs was burned into his retina. His mind reeled, trying to grasp the reality of the situation. All the bravado, all the plotting and scheming, reduced to this: a mushy, love-struck expression shared with his mortal enemy. "You... you..." Plankton sputtered, his voice failing him. Mr. Krabs reached for the phone, his claws trembling. "It's just... a... a... I don't know what it is!" But Pearl was already skipping away, chuckling to herself. "You guys are so cute together!" she called over her shoulder, oblivious to the storm brewing between them. Mr. Krabs looked at Plankton, his expression a mix of horror and pleading. "It's not what it looks like," he repeated, his voice cracking. But Plankton was too far gone. The embarrassment and anger were a red haze in front of his eye. Neither of them knew how to navigate this sudden shift in their dynamic. The air was thick with tension and confusion, punctuated only by the distant sound of the ocean. Plankton's burning with a mix of anger and embarrassment. He could feel the swelling in his mouth and the weight of Mr. Krabs' secret pressing down on him like a lead balloon. Mr. Krabs, on the other hand, was frozen, his eyes darting from the phone to Plankton's face and back again. He knew he had to say something, do something, to fix this mess before it spun out of control. But what? Plankton's thoughts were racing, a tornado of rage and humiliation swirling in his head. He had to get out of there, to think, to figure out what this all meant. With a snarl, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the Krusty Krab, slamming. His footsteps echoed off the cobblestone as he made his way back to the chum bucket, his mind racing with questions. Karen arrived home with a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream, humming to herself, oblivious to the drama just unfolded. "Honey, I'm home!" she called out cheerfully, finding Plankton in bed. Karen stepped into the bedroom, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Plankton. "Look what I got you," she sang, holding up the ice cream. But Plankton's eye were glued to the door, his mind a maelstrom of emotions. He couldn't look at her, not without giving away the turmoil inside. "You're supposed to be resting," Karen chided gently, setting the ice cream on the nightstand. "I thought you'd be resting." Plankton's gaze remained fixed on the door, his thoughts a tangled mess. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, not yet. Karen's smile faltered as she noticed his distant gaze. "What's wrong, dear?" she asked, setting the ice cream on the nightstand. Plankton took a deep breath, his thoughts racing. He didn't know how to tell her about the photo, about the way Mr. Krabs had looked at him. He couldn't bear the thought of her pity, or worse, her laughter. "Nothing," he said, his voice tight. "Just tired." Karen's smile returned, and she leaned over to kiss his forehead. "You've had a long day yesterday," she said. But Plankton's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the image of himself with Mr. Krabs from his head. The photo was like a taunting specter, a constant reminder of his vulnerability. "You oughtta eat," Karen said, her voice filled with concern. She picked up the spoon and began to scoop out a small bite of the mint chocolate chip. Plankton turned to face her, his expression unreadable. But the words stuck in his throat like a mouthful of dry chum. He swallowed hard, then opened his mouth, letting her gently guide the spoon inside. The cold ice cream soothed his sore gums, but the bitter taste of his situation lingered. As Karen fed him, Plankton couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for not confiding in her immediately. But what could he say? That he apparently must've had a moment of weakness, and Mr. Krabs had seen it all? That his arch-nemesis had cradled him like a baby and whispered sweet nothings? No, he already figured out how she didn't take her life later eyes off him at all yesterday, knowing she must've seen. He took the spoon, his hand shaking slightly. "I can do it," he murmured, trying to regain some semblance of control. Karen watched him with a worried gaze as he took a tentative bite, his cheeks still red from the encounter. She could sense something was amiss, but she didn't push it. She knew Plankton well enough to know that he can tell her if or when he was ready. The silence in the room was thick, punctuated only by the soft clink of the spoon against the plastic tub. Karen's mind was racing, trying to piece together what could have happened since she left to get ice cream. "Plankton," she began, her voice soft. "Is there something you want to tell me?" He looked up, his eye a swirl of emotions. But the words remained lodged in his throat. He couldn't tell her about the photo, about Mr. Krabs' kindness, about the way it made him feel. It was too much, too raw. Instead, he just shook his head. "Just... processing." Karen studied Plankton's face, her aching for her husband. She knew he wasn't one to easily admit defeat, and the surgery had clearly taken a toll. "Well," she said gently. "If you need anything, I'm here." Plankton nodded, his gaze dropping to the half-eaten tub of ice cream. His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and anger. He had to figure out what to do with this newfound information about Mr. Krabs. The very