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ᴴⁱˢ ˢᶜᵃʳᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵖʳᵒʲᵉᶜᵗⁱˡᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ, ʷʰᵒ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᴴᵉʸ‧‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵒᵒᵏ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵏⁱᵈ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉᵈ, ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ “ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ…”

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‧‧"

ᴴᵃᵖᵖʸ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ! ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᔆᵉᵉᵐˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ˢᵏⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵈᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵒⁿˢᵗᵃⁿᵗˡʸ ᵖˡᵒᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵖᵘᵇˡⁱᶜ ⁱᵐᵃᵍᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵃᵘᵍʰᵗʸ ˡⁱˢᵗ! 'ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ᵍⁱᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ' ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ'ˢ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵃ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ‧ ᔆᵒ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏˢ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵃⁱⁿ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒᵒˡˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵃᵇᵒʳᵃᵗᵒʳʸ ᵉˣᵖᵉʳⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵗᵒᵒˡ ᵇᵒˣ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʷᵃᵍᵍᵒⁿ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷʳᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵒˡ ᵇᵒˣ ʰᵉ ʷʳᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵍᵍᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ⸴ ᵗⁱˡᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʷᵃᵍᵍᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢˡⁱᵈᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵗʳᵉᵉ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵍⁱᶠᵗ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵍᵍᵒⁿ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵗʰᵘᵈ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʰᵉˢⁱᵗᵃᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧ "‧‧‧ʸ’ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖᵗᵃˡᵏˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵒˡˡˢ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᶠ⸴ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵍᵍᵒⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵖʳᵉˢᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ!" ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʷᵃᵍˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵃⁱˡ‧ ╰ ✧ ･ﾟ∙ ∗ — ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ ⟨ 2 1 6

ᴴᵃᵖᵖʸ ᴮⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᶜᴾᵁ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ @ALYJACI ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵃˢ ᵖᵉᵗ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵃʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵃˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵗᶜʰᵉⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ!" @ALYJACI

Something Spongebob does a great job of is making relatable characters and tackle serious subjects. The characters always face challenges and obstacles, but in the end, they manage to come out on top. The characters show emotion, even though many might not notice. Spongebob isn’t just a cartoon but also huge impact culture society. On internet you can find memes, merch, all over. May 12, 2023 The main characters Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krab’s, Sandy, Gary, and Plankton, have been loved by many over the years. Their humor and jokes have found a way to make children and adults enjoy watching. Their ability to connect with audiences of all ages is amazing. Even today, it continues to entertain its audience around the world today. These movies are very special.

EMOTIONALLY BONDING WITH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER? THERE’S A TERM FOR THAT: ‘COMFORT CHARACTERS’ Just because they're not real doesn't mean that they can't be a source of consolation or contentment. SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 KAREN LU, YALE UNIVERSITY 8 MINS READ If you have even a toe in the door of fandom (any fandom, really), you have probably come across the term “comfort character.” The term is everywhere: in Buzzfeed quizzes, Twitter imagines, dozens of Spotify playlists and Instagram fanposts. Like the name implies, it’s a fictional character in pop culture and media that people find comfort in, either through identifying with them or wishing to hang out with them like a best friend. For some, comfort characters are so real that even just thinking about them, rewatching their scenes, reading fan fictions or otherwise engaging with them can help stave off anxiety attacks, calm down during panic episodes, or simply provide a hand to hold on to during difficult times. The typical comfort character might be someone fierce and protective of their friends, passionate about their ambitions and goals, or struggling with inner demons. Usually, they have characteristics that are easy to relate to or be inspired by. Or, it can be completely random — there’s no requisite in what makes a comfort character. It might be the plucky main protagonist, the tortured antihero or an innocuous supporting character. Whether they’re conquering a villain, avenging a fallen friend, or simply being happy, people find warmth in following along in their journey or seeing them smile in the face of their own tragedy. Comfort characters exist in part because many people don’t have parents, friends or other social resources that they can talk to or truly open up with. Studies have also shown how comfort characters can actually inspire and improve people. Researchers from Ohio State University coined the phenomenon “experience-taking,” in which people take the emotions from a story for their own. The researchers found that — albeit temporarily and in the right situations — readers could make real changes in their own lives. For instance, the researchers found that people became more likely to vote in a real election after strongly identifying with a fictional character who themselves overcame obstacles to vote. In the long run, comfort characters are simply a part of enjoying a show and finding pleasure in media and fiction.

henshengs Tbh I think fandom generally needs to get better at sitting with the uncomfortable fact that a story/fanwork/meme/whatever can hurt one person and help another sensicalabsurdities This is why I think “tag warning” culture is kinder and more constructive than cancel culture / “no problematic content” culture. One size does not fit all, but if we learn to be more aware of the fact that the same thing can be emotionally validating or cathartic to one person and upsetting to another, and pick up a general mindset of thinking before we post, “what might people need a heads up for in this content?”, we grow more compassionate, more thoughtful, and more understanding of the differences in people’s experiences.

one of the most significant misconceptions i fear some people have about whump is that it’s sadism. For a lot of us, it’s masochist. I can’t speak for everyone in the whump community, but for myself and most of the people i’ve interacted with, we’re empathising with the whumpee, not the whumper. We’re experiencing second- hand their paın and catharsis, and also (my favourite part) the concern and care they receive from others but like… i can totally imagine what it would look like for outsiders coming across our blogs where we consistently fantasise about our favourite characters in absolute agony lol

ᴸᵒᵒᵏˢ ᔆʰᵃʳᵖ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵇᵃʷˡⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᵀᵒ ᵐⁱˢᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ ᵃⁿʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵛᵃˢᵗᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵉʸᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃᶜᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵒ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱᵉˡᵈˢ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵇᵇᵉᵈ, ᵇᵃᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ˢᵉᵉ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵗʰᵒʳⁿ ᵇᵘˢʰ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃᵐ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ’ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉⁿᵗᵃⁿᵍˡᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛⁱⁿᵉˢ ʳᵉⁿᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒᵗᵃˡˡʸ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢ‧‧ …ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ’ˢ ᶠᵘᶻᶻʸ‧ ᔆᵒʳᵉ ᵃᶜʰᵉˢ ᶠˡᵒᵒᵈᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ ‘ᴬᵐ ᴵ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᴮᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ’ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉʳˢ‧ “…ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ? ᴴᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵘᵖʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ⁿᵒ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ˢᵒ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᶜʳᵃᵗᶜʰᵉˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ, ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʰᵒʳⁿˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵉᵃᵏ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵃ ᵍᵃˢᵖ‧ “ᵂʰ…” “ʸᵒᵘ’ˡˡ ᵖᵘˡˡ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢʰⁱᵉˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ʷᵉᵗ ʳᵃᵍ‧” “ᵂʰᵃ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ˢᵉⁿˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ʳⁱⁿˢⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ʲᵒᵇ! ᴺᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃˢʰ ᶜˡᵒᵗʰ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ?” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴴᵒʷ’ᵈ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ…” “ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵒʳⁿˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˡᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ‧‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵉˡˡˢ‧

ᶜʰᵒᵖˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵏᵃʳᵃᵗᵉ! ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐˢᵉˡᵛᵉˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵖᵃʳᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵖʳᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳⁱᵈᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶠᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉʲᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵗ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉˢ ᵈʳᵃʷⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵃˡᵐᵒˢᵗ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ‧ ᔆⁱᵍʰ‧

ᵂᵉᵈⁿᵉˢᵈᵃʸ ᵂⁱˢᵈᵒᵐ ⁽ᵂᵉᵈⁿᵉˢᵈᵃʸ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ‧" ᵂᵉᵈⁿᵉˢᵈᵃʸ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴱⁿⁱᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃˡˡ ʰᵉʳ ʷⁱˢᵈᵒᵐ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉˣᵗʳᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃⁱⁿ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵃᵇˡᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ‧" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᵂᵉᵈⁿᵉˢᵈᵃʸ‧ "ᴱⁿʲᵒʸᵃᵇˡᵉ‽" ᴱⁿⁱᵈ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧

ᴬ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵇᵒʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴵ’ᵐ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ, ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵒᶠ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ˢᵒ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴵ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐ, ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᵈʳᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ˡⁱᵐᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ ‘ᴹᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ’ ᴵ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴱᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ʷᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵗᵘⁿᵃ ⁿᵒᵒᵈˡᵉ ᶜᵃˢˢᵉʳᵒˡᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᵉᵈⁱᵇˡᵉ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖʳⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ ‘ᵂᵃⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ, ʷʰᵃᵗ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ˡⁱˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵘⁿᵃ ⁿᵒᵒᵈˡᵉ ᶜᵃˢˢᵉʳᵒˡᵉ’ ᴵ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵗ ʸᵉᵃʳˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ, ˢᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ… ᴵ ˢᵘᶜᶜᵉˢˢᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈⁱⁿᵉʳ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʳᵉᵃ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ‘ᵉᵐ‧ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗ! ᵀʰᵉ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰ ᵈᵃʸ ᴵ ᵇᵃʳᵏᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ‧ “ᴰⁱᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿ…” “ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿ…” ᴵ ʷᵃᵍ ᵐʸ ᵗᵃⁱˡ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵈʳᵒᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ ˡⁱˢᵗ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ’ˢ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʲᵘᵐᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵈⁱᵈ…” “ʸᵃᵖ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵖʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵇᵘᵗᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ˢⁱᵍⁿ ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ‘ʷᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵉˡˡ ᴷʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᴾᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵃˡᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳⁱᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ, ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵇᵘʸ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵒⁿˡʸ!’ “ᴸᵉᵗ’ˢ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵒʸ!” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᴰᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ?” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˡᵉˢˢ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ, ᵗʰᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ…” “ʸᵉᵉˢ…” ᴾᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ! ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ! “ᴼʰ ᵐʸ ʰᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵍʳᵒʷˡᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ…” “ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ʰᵒʷ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ʷⁱˢʰ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ!” “ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ…” “ᶠⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ ᴷᵉᵉᵖᵉʳˢ ˡᵒˢᵉʳ…” “ᴵ’ᵐ ʷᵃʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ!” ᴵ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧ “ᵀᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃᵐᵉ ˢᵘᶜᶜᵉˢˢ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡᵃˢᵗ ˡᵒⁿᵍ‧‧” ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵐʸ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ “ᴳᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱˢᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵇᵃᵗᶜʰ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ‧ ᴵᵗ ʰᵃᵈ ᵒᵘʳ ᵗᵘⁿᵃ ⁿᵒᵒᵈˡᵉ ᶜᵃˢˢᵉʳᵒˡᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗ’ˢ ˡⁱˢᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵃʸˢ ‘ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᴮᵒᵇ’ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ˢᵗⁱᶜᵏʸ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ “ᵂᵉˡˡ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵃᵇˡᵉ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ⁱᵗ ˡᵃˢᵗᵉᵈ‧” ᴴᵉ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ ᵃˢ ᴵ ˡⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ᵏⁱˢˢ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ‧” ᵀⁱʳᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵈᵃʸ‧ ᵂᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ “ᵂᵒᵒᶠ‧‧” “…ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ʷᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳⁱᶠᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ, ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ ʰᵘᵍ‧

ᴸᶤᵛᵉ ᴸᵃᵘᵍʰ ᴸᵒᵛᵉ {ᴬ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃᶰᶠᶤᶜ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ} ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᶰᵒᵗ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵃᵈᵐᶤᵗ ᶤᵗ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗᶤᵐᵉˢ ᶠᵒᵘᶰᵈ ʰᶤᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵉᶰʲᵒʸᶤᶰᵍ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵃᶰʸˑ ᴴᵉ ᵗᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵃᵛᶤᶰᵍ ᶠᵘᶰ ᵃᶰᵈ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᶜᵒᶰᶜᵉʳᶰ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰˑ ˢᵒ ʷʰᵉᶰ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ᵐᵃᶰᵈᵃᵗᵒʳʸ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷᵒʳᵏ˒ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵖᵖᵒʳᵗᵘᶰᶤᵗʸ ᵃᵗ ʰᵃᶰᵈᵎ "ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵒᶠᶠˑ" ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ˢᵃᶤᵈ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᶰˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰᶤˢ ᶠʳᵒᶰᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳˑ "ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷᵉ'ᵈ ᵗʳʸ ʰᵃᵛᶤᶰᵍ ᶠᵘᶰ ᵃᵍᵃᶤᶰ‽" "ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵍᵒᵒᶰ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰˑ" ˢᵒ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉᶰᵗ ᵗᵒˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃᵈ ᴸᵃʳʳʸ ˡᵒʷᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛᵒˡˡᵉʸᵇᵃˡˡ ᶰᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᶤᵗ ᵃ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵇᵃˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶠᵒʳᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˑ "ᵂᵃᶰᶰᵃ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵘᶤˡᵈ ᵃ ˢᵃᶰᵈ⁻ᶜᵃˢᵗˡᵉˀ" "ˢᵘʳᵉᵎ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘᶤˡᵈᶤᶰᵍˑ ᴺᵉˣᵗ˒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵈᵉᶜᶤᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳᵃʷ ᶤᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶰᵈˑ "ᴵ ᵗʳᶤᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳᵃʷ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶰᵃᶤˡˑ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰˑ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵈʳᵉʷ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ˒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᶤᶰᵍ ᵃᵗ ʰᶤˢ ᵒʷᶰ ᵈʳᵃʷᶤᶰᵍˑ "ᴳᵃʳʸ'ˢ ᵇᶤᵍᵍᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃᶰ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢᵎ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒˑ "ᴼʰ ᴵ ᵏᶰᵒʷˑˑˑ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵈʳᵉʷ ˢᵠᵘᶤᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰᵒˡᵈᶤᶰᵍ ʰᶤˢ ᵇᵒˢˢᵉˢ ᶠᶤᵍᵘʳᵉ˒ ᵐᵃᵏᶤᶰᵍ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ʰᵃʳᵈᵉʳˑ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᶠᵒᵘᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐˢᵉˡᵛᵉˢ ᵘᶰᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᶤᶰᵍ ᵘᶰᶜᵒᶰᵗʳᵒˡˡᵃᵇˡʸˑ ᴱᵛᵉᶰᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵃᶰᵈ ʷᵉᶰᵗ ᵗᵒ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠᶤˢʰ ᶠᶤᵉˡᵈˢˑ "ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᶰˢᵉᵗˑ" "ᴼʰ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵎ" ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵖᵒᶤᶰᵗᵉᵈˑ ᵂʰᵉᶰ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵘʳᶰᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ˒ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ˢᵃᶤᵈ "ˢᶤᵏᵉ˒ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᶤᵗᵎ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃᶰ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᶤᵐ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʰᶤᵈ ᶤᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒʳᵃˡˑ "ᶠᵒᵘᶰᵈ ʸᵒᵘᵎ" ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᶜˡᶤᵐᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶜʰᵃˢᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ˒ ʷʰᵒ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ʳᵘᶰ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵈᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵛᵃʳᶤᵃᵗᶤᵒᶰˢ ᵒᶠ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘʳᵉˑ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶰᵒᵗᶤᶜᵉ ᵒʳ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉᶰᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵘᵖˑ ᴬˢ ᵃ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᶠᵃᶜᵗ˒ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᶤᵉʳ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃᶰ ʰᵉ ᵈᶤᵈ ᶤᶰ ᵃ ˡᵒᶰᵍ ᵗᶤᵐᵉˑ ᴱᵛᵉᶰ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵉᶰᵉᵐᶤᵉˢ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᶤᵐ˒ ʰᵉ ᵈᶤᵈ ʰᵃᶰᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵘᶰᵗᶤˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘˢᶤᶰᵉˢˢ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵒᵛᵉʳˑ ᴴᵉ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃᶰ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠʳᶤᵉᶰᵈ ˢᶤᶰᶜᵉᵎ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰᶤˢ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ ᵈᵒʷᶰ ᵃˢ ʷᵃʳᵐᶤᶰᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇˑ ᵂʰᵉᶰ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᶤʳˢᵗ ᵗᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰᶤᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵘᶰ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰᶤˢ ᵖʳᶤᵈᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᶤᵐˑ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵃᵗ ᵈᵒʷᶰ ᶤᶰ ᶠʳᵒᶰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵇᶤᵍ ᵗʳᵉᵉ ᵃˢ ᵃ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʳᵉˢᵗˑ "ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳˢᵎ" "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵃ ᵛᵃˢᵗ ᵘᶰᶤᵛᵉʳˢᵉˑˑ" ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʳᵉᵖˡᶤᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃᶰˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉˢᶤᵈᵉ ʰᶤᵐˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃˢ ᵒᵖᵉᶰᵉᵈ ʰᶤˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵃˡˡᶤᶰᵍ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ˒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᶰ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉᶰ ᵘᵖ ʸᵉᵗˑ ᴴᵉ ʷᶤᵖᵉᵈ ʰᶤˢ ᵒʷᶰ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵃ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵃʳᵐˑ ᴴᵉ ᶰᵒᵗᶤᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ'ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ˡᵉᵃᶰ ᵒᶰ ʰᶤˢ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵃʳᵐ˒ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ʰᵃᶰᵍᶤᶰᵍ ᵒᵖᵉᶰ ʷʰᶤˡˢᵗ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷʰᵉᶰ ʰᵉ ᶠᶤʳˢᵗ ᵗᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵘᶰˑ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵗʳᵃʸᵃˡ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉᶰᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ˡᵒᶰᵍ ᵃᵍᵒ ᵇᵉᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵉᶜᵒᶰᵈ ᵗᶤᵐᵉ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰˑ ᴺᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ᵇʳᶤᶰᵍ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᶰᵒʷˑ ᵀʰᵉʸ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵃᵐᶤᶜᵃᵇˡᵉ ʷᶤᵗʰᶤᶰ ᵗᶤᵐᵉ˒ ᵃᶰᵈ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᶰ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵉᶰʲᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵍᵒᶤᶰᵍ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᶤᵐˑ ᴴᵉ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉᶤᶰᵍ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵇᵉᶤᶰᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖᶤᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉᵎ ᴬˢ ᵃ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᶠᵃᶜᵗ˒ ʰᵉ ᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵠᵘᶤᵗᵉ ᶰᶤᶜᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒᶰ ʷʰᵒ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵒᵘᵗʷᵃʳᵈˡʸ ˢʰᵒʷᶰ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰ˒ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᶤᶰᶜᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸˑˑˑ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡᶤˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉˑ "ᴹᵒʳᶰᶤᶰᵍᵎ ᵂᵃᶰᶰᵃ ᵖˡᵃʸ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰ ᵒʳ ᵈᵃʳᵉˀ" "ᴳᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᶰᵎ ᵀʳᵘᵗʰ ᵒʳ ᵈᵃʳᵉˀ" "ᴰᵃʳᵉᵎ" "ᴵ ᵈᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏᶤˢˢ ᵃ ʲᵉˡˡʸ ᶠᶤˢʰˑˑ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶰᵉ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵈᶤᵈ ˢᵒˑ "ᴵ ᵈᶤᵈ ᶤᵗᵎ ᵀʳᵘᵗʰ ᵒʳ ᵈᵃʳᵉˀ" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰˑ" "ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃᶰʸ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒᶰˀ" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉᶰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵖʳᵒᵐᶤˢᵉ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇˡᵃᵇ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴵ ᶜᵃᶰ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵐʸ ʷᶤᶠᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢᶰ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉᶰ ᵏᶰᵒʷˑˑˑ" "ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ʷᵒʳᵈ ᵃˢˢᵘᵐᶤᶰᵍ ᶤᵗ'ˢ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵃᶰᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵈᵉᶜᵉᵖᵗᶤᵒᶰˑˑˑ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᶤᵐˑ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᶰᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵒᵖᵉᶰᵉᵈ ᵘᵖˑ "ᵀʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵒʳᶤᵍᶤᶰ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ ᵗʰᵃᶰ ᵇᵉˢᶤᵈᵉˢ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢˑ" ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ˢᶤᵍʰᵉᵈ˒ ᵗʳʸᶤᶰᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗ ʰᶤᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᶜᵃʳʳʸ ᵒᶰˑ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵃᵈᵐᶤᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᶤᵍᵍᵉˢᵗˑ ᵞᵒᵘ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ᴵ ᵈᵒᶰ'ᵗ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ ᵃᶰᵈ ˡᵒˢᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ᶠᵃᵐᶤˡʸ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵃᶰᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʳᵉᵃˢᵒᶰ ʷʰʸ ᴵ ᶠᶤᶰᵈ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʰᵃˡᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵘᶰˢᵉᵗᵗˡᶤᶰᵍˑˑˑ" "ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᵒᶠˑˑˑ" "ᴵ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵃᶰᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʳᵉᵃˢᵒᶰˑ ᵞᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ˒ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵈᶤᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵃ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˑ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃ ᶜʳᵘˢʰ ᵒᶰ ʰᵉʳˑ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵉᶰᵉᵐᶤᵉˢ ʰᵉ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐ ᵇᵘˡˡᶤᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ʳᵉˡᵉᶰᵗˡᵉˢˢˡʸ˒ ᵐᵃᵏᶤᶰᵍ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ᵗᵃʳᵍᵉᵗˑ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴵ ᵍʳᵃᵈᵘᵃᵗᵉᵈ˒ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ᶠᵃᵐᶤˡʸ ʳᵉᵘᶰᶤᵒᶰ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ'ˢ ᵐᵒᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵉᵃᵗᶤᶰᵍ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃᵐᶤˡʸ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᶤᶰ ᶠʳᵒᶰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉˑ ᴵ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᴵ ᵈᶤᵈ ᶤᵗˑ ᴵ ᵈᵒᶰ'ᵗ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ʷʰᵒ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ'ˢ ʳᵉᵃˡ ᵈᵃᵈ ʷᵃˢ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐˑ ᴺᵒʷ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ʰᶤᵐ ᵃᶰᵈ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵐᵃᵈ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ˒ ᵉᵛᵉᶰ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵉᶰᵉᵐᶤᵉˢ˒ ʰᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ʰᵃᵛᶤᶰᵍ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡˑ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵗᵗʳᵃᶜᵗ ˢᵉᵃ ᵇᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶤᶰ ᵐʸ ᵖᵃᶰᶤᶜ ᴵ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃᵈˑ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵃ ᵇᵉᵃʳ ᵃᵗᵗᵃᶜᵏˢ ᵃᵗᵗʳᵃᶜᵗ ˢᵉᵃ ʳʰᶤᶰᵒᶜᵉʳᵒᵘˢˑ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵐᵉᵃᶰᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ ᵒᶠᶠᵎ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ ʰᵉᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵃ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᶤᵗ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ'ˢ ᵐᵒᵐ ᶤᶰˢᵗᵉᵃᵈᵎ ᴵ ʳᵃᶰ ᵃʷᵃʸ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ᵃ ᶜᵒʷᵃʳᵈ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃᵈˑ" ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ˢᵒᵇᵇᵉᵈˑ "ᵂʰᵉᶰ ᴵ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ˒ ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃˡᵛᵃᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᵇʸ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ᵉᵐᵇᵉᵈᵈᵉᵈˑ ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡᶤˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᶰᵈ ˢʷᵒʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃᶰʸ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᵈᵒᵖᵗᵉᵈˑ ᴵ ᶜᵃᶰ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ ᶠᵒʳᵍᶤᵛᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ᵈᶤᵈˑ ᴵ ᵉᵛᵉᶰ ʷᵉᶰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘᶰᵉʳᵃˡ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉᵐ˒ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᵐᶤˡʸ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵐᵉ ˢᵃʸ 'ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ʷᶤᵗᶰᵉˢˢᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ' ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶤᵗᵎ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃᶰᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵒᶰˡʸ ᵉᶰᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵍᵘʸˑ ᴵ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ᴵ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉᵈ ᶤᵗ˒ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᴵ'ᵈ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵐᵒᵘᶰᵗ ᵃᶰʸᵗʰᶤᶰᵍˑ ᴵ ʳᵃᶰ ᵃᶰᵈ ʰᶤᵈ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵉᵐᵉᵗᵉʳʸˑ 'ᵂʰᵒ ᵈᶤᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘˀ ᵂʰᵉᶰ ᴵ ᶠᶤᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐˑˑˑ' ᴵ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ʷᵃᶤᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵒʳᵉˑ ᴺᵒʷ ᴵ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᶤᵐ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ˒ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ᵃᶰᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈ ˢᵒᶰ ˢᶤᶰᶜᵉ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᶤˢ ᵒʷᶰˑ 'ᴺᵒ ʷᵒᶰᵈᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ ᶰᵒᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃᶰʸ ᶠʳᶤᵉᶰᵈˢᵎ' ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ ᵃᵗᵗᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᶰᵈ ᴵ ᵗʳᶤᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ʰᶤᵐ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴹʳˑ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᶤᶰ ᵃᶰᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵃʷ ᵐᵉ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉˢˢᶤᵒᶰˢ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉᵈ ʰᶤˢ ˡᵃˢᵗˑ 'ᵞᵒᵘ ᶜʳᵒˢˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᶤᶰᵉᵎ' ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰᶤᵐ ʸᵉˡˡˑ ᴬˡˡ ᴵ ᵗʳᶤᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵉˡᵖ˒ ᵇᵘᵗˑˑˑ" ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵏᶰᵉˡᵗ ᵈᵒʷᶰ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵒᵇᵇᵉᵈˑ "ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᶤᵈᶰ'ᵗ ᵐᵉᵃᶰ ᵗᵒˑˑˑ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢˑ "ᴵ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷᵃᶰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵐʸ ᶠʳᶤᵉᶰᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᶤᶰᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗˑˑˑ" "ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᴵ ʷᵒᶰ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵃᶰʸ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉᶰᵎ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ˒ ᵃᶰᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗˢ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵐᵉˑ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡᶤˢᵉᵈ ᶰᵒʷ ʷʰʸ ʰᵉ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᶰᵒʳ ᵈᶤᵈ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵈᵉᵉᵈˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉᵐˑ "ᴰᵒᶰ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉᶰ ʷʳᶤᵗᵉˑˑˑ" "ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᴵ'ᵈ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵗʳᵃʸ ʸᵒᵘˑ ᴵ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵃᵇᵃᶰᵈᵒᶰ ʸᵒᵘˑ ᵞᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ ᶰᵒᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳʳʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵐᵉˑ ᵞᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃ ʰᵉʳᵒ˒ ᵐʸ ʰᵉʳᵒ˒ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉʳᵒ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵖʳᵒᵘᵈ ᵒᶠˑ" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃᵈ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵖᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᶤˢ ᵐᵒᶰᵉʸ˒ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵉᶰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᶜᵃˡ ʳᵉᵗᶤʳᵉᵐᵉᶰᵗ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᶤᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃˢʰ ᵖʳᶤᶻᵉᵎ ᵞᵉᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᵈᶤᵈ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵉʳ ᵐᵃᵗᵉʳᶰᵃˡ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳˑ "ᴾᵉᵃʳˡˀ" "ᴴᵒʷ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘˑˑˑ" ˢʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵉᶰᵗˡᵉᵐᵃᶰˑ "ᵞᵒᵘ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵒᵗʰᵉʳˀ ᵞᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᵗʳᶤᵏᶤᶰᵍ ʳᵉˢᵉᵐᵇˡᵃᶰᶜᵉˑˑˑ" "ᴵ ˡᶤᵛᵉ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵐʸ ᵈᵃᵈ˒ ᴱᵘᵍᵉᶰᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢˑˑˑ" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉˑ ᴴᵉ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᵘˢ ᶤᶠ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵃᵈᵒᵖᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵒᵐ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉᵈˑ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ʰᶤᵗ ᶤᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵇʸ ᵃ ʳᵒᶜᵏ˒ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶰˡʸ ʷᶤᵗᶰᵉˢˢ ᵐᶤᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶰˡʸ ᵖᵒˢˢᶤᵇˡᵉ ᵒᶰᵉ ᵗᵒˑˑˑ" "ᴵ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵏᶰᵉʷ˒ ᵐʸ ᵈᵃᵈ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉᵎ" "ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉᶰ'ᵗ ˢᵉᵉᶰ ʰᶤᵐ ˢᶤᶰᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ʰᶤˢ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉᵈˑˑˑ" "ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᶤˢ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉᶰ ˢʰᵉˡᵈᵒᶰ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰˑˑˑ" "ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ‽ ᶠᶤʳˢᵗ ᵐʸ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶰᵒʷˑˑˑ" "ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰˑ" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ˢᵃᶤᵈˑ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵃᵛᵉᶰᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰˢˑˑˑ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ ᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳˑ "ᵂʰʸ'ᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇʳᶤᶰᵍ ᵐᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉˀ" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʰᶤᵐ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘˑˑˑ" "ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ˒ ʷʰᵃᵗˑˑˑ" "ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵖˡᵃʸᶤᶰᵍ ᵇᶤᶰᵍᵒˑ ᵞᵒᵘ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ʷʰᵒ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵗˀ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵗ ᵐʸ ᵍʳᵃᶰᵈᶠᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ʷʰᵒ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ ᵈᶤᵈᵎ" "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᶤᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒˀ" "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ˒ ᴵˑˑˑ" "ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶰᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᵘᶰᵃˡᶤᵛᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ; ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ᵐᵒᵐᵎ" ᵀʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʷᵃˢ ˢᶤˡᵉᶰᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉᶰᵗ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ ˢᵉᵗ ᶤᶰˑ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵃᶰ ᵃᶜᶜᶤᵈᵉᶰᵗ˒ ᴱᵘᵍᵉᶰᵉ; ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖʳᶤᵈᵉ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶠᶤᶰᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵍᶤᵛᵉᶰᵉˢˢ ᶤᶰ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗᵎ" ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ˒ ʷʰᶤᶜʰ ʰᵉ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵈᶤᵈˑ "ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃᶰ'ᵗ ᶜʰᵃᶰᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃˢᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃᶰ ˡᵉᵃʳᶰ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶤᵗ ᶰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘᵗᵘʳᵉˑˑˑ" "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗˑˑˑ"

ᴹᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᵀᵒ ᴮᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ 'ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ' ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ 'ᴮᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢʰᵒʷⁿ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢʰⁱᵖ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳⁱᵈᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ˢᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵒ ʸᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵍʳᵉᵗᵗᵉᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵒᶠᶠᵉʳ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʸᵉᵃʳˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗ ⁱˢˢᵘᵉˢ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢʰⁱᵖ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵒᵃᶜʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵉⁿ ˢᵒᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱᶠʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃˢ ᵃ ᵛⁱˡˡᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ‧ ᴼⁿˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵘˡˡⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᑫᵘⁱʳᵏˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ⁿᵉʷ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢʰⁱᵖ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵉᵉᵏᵉᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵉᵖˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴱʰ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴳᵉᵗ ˡᵒˢᵗ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᴵ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵉᵃʳ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵛᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ?" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ!" ᴴᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴬˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵐᵃʳᵃᵗʰᵒⁿˢ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴼᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵉʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ‧‧‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ!" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒʳᵖʰᵃⁿ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ⸴ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ⸴ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃ ᵇᵒˣ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵍ ʲᵒᵘʳⁿᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵈⁱᵃʳʸ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ ˢᵒᶠᵗˡʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏᵉʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵒᵘʳⁿᵃˡ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃˡˡ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴬˢ ʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃˡˡ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵃʳʸ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵍʳᵃᵈᵉ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡ ᵃᵍᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ᵖᵃᵍᵉ⸴ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʳᵒᵗᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵉˡˢᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ ᵒᶠ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ‧ 'ᴰᵉᵃʳ ᵈⁱᵃʳʸ⸴ ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃ ᵐⁱˢᵗᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᴬ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵐⁱˢᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ʷⁱˡˡ ᶜᵒˢᵗ‧ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ ʷᵃˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵇᵉᵗʳᵃʸˢ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ᵖᵃʳᵗⁿᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵇʳᵒᵗʰᵉʳ! ᵂᵉ ᵃᵈᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵒᵘʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢʰⁱᵖ‧ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ ʷᵃʳⁿˢ ᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳˢ ᵒᶠ ᵉˡᵉᶜᵗʳⁱᶜⁱᵗʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ‧ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵐⁱⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵃᵗʳᵒᶜⁱᵗʸ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵐᵐⁱᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘʳⁿ ʰⁱᵐ! ᴵ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ˢᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ! ᴮᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ⁱˢ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᶠᵘⁿᵉʳᵃˡ‧ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵃʳ‧ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵖᵘˢʰᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈⁱˢᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵒʷ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵇᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ ᵖᵃⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳⁱᶜᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᵗ‧' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ʳᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵃʳᵏᵉˢᵗ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵈᵈᵉⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵘᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ ᴿᵉᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵃʳʸ ˡᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏᵉʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒˣ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒˣ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵍʳⁱᵉᶠ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵇʸᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒⁿᵈ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖⁱᶜᵗᵘʳᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴳⁱᵒᵛᵃⁿⁿⁱ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛⁱˡˡᵃⁱⁿ ᵒʳⁱᵍⁱⁿ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‽" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ‧ 'ᴮᵉ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ˢᑫᵘᵃʳᵉᵖᵃⁿᵗˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵒᵒˡ‧‧' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ‧

💜💚✨plankton x karen✨💚💜

➡️ Content warnings on fiction are a courtesy. ➡️ Not every medium of fiction and storytelling has or is expected to have content warnings or extensive tagging. ➡️ Print novels do not traditionally warn for content in any way. ➡️ Fanfiction did not traditionally warn̵ for content in any significant way. ➡️ An author is only obligated to warn̵ for content to the degree mandated by the format they publish their fiction on. ➡️ Content warnings beyond the minimum are a courtesy, not an obligation. ➡️ 'Creator chose not to warn' is a valid tag authors are allowed to use on. It means there could be anything in there and you have accepted the rısk. 'May contain peanuts!' ➡️ Writers are allowed to use 'Creator chose not to warn' for any reason, including to maintain surprise and avoįd spoilers. ➡️ 'Creator chose not to warn' is not the same thing as 'no archive warnings apply'. ➡️ It is your responsibility to protect yourself and close a book, or hit the back button if you find something in fiction that you're reading that upsets you. ➡️ You are responsible for protecting yourself from fiction that causes you discomforts.

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‧

ᵀʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴼᵘᵗ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ☆ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴊᴇᴀʟᴏᴜꜱʏ "ᴼⁿˡʸ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵉⁱᵍʰᵇᵒᵘʳ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᵗᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵐᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ʸᵃʳᵈˢ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵗᵉⁿᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ'ˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖ ˢᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴳᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒˢᵉ⸴ ʷᵃⁱᵗ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ!" ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʸᵃʳᵈ‧ "ᵂʰᵒ ᵉˡˢᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉ?" "ᴼʰ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵃᵛʸ ᵇᵘᵈᵈⁱᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵀᵉˣᵃˢ‧ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ'ˢ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳ⁻ ᵈᵃʸ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ˡⁱˢᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ 'ᵉᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ! ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ ᵘˢ ᵃˢ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ⸴ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ ᴼʳ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᵒʳ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ʰᵘᵍ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ‧ "ᴵ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿ ᵘˡᵗʳᵃ ʳᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵖᵃᶜᵏ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳⁱⁿᵉ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢⁱᵍⁿᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᶜᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳⁱⁿᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ?" ᴺᵒʷ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ⸴ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵃʳᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵈ‧ 'ᴰᵉᵃʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᴵ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡⁱˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒᵖ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸ; ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ' "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳⁱⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᵍᵉˢ! ᴺᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵉⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐʸ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃⁿ ᵃᵐᵃᶻⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒʷᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʰⁱᵐ!" "ᴴᵉʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁱˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵒᵐᵉ?" "ʸᵉˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵉˢʰ ᵃⁱʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ?" "ʸᵉˢ; ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵃⁿ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ?" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵉᵉ ʷʰʸ ⁿᵒᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗʳʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵍʳᵉᵉᵃᵇˡᵉ ˢᵒ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉ ʷʰᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ʷᵃʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ "ᴳᵉᵗ ˡᵒˢᵗ; ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ!" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳⁱⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ‧ ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵇʸ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᶠᵒʳᵐⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʳⁱᵍʰᵗⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ʰᵒᵐᵉ⸴ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ‧ ᴹᵉᵃⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵘʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ʷᵃⁱᵗ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ! ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᵉⁿˢⁱᵗⁱᵛᵉ ᵉʸᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ⸴ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʰᵘᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ‧

ᴮᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᴺᵉᵛᵉʳ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵀᵉˣᵃˢ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷʰᵒ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ‧ ᔆᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰᵉʳˢᵉˡᶠ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᴮᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒˢᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵐⁱˢʰᵃᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʷⁱʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵘᵖˢ ᵒʳ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ᵒᶠ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵛᵃˡ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᶠ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʰᵉᵃᵖ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵒᵇˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ!" ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵉᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᵉʳ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡ ˡⁱᶠᵉˡᵉˢˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉⁿᵗⁱʳᵉˡʸ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒ‧‧" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵉⁿ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ ᶜᵃⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵍʳⁱˡʸ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ 'ᵉᵐ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢⁱᵍʰ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳⁱˡʸ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ'ˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵒ ᵇᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ‧ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁿᵒ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉ⸴ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉˢᵗ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵈᵃʸ⸴ ˡᵉᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᶠᵉ'ˢ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵒʳ ᵍʳⁱᵉᶠ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧ ᔆᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵉʷ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵖᵒʳᶜʰ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘʳⁱᵃˡ ᶠᵒʳ ʳᵉˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇʸ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵉ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ᵍᵒᵗ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ 'ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ' ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵇʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵃ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵃˡ ᵐᵃʳᵏᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ‧ "ᴾᵒᵒʳ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ˡⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ "ᴴⁱ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵈᵉᶠᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ˢⁱᵍʰ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉˡᵗ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧" "ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉʳ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ; ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᵘᵗ‧" "ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ'ˢ ᵃ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ˢᵒ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉ ⁱˢ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰᵒʷ ᵈʳᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵍʳⁱᵉᶠ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ‧

Pansyk •6mo ago Personally, reading and writing fanfiction has really helped me with my technical skills. When I look over the fanfiction I have written over the years, I can see how my prose and dialogue have improved. All fiction, whether of the fan or original variety, is built off of the basic idea of "making words sound good." And fanfiction is a perfectly acceptable way to do that. However, the way that fanfiction operates in terms of characterization and plot? That's radically different from original fiction. In fanfiction, characters are already established, so even if you're doing some batshit insane Alternate Universe, everyone already knows the basics of what's up. That's not true of original fiction. You need to devote more time to both fleshing out your characters and establishing their relationships with the rest of the cast. Plot often progresses differently, in part because of the time you just spent showing your readers who these people are, but also because fanfiction and original fiction often follow different structures entirely. Fanfiction is free and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. That makes it useful for new authors, especially young authors. Think of it as swimming in shallow water. It's fun! It can help you build up some strength. Anyone can do it. But it won't completely prepare you for diving into deeper water. So, I guess at the end of the day, reading both will help your development as a writer.

ᶠⁱʳᵉ ᴬʷᵃʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱˢ ᵒᵘʳ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ‧ ᔆᵒ ⁱᶠ ʸᵉ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ⸴ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵃʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᶠⁱʳᵉᵈ ⁱᶠ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ "ʸᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʷⁱˢᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒʳᵏ ⁿᵒʳ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵒᵘʳˢ!" ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᶜᵒⁿᵛᵉʳˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉʲᵉᶜᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵍᵒᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‽" ᴴᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᵏⁱᵈ‧ ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ ʷᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵍᵒᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒᵈˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᶜʳⁱᵐᵉ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵘᵖ?" "ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ⸴ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵉˣᵉʳᶜⁱˢᵉ!" ᴴᵉ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ⸴ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂᵃⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵖᵃʸ ᵃⁿʸ ʰᵉᵉᵈ‧ 'ᶜᵃⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʷⁱᵐ?' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶜᵉᵃⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢʰᵒʳᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢʷⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃᶠᵉˡʸ ᵍᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᶜᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴸᵃʳʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᵇˢᵗᵉʳ'ˢ ˢʷⁱᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵐⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴷⁱᵈ ʷᵃⁱᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ˢᵐⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢʰᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵘⁿʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢʷⁱᵐ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ˢᵗʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏˡʸ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ʷᵃʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʰᵒᵐᵉ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃᵗ ˢᵗᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ˢᵗʳᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖˡᵉˢˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗˢ ⁿᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᶜᵒᵘⁿᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉˢᶜᵃᵖᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁱᵐᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉˡʸ‧ "ᴳᵉᵗ ˡᵒˢᵗ; ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖʳᵒᵐᵖᵗˡʸ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ˢʰᵘᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ⸴ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵒᵇ‧‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗⁱᶜˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈˢ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˢᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ ᵘᵖ! ᴬⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧ ᴬˡˡ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵘⁿˢᵉᵗᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵃˢʰ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵘᵐᵖˢᵗᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃʷˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵘᵐᵖˢᵗᵉʳ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴳᵉᵗ ᴼᵘᵗ‧" ᴴᵉ ʳᵃⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ᴮᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ; ᴳᴱᵀ⸴ ᴼᵁᵀ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʸˢ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵉⁿᵍᵃᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ!" "ᴵ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵃʷᶠᵘˡ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʳⁱˢᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ⸴ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴳᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜʳʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ 'ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴳᵒ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵒᵒʳ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴼʰ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᴵ ᵗʳᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇ'ˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵐʸ ʲᵒᵇ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᴵ ᶠʳᵉᵃᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ‧ ᴵ ᵈᵒᵘᵇᵗ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵒʳᵍⁱᵛᵉⁿᵉˢˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ᶠᵒʳᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ!"

The Low After the High newwwwusername Summary: Plankton goes into a depressive episode after his volcano plan falls through Relationship: Karen/Sheldon J. Plankton Characters: Sheldon J. Plankton, Karen (SpongeBob) Plankton would regularly flipflop between emotions as far back as Karen could remember. "Sheldon?" Karen said cautiously. Plankton just groaned slightly, curling further into himself. Karen frowned and walked over, sitting down next to him. "Sheldon, hey" "What do you want?" "Are you okay?" she asked and that's when the man broke down in tears. She picked him up and held him in her arms, rubbing his back gently. "It's okay" she told him. "You're okay" "I failed..." "You didn't" she shook her head. "Something came up that you couldn't have foreseen" she reasoned. "You didn't fail" "I'm sorry" "Shhhh" she shushed. "No apologies, okay? I love you" ... "Yeah, I love you too" Stats: Published:2023-05-27

ᵂᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᴾʳᵃⁿᵏ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ʰᵃˢⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵘˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒʸˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ!" ᵀʰᵉ ᴳᵃˡ ᴾᵃˡˢ ʷᵉʳᵉ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ᵈ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵖᵃʳᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ!" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ?" ᵀʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᶜʰᵒʳ ˢʰᵃᵖᵉᵈ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧ "ᴹˢ‧ ᴾᵘᶠᶠ‧‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ᴼʰ ʰᵉʸ ᴹˢ‧ ᴾᵘᶠᶠ!" "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳᵍᵒᵗ!" "ᴴᵘʰ?" "ᴬᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵃᵗᵉ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ! ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ!" ᵀʰᵉʸ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴼʰ!" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᴮʳᵃⁿ ᶠˡᵒᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵐᵃᵗʰ ᶜˡᵃˢˢ‧‧‧" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵉʳ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱᵃˡ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵘᵐᵇᵉʳ‧ "ᴰⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵐᵉʷᵒʳᵏ?" "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃⁿʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʰᵃⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵇⁱᵍᵍᵉʳ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʷᵉ ˡᵉⁿᵍᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᔆʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ʷᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ ʷⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ? ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵐʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʷᵉ'ᵈ ᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ!" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵃᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵒ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢᵒ ⁱᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ?" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᶜᵘᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᵗ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰⁱᵐ ʳᵉᵃˡ ʷᵉˡˡ⸴ ᵉˣᶜᵉᵖᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᶠʳᵃⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵉˣᵖᵉʳⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧" "ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵉ ˢᵉᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ?" ᴹˢ‧ ᴾᵘᶠᶠ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ʷᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ⁱˢ⸴ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ‧‧‧" "ᔆˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ "ᴵ ᵖᵉᵉᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐʸ ˢᵉⁿˢᵒʳˢ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵘᵖ⁻ ᔆᵗᵃⁱʳˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵒ ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ˢᵉᵉ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ?" "ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜᵃˡᵉⁿᵈᵃʳˢ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ⁱⁿ!" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᵂᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵍʳᵉᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵈ ˢᵃʸ ⁿᵒᵒⁿ!" "ᴺᵒᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉⁿ!" "ᵂᵉ'ˡˡ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃˡᵉⁿᵈᵃʳˢ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵈᵃʸ!" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ! ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏˢ ᵈᵒʷⁿˢᵗᵃⁱʳˢ⸴ ᴹˢ‧ ᴾᵘᶠᶠ; ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵈᵒ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖˡⁱᵃⁿᶜᵉˢ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵈᵉˢⁱᵍⁿᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵃˢᵏˢ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ⸴ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ‧ ᔆˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵖᵘˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵉˢ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵘʳᵇ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᶜʳᵃʷˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉ⸴ ˢᵗⁱᶠˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵘʳᵍᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡᵉ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶠⁱˣⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ'ˢ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿ⁻ ˢᵗᵃⁱʳˢ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵗʳᵉᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵒᵘʳ ᵍᵃʳᵃᵍᵉ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʳᵃᵖ ᵗʰᵉᵐ!" "ᴴᵒʷ ᵃʳᵉ ʷᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵉʳᵉ?" "ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ʷᵉ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒˡⁱᵈᵃʸ'ˢ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ˢᵒⁿᵍˢ ˡᵒᵘᵈ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ ᵐʸ ᵈᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏ! ᴵ ᵐᵃʸ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ ᴮʳᵃⁿ ᶠˡᵒᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢ‧‧‧" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˢ‧ "ᔆᵃⁿᵗᵃ ᔆᵃⁿᵗᵃ'ˢ ʰᵃˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒˡˡʸ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵒⁿ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃᵗᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵃᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰᵃᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʷᵉᵃᵗᵉʳˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵘᵖ; ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵒᵘʳ ᵍⁱᶠᵗˢ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵃⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵉˢᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ? ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵒᵘʳ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵉⁿ ᵐᵉ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ⸴ ᵘⁿʷʳᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳˢ ˡᵃᵇᵉˡˢ 'ᵗᵒ ᵏᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ' ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ‧ "ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ⸴ ʰᵒʷ'ᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵃ ⁿᵉʷ ᵛᵃᶜᵘᵘᵐ?" "ᴼʰ⸴ ᴮʳᵃⁿ; ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ᵐᵉˢˢ!" "ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵍᵖˢ ˢʸˢᵗᵉᵐ!" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᴹˢ‧ ᴾᵘᶠᶠ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᶠʳᵃⁿᵗⁱᶜᵃˡˡʸ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖˡⁱᵃⁿᶜᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ˢᵉᵗ ᵃˢ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ‧ "ᴵᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉ ᶜʰʳⁱˢᵗᵐᵃˢ; ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷʳᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ⸴ ʷʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵐʸ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ᵘⁿʷʳᵃᵖ ʰⁱˢ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵃⁿᵗᵃ ᔆᵃⁿᵗᵃ'ˢ ʰᵃˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒˡˡʸ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵒⁿ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵃᵇᵉˡ 'ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵏʳᵃᵇˢ' ʷʳᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿʷʳᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᵁⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢˡᵒᵈᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢᵐᵃˢʰᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍˡᵃˢˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ ᴱˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈˡʸ ᵘⁿᶠᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖⁱᵉᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ ʳᵒˡˡᵉᵈ⸴ ⁱᵗ ˢᵃʸˢ 'ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ' ᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴬˡˡ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵘⁿᵛᵉⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷˢ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵃʳᵏ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴴᵘᵐⁱˡⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳⁱᵖˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒˡˡ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵉˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ "ᔆᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵗ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ‧‧‧" ᴮʳᵃⁿ ᶠˡᵒᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡˢ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ'ˡˡ ᶜᵃˡᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ⸴ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ?" "ᴴᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ‧‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʳᵉᵛᵉʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖˡⁱᵃⁿᶜᵉˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ⸴ ʷᵉ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡˢ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᵇᵘᵈ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ?" ᴴᵉ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˡᵃˢʰ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵐᵃᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ʷᵒʳᵈ‧‧‧ "ᴵ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ‧" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ?" "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᶜᵃˡˡ ⁱᵗ ᵃ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡˢ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁱⁿᶠᵒʳᵐᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡˢ‧ "ᵂᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵘⁿ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖʳⁱᵈᵉ?" "ʸᵉˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ; ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ˢᵘʳᵉ ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʸ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵈ 'ˡᵒᵛᵉ' ⁱⁿ ᵃ ˢᵉⁿᵗᵉⁿᶜᵉ⸴ ˡᵉᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ʷᵃʸ‧‧‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ; ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ‧‧" ˢʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᔆˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧"

https://www.reddit.com/r/FullEpisodesOfSB/comments/1651tuc/spongebob_full_episode_index/

The Secret Formula (Is You) strawberry_fieldz Summary: After all these years of searching for the secret formula, SpongeBob miraculously (and very unceremoniously) reveals it to Plankton when they are dating. Stats:Published:2024-07-03Words:759 Days spent with Spongebob were usually full of excitement and adventure, which is why it was so surprising that today had been so relaxed. A walk, a picnic, and now lying together while cloud-watching. They were against the plush green grass of the field where Spongebob had chosen their date to take place. It might’ve even been the same field where they’d first bonded over ‘fun’. Spongebob was sentimental like that. “Look! That one looks like a dinosaur!” Spongebob said and pointed up at the sky. Plankton squinted up at the cloud in question. He wasn't wrong, it did share an uncanny resemblance to an ancient sea monster. “Hey, how about that one?” He pointed to a different one and Spongebob followed his finger with a smile. “It looks like a doomsday device!” Spongebob frowned. “Plankton, you’re not very good at this. That’s the third time you’ve said that!” “Whaaat? I can’t help if they all look like deadly weapons of mass destruction.” Plankton shrugged. Spongebob breathed in a sigh and decided not to press the issue. They both returned to content silence as Plankton folded his hands over his stomach, grinning softly. It wasn’t in Plankton’s nature to smile so often and a strange sense of calm washed over him. The sky was so blue and the day quiet (save for the occasional chirping clam) while his back stretched across SpongeBob’s shirt. One of SpongeBob’s fingers came up to rub his head affectionately and Plankton’s eye closed in bliss. “This is nice,” Spongebob mumbled. Really nice, Plankton couldn’t help but agree. “It is,” was what he said instead. So rarely before did he stop to enjoy life’s moments like this, the way Spongebob had grown accustomed to. It was unusual but Plankton wished this moment would last an eternity. And yet… once Plankton got too comfortable, he would inevitably ruin things. “So… what’s the secret formula?” he asked. He said it so casually he’d hoped Spongebob would answer without thinking, as if on instinct. Though, realistically, he expected the porous sponge to gasp and maybe snap at him, reminding him that even their relationship didn’t change the fact they were business rivals. He’d probably get a good scolding too, while he was at it. Instead, Spongebob matched his nonchalant tone and simply blurted, “There isn’t one.” It was comedic how fast Plankton sprang up, head swiveling to face Spongebob as his eyebrow wrinkled. “What?” He was certain it was a joke, it had to be a joke. Spongebob just stared at him with a smile. “There’s not a secret ingredient,” he assured him, letting out a bemused giggle. “Well- at least, not a food one.” “What are you saying?” “Sheldon…” Spongebob only called him by his name when he was being serious. He sat up a bit and caught Plankton in his hand, holding him close to his face. “The secret is love.” “You’re kidding me,” Plankton deadpanned. "DYAHAHAHAHA!" Spongebob burst into boisterous laughter while Plankton sighed, mindless helplessly trying to catch up with the turn of events. “Nope! I just make them with lots of love!” Plankton put a hand on his head, which was starting to hurt. “So…” he spoke slowly. “This whole time… the secret ingredient was your love?” “When you put it that way…” SpongeBob’s tongue poked out as he thought about it and then nodded. “Yeah, I guess so.” Plankton shook his head and couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. All that time and the answer to the formula has been right in front of him. There was no answer, but Spongebob was the answer. He kept laughing and lay on SpongeBob's hand, staring at the colorful sky and feeling the breeze against his antennas. Life felt good. Why did he never realize life could feel this way? Up until now, he’d existed in a constant state of anger and hate. It was nice to let go, to bask in someone else’s love, and finally feel good. “I love you, SpongeBob,” he eventually said with a small, happy sigh. The sponge, who’d been a little worried with his bout of sudden laughter, smiled. He gently kissed the little critter's head. “I love you too, Plankton.” A moment of silence passed as the two relaxed again. Then Plankton opened his mouth, taking a breath- “No, I’m not going to cook Krabby Patties for you to help you take over the world,” SpongeBob interrupted him, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. “Oh, tartar sauce,” Plankton grumbled and crossed his arms. “You’re no fun.” Notes: Oh hey, it's my first plankbob fic! This is dedicated to/inspired by my friend Lee aka @criticalcurve on Twitter. Also, this was inspired by this art by @CaeDios! There's also a The Good Place reference in this, sorry.

W ired I ntegrated F emale E lectroencephalograph Любимая жена!

You cant change ATomicFLDR Spongebob smiled as his eyes fluttered open, and he was met with the face, er eye of his Plankton, who had been watching him sleep for the past, thirty minutes, wondering what it was that the sponge dreamt of, whenever he wasn't dreaming about rainbows made out of candy, and sunshine, if he dreamt of him. Plankton sighed, he was too good for him, how could someone so pure, love someone as dark, and evil as him? It wasn't like what he had with Karen, he couldn't control Spongebob like he could her, but he, could certainly control him, just by that smile. Which always had to be glued to his face, for if he ever so frowned, he vowed to destroy any and everything that made his sponge upset. He wondered when the day would come when he’d finally open those big beautiful blue eyes, and see the monster that he was, and, when he would finally turn away, but, he sighed again, he wasn't looking forward to that day, so for now, he’d enjoy the little happiness he brought him. Plankton was a fool, to fall for someone so pathetic, so childish, and so, cod, what was is it? That made him fall to his knees? Maybe it was his innocence, maybe it was what he secretly loved about him, him being so different from the rest, he never brought him down, he never called him bad names, never called him a loser, why was he so kind to him? “Morning, Sheldon.” Spongebob softly spoke, normally that name would send shocks of anger down his antennae, but he liked it when he called him by his first name rather than Plankton. Those eyes blinked, reflecting the bright lights from the sun that peaked through the blinds of the window. “Morning, Spongebob.” he smiled, and Spongebob closed his eyes and tugged the blanket over his shoulder before looking back at him, “How was your sleep?” he asked, and Plankton sighed with a smile, “Good, I dreamt that I’d finally gotten that formula, and all of Bikini Bottom was finally ours.” he smiled, normally, Spongebob would sweat at his thoughts of world domination, but why put the little man down? Even Plankton was allowed to dream. “Ours?” Spongebob questioned, and Plankton blushed, “Well, every great ruler is gonna need someone to sit beside them, when I finally have that formula, this world will be ours, and you will sit at my side, if you want.” he shrugged, and Spongebob ran his finger up Plankton’s side. “Oh? I will?” he questioned, and Plankton looked away, “Well, yeah.. I mean, once we become rulers, no one can push us around, they can't tell us we can't be together, if they dare laugh th-” Spongebob clears his throat. “What?” he cocked his brow, Spongebob shrugged, “I don't like revenge..” he answered gently twirling his finger around in the sheets before he returned his gaze. Plankton sighed, “Then what then?” he asked, and Spongebob smiled, kissing his eye, “Let them laugh, as long as we’re happy- it shouldn't matter, right?” he smiled as he pecked the side of Planktons head, and Plankton sighed, “You’re too good for your own good.” “Oh but you love me.” he chuckled as he picked him up. “And to rub our happiness in your boss’ face while i'm at it.” He admitted and Spongebob just scoffed, he didn't care as long as it didn't involve stealing the formula. Spongebob sighed as he stood back up, “I'll see you tonight.” Stats: Published:2018-08-20

ᵂᵒʳˢᵗ ᴱⁿᵉᵐʸ 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕: 𝟗𝟑𝟎 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ .ೃ࿐ 𝚃𝚠: 𝙱𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍 ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉ ʳᵉᵗʳᵉᵃᵗ; ᵃ ᵖᵉʳᶠᵉᶜᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗʳⁱᵏᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᴵ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ; ʷᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵘˡᵉˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᶜᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳⁿᵃˡ ᵈᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ʷᵉᵃᵏⁿᵉˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵐᵉ ᵉˣᶜᵉᵖᵗ ᶠᵒʳ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ? ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ; ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ˢʸᵐᵖᵃᵗʰʸ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ!" ᴹʳ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ‧ "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ!" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜʰⁱᶜᵏᵉⁿ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶠˡʸ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃˡˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵗʰᵘᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵃˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʳᵃᶜᵏˢ; ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵇˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵏⁿᵉˡᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴴᵉ ᵇᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ⸴ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʷᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰ‧ "ᴼʰ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵒᵇᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ˢʰᵃˡˡᵒʷ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵈᵉˢᵖᵉʳᵃᵗᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍʳᵃᵇᵇᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵃᵘⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ˢᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᶠ ˢᵐᵉˡˡ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ?" ᴺᵒ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵃᵗˢᵒᵉᵛᵉʳ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵘᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉˡᵖ ⁱˢ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ‧" "ᴰⁱᵈ ᵐʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʳⁱˢᵏ ᵇʳᵃⁱⁿ ᵈᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢᵗʰᵐᵃ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃˢᵗʰᵐᵃ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒⁿˡʸ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿˢᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ; ᴵ'ᵈ ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵘⁿᵈᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵒⁿⁿⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ⸴ ᵖˡᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵉᵐᵖᵃᵗʰʸ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ⁱⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵃⁿⁿᵒᵘⁿᶜᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵇᵃʷˡᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ᶜʰⁱᶜᵏᵉⁿ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳʳʸ‧ ᴺᵒʷ⸴ ˡᵒᵒᵏ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ʷᵃᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ˢᶜᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ˢᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵃʸ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ?" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵃ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜᵃⁿˢ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵃ‧ "ᴴⁱˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉᵃᵏᵉʳ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵉᑫᵘⁱᵖᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ⁱⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰᵘᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ˢᵖˡⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢʰⁱᵖ‧ "ᴬˢˢᵘᵐⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˡˡ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ'ˢ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᶠᵘʳᵗʰᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇˡᵃᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿˣⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ᵗᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵘⁿᵃʷᵃʳᵉ‧ "ᴵ ᵐⁱˢˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵐʸ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵒⁿᵉʸ ᶜᵒⁿˢᵘᵐᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ‧ ᴮᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵈʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡˡ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉ‧ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐⁱˢˢᵉˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ⁿᵃᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃʷᵏʷᵃʳᵈˡʸ ˡᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡᵉ‧ "ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵒᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵉˢ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᵈᵉᵃ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵃⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵒ ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᶠᵃᶜᵉˢ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ'ᵛᵉ ˢʰᵒʷⁿ ᵒᵘʳ ᵖᵉᵉʳˢ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵒᵇ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ‧‧‧" ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᔆʰᵒʷ 'ᵉᵐ ʷʰᵒ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ‧‧‧" ᔆᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ʷᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ‧ "ᴵ'ᵈ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵐʸ ᵐᵒⁿᵉʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐʸ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᵀʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵈᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᶠᵃʳᵃʷᵃʸ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ⸴ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵃˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ⁿᵒʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ˡⁱᵐᵇᵒˡⁱᵏᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ⸴ ᵉʸᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢʰᵘᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶠᵃʳᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ 'ˢᵒʳʳʸ' ᵃⁿᵈ 'ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ' ᵃⁿᵈ 'ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ' ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵒ ˢᵖᵒᵏᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵐᵒⁿⁱᵗᵒʳᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵈᵉᵗᵉᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡᵉ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵛᵃˡ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵃˢ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵉᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᑫᵘⁱᵖᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ˡᵉˢˢ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵃⁿᵗ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᴬᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆⁱᵍʰᵗ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ʳᵉᵍⁱˢᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ‧‧‧" ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵐⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴⁱ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ! ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˡʸ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃʸ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ?" ᴬˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵍʳᵒᵍᵍʸ‧ ᴹᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᶜʰⁱᶜᵏᵉⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒʳ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʰᵃˢ ᵖᵃˢˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵃʳʳᵒʷᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ "ᶜʰⁱᶜᵏᵉⁿ" ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵒʳᵐᵉʳ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ‧ "ᴵ ᶠᵒʳᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧"

ᔆʰᵘᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴰᵒʷⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵃᵈ ⁿᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵘᵖˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ˢʰᵒʳᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉˣᵖˡᵒᵈᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶠˡᵃᵐᵉˢ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢˡʸ‧ ᵁˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵗᵗᵉᵐᵖᵗ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᵃˡᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃʸ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵘⁿⁿᵉʳᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ʷᵉᵉᵏ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵍʳⁱᵉᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒˢˢ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵖᵃʳᵗⁿᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵒⁿˡʸ ʰᵃᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵈⁱˢˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵃⁿⁱᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒʳ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ⸴ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ʷᵉᵉᵏ! "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵘˢ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵉⁿᵈˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳᵏᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵃʷˡⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ ᵈʷⁱⁿᵈˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵈᵈʳᵉˢˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃᵗᵃ ⁿᵒʳ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵉˢ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉˡᵗ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʳ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ!" "ᔆʰᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʰᵉʳ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˡᵒˢᵗ ʰᵉʳ ˡᵃˢᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ᵃᵍᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵇʳᵒᵏᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ˢʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵒᶠᶠᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵘⁿˢᵉᵗᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ ⁱᶠ ᴵ'ᵐ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉᵐᵖᵗʸ ᵐᵒⁿⁱᵗᵒʳ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵈᵉᵖʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ‧ "ᴳᵃʳʸ⸴ ʰᵉʸ; ᵈᵃᵈᵈʸ'ˢ ʰᵒᵐᵉ! ᴬⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵍᵘᵉˢᵗˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧" ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵖˡᵃʸ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ‧ ᴼʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱˢ ᵃ ᵍᵘᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃ ᵗʰʳᵉᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ‧‧" ᴳᵃʳʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵇᵒᵘⁿᵈᵃʳⁱᵉˢ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ‧ ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˡˡ ʸᵉᵗ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴵ ᶠᵃⁿᶜⁱᵉᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵈᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵒᵗʰ‧ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿ ʳⁱˢᵉ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴺᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ʷᵒᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍʳⁱⁿⁿᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ! ᔆᵒ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵃˡˡᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷᵉ ᵈᵒ⸴ ᵇᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒʳ ⁱᶠ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶜʰⁱˡˡᵃˣ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵉⁿ ᵃ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ᵃˡˡ ʷᵉᵉᵏ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃˢᵏ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉ ˢᵒ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ᶻ'ˢ‧‧" "ᴬʰ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ʷᵉᵉᵏᵉⁿᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵈᵉᵐⁱˢᵉ⸴ ᵇʳⁱˡˡⁱᵃⁿᵗ ᵍᵉⁿⁱᵘˢ! ᴺᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵇᵘˢʸ ʰᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵍᵘʸ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ˢʰᵉ 'ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᵉˣᵖˡᵒᵈᵉᵈ' ʸᵉᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈ ʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵃᵗʰ‧‧

ᴬˢᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ⁱⁿ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴺᵒ ʷᵒⁿᵈᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐⁱˢᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ! ᴮᵉᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵒʳ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᶠᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵃᵈˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒᶜⁱᵃˡⁱˢᵉ‧ 'ᵂʰᵒ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ 'ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵉᵃᵐʷᵒʳᵏ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᵏⁱⁿᵈⁿᵉˢˢ ᵉʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧ "ᴴᵒᵐᵐⁱⁿᵃ—ʷᵃʰ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵒⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉˢᵗ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃʳᵏ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖ ˢᶜᵘˡᵖᵗ!" ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃʳᵗ ˢᵘᵖᵖˡⁱᵉˢ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵᵗ ᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵃ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒʳ ˢᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳʸ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ⁱᵗ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᶜⁱᵃˡ ᵈᵉᵗᵃⁱˡˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃⁿᵈˡᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵘᶜᵗᵘʳᵉ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃˢᵉ‧ "ᴰᵉᵃˡ!" "ᔆᵒ ʷᵉ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵃ ᵈᵒᶻᵉⁿ ʰᵒᵘʳˢ ᵖᵉʳ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵏⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵒʳ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ᵈʳʸⁱⁿᵍ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈ ʷᵃʳᵈ ᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ˢᑫᵘⁱˡˡⁱᵃᵐ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵃˢ ʷᵉ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ?" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃʳᵏ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵃᶜᵉᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵉˣᑫᵘⁱˢⁱᵗᵉ ᵃʳᵗ ᵖⁱᵉᶜᵉ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ!" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʳʸ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ'ᵈ ʷᵃˢᵗᵉ ᵐʸ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵒⁿ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵈ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᶜᶜᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ᵃᵗ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ "ᴼʰ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ʷᵉ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ⁿᵒʷ! ᔆᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃʳᵏ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵇᵒʸˢ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ 'ᴹʸ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈ ʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘᵉ' ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈˡʸ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘᵉ‧ "ᵀⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢʷⁱᵗᶜʰ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃˢᵉ ᵃˢ ᵃ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵃˢ ʰⁱ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ˢⁿᵘᶠᶠˡⁱⁿᵍ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉˢ ʷᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ‧ 'ᴺᵒʷ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᴵ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵒᵇ' ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵇᵉᵍʳᵘᵈᵍⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢˡʸ ᵃˢ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵇᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵉʸᵉᵇʳᵒʷ ᶠᵘʳʳᵒʷˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵉᵗ‧ "ᵁᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃᵗᵒᵐ‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴴᵐᵐᵐ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᴳᴱᵀ͏ ᵁᴾ!" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʰᵃ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐʸ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘᵉ!" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ ⁱᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ ᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᶻᶻⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ˢᵘᵇˢⁱᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘʳˢ ᵉⁿᵈ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᶠᵒʳᵐˢ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒᵒᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ᵈ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ; ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ'ˢ ʳᵉˢᵗ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ ᵖᵃᵗʳᵒˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘᵉ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵈʳʸ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃˢ ᵈʳʸ‧ "ᴬˡˡ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ!" ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴺᵒ ᵈᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉ ᵃˢ ᶠᵃʳ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ‧‧" "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ "ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ!" ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵒᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵍˡᵉᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉʰᵒʷ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ 'ᴴᵉ ⁱˢ ˢᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˡˡ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ‧ ᴵᶠ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉᵉˡˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ⁱⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵒ ⁱᵐᵖᵒʳᵗᵃⁿᵗ‧ 'ᴵᶠ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵗᵒ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵉᵖʳᵉˢˢⁱⁿᵍˡʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʳᵘⁿ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵘᵉ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵒᵘⁿᶜᵉᵈ ˢᵐⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ⁱᵐᵖʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ; ⁱᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵈʳʸ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵃᵗˢ‧ "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᴼʰ; ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ⸴ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ! ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵃˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ?" "ᴵᶠ ᴵ ˢᵃʸ ʸᵉˢ⸴ ʷⁱˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵖᵘᵇˡⁱᶜ?" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᑫᵘᵉᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʲᵒʸ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵐᵃᶻⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ; ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶜʳʸ‧ 'ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵐᵃᵏᵉˢ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ˢᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗⁿ’ᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ‧ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˡˡ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵃ ᵗʳᵉᵉ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵉᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵘᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵏⁿᵉᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳˢ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵒᵃᶜʰ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳˡʸ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃᵗᵉ ⁿᵒʳ ᵃˢᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵉᵛᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒⁿᶜᵉʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵒ‽" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ?" "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵒ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉᵃ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵇʳᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜʳʸ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉˢᵗ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᵖᵒˡⁱᵗᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵒˡᵉʳᵃᵗᵉ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵃ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍᵒ ᵃ ᵈᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃʳᵍᵘⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐʸ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴵ ʰᵃᵈ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵉᵈ! ᴵᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵉᵗᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵐʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵃⁿʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵇᵉ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ᵏⁱˢˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵉʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵃᵐ ᵃᶠʳᵃⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ⁱʳʳⁱᵗᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃʳᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵈ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ⁱᵗ?" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ‧‧‧"

ᴵⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᴰʳᵉᵃᵐˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ‘ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ! ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵛᵒᵘʳⁱᵗᵉ!’ ᴴᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ‧ ‘ᴷʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᴾᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ!’ ‘ᵀᵒ ᵘˢ‧‧’ ‘ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?’ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵃ ᵗᵃᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!” ᴴᵉ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ, ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ’ˢ ʰᵘᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵗʳᵘᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ, ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ‧ “ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ᴵ’ᵐ ᵘᵖ!” ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ‧ ‘ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ⁱˢ ᵃ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡ ʷʰᵒ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˡᵃˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢʰⁱᵖ’ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱⁿᵈˡᵉˢˢˡʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ᵒʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵒᵗⁱᵛᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ! ᴴᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢⁿᵘᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒᵇ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳⁱˡˡ‧ “ᵂᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵗᵉᵃᵐ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧‧” ˢⁱⁿᵍˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ, ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ‘ᴳᵉᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖʳⁱᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵃˢᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ! ʸᵒᵘ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ’ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴷⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʳⁱˢᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᴴᵉʸ, ᵏⁱᵈ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ…” “ᴵ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ, ˢⁱˡˡʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ…” ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ‧ “ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁿ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ “ᴵ…” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ; ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵖᵃᵗᵘˡᵃ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʸᵉˡˡ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ʷᵃʸ‧ “ᴼʰ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ˡᵃⁿᵈᵉᵈ ⁿᵉⁱᵗʰᵉʳ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ʳᵉˡⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜᵉⁿᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ; ʸᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵗⁱᶠˡⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳˢ ᵃᵗ ‘ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ’ ʳⁱⁿᵍˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ’ˢ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ, ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʳⁱˢᵏˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃˢ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ˢᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵒⁱˡ ʰⁱˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ, ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵒ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃʷᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᵂⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢⁱᵍʰ ʰᵉ’ᵈ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ‧ ᶠᵒʳ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ‧ ᴬᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴼʰ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ…” ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ, ʷʰᵃᵗ…” ᔆʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ˢᵃʸˢ ‘ᴵ ʰⁱᵗ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ᵇᵒᵗᵗᵒᵐ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵉˢᵗ‧ ᴺᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ; ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ‧ “ᴴᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ’ᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ! ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ?” “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ; ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧‧” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ’ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵇᵃᵈˡʸ ʰᵉ ᵗʳᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ‘ᵂᵃⁱᵗ, ʰᵉ ᵖᵘᵗ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ᵇᵒᵗᵗᵒᵐ…’ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘˢ ˢᵗᵒᵖ‧ ᴿᵒᶜᵏ ᴮᵒᵗᵗᵒᵐ’ˢ ᵃⁿ ᵘⁿˢᵉᵗᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵒ ᵇᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ, ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ˢᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᴼʰ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵒᵛᵉʳ, ʰⁱˢ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ʳᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵒʳᵗʰ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ‧ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵇᵘˢʸ, ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ⁱˢⁿ’ᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ᵉˣᶜᵘˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵐᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ; ᵒ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ!” “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ…” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵃˢ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ‧ ᴵ’ᵈ ʳᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ, ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ⁱᵐᵃᵍⁱⁿᵉ ˡⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ! ᵂᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ; ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳⁱᵈᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ, ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰʸ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʳᵉˡᵃˣᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵈʳᵒʷˢʸ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘˢ ʳⁱᵈᵉ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧

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‧

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

ᶠᵒʳ ᴴᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵀʳᵘᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ╰ ✧ ･ﾟ∙ ∗ — ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ ⟨ 3 4 2 ⟩ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵃ ᵗʰᵘᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴼʷ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᶜʳᵃᵈˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵏⁿᵉᵉ ᵃˢ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐʸ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵒᵗʸᵖᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒⁿ ᵐ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˡⁱᶠᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵍ‧" ᴰᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ "ᴼᵘᶜʰ‧" "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗⁱᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉ ⁱᵗ‧" ᵀʰᵉⁱʳ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᶜᵃˢᵗ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃˡˡ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ˡᵒⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ‧" ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵉˡᵉᵛᵃᵗᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃⁿᶜᵉˡ ᵖᵒˢᵗᵖᵒⁿᵉ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵖʳᵃʷˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉˡˡʸ ʳᵘᵇˢ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿ ʷʰʸ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒᶜᶜᵘʳʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ ʰᵒʷ ⁱˢ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁱⁿᵗᵐᵉⁿᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖˢ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ; ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵍᵘʸ‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ʳᵉˢᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵈʳⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ 'ᵉᵐ ᵇᵉ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁱⁿᵗᵐᵉⁿᵗ ʷᵒʳⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵘᵖ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᑫᵘⁱʳʳᵉˡ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵉˢˢᵃᵍᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ‧‧" ᴹˢ‧ ᴾᵘᶠᶠ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵒⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈʳᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵃʳᵗⁱᶠⁱᶜⁱᵃˡ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴬˡˢᵒ ᴹˢ‧ ᴾᵘᶠᶠ'ˢ ᶜˡᵃˢˢ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ʷᵉˡˡ ᶜᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ 'ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡˢ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ' ˢʰᵉ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ʰᵘᵈᵈˡᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉⁿᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵒᵏᵉ‧ "ᴸᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧"

ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰʸ ⁿᵉⁱᵍʰᵇᵒᵘʳ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʸˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵᵗ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁱᵐᵖʳᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃʸ ⁽ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵈⁱˢˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏ⁾ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᶜˡᵘᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵃⁱˡ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜʳᵃˢʰᵉˢ ʰᵉʳᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ⸴ ᵐʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ'ˢ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ‧ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵃⁿ ᵉʸᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉᵐ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿⁿᵒʸˢ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵃᵇˡᵉⁱˢᵗ ᵘⁿⁱⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʷᵉˡˡ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵒᵈᵈˢ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒʳᵏˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ ʷᵃʸ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵒᵖᵖᵒˢⁱᵗᵉˢ ᵃᵗᵗʳᵃᶜᵗ⸴ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢʰⁱᵖ ᵈʸⁿᵃᵐⁱᶜ ᵈᵘᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˡˡ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵉ ⁿⁱᶜᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᴵ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ᵖᵃᶜⁱᶠⁱˢᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ ⁱˢˢᵘᵉˢ ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ᶻᵒⁿᵉˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʷʰⁱˡᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵍʳᵃⁿᵈᵐᵃ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʰᵃˢ ˡⁱᵐⁱᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ⁱᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵖˡᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵗˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵒᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ʳᵒᶜᵏ‧ "ᵂᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒᵒˡ!" ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵒᶜᵏ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ ᴵᵗˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʷᵃʸ ᵒᶠ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉˢ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ‧ ᵂᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵗˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ‧ "ᴱᵃˢʸ⸴ ᵇᵒʸ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒᵗ⸴ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍᵍᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢⁿᵘᵍᵍˡᵉˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒᵗ; ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ⸴ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˡᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘᵍᵍᵉˢᵗ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵃʳᵈ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵐʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵉᵗⁱᵗⁱᵛᵉ ⁿᵃᵗᵘʳᵉ‧ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᶜⁱᵖᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʸᵒᵘ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵗᵃˢᵗᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉˡⁱᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴮᵘᵗ ⁱᶠ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵉʳᵉ; ᵇᵉˢⁱᵈᵉˢ⸴ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᵛᵉᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵐᵘˡᵃ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˡⁱᶠᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵖˡⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ⸴ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ˡᵃˢᵗ ᵐᵒʳˢᵉˡ! "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵒʷ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵍʳᵃᵗⁱᵗᵘᵈᵉ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵃʳᵉˡʸ ˢᵒ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ˢʰᵒʷˢ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒʸˢ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉˡᵉᵛⁱˢⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵇʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ⸴ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴳᵃʳʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᴷⁱᵈ⸴ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵒʳʳʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ‧ "ᵂᵃⁱᵗ⸴ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ! ᵂʰᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᵀᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃᵗ ᵃⁿ ⁱⁿⁿ‽" ᴵ ˢᵘᵍᵍᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᵂᵉ ᵃˡˡ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵒʸᵃˡ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉʳ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᶜⁱʳᶜᵘᵐˢᵗᵃⁿᶜᵉˢ‧ ᴵᵗ'ᵈ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʳⁱˢᵏ ᵒᶠ ᵗʳᵒᵘᵇˡᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ⁱᵗˢ ʷᵒʳᵗʰ! ᴼⁿˡʸ ⁱᵐᵃᵍⁱⁿᵉ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᶜⁱᵛⁱˡ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ‧‧‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉˢ ʰᵒʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ⸴ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵒᵛᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵃᶜᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵒᵈᵈˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈˢ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵒʸᵃˡᵗʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ⸴ ᵃˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵃᵍʳᵉᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᵍᵒᵃˡ ⁱⁿ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ⁱˢ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵒⁿ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᶜᵃᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ‧ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵉ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉˡᵉᵛⁱˢⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴵ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴵᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉ ᵃᵗ ⁸ ᵒ'ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵗⁱʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘⁿᵃʷᵃʳᵉˢ‧ ᴼⁿˡʸ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵉ‧ ᴼʰ ʰᵒʷ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᵗ; ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵘʳⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵉ?" ᴵ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴵˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ᵗᵒᵉ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˡıᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵃ̊ʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ⁱˢ ⁱᵗ?" ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸ⸴ ʳᵒᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴼʰ⸴ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ! ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˢᵘˢᵖⁱᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ⸴ ⁿᵒʳ ᵇᵉ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵒᵉ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵉ?" ᴵ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒ ʳᵉᵈⁿᵉˢˢ‧ "ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵒ ᵉᵃˢʸ ᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ‧" "ᵂⁱˡˡ ᵈᵒ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᴸᵃˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿ ᶠᵒᶜᵘˢˢᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜʳᵉᵉⁿ ᵇʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃˡᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵉ!" ᴵ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʲᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ʳᵉᵍʳᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁱᵗ; ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ᵛᵘˡⁿᵉʳᵃᵇⁱˡⁱᵗʸ‧ ᴬˢ ʷᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵗˢ⸴ ᴵ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵐʸ ˢᵘᵖᵉʳᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ᵈᵉᵗᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ʸᵉ ˡⁱᵐᵖⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵇᵒⁱ?" "ᴵ ᵗʳⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ʰᵉʳᵉ⸴ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴵ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᴺⁱᶜᵉ ˢᵃᵛᵉ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴶᵉˢᵗ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳᶠᵉʳᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ; ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ!" ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ʷᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴼⁿˡʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿᵘˢᵘᵃˡ ⁽ⁱᶠ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ˡᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ⸴ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ˢᵉᵉ; ʰᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ⸴ ᵏᵃʳᵃᵗᵉ⸴ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍˢ; ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ⸴ ᵃˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉ ⁱᵗ!" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧‧‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵉʳᵉ⸴ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ‧ ᵁⁿˡᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ˡᵘⁿᶜʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴼʰ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ? ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉ ᵐᵉᵃˡ‧ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢʰᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵃᶜʳᵒˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵉᵉᵗ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵇʳᵃⁱⁿˢᵗᵒʳᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵈᵒ‧ ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧ "ᴾʰᵉʷ; ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ᶠᵉᵉᵗ⸴ ᵃˡˡ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵃᵛᵒⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿᵈᵘᵉ ᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸ ᵗᵒᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˡˡ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ⸴ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶜᶜᵘʳʳᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗᵈᵒᵒʳˢ ⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᵛᵉˢᵗⁱᵍᵃᵗᵉ⸴ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧‧‧ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵇˡᵃᵇᵇᵉᵈ; ⁱᵗ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵉˡˡ‧ "ᴾᴸᴬᴺᴷᵀᴼᴺ‽" ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵘʳʸ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵘⁿᵇᵉᵏⁿᵒʷⁿˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴹʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ "ᴳᵉᵗ ˡᵒˢᵗ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ‧ "ᶻⁱᵖ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ; ʰᵉ'ˢ ʳᵉˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ!" "ᴴᵉ ⁱˢ ᵐᵉ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉ; ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳ!" "ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ᵖᵉᵃᶜᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡᵒᵘᵈ‧‧‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʸᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵃˢⁱᵈᵉ!" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵˡˡ ᶜʳᵘˢʰ ʸᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵐⁱᵗʰᵉʳᵒᵒⁿˢ ᔆʰᵉˡ‧‧‧" "ᴺᵒ! ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʰᵃᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˡⁱᵐᵖ ᵃˡˡ ᵈᵃʸ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ˡⁱᵐᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵒʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴱⁱᵗʰᵉʳ ʷᵃʸ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵖᵘⁿⁱˢʰ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉ ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱᶻᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᶠᴵᴿᴱ ᴴᴵᴹ!" ᵂᵉ ᵃˡˡ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᶜʰᵒ ᵒᶠ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᵂᵉ ᵃˡˡ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᵗᵉ‧‧‧ "ᴸⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ; ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵛᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒᵇ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ‧‧‧" ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳʸ ᵉʸᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᶜᵒʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗᵗˡᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ; ᵇᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵏⁱⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁱᵗʰᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ ᵃᵗ ᵒᵘʳ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ! ᴴᵒʷ ᵈᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᔆⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" "ᵂᴱ ᴬᴿᴱ ᶠᴿᴵᴱᴺᴰᔆ⸴ ᴬᴺᴰ ᴴᴱ ᴰᴼᴱᔆᴺ'ᵀ ᴰᴱᔆᴱᴿⱽᴱ ᴱᴵᵀᴴᴱᴿ ᴼᶠ ᵁᔆ!" ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵗᵒᵐᵖᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵃʳᵈ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵃʳᵉⁿ'ᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᴿᴬᵀᴴᴱᴿ ᵀᴬᴷᴱ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴮᴸᴬᶜᴷ ᴱʸᴱ ᵀᴴᴬᴺ ᵀᴼ ᴴᴬⱽᴱ ᴹʸ ᶠᴿᴵᴱᴺᴰ ᶠᴵᴿᴱᴰ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱˡˡⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᴬ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ‧ "ᴳᵒ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ᵉᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ‧ ᔆᑫᵘᵃˢʰ ᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˢᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵗᵒᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ⸴ ʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉʳⁱᵗʸ ⁱⁿ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉ'ˢ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴺᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧

ᴴᵉʳ ᔆᶜᵃʳᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵃ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇˡᵒᵒᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵇˡᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧” “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ, ᴵ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴼʰ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧ ᴴᵒʷ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ‧ “ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ; ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒˢᵗ ᵃ ˡᵒᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇˡᵒᵒᵈ‧‧” “ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ, ˢᵒ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵃᵈᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ˡᵃˢᵗ ᵉᶠᶠᵒʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᶠᵉ‧ “ᴸᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧” ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ˢʰᵘᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ‘ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ’ ᶠʳᵃⁿᵗⁱᶜᵃˡˡʸ ᵇʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʷⁿ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵈʸⁱⁿᵍ ˡⁱᵐᵖˡʸ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ‧ “ᴼʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ⁿᵒ, ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ! ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ, ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃᶜᵗ ᶠᵃˢᵗ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰᵉʳ ˡⁱᶠᵉˡᵉˢˢ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ˡᵃᵇ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖᵃᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵖʳᵉᵖᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘˢᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧ “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ˢᵉⁿᵗⁱᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ˢᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ⁱⁿ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉʳʸ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈˡʸ‧ “ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ⁱᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏˢ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ “ᵂᵃ, ʷʰᵉʳᵉ…” “ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᵒʰ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ “ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧”

~ uH oH mY oNeS aNd ZeRoS look Like TEN. TEN. TEN. TEN. TEN. TEN.

ᔆᶜʳᵃᵖᵉᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵇⁱᵏᵉ⸴ ˢᶜʳᵃᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵏⁿᵉᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵇⁱᵏᵉ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᶠˡᵃᵗ ᵗʸʳᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇˡᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧‧‧" ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧ "ᴹᵘᵐ!" ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ʷᵃˢʰ ᵒᶠᶠ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᵗʰ ᵗᵘᵇ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧" ᴹˢ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳⁱⁿˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵈʳʸ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜᵃᵇ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵒʳ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ⁱᶜᵉ?" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᴹˢ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ!" ✿𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 𝟽𝟽

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 𝟓𝟕𝟎 “Plankton can you at least come out and do the dishes?” Karen says. Her husband Plankton has been working at his desk, trying to plan and scheme. She brought him his meals for the past two days. He stayed up all night! “Honey?” No response. So she decided to go check on him. She goes to peek through the door. Plankton sat at his desk, slumped over, fast asleep. She saw his head nodded to the side, resting on his arm. A soft snore echoed in the silence. She noticed he was drooling a bit from his open mouth onto a stack of crumpled papers. Karen approached him. "Plankton," she cooed, placing her hand on his shoulder. He didn't budge. Karen gently shook him, but his snores grew louder. “C’mon, sweetie, time to wake up.” She whispered, but his sleep was unyielding. With a gentle tug on the shoulder, she managed to pull his body upright, a line of drool still connecting his mouth to the paper. "Come on, Plankton," she said more firmly, this time her hand on his cheek, her thumb wiping away the drool, head lolling backward with a snort. “Plankton, darling, please come to bed. You have been working so hard. Let’s get some rest,” she urged with a smile. But Plankton was too deeply asleep to hear her soft voice. His eye remained closed. With a sigh, Karen decided to get him up out of this chair herself. She took his arm and began to lift his weight from the chair. Plankton's body resisted, his head falling to her side with a dull thud. Karen chuckled, his snoring now vibrating. She managed to get him out of the chair. "Just a few steps, love," she murmured, but Plankton's snores grew like a crescendo in an orchestra. His limp body leaned into her like a ragdoll with no bones. She hoists him up on her shoulder, his arm dangling loosely, his snores growing rhythmic like a lullaby in a cartoon. The room was a mess, papers scattered like tiny white waves across the ocean of their living room. She stepped over them carefully, not wanting to wake his slumbering form. His office chair screeched as she pushed it aside with her foot, the sound like nails on a chalkboard in the quiet of the night. Plankton's arm slid off Karen's shoulder. She giggled nervously, his snoring now a symphony of sounds. She readjusted her grip, his head lolling against her. "Almost there," she whispered, her cheeks flushed with a mix of love and exasperation. The bedroom door creaked open like the entrance to a secret passage. Plankton's snores were a gentle soundtrack to the silent dance of her struggle. The bed looked like a mountain from here. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for the climb. With his arm slung over her neck, his body limp, she began the ascent. Step by step, she inched closer. As she reached the bed, he slipped again, this time his head lolling back to hang over the edge of the mattress. “Oh no, you don’t!” she exclaimed, his weight making her stumble. With a laugh that was half exhaustion, half endearment, she tugged him up and laid him down gently. Karen watched his chest rise and fall in deep sleep. The room was dimly lit by the moon, his snores a soothing white noise in the quiet.

Ha pasado una semana desde los eventos del episodio "Amistad inesperada". Plankton no puede olvidar su tiempo con Bob esponja, no puede entender sus sentimientos ni quiere aceptarlos. Amistad interesada Aley0Fluorine Era de madrugada en Fondo de Bikini, Plankton deambulaba solo por las calles desiertas, la ciudad normalmente bulliciosa y llena de vida parecía dormir, dejando a Plankton como el único testigo del amanecer. Por alguna razón, Plankton no dejaba de pensar en los sucesos que pasaron hace una semana con Bob Esponja, no podía dejar de sentirse vacío desde que esa falsa amistad se desvaneció, sentía que le faltaba algo… o alguien. A pesar de tener a Karen, su fiel esposa computadora, a su lado, se sentía solo. Los recuerdos de su tiempo con la esponja amarilla seguían acechando su mente ¿Cómo podía extrañar a ese ingenuo y tonto chico? No, no, se repetía a sí mismo, no podía permitirse tal debilidad. ¿De verdad lo extrañaba? No, por supuesto que no, hizo lo correcto aquel día ¿No es así?, Lo único que importa es obtener la fórmula de las cangreburguers ¿Cierto? “Soy un perdedor, nunca podré obtener la fórmula secreta” pensó abatido. De repente, se paralizó, vio a Bob esponja acercándose, con su sonrisa característica y su andar alegre. Plankton sintió como si el universo mismo estuviera conspirando en su contra ¿Por qué él también estaba aquí? ¿Acaso el mundo lo odiaba? Por supuesto que sí. Pero no tuvo tiempo de seguir pensando en su mala suerte, su diminuto tamaño lo hacía vulnerable y antes de que pudiera reaccionar, Bob Esponja lo pisó sin siquiera darse cuenta. —¡Aaah! ¡Fíjate donde caminas! —gritó de dolor y frustración. —Ups, ¡Lo siento! No te vi — exclamó, rápidamente retirando su pie y dando un paso hacia atrás. Después de esto un gran e incómodo silencio se hizo presente. Plankton y Bob Esponja se miraron sin saber que decirse. El aire estaba cargado de tensión. Bob esponja quería romper el silencio, pero las palabras se le atoraban en la garganta. Plankton, por su parte, solo deseaba que la tierra se abriera y lo tragase para escapar de la humillación. —Escucha, Plankton… — finalmente, Bob Esponja decidió tomar la iniciativa, tragó saliva, tratando de encontrar las palabras adecuadas para expresarse. —Sé que las cosas son complicadas entre nosotros —hizo una pausa esperando a que Plankton dijera algo. El orgullo de Plankton lo mantuvo en silencio, escuchando las palabras de Bob Esponja sin responder. Bob Esponja suspiró y se agachó para estar a la altura de Plankton, su mirada llena de sinceridad y vulnerabilidad. —Es que… no puedo dejar de pensar en lo que pasó. Lo he estado pensando mucho —su voz era suave y emotiva. —Sé que no quieres escucharlo, pero… en realidad me gustó pasar tiempo contigo. Te consideré un amigo. Por un momento, Plankton se sintió tentado de expresar sus sentimientos de la misma manera, pero su orgullo se lo impidió. No podía ceder ante tales tontas debilidades. —Eres demasiado ingenuo — respondió con dureza, intentando ocultar sus verdaderos sentimientos. La expresión de Bob Esponja se desmoronó, dolida por las palabras de Plankton. Había esperado comprensión, o incluso una disculpa, pero parecía que era demasiado pedir. —Creí en ti y pensé que sentías lo mismo. Pero estaba equivocado, ¿no? … Mírame a los ojos y dime que nuestra amistad no significó nada para ti. Plankton miró al suelo, sin querer admitir la verdad. Había disfrutado del tiempo con Bob Esponja, nadie nunca se había preocupado por él de esa manera y este chico estuvo ahí, intentando cambiarlo, mostrándole cariño cuando todo Fondo de Bikini le decía que era un perdedor. —A mí solo me importa conseguir la fórmula de la Cangreburguer —respondió con frialdad. Bob Esponja sintió una mezcla de dolor y decepción. Había esperado que la obsesión de Plankton con la fórmula de las cangreburguers no fuera lo único que importaba, que su tiempo con él hubiera significado algo y no solo fuera una amistad interesada. —¿Eso es todo lo que fue para ti? ¿Solo un medio para un fin? ¿Nuestra amistad no significó nada? —su voz era llena de tristeza y desilusión. Plankton se sintió incómodo, sabía que había herido a Bob esponja y por alguna razón le importaba, se supone que él era una persona mala ¿Por qué se estaba sintiendo así? ¿Por qué está sintiendo empatía? —No lo entiendes, conseguir la fórmula secreta es lo único que me importa ¡es mi razón de ser! Bob esponja sacudió la cabeza, negando. —No Plankton, hay más en la vida que solo una fórmula. Hay amistad, amor … ¡Hay vida! Plankton se sintió abrumado por esas palabras, siempre había creído que ser malvado y conseguir la fórmula secreta era lo único que necesitaba, pero ahora, después de pasar tiempo con ese amable e inocente chico, estaba dudando si en verdad valía la pena seguir así. —No sé que decir… —admitió, siendo honesto con sus sentimientos después de tanto tiempo. Bob esponja se acercó más a él y lo recogió entre sus manos. —No tienes que decir nada, Plankton, solo piensa en lo que te he dicho, piensa en lo que podríamos ser si dejamos atrás la fórmula —le sonrió dulcemente. —¿Sabes? Siento que no es casualidad que nos hayamos encontrado aquí. Bob esponja miró al cielo, donde el sol emergía lentamente, pintando el cielo con tonos cálidos y suaves, se veía hermoso. Plankton siguió su mirada y, sin poder evitarlo, esbozó una pequeña sonrisa. Se sentía bien, se sentía en paz junto a este chico, sentía una conexión que nunca había experimentado. Volteó a ver a Bob, parecía perdido en la contemplación del cielo, su rostro sereno y concentrado, su sonrisa era suave y encantadora y sus ojos brillaban, se veía lindo. Plankton sintió un ardor en su pecho y en sus mejillas, como si su corazón latiera con fuerza y su piel se calentará con una emoción desconocida… “¿Qué significa esto?”, se preguntó, confundido pero a la vez fascinado por lo que estaba experimentando. Bob esponja, ajeno a la mirada del contrario, continuó admirando el cielo. Plankton por su parte no podía apartar su mirada de él, estaba confundido ¿Qué estaba sintiendo? De repente, Bob esponja se volvió hacia Plankton y sus ojos se encontraron. Por un momento, se miraron fijamente, sin decir una palabra. —¿En qué estás pensando, Plankton? —preguntó, rompiendo el silencio, con una voz suave y curiosa. Plankton se avergonzó, no sabía que decir, no sabía cómo expresar lo que estaba sintiendo. Se limitó a sacudir la cabeza y a sonreír, esperando a que Bob esponja entendiera sin necesidad de palabras. Bob esponja le regresó la sonrisa, comprendiendo que para él era un desafío expresar sus sentimientos, así que decidió no presionarlo y simplemente disfrutar del momento. Ambas criaturas marinas disfrutaron de la bella vista del cielo, este era el inicio de algo más que una amistad interesada.