idea that he might have acted up in front of his enemy, even in a drugged state, was unbearable, let alone not knowing or remembering anything. A few hours later, Karen decided to check her phone, which had been buzzing with notifications. She saw that she had missed several messages from Pearl, Mr. Krabs' daughter, and clicked open the chat with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. But what she found? The photo of Plankton, post-surgery and vulnerable, with Mr. Krabs' arm around him was plastered all over her social media feeds. It had gone viral, with captions ranging from "Plankton's new BFF" to "When your enemy becomes your nurse." Plankton had seen the photo, and it was eating away at him. She knew her husband's pride and competitive nature; this was a blow he wouldn't take lightly. She set the phone down, her mind racing with ways to help him. She needed to comfort him, to make him see that this moment of weakness didn't define him. Taking a deep breath, she approached the bedroom door, the smell of mint chocolate chip ice cream wafting from within. She gently pushed the door open, her eyes immediately finding Plankton's hunched form in the bed. His gaze was fixed on the wall, his expression a storm of emotions. "Plankton," she said again, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I saw the photo." He flinched, his eye snapping to hers with accusation. Karen sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Pearl sent it," she admitted. "It's everywhere. I'm sorry." Karen took his hand, her touch gentle but firm. "You're more than a photo, Plankton," she said. "You're a brilliant scientist, a loving husband, and a formidable adversary. This doesn't change that." But Plankton couldn't see it. All he could see was mockery and humiliation that awaited him outside the safety of their chum bucket. "I can't let him think he's won," he murmured, his voice laced with pain. Mr. Krabs picked up the phone and dialed Karen's number, his heart racing with every ring. When she finally answered, he took a deep breath. "It's Krabs," he said, his voice gruff but earnest. "I need to talk to Plankton." Karen's tone was wary. "What for?" Mr. Krabs swallowed his pride. "I... I just want to make sure he's okay," he said. Karen's voice softened. "He's not in a good place right now," she admitted. "But I'll pass the message along." "Tell him... tell him I didn't mean to embarrass him," he said, with regret. "And that I'm sorry for... everything." Karen's expression softened. "I'll let him know," she said before hanging up.
LEGGY i Plankton had an accident and needed surgery on his leg. SpongeBob and Patrick decided to pay him a visit. Their friend lay in the hospital bed, anesthetized, snoring softly. "Thank you," Karen said. "We appreciate it. They had to reset the bone and sew it back together. He won't feel anything now, but once the anesthesia wears off, he'll be in some pain. Your support means a lot to us.” "How long does he have to stay asleep?" he asked. "Awhile," she said. "It's important for him to rest and recover. Plankton might be a bit...overwhelmed when he wakes up. He might not be able to respond right now." "What's that?" he pointed at the intravenous drip attached to Plankton's arm. "That's the anesthesia, what keeps him asleep during the surgery so he doesn't feel any pain." Patrick's eyes grew wide with wonder. "What's that like?" "Well, it's like being in a deep sleep," she began, "you don't feel anything, and when you wake up, it's like you never left your bed." His chest rises and falls with each gentle snore, a sound that echoes faintly in the quiet room. "Karen, why’s he snoring?" "It's his body's way of breathing while asleep. He’s in a deep sleep." The lead doctor came. "We're going to start bringing him out of it now. He'll be coming out of anesthesia soon." Eventually Plankton's eye fluttered open, looking up at them with a glazed expression before his pupil focused. "Wha...where...what happened?" he stuttered, his voice groggy. "Why does everything feel...so...floaty?" he asked, his voice trailing off as he tried to lift his head, and it flopped back down onto the pillow. "Whoa, ship's a-rockin'!" he exclaimed. "Weeeee!" he giggled. "A Krabby Patty...no, a Krabby Patty...no, wait, a Krabby...a Krabby...a Krabby..." His words trailed off to nonsense, and he started to giggle uncontrollably. "He'll be fine, just let him talk it out." "I need...I need...a...a...Krabby...P...P...Patty!" He giggled again, his mind still a bit foggy. "Look, friends! Look at me go!" The doctor and nurse entered the room, checking Plankton's vitals and smiling at his slurred words. "He's coming out of it normally," the doctor assured them. "You can keep talking to him, it'll help him come back to reality." SpongeBob and Patrick exchanged glances. "Krabby Patty, huh?" Sponge Bob said. "Well, I'm sure we can find you one once you're feeling better." Plankton giggled again, eye drifted to the side. "But for now, let's just focus on getting you well, okay?" The doctor nodded. "He'll be in and out of consciousness for a bit. It's perfectly normal." Patrick leaned in closer to Plankton. "You hear that, Plankton? We're here for you, buddy.” He hands him some water. "Ahh," he sighed, eye fluttering shut again. "Krabby...Patty...water...good." “You just rest up, and we'll grab you a Krabby Patty when you're all fixed." Plankton's giggles turned into snores again, his eyelid drooping closed. The doctor chuckled. "It's the medication. He'll be in and out like this for a little while. Just keep talking to him, it'll help keep him grounded." The door to the hospital room creaked open, and Mr. Krabs poked his head in. "Sponge Bob! Patrick!" he bellowed. Mr. Krabs' eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of Plankton in the hospital bed. "Heard about the accident," he said gruffly. "Thought I'd check on the little scram." Plankton's eye snapped open again, his expression shifting. "Krabs!" he hissed. "What are you doing?" Mr. Krabs waved a dismissive claw. "Just makin' sure my number one competitor is out of commission," he said with a smirk. "But it seems you're in good company." "Mr. Krabs, we're here to support Plankton. He's had a rough day." Mr. Krabs' smirk grew. "Ah, yes, the great Plankton, laid low by his own incompetence. Couldn't even steal a Krabby Patty without breaking a leg." The room grew tense as Plankton's face reddened, his tiny fists balling up the hospital sheets. "It wasn't like that, Krabs," he protested, his voice strained. "It was an accident!" But Mr. Krabs was relentless. "Always an accident with you, isn't it?" He chuckled, his tone mocking. "You're as clumsy as you are small." Sponge Bob took a deep breath, his heart swelling with hope. "Mr. Krabs, now's not the best time to tease him. Plankton's really hurting." The tension grew thicker than a Kelp Shake. Plankton's tiny frame quivered with indignation. The anesthesia, however, was playing tricks on his emotions. He could feel the tears welling up in his eye, and before he knew it, they were spilling over, down his cheeks. "Ah, don't listen to him, Plankton," Sponge Bob whispered, his own eyes growing misty. "You're not incompetent. It was just an accident." Karen's screen flickered. "Mr. Krabs, please. He's not well." "I don't need pity, Krabs!" he spat out, his voice filled with embarrassment. Karen's screen flickered again. "Mr. Krabs, he needs space. He'll be in and out of it for a bit longer, but perhaps he'd appreciate the visit when fully conscious." Mr. Krabs then left. Plankton's breathing grew even, and his eye began to droop. "I think he's falling asleep," Patrick whispers. "Alright, he's all set to go home.." They nodded solemnly, eager to get their friend back to his safe haven, the Chum Bucket. Carefully, they helped him into a wheelchair, his sleepy head lolling onto Sponge Bob's shoulder. "Mmm, Krabby Patty," he murmured, his mumbled voice trailing off into a snore. Patrick held the car door open as Sponge Bob gently maneuvered Plankton, trying not to jostle him much. He snored quietly, his body still feeling the effects of anesthesia. They buckled him into the back seat, his head lolling to the side as SpongeBob sat by him. The car's gentle vibrations and the soft hum of the engine lulled Plankton further into his slumber. His snores grew louder, echoing through the car. Sponge Bob watched him, his heart aching at the sight of his friend. He reached over and patted his arm reassuringly. "It's okay, Plankton," he whispered. "You're going to be ok." The drive to the Chum Bucket was quiet, punctuated only by Plankton's intermittent snoring and the occasional burst of slurred words. "Karen...chum...water... Krabby Patty...friend," he would murmur, his voice a gentle reminder of the person behind the villain. "Chum...Karen...Krabs...Sponge...Bob...Patrick...Krabby Patty...Karen...chum...chum...chum..." Sponge Bob and Patrick shared a look in the rearview mirror, their expressions a mix of concern and amusement. "It's like he's having a conversation with himself," Patrick whispered. "Must be anesthesia," Sponge Bob said, his voice low so as not to disturb Plankton. "He'd probably remember none of it when he wakes up." Once they arrived at the Chum Bucket, they carefully transferred Plankton to his bed, snores becoming less frequent and more rhythmic as he slipped into a deeper sleep. They left him with a glass of water and a bowl of chum for when he awoke, feeling a bit of relief knowing he was home and safe. Hours later, Plankton's snoring finally ceased, and he blinked his eye open, feeling a dull ache in his leg, Sponge Bob and Patrick sitting by his bed in his bedroom. "What’s...what happened?" he asked. "You had surgery, Plankton. Remember? You hurt your leg pretty badly." "Surgery?" he repeated, his voice still thick with sleep. "I had surgery?" He glanced down at his bandaged leg, the memory of the accident slowly coming back to him. "Oh, right." Patrick's eyes lit up. "Oh, you were out of it, buddy!“ Plankton's smile faded as he took in his surroundings. "How long?" "A few hours," Sponge Bob said. "But don't worry, Karen's in the lab, just in case you need anything." Patrick leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You should've seen it, Plankton! You were snoring!" Sponge Bob playfully elbowed him. "Pat.." Patrick couldn't contain himself. "And when Mr. Krabs came in, oh boy!" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You started crying!" Plankton's embarrassment morphing into anger. "That's not funny, Patrick." he snapped, his voice sharp. Patrick nodded, with mirth. “Oh yeah, you were talking in your sleep, Plankton; you’re like, 'Krabby Patty...Chum...Karen...Patrick...Sponge Bob...'