ᴳᵉᵗ ᔆˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ “…ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ…” ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵗᵉˡˡˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᵐᵃˢˢᵃᵍᵉˢ ʰⁱᵐ, ʰᵘᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ᵗᵘⁿᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ ⁱᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ˢⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ‧ “ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧” 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟓𝟎 𝐬𝐞𝐜.

ᵀʰᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡˢ ʰᵉʳ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘⁿʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ʳᵃⁱˢᵉ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳˡʸ ᵒᵘᵗʷᵃʳᵈˡʸ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃᵗᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ ᵒʳ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ ᴱᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ⸴ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵉʷ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ "ᴵ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰᵉ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵉˢᵗ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ; ᴵ ˡ⁻ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" "ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᵐʸ ᵈᵉᵃʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ʷᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᵘᵍʰᵗᵗᵃ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵈᵃʸ‧‧‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ʰⁱᵐ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵖᵃʳᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ‧ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵍᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵐᵒᵛⁱᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ; ᵃ ᵇᵉⁿᵈʸ ˢᵗʳᵃʷ ⁱⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆʷᵉᵉᵗ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳˢ⸴ ʰᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵖᵉᵃᶜᵉᶠᵘˡⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ╰ ✧ ･ﾟ∙ ∗ — ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ ⟨ 2 4 8

ᔆᵖᵒᵗ'ˢ ᴬᵛᵉʳᵃᵍᵉ ᴰᵃʸ ᴹʸ ⁿᵃᵐᵉ'ˢ ˢᵖᵒᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃⁿ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵐᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᵇⁱᶜᵏᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵉʳᵐˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃⁿ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗᵒʳ ᵒᶠ ˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘⁿˢᵘᶜᶜᵉˢˢᶠᵘˡ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢᵐᵃⁿ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿᵈᵘˢᵗʳʸ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵒⁿ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉˢ ᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵐⁱˡʸ‧ ᴬˢ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵛᵉʳᵃᵍᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳⁱˡʸ ᶜᵘᵈᵈˡʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ˢⁿᵘᵍᵍˡᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ! ᵀʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʷᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵛᵃʳⁱᵉˢ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᴵ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴵᶠ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒʳᵐ⸴ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡⁱᶜᵏ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱᶠ ⁿᵘᵈᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ʳᵃʳᵉ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵃᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶠᵉᵈ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳˢ‧ ᔆⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʷᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵉˣᵖᵉʳⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ⁱⁿᵛᵒˡᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗᵉˢᵗ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ᵐᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃⁿ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᵂᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳᵃᶜᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵐᵘᶜʰ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉʷʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵉᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵉʳᵐˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᴮᵒᵇ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵒᵈᵈˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖᵉᵗ ˢⁿᵃⁱˡ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ! ᴮᵘᵗ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏᵈᵃʸˢ ⁱⁿᵛᵒˡᵛᵉ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ! ᵀʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵛᵃᵘˡᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱᵗˢᵉˡᶠ ⁱˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ'ˢ ᵃ ˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ! ᔆᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ʷʰⁱᵐ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵈʳᵃʷⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴬˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵃᵘⁿᵗˢ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠᵃⁱˡˢ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʳᵉˢᵒʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᵘᵗʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘˡˡʸⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ!ᴬˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ! ᴴᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵃᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃʳᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠˡʸ ⁱⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰʳᵒʷⁿ ᵇʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ ᴵᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᶜʰᵉᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ʷᵃᵍ ᵐʸ ᵗᵃⁱˡ ˢᵃᵈˡʸ ᵃᵗ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʷᵃˡᵏⁱᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃʳᵏ⸴ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʷᵉ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᴳᵃʳʸ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉˣᵉʳᶜⁱˢᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ! ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃʳᵇᵒᵘʳ ᵃⁿʸ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡᵒʷ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ᵃᶜᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ˡᵒʸᵃˡᵗʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ˢᵒ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵃᵗᵗᵉᵐᵖᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵒⁿ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐʸ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵐᵃᵏᵉˢ ʰᵉʳˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬˢ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵖᵉʳ ˢᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ʷʰⁱᵖ ᵘᵖ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵐᵉᵃˡˢ! ᴵ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ˡᵉᶠᵗᵒᵛᵉʳˢ! ᴼᵘʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿᵗⁱᵐᵉ⸴ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ ᵈᵒ ᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴵ ᵗᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵘⁿˢ ˢᵗᵃᵗˢ ᵒʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ᵘᵖᵈᵃᵗᵉˢ‧ ᴵ ᵐᵃʸ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵃ ᶜʰᵉʷ ᵗᵒʸ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᴵ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵈᵒ ⁱᶠ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵈᵃᵗᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴬ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉ ᵈᵒ ⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵛⁱᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖⁱᶜᵏˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ! ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵃᵖ! ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ⁱˢ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ʷᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ʳᵉᵃᵈʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴬˢ ᵃᶠᵒʳᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ⸴ ᴵ ᵐᵒˢᵗˡʸ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵒⁿ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʷⁿ ˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᶜʰᵃʳᵍᵉ ᵒʳ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵐᵒᵈᵉ ᵒʳ ʷʰᵃᵗᵉᵛᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵒʳᵈᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ‧ ᵀʰᵘˢ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢ ᵃⁿᵈ/ᵒʳ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉˢ‧ ᴵᵗ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳˢ ᵘˢ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᴵ ⁱᵐᵃᵍⁱⁿᵉ ˢᶜᵉⁿᵃʳⁱᵒˢ ᵒʳ ʳᵉˡⁱᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ'ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐʸ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴰʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵒʳ ⁿᵒ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʷᵉˡˡ ʳᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵉᵃᶜʰ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ'ˡˡ ⁿᵘᶻᶻˡᵉ ᵒʳ ʳᵘᵇ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉ⸴ ⁱᶠ ⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᵃˢˢᵘʳᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᶠʳᵃⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵃᵘⁿᵗˢ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ᵖᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʷᵃʸ'ˢ ⁱⁿ⁻ᵗᵒ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢ‧ ᴵ ʷᵒʳʳʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵒʷ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᴵ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ᶜˡᵃᵐᵒᵘʳˢ ᵒʳ ᵗᵒˢˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵃˡˡ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ! ᴵ'ᵐ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʳᵃᵈᵉ ⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ‧

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.

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‧‧

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!"

ᵁᵖˢᵉᵗ ᵂᵒʳᵗʰ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᵂᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵒ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵒʳᵗʰ ⁱᵗ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒˢˢ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ ᶠᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵃʸ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉᵃˢᵒⁿ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ, ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ “ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ ⁿᵒ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢʳᵉᵍᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ‧ “ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʷᵉⁿᵗ…” “ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ, ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉˢˢ‧ ᴴᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ’ˢ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳʸ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗⁱʳʳᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ, ˢʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ˢʰᵉ’ˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ, ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ’ᵈ ᵃᵛᵒⁱᵈ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵖʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᔆʷᵉᵉᵗˢ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵐ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵒʳ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ, ⁱˢ ᵃˡˡ‧” ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴿⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵒ ʷᵒʳᵗʰˡᵉˢˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ᶜᵒⁿᶜᵉʳⁿ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ, ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ‧ “ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ, ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ?” ᴴᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰʳᵘᵍᵍᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ ᵃˢ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ, ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ ᴳᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᵂʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?” “ᵂᵒʳᵗʰˡᵉˢˢⁿᵉˢˢ‧‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧” “ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷᵉ’ʳᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ’ᵈ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ‧” “ᴼʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘ! ᔆᵒ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ, ᶠᵒʳᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ‧‧” “ᔆᵘʳᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵒʷⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍʸ‧” “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ‧‧” “ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉᵈ ⁱˢ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ!” ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ‧ ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁿ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵘʳˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ‧ ╰ ✧ ･ﾟ∙ ∗ — ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ ⟨ 3 7 0 ⟩

ᴳᵉᵗ ᵁᵖ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵉʳ ˢᵉᵃᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴸᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵗⁱʳʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗᵉˢᵗ, ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒʳ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃʳʳʸ ʸᵒᵘ?" ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ'ᵐ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵘʳᵇ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃʳᵈᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ᵖᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵖᵘᵗˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧‧”𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟏 𝐦𝐢𝐧.

Cartoons » SpongeBob SquarePants English, Friendship & Romance, SpongeBob, Sandy, Plankton, Karen 2013 Karen was still thinking about all of the good times that she and Plankton had together. "I still remember this… it was a little over a year after he built me he asked me to marry him and since I was already programmed to love him of course I said yes. Plankton doesn't show much of his affection, but when he does he gets this cute little blush on his face and his antennas curl up a little bit. I haven't really thought this through very much… even though I felt ignored and unloved I know he still loves me, he just doesn't always show it. Sometimes he just has one of those days when he feels smaller than a rock. Actually in some cases depending on the size of the rock he is smaller than some of those rocks, but that's not really my point. My point is I've always been there for him when he really needed me and well he keeps me free of viruses so in a way he takes care of me too. Ok… I've thought about it enough… I'm going home. It turns out that I need my little "Planky" as much as he needs me." Karen makes her way back to the Chum Bucket and starts looking for Plankton, she is surprised when she saw Spongebob and Sandy there. They were also looking for Plankton and Karen was surprised when she found out that Plankton was not home. Spongebob asked Karen if she knew where Plankton was. Spongebob and Sandy left Karen for a minute and they went across the road to check to see if the formula was still in the safe. When they realized that the formula was safe they went back across the street to the Chum bucket. "Sorry Karen… Plankton was not at the Krusty Krab. Do you know of anywhere else he would go?" "No I don't know where he could be… he was probably upset when he realized that I was gone and went to look for me, but since my tracking device and communication device was down there was no way for him to track me and the only place you can track me is here. He could be anywhere… as small as he is I can't help but worry about him, anything could happen to him. I don't know what to do?" Spongebob and Sandy head back to the treedome and Plankton heads back towards the Chum Bucket. He thought about what had happened the previous day and still felt ashamed of himself for how he had treated her. He was worried that if she didn't forgive him that she would just leave him again. Karen was at the Chum Bucket having regrets about leaving Plankton. She still felt underappreciated, but she felt worse knowing that Plankton was still out there and may not return. She then had a happy feeling came over her... if Plankton didn't care about her, why would he be out there looking for her? Since Plankton was so small, it took him a while to get around on foot, but finally after an hour he came in and looked around for her. "Karen are you back?" Karen heard him and answered from the other room. "I'm in here Plankton." Plankton came in out of breath, but once he walked up to her he jumped up on her moniter hugging her and crying. "Karen... I'm so sorry for the way that I acted. I shouldn't have ignored you, I should have listened to every word that you had to say. I found myself alone, having no friends is one thing, but to have no wife is even worse." "But you always told me that I wasn't even really your wife and that I was just a computer." "I know... I said that and I know I can't take back what I said, but I was foolish thinking that I could get anywhere without you. I programed you this way... there is no one else like you. No one understands me the way you do. Well Karen... I'll promise you this... if you give me another chance I promise I'll stop obsessing over the formula so much and spend more time with you. You've done so much for me Karen... you deserve so much better than me, I need you but you don't need me. Why did you come back?" "Well because you programed me to love you first of all, and I always will, but you were wrong about one thing." "What?" "You think I don't need you, I do need you Plankton. Only you know how to protect me from viruses. If I were ever to go anywhere else, it just wouldn't feel right because I've always been with you Plankton." "So does that mean that you forgive me?" "Oh come on... you know I can't stay mad at you, and if you ever stopped obsessing over the formula I think I'd have to do an identity check on you. You know we could try to steal it together some time. If you stopped going after the formula you would take away what makes you the way you are." "But seriously Karen... I promise I'll start spending more time with you, and I promise that I will never ignore you again." Karen displays a smile on her screen. Then Plankton hugs her again. "I love you Karen." "Aw... I love you too Plankton. The two of them smile at each other and go into the main part of the Chum Bucket where together they discussed how they would steal the formula. Switching Lives by TheWyattQueen

ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵃᵛᵉʳᵃᵍᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴵ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴹʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉˡʸ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒʳ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᵐᵃⁱⁿ ᵍᵒᵃˡ ⁱˢ ᵗᵒ ʳᵘⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᴵ ᶠⁱˣ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴵ ʳᵉᵐⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵃˢʰ‧ ᴵ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵐᵃᵈ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵒʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ‧ ᔆᵒ ᴵ ᵗʳʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᶠᶠ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʷᵉ ᵇⁱᶜᵏᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶜᵃˡᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵒʳ ᴵ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳᶜⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗᵈᵒᵒʳˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ˡᵘⁿᶜʰ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵘⁿᶜʰ ʳᵘˢʰ ᵃᵗ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠᵃⁱˡˢ ᵃᵗ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ "ᵀᵒˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ" ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵃʳᶜᵃˢᵗⁱᶜᵃˡˡʸ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘˢʰ ⁱᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵐⁱˢᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶜʳᵘˢʰᵉᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵒᵈ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᵐᵃʸ ᵍᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐʸ ᵍᵃˡ ᵖᵃˡˢ‧ ᴼᵗʰᵉʳʷⁱˢᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉᵃᵗˢ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉˢ ᵐᵒᵛⁱᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗˢ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵘᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴵᶠ ᴵ'ᵐ ˡᵘᶜᵏʸ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ ᵒʳ ᵏⁱˢˢ ⁱᶠ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˡᵒᵛᵉˢ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴰᵉᵖᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ʰᵒʷ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ʷᵃˢ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵃʳʳʸ ʰⁱᵐ ˡⁱᶠᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ʳⁱˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒᶠᵗˡʸ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᴵ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵒʷ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴬˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉˢ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴵ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵈᵒ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒᵒᵗʰᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜᵃˡᵐˡʸ ⁱⁿ ʰᵒᵖᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˡᵃˣ ʰⁱᵐ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ʳᵘᵈᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵃ ˢᵒᶠᵗⁱᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʷᵃʸ; ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ʷᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃˡˡ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ʷᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ‧

ᴳᵉᵗ ᵁᵖ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟏 𝐦𝐢𝐧. ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵉʳ ˢᵉᵃᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵘᵈᵍᵉ⸴ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵃʲᵃʳ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒʳ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃʳʳʸ ʸᵒᵘ?" ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ'ᵐ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵘʳᵇ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃʳᵈᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ᵖᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵖᵘᵗˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ⁿᵃᵗᵘʳᵃˡˡʸ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ⁱˢ ⁱᵗ?" "ᵀⁱᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ‧

ᔆⁱᵈᵉ ᵇʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴼⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵖᵖˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒᵒᵏ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ᵃᵗᵗᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᔆᵉᶜᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶻⁱᵖ ˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵐᵉᶜʰᵃⁿⁱˢᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ˢˡⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵖᵉ ˢᵗʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ‧ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ʰᵉᵃᵈᶠⁱʳˢᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᶜᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵒⁿ ᵇˡᵘʳʳᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵃᵈᵉᵈ ⁱⁿᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵘⁿᶠᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢˡʸ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠʳᵒᶻᵉ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶠᵒʳᵐ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵃᵗᵘˢ ʰⁱᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵃᵗᵒˢᵉ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ ᵇᵉᵃᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳʷⁱˢᵉ⸴ ⁿᵒʳ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵉ ᵃᶜᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ ᵃˢ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗ ᵒʳ ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘᵉᵉᶻᵉ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵉᵉᵗ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉʳᵉ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᵗʳᵒᵗˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒᵗˢ ˡⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗᵉˢᵗ! "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧‧" ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ 'ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁱˢ ⁱⁿ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˡᵉˢˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵃ' ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈᵉˢᵖᵉʳᵃᵗᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᶠˡⁱⁿᶜʰ ᵒʳ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵇᵃᵈ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ˢᵗʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉʷʰᵉʳᵉ ⁱⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃʳᵐ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ ᴹᵉᵃⁿʷʰⁱˡᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᶜʰᵃᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴺᵒᵗⁱᶠⁱᶜᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᴵ'ᵈ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵐʸ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ! ᴼʰ ʰᵒʷ ᵈᵃʳᵉ ʰᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖˢ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵉˣᵖʳᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ‧‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵘʳᵗ‽ ᔆᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵇᵃʳᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶻⁱᵖ ˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ˡⁱᵐᵖ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᶜᵃⁿ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵒʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ?" ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ⸴ ᵉˣᵃᵐⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳⁿᵒᵒⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᵃᵈ ʷᵃᵍ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵃⁱˡ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵈʲᵃᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵃᵖ‧ "ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉˡʸ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵐᵖʳᵒᵛᵉ! ᵂᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᵀʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʷᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵘᶠᶠˡᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵈᵒᵖᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ʸᵉᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵘᵐᵐᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵗᵒ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ ⁿᵒʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʸᵉᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵃˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵃᵗᵒˢᵉ ᵃˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ'ˢ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵉᵃᵍᵉʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉˡⁱᵈ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵘᵖᵒⁿ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵐⁱˢˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʷʰᵒᵐ ʷᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" ᶜᵒᵃˣᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗ ᵈⁱʳᵉᶜᵗˡʸ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ ⱽⁱˢⁱᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵒ ᵇˡᵘʳʳʸ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ˡⁱᶠᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ "ᴹᵐ‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᵁᵒʸ⸴ ʷʰᵃ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ‧‧" ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵍʳᵒᵍᵍʸ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵍⁱˢᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᴼᵘ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵘˡˡ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉ ˢʰᵃʳᵖᵉʳ‧ "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ; ᵍᵃʰ⸴ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵈ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᵂʰᵃ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ‽" ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᶠᵘˡˡ ˢᵉⁿᵗᵉⁿᶜᵉ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᶻⁱᵖ ˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶠᵉˡˡ; ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧" ᴬⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴵᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ⸴ ˢᵒ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗʳᵒᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱᶻᶻʸ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ ᵒᶠ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆᵗᵃʸ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉˢᵗ⸴ ʰᵒˡᵈ ᵐʸ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵇʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧

Fandom: SpongeBob SquarePants (Cartoon) Relationship: Karen/Sheldon J. Plankton Characters: Karen (SpongeBob)Sheldon J. Plankton Language: English https://archiveofourown.org/works/53451349 My Tiny Genius RibbonDee Summary: After a long day of once again trying and failing to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula, Plankton is feeling down in the dumps. It's up to Karen to cheer him up.

ᔆᵃᶜʳⁱᶠⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ⤥ 𝐂𝐖:𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝟎𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ pt. 1 ⤥ 𝐂𝐖:𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝟎𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵃˢˢ ʷᵃˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵖⁱᶜᵏˡᵉˢ! ᵂʰʸ ˢᵒ ᵐᵃⁿʸ ᵖⁱᶜᵏˡᵉˢ? ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵖⁱᶜᵏˡᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ᵃ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵃʷᵃʸ⸴ ᵇᵃᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵃˢ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵃˢˢ ᵗʰʳᵉᵃᵗᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ‧ ᴾⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵃᵖᵏⁱⁿ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵉⁿˢᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵃˢˢ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ!" ᴴᵉ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗʰʳᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ!" ᴬⁿᵍʳⁱˡʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵃˢˢ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵘⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵃᵖᵏⁱⁿ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵉⁿˢᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵘʳˡ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵃᵖᵏⁱⁿ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵉⁿˢᵉʳ ʰⁱᵗ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ˢᵗʳⁱᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴴᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ᵖᵒᵘⁿᵈᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˡⁱᵐᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵃˢˢ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ⁱⁿ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳˡʸ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵘˢʰᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ 'ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ' ˢⁱᵍⁿ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᶜᵒⁿᶜᵉʳⁿᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵐᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵈᵃᵐᵖ ᶜˡᵒᵗʰ ʳᵃᵍ ʷⁱᵖᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶠˡⁱⁿᶜʰ ᵒʳ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗᵉˢᵗ‧ "ᴴᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉˡᵉˢˢ⸴ ˢᵖʳᵃʷˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉᵇʳᵒʷ ᶠᵘʳʳᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴴⁱ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᴬᵃᵃ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ˢʷⁱʳˡᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉʰᵉⁿᵈ‧ "ᵁⁿ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴬʰᵘʰ⸴ ᵒʷ‧ ᵂʰᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ˢˡᵒʷ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧ ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ?" "ʸᵉˢ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘᵐᵐᵒⁿ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ‧ "ᴺᵒᵗ ˢᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ!" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᵐᵖᵃᶜᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ⁱⁿᵗᵉⁿˢᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵉᵗᵗˡᵉ‧ "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵒ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵒᵘʳ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ?" "ʸᵉˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵇᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ʷᵉˡˡ ʳᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ?" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵐᵉ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ‧ "ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵃˢˢ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ᴵ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵃᵖᵏⁱⁿ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵉⁿˢᵉʳ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵉⁿᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵃᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵗ ʰᵃˡᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵈᵃʸ ᶠᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵗ‧ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉ ʳᵒˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵘᵍᵍᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˢᑫᵘᵉᵉᶻᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ʰᵃʳᵈ!" "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʰᵒˡᵈ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ᴳᵒᵗᵗᵃ ˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵇᵒʸ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵒᵐᵉ?" "ʸᵉˢ⸴ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵇʳᵘⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ‧ "ᴼʰ‧‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵒᶠᵃ‧ "ᴬ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃʳᵐ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ‧ ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ ᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ⁿᵃᵖᵏⁱⁿ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵉⁿˢᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵗᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ʳᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ᵇˡᵉᵉᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉʳ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ‧ to be cont. Pt. 2

ᔆⁱᵈᵉ ᵇʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴼⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵖᵖˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒᵒᵏ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ᵃᵗᵗᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᔆᵉᶜᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶻⁱᵖˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵐᵉᶜʰᵃⁿⁱˢᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ˢˡⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵖᵉ ˢᵗʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ‧ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ʰᵉᵃᵈᶠⁱʳˢᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᶜᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ⸴ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴴᵒʷᵉᵛᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʳᵒˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵃⁱⁿᵗ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴸⁱˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ⁱⁿ ᵈᵉˢᵖᵉʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉʳᵉ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ᵗʳⁱᵖ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᵗʳᵒᵗˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒᵗˢ ˡⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗᵉˢᵗ! "ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧‧" ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᵀʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ⸴ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ˢᵗʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ‧ "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵒʰ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵈʲᵃᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵒ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵇʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧‧" ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉᵃʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ! ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵐⁱˢˢᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵘˢ!" ᴷⁱˢˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵒʳᵉʰᵉᵃᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆʰᵒʷ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵍⁿ‧‧‧" ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵇᵒᵒᵏˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ‧ "ᴬ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵘᶜˡᵉᵃʳ ᵖᵒʷᵉʳ‧‧" ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ 'ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ? ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧‧' ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ!" ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵃˡᶠ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵖᵃʳᵗⁱᶜᵘˡᵃʳˡʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧ ᴾᵉᵗˢ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵐᵃʳᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵃ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ⁱᵐᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵗᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉˡʸ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳʸ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˡᵒᵛᵉˢ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ᵈᵒ ᴵ‧ ᵂᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷᵉˡˡ‧ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒ ᵃᵐᵃᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴺᵒ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵃ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵇᵃʳᵏᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢʰᵒʷ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵇᵃʳᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᴸᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ᵖʳᵒᵘᵈ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ⁻ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ʷᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧ "ʸᵃᵒ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ; ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ‽" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᔆᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵈᵃᶻᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵉᵃᵏ‧ ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵇᵒᵃʳᵈ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ‧ "ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵇʳᵘⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵖˡᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵘˢ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᴾᵃᵗ?" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ‧‧" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵖˡᵃʸᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍʳᵒᵍᵍʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵃˢ ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᵀʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᶠ ᵒᶠ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ'ˢ‧‧" "ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵇʸ ˢⁱᵈᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᴵ ʷᵃˢⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧" "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ?" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ! ᴺᵒʷ ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ˢᵉᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ'ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ‧‧" "ᴰᵒᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵖˡᵃʸ?" "ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗʳʸ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ'ˢ ⁿᵉʷ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ!" "ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵃˢᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ʷʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ! ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ʳᵒˡˡ ᵈⁱᶜᵉ ᶠᵒʳ?" "ᴳᵒ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˢˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈⁱᶜᵉ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈⁱᶜᵉ ᵘⁿⁱⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʰⁱᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵈᵃᶻᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᵂᵃᵗᶜʰ ⁱᵗ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ?" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗ‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵗ ᵃⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵘᵍᵍᵉᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱˢ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵉʳ ᵗʳⁱᵖ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ! ᴼʰ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ‧‧" "ᴴⁱ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ!" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ?" "ᴵ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʷⁱˡˡ!"

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‧

ᔆʰᵉᵈᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᴸⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᵁˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ʳᵒᵖᵉ, ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ’ˢ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ˡᵃᵈᵈᵉʳ ᵖᵘᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶠⁱˣᵗᵘʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇʸ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵃˡᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵈᵉˡⁱᵉʳ’ˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃᵛʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡˡ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵈʳᵒᵖ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ, ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ, ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʰⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᵈᵉᵇʳⁱˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ “ᴼʰ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ʰᵘʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ ⁿᵒʷ‧ “ᴴᵘʰ…” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ’ˢ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ, ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ‘ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ? ᵂᵃⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ⁿᵉʷ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠⁱˣᵗᵘʳᵉ‧ ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ⁱᵗ, ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ?’ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ, ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ “ᵁᵍʰ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ “ᔆᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᶠᵒʳᵐˢ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵐᵃˢʰ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴳᵒᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ‧” “ᴱˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉˢ‧” ᔆᵃʸˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ˡᵒᵃᵈᵉᵈ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ “ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏˢ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳˢ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒᵘᵍʰᵗᵃ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵃˢʸ‧ ᴸᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸ‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ⁿᵒʷ‧ “ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ…” “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ’ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈᵃʸˢ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ…” “ʸᵉˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉ ᵃˢˢᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ, ᵇᵃᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉⁿᵉᶠⁱᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵖʳᵒᵛⁱᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵛᵃʳⁱᵒᵘˢ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ᵖᵉᵉᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ, ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ, ⁿᵒʷ ⁿᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ “ᴴᵉ’ˢ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁿᵒʷ‧” “ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᶠ ᴵ’ᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒʳ ᵐᵒʳᵃˡ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗ‧” ᴺᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢʳᵘᵖᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ⁿᵃᵖ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵃᵖˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵈⁱˢᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ, ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ “ᔆᵒʳʳʸ, ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ; ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧” ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ, ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜʳᵒᵘᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧” “ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ʸᵒᵘ’ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ‧” ᴴᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉˡᵈ ⁱᵗ‧ “ᴼʰ, ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ‧‧” “ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˢᵃʸ ⁱᵗ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒ‧‧” “ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴵ’ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧” “ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧” ᔆʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ‧ “ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳˢ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳᵐ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁿᵒʷ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ, ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵒᶠ ˢᵗⁱᵐᵘˡᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ, ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ, ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ʳᵉᶠʳᵉˢʰᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵉʳ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗᵒ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ, ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉ‧ ᴬˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᵈ‧ “ᴼʰ ʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ‧ ᴸᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒʳ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ…” “ᴵ’ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧” “ᴼʰ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧” “ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ?” “ᴵ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴵᶠ ʸᵒᵘ’ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ, ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧” “ᴵ’ᵐ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʰᵉʳ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧ “ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ˢⁱᵗ?” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠˡᵘᶠᶠᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᶜᵒᵒᵗᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ, ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵛᵉʳˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ’ᵈ ʰᵘᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᵍᵃᵍᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃᶜᵗ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ’ᵈ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴮʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ, ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰᵉᵃᵛʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ, ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ʸᵉᵗ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ‧ ᴰᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃᶜʰᵉˢ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ‧ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟳𝟮𝟯

THE LIGHTS When I was young, I used to sleep in my mother's bed a lot due to the nightmares I frequently had as a kid. I could always find peace under the covers of my mom's bed but I now realize the actual comfort had come from the lights. Though still foggy in my memory, there had always been a pair of two lights somewhere near the ceiling of my moms room; I never thought much of them, at least nothing bad of course, they were comforting, soothing, warm. I began depending on these lights, so much that when there didn't show (only on rare occasions) I couldn't help feeling distraught and never got a good sleep. I never investigated the lights, perhaps if I had I wouldn't be in the situation I am now. Eventually I got older and gradually stopped sleeping in my mom's room. The nightmares stopped and I had relatively forgotten about the lights, until last night. Stumbling to bed around midnight after a long night of studies, I couldn't wait to just hit the bed and sleep: I didn't get much, after all. Tormented by visions I hadn't had in a long time left me paralyzed and covered in sweat when I awoke. Somewhat relieved to be back to my world I was confronted with a fond memory brought up through a familiar feeling. It took a few moments to notice the two solid lights and by now my eyes had begun to adjust to the darkness. Adrenaline surged through my body as I gripped the sides of my bed. As my eyes adjusted, I noticed something I hadn't through the foggy memories. They weren't lights; they were glowing red eyes. I began to wonder if this was another part of a nightmare, It had to be. Deep down I knew it wasn't, this was all too real. Through lost hope and fear for the unknown a grabbed the closest thing i could, a gift from my mother on my birthday a few years ago, a snow globe from our Denver ski trip. Playing baseball at school I developed a pretty efficient throwing arm. Launching it across the room with my pitching arm the eyes went dark followed by a thump on the floor in front of my bed. Turning on the lights left a pang of guilt in my stomach, why was that so easy. Seeing the creature for the first time up close and knowing it had been around here since I was a kid brought bile up my throat. Its limbs were half as thick than an average humans and where it's skin should have been was a substance unknown to me, dark and leathery but looked as though you could stick your hand right through it, recently punctured with shards of glass. What happened next led me to believe the theory | came up with, as soon as I turned on the lights, was true. This creature wasn't my enemy; nor was it just a neutral visitor. That's when it began, the trampling creaks on the stairs, windows smashing, and above all the worst part was the grotesque shrieks and howis. I knew what I had done tonight was the worst and probably last mistake of my life. Somewhere down the hall my sister screamed. The creature, the one had killed, had been my protection.

The Man Who Lives Above You The man who lives above you is the quiet type. How lucky you are to live in an apartment underneath someone so courteous! It seems he never drops anything, seeing as how you never hear any loud thumps coming from the rooms above yours. He is even kind enough to keep the volume on his radio and TV too low to disrupt you. Come to think of it, had you not seen and spoken to him, you would think no one lived up there. Quite a big change from living below a batch of rowdy teens. He is terribly kind as well. Within the first week of you living there, he invites you up to dinner and offers his services as a plumber in case you have any leaky faucets. The maintenance crew at this complex is awfully incompetent. You can't have it all, I suppose. He didn't even get offended when you told him you were far too busy and didn't know him well enough to dine with him. He simply smiled, gave you his number, and let you know the offer stood as long as you lived below him. One night, you decide to take him up on his offer, seeing as how you're tired of the Hot Pockets your busy schedule allows. You call, uncertain about whether or not he is home due to the utter silence from above, and he answers and invites you to join him upstairs; he has made far too much chicken piccata to eat himself. You climb the stairs and enter his apartment. It's impeccable. You've already managed to spili some Coke Zero on your carpet. In his six years living there, he has left no stains. Dinner smells delightful. He already has a place set for you, almost as if he was expecting you sooner. Astounded by his kindness, you seat yourself and begin eating. Almost immediately, you feel a bit drowsy. Overworked, perhaps? He smiles and watches your muscles slowly fail you, the sauce dribbling out of the mouth you can't hold closed. You start to slide from your chair, you can almost feel the floor meeting your body, but no. He catches you. No sound is made. He carries you down the hall, ever so quietly. You're growing too unconscious to worry, so rest assured, no one will hear a thing; you won't even hit the floor.

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

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░▓▒▒▒▓███▓▓ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▓█████ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓█▒▒▒▒▒█████ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓█▒▒▒▒▒█████ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▒▒▓▓█▓▓███ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒█▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓█▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓ 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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

SWEET CWEAM pt. 1 Karen stood outside the dental clinic. Plankton had been in surgery for what felt like an eternity. The door swung open, and a nurse with a kind smile beckoned her inside. "You can go in now," she said softly. Karen followed the nurse down the hallway. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. In the recovery room, Plankton was still unconscious, his face a mask of peace. A line of drool had escaped the corner of his mouth. Karen felt a twinge of guilt for not being there to hold his hand during the surgery. The nurse checked his vital signs and nodded to Karen. "You can sit with him now." Karen pulled a chair next to the hospital bed. Her hand found his, and she squeezed gently. Plankton's eye flickered open. He tried to focus, but his eye wouldn't cooperate. "Karen?" he murmured, his voice thick with anesthesia. Her hand tightened around his, and her screen swam into view. "I'm here, sweetie," she whispered, her screen glistening with relief. Plankton blinked several times, his mouth feeling like it was stuffed with cotton. The pain was a distant echo, muted by the drugs still coursing through his veins. He managed a nod, his eyelid growing heavy again. Karen offered a small, reassuring smile. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice wrapped in a gentle lilt. Plankton's mouth felt like it had been invaded by an alien species, a strange numbness spreading through his jaw. He tried to form words, but all that came out was a muffled grunt. The nurse chuckled, a sound that was both soothing and slightly irritating. "It's normal," she said, patting his arm. "The anesthesia can make it difficult to talk." He tried to sit up, but his body wouldn't respond. It was as if he was trapped in a thick fog, unable to move. The nurse noticed his struggle and moved quickly to his side. "Easy now, Mr. Plankton," she said, placing a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're still under the influence of the anesthesia. Take your time." Plankton nodded, his head lolling back onto the pillow. His eye darted around the room, trying to make sense of his surroundings. His mind felt like it was floating in a bubble. "Wha... happened?" he slurred, his tongue thick and unwieldy. The nurse chuckled kindly. "You had your wisdom teeth removed, Mr. Plankton. You're going to be feeling a bit loopy for a while." The words swirled in his head, and slowly, the fog began to lift. Wisdom teeth? Removed? Plankton's hand shakily went to his face, gently prodding the puffy skin around his mouth. A childlike bewilderment washed over him. "Teesh?" he murmured, his voice smaller than he remembered. Karen nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Wisdom teeth," she repeated, her voice a soft caress in the sterile air. "You'll be okay, Plankton." He squinted, trying to understand, and finally managed to mumble, "Wheh?" Karen leaned closer, her face a soft blur above him. "Wisdom teeth," she said, enunciating each syllable as if speaking to a toddler. "They took out your wisdom teeth." The words sank into Plankton's consciousness like a stone in a murky pond. Teeth? Wisdom? The nurse had said something about it, but it still didn't make much sense. He felt like he had forgotten how to piece together coherent thoughts. He looked at his wife with wide, confused eye, like a small child lost in a crowded supermarket. Karen, sensing his desperation, spoke slowly and clearly, as if recounting a bedtime story. "You went to the dentist," she began, her voice soothing. "They had to take out four of your teeth." Plankton's single functioning eye went even wider. "Foe?" he whispered, the shock reverberating through his fuzzy brain. "Don't worry," Karen soothed, stroking his forehead. "You were asleep. You didn't feel a thing."

☆ 𝓝𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝓪 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓷 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓮 𝓮𝓰𝓸. ☆

The evening in the quiet suburban street was punctuated by the rhythmic ticking of a lonely grandfather clock. In the corner of a small, meticulously organized study, Plankton sat hunched over his desk, the glow of her computer screen casting a pale blue hue across his furrowed brow. His eye, usually bright with the spark of a million ideas, was now bloodshot and weary, darting back and forth as he scanned the digital documents sprawled across his dual monitors. Karen, his devoted wife, peered through the crack in the door, her concern etched on her face. She knew the signs of his insomnia all too well: the way his fingers danced erratically on the keyboard, his occasional sighs of frustration, and the jittery way he'd bounce his leg when he was stuck on a problem. She gently pushed the door open, the faint squeak alerting him to her presence. "Plankton, it's 2 AM. Can't it wait until tomorrow?" she asked softly, her voice carrying the gentle lilt of a concerned wife. Plankton spun around in his chair, the sudden movement sending a wave of dizziness crashing over him. He rubbed his eye, trying to erase the fog of exhaustion. "Karen, I'm so close. This new invention could change everything. Just one more hour, I promise," he replied, his voice hopeful yet strained. She knew that tone, the one that meant he'd be up until dawn. Karen stepped into the room, her form a stark contrast to the stark office decor. She approached him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You've been at it for days," she said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and understanding. "Maybe a break is what you need." He sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. "I know you're right," Plankton admitted, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "But if I stop now, I might lose the thread of thought." "You're always so driven," Karen said, with a warm affection that had only grown stronger over the years. "But even 'bad guys' need to rest." With a weary smile, Plankton nodded, his gaze lingering on the screens before he reluctantly shut them down. The room plunged into darkness, save for the moon's soft glow filtering through the blinds. Karen guided him to the bedroom, her hand a gentle reassurance in the night. She knew the wheels in his mind were still turning, trying to piece together the elusive solution to his latest project. Once in bed, Plankton lay on his back, his mind racing with possibilities and calculations. Karen, ever the nurturer, suggested a warm cup of tea to help him unwind. She disappeared into the kitchen. While she was gone, Plankton's eye remained open, staring at the ceiling. He felt the weight of his eyelid but sleep remained a distant shore, unreachable despite the gentle tug of fatigue. Karen returned with a steaming cup of chamomile, the aroma wafting through the air like a whispered promise of slumber. She placed it on the nightstand and climbed into bed, curling up beside him. "Here, sip this," she urged, her voice soothing as a lullaby. "It'll help you relax." Plankton took a tentative sip, the warm liquid coating his throat with a comforting warmth. He closed his eye, willing his brain to slow down, but the ideas continued to swirl like a tornado in a teacup. He could feel the heat radiating from Karen's screen, a gentle reminder of the connection that waited for him outside his labyrinth of thoughts. Karen's hand found his, her thumb tracing small, soothing circles against his palm. "Breathe with me," she whispered. "In, out." Plankton followed her lead, their breaths synchronizing in the quiet of the night. The tension in his body began to uncoil, the storm in his mind gradually abating. As they lay there, Karen studied his profile, the shadows playing across his face. She knew the look of determination that etched his features so well. "What's keeping you up?" she asked, her voice barely a murmur. Plankton sighed, his grip on her hand tightening briefly. "It's the Krabby Patty formula," he confessed. "I can't crack it." His frustration was palpable, a silent scream in the serene night. "You're still working on that?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of amazement and concern. The Krabby Patty, a secret recipe guarded by Mr. Krabs that could make or break their business. "I have to," Plankton said, his voice low and serious. Karen nodded, racing for a solution. "Why don't you tell me about it?" she suggested. "Sometimes talking it out can help." Plankton took a deep breath and began to recount his thoughts, his voice a low murmur in the darkness. He spoke of the countless ingredients he'd tried and the endless experiments he'd conducted, all in pursuit of the perfect Krabby Patty. Karen listened intently, her screen never leaving his face, her grip on his hand never wavering. As he talked, the tension in his voice began to ease, the words coming out slower, softer. The warmth of the tea and the gentle pressure of Karen's thumb on his hand lulled him into a state of semi- consciousness. The room grew warmer, the shadows on the ceiling morphing into shapes that danced to the rhythm of his words. Karen noticed the change in his breathing, the softening of his grip, her voice a soft hum in the night. "I think I'm getting there," Plankton mumbled, his words beginning to slur. She took his almost-empty cup and set it aside, then moved closer, her arm wrapping around him. Her touch was a comforting blanket, a familiar anchor in the sea of his thoughts. "Just focus on my voice," Karen whispered, her tone a gentle wave. "Imagine we're on a beach, the waves lapping." Plankton nodded slightly, his breathing deepening as he pictured the scene she described. "The sand is warm, and the stars are out, twinkling like the little bits of genius in your mind." He took another deep breath, the salty scent of the sea mingling with the chamomile in his nose. His body began to relax, the tightness in his shoulders dissipating like the fog of an early morning. Karen continued her soothing monologue, painting a vivid picture of a serene beach under a starlit sky, their favorite place to escape the stresses of their lives. Her voice grew quieter, a gentle lullaby of words that whispered through the dark. Plankton's eyelid grew heavier, his thoughts drifting further and further away from the Krabby Patty formula. Karen watched him closely, her gaze never leaving his face. His breathing grew steadier, the lines of tension smoothing out as he sank deeper into the realm of sleep. Karen waited for any sign that Plankton was still awake. She reached out and gently poked his arm. No response. She pulled the blanket up, tucking him in gently, her hand lingering there for a moment longer, feeling the warmth of him beneath the fabric. She reached over to gently stroke his cheek. His skin was warm, and she felt the soft rumble of a snore vibrate against her fingertips. He was out. "Plankton," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She waited for a response, for the flicker of his eye or the twitch of his antennae that would indicate he was still with her. Nothing. She knew the moment he finally let go, when his hand relaxed in hers and his grip went slack. Leaning closer, she held her hand hovering over his chest to feel the gentle rise and fall of his breathing. It was steady, deep. Satisfied, she allowed herself a small smile. Plankton was finally asleep. The steady rhythm of his breathing grew deeper, the soft snores that occasionally pierced the silence growing more frequent, brow smoothed out, relaxed. She searched his face for any flicker of consciousness, any sign that he was aware of her touch. But there was none. His features were relaxed, his mouth slightly open as he took in deep, even breaths. "You did it," she whispered to. She knew that his mind had finally found the peace it had been seeking. The room was still, save for the faint sound of the occasional snore from Plankton. His snores grew deeper, the rhythm of his breathing more regular, more rhythmic, and she knew he was in a deep sleep. With a soft smile, she whispered, "Goodnight, Plankton," and gently stroked his antennae. Her hand lingered for a moment before she carefully extracted herself from the tangle of their limbs. The bedside lamp cast a warm glow across the room, but she knew better than to disturb him with its light. She gently disentangled her hand from his and slid out of bed. She squeezed his hand gently, a silent 'goodnight' and a promise of support for when he'd wake to tackle the problem anew. His features were slack, his mouth slightly open, emitting the faintest snore.

ᵀᵒⁿˢⁱˡˡᵉᶜᵗᵒᵐʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁱʳʳⁱᵗᵃᵗᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʰʳᵒᵃᵗ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵃˡᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᵃᵈ ʰᵉʳ ⁱⁿ‧ “ᴴᵉ’ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ˢᵒʳᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖ, ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵃˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ‧ ʸᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵃˡ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ʷᵉˡˡ‧” ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ ‘ᵇⁱᵗᵉ ᵇˡᵒᶜᵏˢ’ ᵃⁿᵈ ‘ˢᶜᵃˡᵖᵉˡˢ’ ᵃⁿᵈ ‘ˢᵘᵗᵘʳᵉˢ’ ᵃⁿᵈ ‘ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳⁿᵃˡ ᵇʳᵘⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ’ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ “ᴴⁱ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ! ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ?” ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵐᵒᵒᵗʰᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵖʳᵒᵛⁱᵈᵉᵈ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ‧ “ᵀʰⁱʳˢᵗʸ?” ᔆʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖˢ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵖ‧ “ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵈᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈ…” “ʸᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵉᵃˡˢ ᵗᵒ?” “ᶜᵒʳʳᵉᶜᵗ ᵐᵃ’ᵃᵐ‧” ᵀʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵒ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ’ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ⁱⁿ‧ ‘ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ⁿᵃᵖˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʷᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ’ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴱᵃʳˡʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ‧ ‘ᵂʰʸ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ᵗʰʳᵒᵃᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ? ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱˣ… ᴵ ᵃᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ʳᵒᵒᵐ, ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵒˢᵖⁱᵗᵃˡ‧’ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵉᵉˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ “ᴵᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ; ˡᵉᵗ’ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ…” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ, ʷᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᵂᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ʸᵒᵘ’ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᵁᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ʸᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?” “ʸᵉˢ!” ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢⁿᵃᶜᵏ, ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ‧ “ᴳᵉᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ, ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ᵐᵉᵈ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧” “ᵀʳʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ, ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵖᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉ, ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵈʳⁱᵇᵇˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ “ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ‧‧” 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟑𝟐𝟗

"Come on, Shel, you're not going to let a little dirt scare you, are you?" Eugene Krabs taunted, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he looked back at his best friend. The two of them were racing down the dirt path that snaked through the park, the setting sun casting long shadows over the dry, cracked earth. Sheldon Plankton, a year younger and a head shorter, determinedly picked up the pace. He didn't want Eugene to think he was a wimp. Suddenly, Sheldon's foot caught on a jutting rock, and he tumbled forward. He felt the sting of gravel biting into his palms and heard the sickening scrape of his knee against the unforgiving ground. Eugene stopped in his tracks, his laughter dying as he saw his friend sprawled out, tears of pain already welling up in his eye. "Oh man, are you okay?" Eugene rushed over, his concern genuine. Sheldon rolled over, clutching his knee, his breath coming in quick, ragged gasps. A patch of red was spreading. The two boys inspected the injury together, and Eugene's grin faded as he took in the raw flesh and the blood that was already starting to crust over. "We gotta get you home. That looks like it really hurts." With Eugene's help, Sheldon managed to stand up, his knee throbbing with every step. They began to walk back to Eugene's house, the laughter and excitement of their race replaced by a solemn silence. As they approached the white picket fence that surrounded Eugene's garden, Sheldon could see Eugene's mother through the kitchen window. She was busy preparing dinner, her silhouette flickering against the orange glow of the setting sun. Eugene's mother, Ms. Krabs, noticed them approaching and quickly came out to see what had happened. "Oh dear Neptune" she exclaimed, rushing over with a cloth and some antiseptic. Shel's knee was now a mess of dirt and blood, but Ms. Krabs calmly cleaned the wound, dabbing at it gently with the cloth. "You're going to be fine, just a scrape. It'll sting a little, but it'll heal up good as new." Her voice was a balm to Sheldon's fear, and he watched as she applied the antiseptic with careful precision. The burn was sharp, but the pain was already easing, and Sheldon took a deep breath, trying to be brave. "Thank you, Ms. Krabs," Sheldon mumbled, his voice thick with unshed tears. Ms. Krabs gave him a comforting smile. "You just sit down on the couch and let me get a band-aid. You're going to be as good as new in no time," she said soothingly. Sheldon limped into the living room, feeling the warm embrace of Eugene's family home surround him, but he barely registered it. His mind was too focused on the throbbing in his knee and the sting of the antiseptic. Eugene, ever the problem-solver, went to his room and grabbed a handful of comic books from his shelf. "Here, these should keep your mind off it," he said, handing them to Shel as his mother returned with a colorful band-aid. Ms. Krabs carefully covered the wound with the bandage, her deft hands making it look almost like artwork. She patted it gently and said, "There, now you're all set." Eugene plopped down on the couch beside Sheldon, eyes glancing over the comic books. "Which one do you want to read first?" he asked, eager to distract his friend from the pain. Sheldon managed a small smile, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. He picked up the topmost comic, feeling the comfort of familiar superheroes and their fantastical adventures. The warmth of the room and the gentle hum of Ms. Krabs preparing dinner in the background soon began to soothe their nerves. Sheldon's eyelid grew heavy, and he found himself drifting into a light doze, the images of the comic book characters dancing in his mind. When Ms. Krabs called them for dinner, she found Sheldon fast asleep on the couch, his head lolling to one side, the bandaged knee sticking out awkwardly. Eugene looked up, apologetic. "I'll wake him up," he offered, but she shook her head. "Let him rest," she whispered, her voice a comforting lullaby in the evening air. She covered Sheldon with a soft blanket from the armchair, tucking it gently around his small frame. His breathing was even, and a faint snore escaped his lips as his body succumbed to the exhaustion of the day. Eugene led her into the kitchen, his steps careful not to wake his friend. The scent of roast chicken filled the air, making his stomach grumble. "I'm sorry about his knee, Mommy," he said, his eyes cast down to the floor. Ms. Krabs waved away his apology, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "It's just a scrape. You two were bound to get into some sort of trouble. It's what boys do." She placed a warm hand on his shoulder, her eyes full of understanding. "Why don't you call his parents and let them know he'll be staying for dinner?" Eugene nodded, relieved, and went to the phone. As he dialed, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He had been so caught up in the moment of their race, the thrill of competition, that he had forgotten about his friend's limitations. Ms. Plankton picked up, and he explained the situation, his voice a mix of apology and assurance. "Don't worry, Ms. Plankton," Ms. Krabs' voice interrupted from over his shoulder, taking the phone from him. "He's in good hands. We'll have him cleaned up and fed, and I'll make sure he's ready for bed when it's time. You can pick him up in the morning if you like." Eugene watched as his mother spoke soothingly into the receiver, and he felt his guilt ease slightly as they hung up. "Thanks, Mother," he says, his voice grateful. He looks at his friend, who's now snoring gently on the couch, and feels his chest tighten with a mix of pity and determination. He'll make it up to him, somehow.

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."

ᔆʰᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᴸᵉᵍ ♡ Wₒᵣd cₒᵤₙₜ ₋ ₆₅₇ ♡ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵇʸ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ᶠᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧" ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ?" ᔆʰᵉ ᵘʳᵍᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉˢ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‽" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ʳᵒˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ‧ "ᴼʰ⸴ ⁿᵉᵖᵗᵘⁿᵉ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᶜᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ˡᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ⁿᵒʳ ᶠʳᵃᶜᵗᵘʳᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇʳᵘⁱˢᵉᵈ ˡᵉᵍ ˢʷᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇˡᵘⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉ ᵗʳᵃᵘᵐᵃ‧ ᴰᵉᵉᵖ ˢᶜʳᵃᵗᶜʰᵉˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ‧ "ᴼʰ ᵈᵉᵃʳ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵗʳᵉᵐᵇˡᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᵈˡʸ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵇ⁻ᵇᵘᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍ⁻ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵖᵃᵗᵘˡᵃ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵗᶜʰᵉⁿ ᵃ⁻ᵃⁿᵈ ʰ⁻ʰ⁻ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵐ⁻ᵐʸ ˡᵉᵍ ʰ⁻ʰᵘʳᵗˢ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵘᵐᵇˡᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵐⁱˡᵏ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐⁱˡᵏ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ'ᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰᵉʳ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱˡᵏ ʰᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸ⁻ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵉˡᵉᵛᵃᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉᵈ ˡᵉᵍ‧ "ᴵ ˡ⁻ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢ⁻ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ˢʰᵘᵗ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ; ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡʸ ˡᵉˢˢ ᵗᵉⁿˢᵉ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ˡᵃˣ⸴ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵖᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ˢˡᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵐⁱˡᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵒᵇᵛⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ʰᵃᶻʸ ᵈᵉᵗᵃⁱˡˢ⸴ ⁱᶠ ᵃⁿʸ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵗʳᵒᵏᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ᵇʸ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ᶠⁱⁿᵍᵉʳˢ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵇᵘᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳ; ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ˢᵗⁱᵐᵘˡᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵗᵒʳˢ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ʷᵃʸ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉʸ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᵁʳʳᵍʰ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵃᵃᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᵁⁿʰ ʷʰᵉ⁻ʷʰᵉʳᵉ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵃ⁻ ʰᵃᵖ⁻ᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ?" "ᴼʰ⸴ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ‧‧ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡᵉᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵘᵍˢ⸴ ʳᵉˢᵘˡᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃˢᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ʰⁱᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ʸᵉˡᵖ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᵉᵃˢʸ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵇᵃᵈˡʸ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧" "ᴼʰ; ˢᵒʳʳʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ ᵏⁱᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉᵈᵍᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵘⁿʳᵉˡᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ'ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵗᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳᵉˢᵗˢ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ᵒᵘᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ; ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ'ˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡᵉᵍ ᶠᵉᵉˡ?" "ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵇᵃᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵃˢ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵃˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁱ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ; ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʷᵉˡˡ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ˢᵐᵒᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ˢʰᵉᵉᵗˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ‧ ᴳᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ˢʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈʳⁱᵇᵇˡᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ‧ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴮʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒⁿ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᵈʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵘⁿʷʳᵃᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡᵉᵍ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵘⁿʳᵃᵛᵉˡˢ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴵᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡˢ ʷᵉᵃᵏ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗˡʸ ʰᵉᵃˡᵉᵈ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉˣᶜˡᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵒˢᵗᵖᵒⁿᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ⁿᵒʳ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ʳᵒˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᴸᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ!"

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13478844/1/I-Really-Do

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

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Pt. 4 “ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵇʸᵉ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᵉ‧ “ᵂᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠⁱˣᵉᵈ ᵃ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ‧ “ᴸᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ, ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵈᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ ʷʰᵒ’ˢ ᶜᵘʳʳᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵇᵉˢⁱᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˡʳᵉᵃᵈʸ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ, ᵃˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵒᶜᶜᵘʳʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵛᵘˡⁿᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ… ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ’ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ, ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶠᵉᵃʳ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵍᵃˢᵖˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ’ᵈ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ, ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳᵉˢᵘᵐⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗˢ‧ ᴼʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᵂʰⁱᶜʰ ᵉᵛᵉʳ’ˢ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰᵉʳ ᵃˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ʰᵉʳ‧ “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ?” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ‧ “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᶠᵒʳᵐ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ, ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ! ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵉˢᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵒ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ “ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵒ?” ᴴᵉ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴼʰ ᴵ’ᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ; ⁱᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵇⁱᵍᵍⁱᵉ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏᶠᵃˢᵗ, ᵗʰᵉʸ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗⁱᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒʸˢ ᵃˢ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ To be cont. pt. 5

ᵀʰᵉ ᵂʰᵉᵉˡ ᴰᵉᵃˡ | 𝟖𝟒𝟑 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 | ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵘˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ˢʰʳⁱᵉᵏ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᴴᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ'ˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʷʰᵉᵉˡ⸴ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ ᵉᵐᵇᵉᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ! ᵁⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳᵉᵉ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏˡʸ ʳⁱᵖˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʰᵉᵉˡˢ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵇˡᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵉᵍ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵖᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ⸴ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ ᵃ ᵍᵃˢᵖ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʳᵉᵐᵇˡᵉᵈ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵇᵃᵈˡʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳˢ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴼᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ˢʰᵒᵗ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ⸴ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵃᵈ ˢʰᵃᵖᵉ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵐᵒʳᵉ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ?" "ᴴⁿⁿⁿ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃⁿ ᵃᵍᵐᵃᵗᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵗ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵃᶜʳᵒᵖᵃᵗʰᵒˡᵒᵍʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵘᵖᵖˡⁱᵉˢ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁱⁿᵗᵃᶜᵗ‧" ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˡˡ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡⁱˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᵖᵖˡⁱᵉˢ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡⁱˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉᵗⁱᶜ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᴼⁿˡʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱˢᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉᵗⁱᶜ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵃᶜʳᵒᵖᵃᵗʰᵒˡᵒᵍʸ ᵃᵍᵐᵃᵗᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵗ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃˡˡ ˢᵘᵖᵖˡⁱᵉˢ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᴴⁱ⸴ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗⁿᵉˢˢ‧" "ᴴᵘʰʰʰ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‽" "ʸᵉˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵃⁿʸ ˡⁱⁿᵍᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉˢⁱᵃ‧ ᵀᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢ ᵒʳ ᵈⁱᶻᶻʸ/ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉᵃᵈᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏˢ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᔆᵗᵃʸ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴸⁱᵏᵉ ˢᵒ?" ᔆʰᵉ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ʸ⁻ʸᵉˢ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈʳᵒʷˢⁱˡʸ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵈʳᵒʷˢⁱᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵈᵃʸ!" ᵀʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳᵃᶜᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ⸴ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃᵍᵉˢ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ⁱᵐᵖᵘˡˢⁱᵛⁱᵗʸ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉˢ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵘⁿˢᵉᵗᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ˢᵗʳⁱᵏᵉ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ⁿᵒ ⁱⁿᶜˡⁱⁿᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵐᵘᶜʰ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵈⁱᵈ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗᵉᶜʰⁿⁱᶜᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵛᵉˢᵗⁱᵍᵃᵗⁱᵛᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵘʳⁱᵒˢⁱᵗʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵃᵗᵘʳᵃˡ ᵏⁱⁿᵈⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ‽" ᴴᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃ‧‧‧" "ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳˢ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ‧ "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ ᵘᵖ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ‧ "ᴬⁿ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ‧" "ᴬʰ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᶜᵉʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ!" ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᴺᵉˣᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵈᵍᵉᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᶜᵉ ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ "ᴹᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧" ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᶠᵗˡʸ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵇʳᵒʷ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᶠᵘʳʳᵒʷˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡˢ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" ᔆʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵒᵉᵈ‧ "ᴺⁿᵍʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒᵐⁿⁱˡᵒᑫᵘⁱˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ!" ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢⁿᵃᵖˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵉⁿ’ᵈ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᶜᵃˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡⁱˢᵗ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵒʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵇᵃᵈ ˢʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧ "ᴵ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉᵈ ᵐʸ ˢᵉᵗ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵉᵉˡˢ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵖʳᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ‧ "ᴳᵃʰ!" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵖⁱʳᵃˡ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗˢ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ‧ "ᴮᵘᵗ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵃˢʸ‧ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ˢᵒ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠˡᵘᶠᶠᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒⁿ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ˡⁱᶠᵗ⸴ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉˣᵗʳᵃ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢˡⁱᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵉ! ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳʸ‧ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵃᶠᵉʳ ʷʰᵉᵉˡˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍˢ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᵗᵉʳᵗᵃⁱⁿ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʰᵉᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧" ᔆʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵖᵃʳᵗⁱᵃˡˡʸ ᵃʲᵃʳ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵗ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵃ ˢᵉᵗ ᵒᶠ ˢᵗᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ᴵ'ᵈ ʷʳⁱᵗᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ! ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ᴵ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰ ᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵃˢᵏ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡᵉᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ʷᵃʸ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢʰᵉ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ‧ ᴳᵒᵗ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʷʰᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵃᶠᵉʳ ᵒⁿᵉˢ ⁿᵒʷ‧" "ᔆᵒᵘⁿᵈˢ ᵖᵃⁱⁿᶠᵘˡ‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵖʳᵒᶠᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵐᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶜᵒˡᵈ⸴ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴵ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉᵈ ˡᵉᵍ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡⁱˢᵗ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧" "ᴵ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵃᵖᵖᵉᵃʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉᶠᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧" ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ‧

My Tiny Genius RibbonDee Summary: After a long day of once again trying and failing to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula, Plankton is feeling down in the dumps. It's up to Karen to cheer him up. Language:EnglishStats:Published:2024-02-01Words:721 There were many words to describe the Chum Bucket, and pleasant certainly was not one of them. Overall it reeked of filth, grime and all sorts of health code violations. A certain musty odor seemed to always linger in the air, no matter how much air freshener one used. Truly, it was a wonder this place was still in business. There were many theories as to why, but truly no one except for the restaurants’ owners really knew. One of said owners was in the lobby, waiting as she always did for her husband when he was off with one of his schemes. Karen was standing in the room in her mobile apparatus, her screen blank as she waited ever so patiently. Best case scenario Plankton would simply fail as usual. Worst… the Chum Bucket was blown to smithereens again. Neither outcome was good, but it was obvious which one was more favorable. Finally, a small tapping sound came from one of the doors. He was back. Karen wheeled over to the red double doors and let the poor man in. He was a mess. He was covered in ash and some bruises, and she was immediately concerned. “Plankton-” she began. “Not now honey.” Plankton sulked off, no doubt on his way to the lab. “Plankton!” The tiny organism turned around to face his computer wife. “What?” “I have dinner ready.” “I ain’t in the mood for holographic meatloaf.” He turned back around and went on his way. Karen put her robotic arms on where her hips would be and rolled on after him. “What kind of attitude is that? At least let me patch you up! It looks like it hurts!” “No it- ow. Ok fine.” Karen bent over and picked up the creature in her metal palms and gently lifted him up and began to wheel him into the lab area. She set him down on a counter and got out the first aid kit that was for this sort of thing. “How’d it go”, she said as she began to clean his wounds. “OW! Easy!” “Sorry sweetie. But how did things go? Didja get that formula this time?” “What does it look like? Nope. I failed again. Always.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “I… I can’t do this.” “Can’t do what?” “What do you think?! I can’t get that formula! Krabs is always one step ahead!” “Oh hon, surely you’ll get it next time”, Karen said, giving Plankton a little pat on the back which caused him to fall flat on his face. “Ow.” “Sorry.” Plankton stood, and sighed. “That’s what you always say. I always go for it again, and it blows up in my face! Literally! Look at all these inventions. Failures. All of them.” Plankton’s eye was beginning to tear up. Karen felt her circuits beginning to tingle with pity. Poor little fella. She remembered all of the earlier formula-nabbing schemes, and how motivated and eager her husband was. With each failed plan Plankton grew ever more weary, which was odd as he was usually quite the tenacious type. “Oh Plankton”, Karen said tenderly. “Oh Karen! I’m a failure!” Karen gasped in horror. “You are NOT!” “How?” “For starters, you build all these amazing inventions that are way ahead of their time! You’re brilliant!” “Go on.” “You went to college!” “Yeah!” “And you're gonna GET that formula!” “Yeah!” Plankton made sure to say the last yeah extra loudly, clearly filled with his usual overinflated ego once again. It usually never took to long to reignite his drive via a small pep talk, something Karen was very happy to provide for her beloved single celled spouse. “I am going to get the formula, and make Krabs eat dirt!” “I know you are, honey. But I think you should rest or eat first.” “No I- ow. Yeah alright.” “That's the spirit, little guy. Now let's go and relax for a while. You've earned it.” Karen picked up her now relieved husband, and began to wheel them towards their living quarters so the poor little thing could rest. “I love you, my tiny little genius.” “Heh, love you too babe.” And so the pair of strange lovers were off, for now they would relax and perhaps discuss oh so evıl, diabolical and lemon scented plans for the future.

ᶠᵃᵏᵉˢ ⁱᵗ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵏᵉˢ ⁱᵗ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᵂʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᵃᶜᵗ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃⁿ‧ 'ᴵᶠ ᴵ ᶠᵃᵏᵉ ᵐʸ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗ!' ᔆᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘˡˡ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵐᵉᵗᵃˡ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉʳ ᵖᵃʳᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˡⁱᑫᵘⁱᵈ ᵗʸᵖᵉ ᵃˡˡᵒⁱᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵒˡˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵗᵉ ˢᵉⁿᵈˢ ⁱᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᴵ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ!" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ "ᴼʰ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃᵏᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ʳᵘⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉᵗʸ ᵛᵃᵘˡᵗ ʰᵒˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᵀʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢʰʳᵉᵈᵈᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵐᵒⁿᵉʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵒ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵏⁱᵗᶜʰᵉⁿ ᵏⁿⁱᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵉᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᵏᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ‧ ᴬˢ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ 'ᵇˡᵉᵉᵈ' ᵇᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʳᵉᵈ ᵈʸᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ⸴ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵘˢᶜˡᵉˢ⸴ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ⁱᶠ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡ ᶠˡᵉˢʰ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ˢᵃʸ ˡᵃˢᵗ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ‧ "ᵀʰᵉ ᵏⁿⁱᶠᵉ⸴ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢˡᵒᵈᵍᵉ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᶜᵃᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵈᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ˢʰᵃʳᵖ ᵏⁿⁱᶠᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵈᵉᵉᵖᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ‧ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ˢᵖⁱˡᵗ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ˡᵒˢᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᶜᵒˡᵒᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉᵈ ˡⁱᑫᵘⁱᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰᵃˡᶠ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵒᵇᵛⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ᵏⁱˡˡᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʳᵉᶜᵉᵖᵗᵒʳ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵒᵒᵈˡᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ᵃ ᵇʳᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʸˢ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵒʷ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵉˡᵉᵇʳᵃᵗᵉ ᵖʳᵉᵐᵃᵗᵘʳᵉˡʸ⸴ ᵃˢ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʰᵉ ᵖʳᵉᵗᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵗⁱʳᵉ ʸᵉᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵉᵗⁱʳᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵖˡᵃⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁱʳ ᵈᵘᶜᵗ ᵛᵉⁿᵗ ᵖⁱᵖᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᵒᶠ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᔆᵘʳᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᶜᵃˡᵐ⸴ ᵒʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵉ ˢᵒ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ᵇᵒʸ?" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵘᶜᶜᵉˢˢ ⁿᵒʳ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵉᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ⁱʳʳⁱᵗᵃᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᴰⁱᵉᵈ! ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᴵ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ! ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ⁱˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵘˢ‧‧‧" "ᶠᵒʳ ᵘˢ? ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗˢ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ! ᴴᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵏⁱˡˡᵉᵈ! ᴴᵉ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ? ᴮᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵈ ᶜᵒⁿˢᵘᵐᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˢ ᵖᵒʷᵉʳ ᵈⁱᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ˢᵗᵒᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉˢ? ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢʰᵒʷˢ ⁱᵗ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʷᵉᵃᵏ⸴ ᵇᵘˡˡⁱᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵖᵉᵉʳˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵇᵃⁿᵈᵒⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴼˡᵈ ᴹᵃⁿ ᴶᵉⁿᵏⁱⁿˢ ᵖᵒⁱˢᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵒᵒʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˡᵒⁿᵉˡʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗᵉᵃᵐ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱˢʰ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵃʳᵐ‧ ᴰᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵖᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳⁱᶜᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉᵍᵒ‧ ᔆᵒ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵘᵇ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵖᵒᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵒ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵐⁱˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴹʸ ʲᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵒʳᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡⁱᶠᵉ‧" ᴳᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒˢˢ‧ "ᵀᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ‧" "ᵂʰᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʷᵉᵃʳ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉʰᵉⁿᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈⁱˢᵗʳᵘˢᵗᶠᵘˡ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡⁱᵛᵉ ᵃ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧ ᴵ'ᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵇᵃⁿᵈᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴵ'ᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴵᶠ ᵒⁿˡʸ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵐᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˢᵘᶜʰ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵉˢˢ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᶜᵒᶠᶠᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉˢ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁱᶠ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʸˢ ˢᵘᶜʰ ⁱᵗ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵖᵒᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ᵈᵉᶠᵉᵃᵗ; ᵇᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒʷ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵖᵒᵏᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗⁱᶜ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿˢ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" "ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃ ʳᵒᵇᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ ⁱᵗ⸴ ⁱᵗ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᶠᵘʳⁱᵒᵘˢ? ᴺᵒ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᵗʰʳⁱˡˡᵉᵈ! ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵒ ᶜˡᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵐᵃʳᵗ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ʰᵘᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᶠ⸴ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᶜʰⁱˡᵈʰᵒᵒᵈ‧ » 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 | 𝟖𝟎𝟐