!" Plankton's frown deepened as he tried to sit up, only to wince in pain. "Krabby Patties?" "You'd get all excited about your latest plan, and then—just like that," SpongeBob said, snapping his fingers, as Patrick pretended to snore loudly. Plankton's eye widened. "No?" But Patrick had to prove Plankton's sleep-talking escapade. Patrick's laughter was contagious, and even Sponge Bob couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Plankton's dazed expression. Plankton's sleep-addled face, his mouth moving in a slurred chant and the occasional snort that punctuated his words. Patrick tried to mimic Plankton's slurred speech, which only made him giggle more. "You're even drooling!" he exclaimed. Sponge Bob's laughter grew quiet, feeling a twinge of pity for Plankton's embarrassment. "Patrick, maybe we should calm down," he suggested gently. "Come on, Plankton," he said. "You've got to admit, this is gold!" "Could you two at least get me something to eat?" he asked, his voice a mix of annoyance and defeat. Sponge Bob nodded, eager to change the subject. "Of course, Plankton. What would you like?" "Just...chum," Plankton mumbled, his face still flushed with embarrassment. Patrick's laughter grew louder. "Oh, come on, Plankton. You can't be serious right now!" He pretended to snore loudly, then added in a pitched voice, "Krabby Patty! Krabby Patty!" Sponge Bob couldn't help but chuckle. "Patrick, maybe we should—" But Patrick was in full jesting mode, his voice rising in pitch to mimic Plankton's. "Krabby Patty...chum...Krabby Patty...chum..."
ᵀʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵐᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵛⁱʳᵘˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ˡᵃᵗᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ “ᴵ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵗⁱʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵐᵒⁿⁱᵗᵒʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵐʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵘᵖ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ ʸᵉᵗ ᴵ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢⁿᵃᵖ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ ʷᵉ’ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ⁱⁿ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ’ˢ ᵐᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃ ʳᵉᵃˡ ᶜᵒⁿᵛᵉʳˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵃˢ, ᵒⁿ ᵒᶜᶜᵃˢⁱᵒⁿ, ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ, ᵃˡᵇᵉⁱᵗ ᵃᵇˢᵉⁿᵗᵐⁱⁿᵈᵉᵈˡʸ‧ “ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˢ ᵃʳᵉⁿ’ᵗ ᵒⁿ ˢᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵘˢᵗⁿ’ᵗ ᵇᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘˢʸ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵖʳᵒʲᵉᶜᵗ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ‧‧” ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ…” ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖᵉᵉᵏᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈˡʸ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ “ᴵᶠ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʷᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ…” ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗⁱᶠˡᵉᵈ ᵘʳᵍᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ‧ “ᴵ’ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ “ᴰᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉˢ ˢᵒ ᶜᵘᵗᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃᵈᵒʳᵃᵇˡᵉ!” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡᵉᵈ, ᵃˢ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ‧ “ᴸᵃˢᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵈᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵈᵃʸ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵒᵘʳ ʷᵉᵈᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿⁿⁱᵛᵉʳˢᵃʳʸ‧” “ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ; ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ!” ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱˣ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᵗ‧ ᴬˢ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃˡ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ, ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ‧ “ᴴⁱ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧” ˢʰᵉ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴴᵉʸ‧‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ “ᔆᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵘᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ?” “ᴺᵒᵗ ᵃˡˡ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ, ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷᵃʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵈᵃʳᵏ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵒᶠᶠ…” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᵛⁱʳᵘˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵉʳ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ; ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ…” “ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ, ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ “ᴹᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧” “ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ!” “ᴴᵒʷ’ˢ ⁱᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ?” ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᵂʰᵃᵗ’ᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᵐᵉ…” ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