BLUESCREEN Plankton’s thoughts were elsewhere as he focused the lens. More than once, he had to stop and blink blurriness out of his vision or rub the sleep out of his eye. He hadn’t slept regularly for days since he’d woken up from a brief three-hour nap this time yesterday evening, which did little to help his exhaustion. And now, here Plankton was. Miserable, sleep-deprived, and half-crazed with conflicting thoughts, peering blearily into a telescope at an absurd hour of the night. Argh! He bumped his head hard against the telescope to keep that thought from solidifying. Running on so little sleep Plankton glanced warily He looked at Karen’s darkened monitor for a moment with apprehension, expecting her to awaken from sleep mode and start in on him anew for sneaking around, but her screen remained dim. In response, a very loud whirring noise emitted from within her monitor, and Plankton tilted his head in confusion. She’d never made a sound like that before. Plankton stared numbly. “Honey bunch?” his voice is small, quavering. The next day Krabs found out she’s in hospital. It's amazing how much information Bikini Bottom Hospital would give out over the phone. Just supplying his name and fudging a little about his relationship to the couple was enough for Krabs to get the gist of what had happened last night, even including some details that had been omitted from the short entry in the morning paper. He took careful notes as he spoke with the nurse. Karen's condition was critical. Plankton had been given a mild sedative upon his arrival with Karen at the hospital. Doctors found him inconsolable; a perfect nervous wreck. They'd taken one look at him and deemed him both too emotional and sleep-deprived to be of much help answering questions. A little sleep never hurt anybody so far as the doctors were concerned. If you asked them, it was for his own good. Plankton had been so tired that the low dosage sedative had knocked him out nearly instantly. He hadn't budged in hours, and doctors predicted he'd stay down until at least late that afternoon. Krabs asked about the Hospital’s visitation hours while they were on the subject. He’d wanted to swing by that morning, but if Plankton was finally catching up on some much-needed rest, maybe he should put off on the visit. The last thing he wanted was to disturb him. The hours rolled by slowly after those difficult phone calls, and Krabs found himself pacing his office restlessly as he allowed Plankton a little time to catch up on his z’s. When the lunch rush started to wind down, Krabs retreated to his office. He placed another phone call to the hospital to see if Plankton was awake yet. The nurse confirmed that he was, and feeling better than he had been before when he first arrived last night. So Krabs arrived at their hospital room. Plankton was sitting close to the edge of Karen's wheeled bedside table. He lurched his head up off his hands with a funny-sounding snort; he must’ve been starting to doze off. Finally, Plankton spoke. His voice was tired. Resigned. “Oh hey Krabs.” “Wanna stay with me tonight?” Plankton was looking at Karen's monitor again, his antennae twitching in acknowledgment of Krabs’s words. Plankton thought about this for only a few seconds. Clearly, Krabs had gotten through to him or recovering from his recent sleeplessness was making him more agreeable. At least the extra long rest did him some good. Plankton was thoughtfully quiet beside him in the passenger seat. He peered up over the door to the quiet, still nighttime flowers overhead as the night rushed by. Krabs stole a glance at him now and then as he drove. He stooped down, offering Plankton his claw so he wouldn’t have to jump up the stairs. “Come on. Let me show you your room while you’re stayin’ over.” Plankton was sitting on the edge of Krabs’s hammock. The fabric barely dipped underneath him. “Uh, hey Eugene,” started Plankton as Krabs reached for the door. Krabs paused, with his back to him, listening. “Hmm?” “Goodnight.” Krabs looked over his shoulder and gave him a small smile. “Goodnight, Plankton.” Next day Plankton glanced over his shoulder at him. Krabs was glad to see he looked rested, despite having stayed in a strange place overnight. “Mornin’, Sheldon,” returned Krabs. “How’d ye sleep? Get any word from the hospital overnight?” “Slept okay, but not great. Strange place, you know? And no, not yet.” Krabs went upstairs to get dressed for work. He was pleased to see that his bedroom was almost exactly as he’d left it, other than the disturbed sheets where Plankton had slept the previous night. When he came back downstairs a few minutes later, Plankton was sitting on the couch with his chin resting on one hand, staring hard straight ahead with a thoughtful, worried look on his face.

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ᴮᵃᵈ ᴺⁱᵍʰᵗᵐᵃʳᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ 'ᴵᵗ ⁱˢ ᵃˡˡ ᵃ ʰᵒᵃˣ; ᵃ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ!' 'ᴸᵃᵘⁿᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ!' 'ᴵ ˢᵃʸ⸴ ʷᵉ ˢᵗᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ!' ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʸᵉᵃʳˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗⁱʳʳᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ᵗᵒˢˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴳᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡᵉ ᵈⁱˢᵗʳᵉˢˢ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ˢⁿᵃᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗᵉᵛᵉʳ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉʳ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰᵒ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᔆʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵇᵇᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵉˡ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵏˡᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵒʳᵗʰ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ? ᵂᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ!" ᴺᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ⸴ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᶜʳʸ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵐᵉ⸴ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰˢ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵐ ˢ⁻ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵃˢ‧‧‧" "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ⁻ᴵ⁻ᴵ⁻ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ‧" "ᴼʰ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧" "ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ⁱᶠ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵒˡᵈ ᵐʸ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵘˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵖʳᵉᶠᵉʳᵃᵇˡʸ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵒᶠ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ˢʰᵉ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢ‧ ╰ ✧ ･ﾟ∙ ∗ — ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ ⟨ 2 1 6 ⟩

ᵀʰᵉ ᶜʳᵃᵐᵖˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃˢ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴬˡˡ ᵐʸ ᵐᵘˢᶜˡᵉˢ ᵃᶜʰᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵒᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ!" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵒʷ ʷᵉᵃᵏ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗ⁻ᵗᵒ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ʸᵉˡᵖ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ᵇᵉᵈ ⁱᵐᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉˡʸ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵒʳ?" "ᴵᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗⁱⁿ’ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˡⁱᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰᵉᵃᵛʸ‧ "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵘˢᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ‧" ᔆʰᵉ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʸᵉᵗ‧ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ‧ ᵀᵘᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ʳᵉˡᵃˣᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ˡᵃᵐᵖ‧ ᶠᵃᶜⁱᵃˡ ᶠᵉᵃᵗᵘʳᵉˢ ˢˡᵃᶜᵏ ˡᵃˣ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˡᵉˢˢ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴬˡˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ 'ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ' ˢʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᶠᵉʳ‧ 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟏𝟕𝟓

Fandom: SpongeBob SquarePants (Cartoon) Relationships: Eugene Krabs & Sheldon J. Plankton, Eugene Krabs/Sheldon J. Plankton Characters: Eugene Krabs, Sheldon J. Plankton, SpongeBob SquarePants, Spot, Squidward Tentacles, Karen (SpongeBob) Language:English Collections:Anonymous Stats: Published:2024-08-13 Summary: Mr. Krabs hasn't seen Plankton in a few days. So why are the doors boarded up? Notes: This can be read as either platonic or romantic between Plankton and Krabs. There are slight mentions and hints, but it's not really brought up or focused on. It's just kind of in the background. Work Text: The sound of coins clinking is like music to Mr.Krabs. He counts his earnings for the day in his office. Something seemed off to the crab, yet he couldn’t place his claw on it. A lot of customers came in today. Everything was accounted for. There were no issues. And no Plankton… Now that he thinks about it, he hasn’t seen his arch nemesis in a few days. The tiny green creature usually makes a daily attempt to steal the secret formula. A cheerful sponge throws the door open to his office, startling him for a split second. “Closing time!” The crustacean lifts a claw up and waves it. “Good work today, lads!” He closes up the safe and walks out his office, checking his establishment. “Everything looks to be in ship shape. I’ll see ye tomorrow!” “See ya Mr.Krabs!” The sponge cheered. “Later Krabs,” the squid finally speaks up. The two employees hang their hats and start their walk home. Eugene looks outside, seeing only a bit of the sun in the sky. The streetlights are starting to flicker on. He takes a glance at the Chum Bucket across the street. The place was completely dark, from what he could see. He exits his establishment, locking up, and walks across the street to meet up with his rival. The crab can now see the state of the Chum Bucket. Yes, it looked like a dump in the past, but now the doors were boarded up. He takes a step back, also noticing that the glove that lifted up the handle of the Chum Bucket previously is now smashed into the roof. Alright, something is definitely wrong here , he thinks to himself, as if he’s just now putting the clues together. He steps up to the double doors and rips the wood off before trying to push the doors open. When he realizes that the doors are probably locked on the inside, he takes a few steps back before charging at it. Eugene successfully breaks through the doors, flying into the Chum Bucket and breaking a wooden chair when he lands on it. “Krabs?” Small footsteps made their way to the crustacean. The voice from the creature was more raspy than usual. “What are you doing here?” The only light shining through was from the streetlight outside. Once Plankton was in Krab’s view, Eugine noted that his antennas were curved down and his eye was watery. The only response the crab could give was “It’s Thursday”. “It’s already Thursday?” Plankton rubs his eye before looking over to the calendar on the wall. His voice was monotone, scaring more than he already was. “Boarded up signs means no visitors.” He turns around and slowly walks to the back, adding “Go home, Krabs”. Krabs stood for a moment, not having any idea what to do next. They’ve had a rivalry for years, should he really be helping? Should he get in Sheldon’s business? Since Plankton was so small, and was walking slower than usual, the red creature had plenty of time to think. After contemplating his options, he finally asks “Why is the power off?” Plankton stops in his tracks. Silence filled the room for a brief moment as the crab waited for an answer. “My power was turned off,” he answers honestly. He could tell something was bugging the small creature. “Couldn’t pay yer bills, huh Plankton?” The crustacean laughs at his rival's suffering before he notices he’s walking away again. “Hey, where ye going?” “Bed.” “Huh? It’s only 6pm! Who’d want to go to bed this early?” He finally stands up off the ground, taking a few steps towards the green creature when he doesn't answer. Despite Sheldon being his rival for years, he hated seeing him so bummed. Sure, he failed all the time at stealing his secret formula, but he had never been this heartsick. Krabs finally takes in his surroundings. The place’s odor seeped through his nostrils. The tables and chairs were bent in different directions, some even being torn out of the floor completely. A table that was neither had photos laid out of Plankton, Karen, and their pet, Spot. “Where’s Karen? …And, the little pet of yers?” The tall crab watches as the one-eyed organism breaks, lying on the ground and curling in on himself. Eugene hesitates for a minute, not knowing if he should assure him, or how. By his reaction, Karen and Spot weren’t there to help. Sheldon’s reaction reminded him of how he was when his wife passed, trying to care for Pearl as he grieved. He looks around the restaurant again noting it wasn’t the best place for anyone to stay at. Krabs hesitantly picks him up off the ground and carries him all the way back to his house. Plankton either didn’t know or didn’t care that he was being taken away. He was too focused on the loss. ___________________________________________________________________ After a day of staying at Krab’s home, Plankton finally talks. He surprised himself when he finally did, specially since he was getting vulnerable with his rival. It started when his pet, Spot, ran away. He spent the whole day looking. Karen stayed at home, printing missing fliers. When Plankton got home later that night to see if Spot came back, Karen told him to get sleep, and they would look for him the next day. The next morning, Karen and Sheldon went their separate ways in town. Plankton later got a call from the Hospital that Karen was hit by a boat. He rushed there finding all of her parts and pieces shattered. He tried repairs with no luck. He even begged Sandy to help! The only thing the squirrel told him when she saw the damage was “Sorry”. He lost motivation. Plankton closed down his restaurant and hid in his room for days. Plankton sobbed into a small pillow on a makeshift bed as he told it. He was worried that the crab would make fun but instead, he felt a claw start to awkwardly rub his back. A few days have gone by since he’s told Eugene. For the past days, he’s stayed in the bed, which was a small, empty, unused chest, a pillow, and a blanket. Pearl would bring him meals and check on him when Krabs was at work. All he wanted was his wife and Spot, but he knew one of those, he would never get back. His thoughts to go searching for his amoeba were crushed by the voice in his head saying, “What’s the use?”. When Krabs came back, he would chat with Plankton to give him some comfort. Usually, Plankton would like to be left alone in his thoughts. But Eugene knew exactly how he felt. The same thing happened when it came to his wife. Surprisingly enough, he found comfort in the red crab. He felt free to talk about anything that was on his mind, and Eugene would listen. He missed his wife. He missed Spot. At least he had someone there for him. ___________________________________________________________ Plankton wakes up in a cold sweat from another nightmare. The sun was starting to set outside, giving Plankton a beautiful view from his bed on the window seal when he sat up. Focusing on the sunset, he stared out the window for a minute. It was a Sunday, and even though Krabs had his restaurant closed, he told the small creature that he would be out for the majority of the day. He tucks himself back into his bed and tries to go to sleep again. Minutes go by before the door to the room opens up and he hears footsteps. “Hey Plankton,” a voice starts. “I heard about Karen. I figured I’d come and comfort ya. I’m sorry about what happened.” Sheldon covers his head and groans. SpongeBob noted the small creature’s body language but continued anyway. “I got you a little something.” “No. I’m not in the mood.” “I think you’ll like it!” The cheerful sponge pesters. Plankton huffs pulling the blanket off of him, immediately getting licked in the face by… “Spot?” The amoeba barked jumping on his owner. “SPOT!” Plankton wrapped his arms around his pet as they reunited. “Spot, you’re safe!” Tears start forming in his eye and he holds his pet tighter. “Aww.” SpongeBob bats his eyes. “I told ya you’d like it! We were out looking for him all day!” “We?” He looks to the door, finding Eugene at the doorway. “Yeah! It was Mr. Krabs idea. We looked everywhere! Turns out, he was staying at my library blah blah blah-” Plankton started zoning out as the sponge kept talking, overwhelmed with emotion. “-Oh, it looks like we have to go. Bye Plankton! Hope you start feeling better soon!” The fact Krabs did to help find his pet warmed his heart. Mr. Krabs says his farewells to his employee as Plankton showers Spot with affection. When the crab is done, he checks in with Sheldon again. He walks back up and knocks on the bedroom door before opening it. Plankton is still tickled by his pet and receiving kisses. “I missed you so much, Spot! Don’t you run away again!” The crab chuckles, startling Plankton, who didn’t realize he was back in the room. “You were out looking for Spot?” The red creature rubs the head/shell and darts his eyes away. “Oh, well… I figured since… ye know…” Plankton found himself speaking again. “Thanks, Eugene.” He sounded both shocked and grateful as he spoke. The crab finally gets the words he was looking for earlier together as he speaks. “Well, ye’ve been through a lot. Thought ye’d ought to get something good in yer life.” Krabs glances back at the small creature, finally smiling for the first time in what has seemed like eternity. https://archiveofourown.org/works/58159567

ᴬˡˡ ᴹⁱⁿᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴹʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃⁿ ⁱᵈᵉᵃ; ᴵ ᵍᵒ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘˢ ʳⁱᶜʰ!" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆᵒᵘⁿᵈˢ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ʰᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃʳ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃⁿᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ʷᵒʳᵗʰ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˡᵒˢᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵒᵒᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ᵖᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ ᶠᵉˡˡ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ⸴ ᵍʳᵃᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ˢᵗⁱᶜᵏ ʷᵉᵈᵍᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧ "ᴴᵉˡᵖ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴹᵉᵃⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᴮᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʳ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ!" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵐⁱⁿᵉˢ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵈᵉᵃᵈˡʸ!" ᴬˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˢᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ⸴ ʰⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ⸴ ʰᵘʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉ ᵇⁱᵍ⸴ ʰᵉᵃᵛʸ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵃⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱᶜᵏ‧ ᴹᵒʳᵉ ʳᵘᵇᵇˡᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴳᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ʳᵒᶜᵏˢ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵉᵉᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˡⁱᵐᵖ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵈʲᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵉᵃᵏ ᵖᵘˡˢᵉ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʰᵉᵉᵏ‧ "ᵀᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵉᵃʳ‧ "ᵂᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ˡⁱᵐᵇˢ ᵈᵃⁿᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ‧ 'ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵒʷ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵘˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉˡᵈ ᵇʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ˢᵘᵖⁱⁿᵉ ᵖᵒˢⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵈʳᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿˡᵉˢˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᵃˡˡ‧ "ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡⁱᶠᵉ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʷᵒʳᵗʰ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵐⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵇᵛⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉˢⁱˢᵗ ᵒʳ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵉˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ⸴ ⁿᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵖᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵉᵈ!" ᴬᵍᵃⁱⁿ ⁿᵒ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴼʰ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴵ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵏⁱˢˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᴱᵃʳˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ; ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵇʳᵒʷ ᶠᵘʳʳᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃˢ ⁱᶠ ᵏⁿⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵒʳᵐ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉ?" ᴿᵉᵍⁱˢᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ˢᵒ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ "ᴴᵘʰʰʰ ʷ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ʰᵃᵖ⁻ᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍʳᵒᵍᵍⁱˡʸ ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵘᵖ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᵂʰʸ'ˢ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇˡᵘʳʳʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵘᶻᶻʸ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ⸴ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵈʳᵒʷⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ!" 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ⸴ ᵒʰ ʸᵉᵃ‧ ᴵ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ʳᵒᵒᵐ?' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʳᵉˢᶜᵘᵉ!" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ? ᴼʰ⸴ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵉᵃᵏ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᴺᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵈᵒ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᶠᵒᵒˡⁱˢʰ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵖˡᵃⁱⁿ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ˢⁱᶜᵏ⸴ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵒʷ ˢᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᴵ'ᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉⁿᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵉˢ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱᵗᵗᵒ‧ ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧" "ᴬⁿʸ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ ᴳᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" "ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵃⁿʸ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉˢ⸴ ʸᵉˢ; ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ?" ᔆʰᵉ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᔆʷᵉᵉᵗⁱᵉ?" ᔆʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴼʰ ᴵ'ˡˡ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵃʲᵃʳ‧ ᴺⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏˢ‧‧" 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 𝟲𝟴𝟴

Just Thinking ShadowoftheLamp Summary: Plankton reflects a bit on Spongebob. During Sponge out of Water. You're tired. You were so close this time, yet still had a cranking mob at your door. It's barely about the formula anymore. Well, partially. You still want it, of course. But it's the principle of the thing- finally proving that you are the best. But now you're in a greasy old taco hut as far away from everyone as possible, accompanied only by that inane sponge. He's telling you a joke. It's gone on so long you doubt he even remembers how it started, or what the punchline is. Still. Still, his voice isn't that bad to listen to, once you get used to it. Even when he isn't laughing, it has a tinge of perpetual mirth that you can't decide is foolish or admirable in the face of the danger you're both in. He scoops you up easily and sets you on top of the photo booth slash time machine, says something like 'good thing you're light!', and then laughs. From anyone else, it would feel like a jab at your height, but for some reason from him it feels genuine. You pry open the hatch on the top, and he pours in half a bucket of bolts. You're actually... kind of having fun. Mad science is fun, of course, but working with someone else makes it a little less... lonely? No, you don't get lonely. You've been with Karen for almost 20 years. You can't be lonely. It's nice, though. Infernal sponge must be rubbing off on you. You're tired, yet exhilarated- you haven't been this excited for something in ages. Time travel- why hadn't you thought of it before? It seemed fantastical, like sea bears or fairy princesses. It was of course possible, but beyond some boundary you didn't realize you kept behind. Absently, you wondered if you could build another machine, and snatch up Spongebob before he went to work at the Krusty Krab. You kind of doubt it. He probably wouldn't like the Chum Bucket. From what you've caught of his rambling (he seems incapable of not talking when he works, and you feel a twinge of pity for Squidward, who must deal with this every day) he's wanted to work at the Krusty Krab since he was a kid. Figures. With how much he loves the place, it's a wonder he didn't jump on you when the formula disappeared. Not only did he not go after you, but he helped you- helped you against orders, against what he'd declared not five minutes before. Team Krabs, until Krabs stops being the good guy. "Hey, Plankton? You okay?" Spongebob's bright blue eyes are concerned, and you smile. You can't remember the last time someone asked you that. "I'm fine." Deep down, even as you're in arguably the worst position you've ever been in, you know everything's going to be okay. Stats: Published:2016-04-11Words:475

ᴳᵉᵗ ᵁᵖ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵉʳ ˢᵉᵃᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵘᵈᵍᵉ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒʳ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃʳʳʸ ʸᵒᵘ?" ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ'ᵐ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵘʳᵇ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃʳᵈᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ᵖᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐʸˢᵉˡᶠ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵖᵘᵗˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧‧”𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟏 𝐦𝐢𝐧.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3950173/1/Rain-Check

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13307554/14/Plan-S

ᴸⁱᵗʰᵖ Part 1 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴰᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵉⁿᵗⁱᵉⁿᵗ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃⁿ ᵒʳᵍᵃⁿⁱᶜ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿᵃˡⁱᵗʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉˢˢ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵒʳ ᵖʳᵉˢˢᵘʳᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ˡⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ‧ ᔆʰᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵃᵖᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵒᶠ 'ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ' ᵃⁿᵈ 'ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ' ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉˢˢᵉᵈ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ˢʰᵉ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈˢ ᵈⁱᵛᵉʳˢⁱᵗʸ‧ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉˣʰⁱᵇⁱᵗˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᵃˡˢᵒ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵘⁿⁱᑫᵘᵉ‧ ᔆʰᵉ'ˢ ˡᵉᵃʳⁿᵗ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵖʰᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ⸴ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵖʳᵉᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᶜᵉˢ‧ ᴰᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ ʷᵃʸˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵈᵉⁿᵗᵃˡ ᵃᵖᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵐᵉⁿᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ʳᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵐᵒˡᵃʳˢ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᔆⁱⁿᶜᵉ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ⸴ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᵗ ʰᵉʳ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵈᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵗⁱʳᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵘⁿᵃʳᵒᵘˢᵃᵇˡᵉ ˢʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃᵈᵐⁱⁿⁱˢᵗʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵈᵘᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉˢⁱᵃ‧ "ᴰᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ‧ "ᴬˡˡ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ!" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ ⁱⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᴴᵉʰ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ!" "ᴴᵉʷʷᵒ‽" "ᴴⁱ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷⁱˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ‧" "ᴵ ᵐᵃʷʷⁱᵉᵈ?" "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵒʳʳʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʲᵘᵐᵇˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖˢ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂᵘᶻ?" ᔆʰᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵃˡᵐᵒˢᵗ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ; ᴵ ᵗʰᵉᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵒᵘʳˢ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᶜᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉˢⁱᵃ‧ "ᵀʳʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ʸᵒᵘ ʷⁱˡˡ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʲᵃʷ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʰᵒʷ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵒʳᵗʰ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ᵗʰᵃʷ?" "ᴰᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗˢ ᵖᵉʳᶠᵒʳᵐᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵈᵘʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰⁱᵉˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ʰᵒⁿ‧‧" "ᶠᵉᵉˡ ⁿᵘᶠᶠⁱⁿ’ ʷⁱᶠᶠ ᵐʸ ᵐᵒᵘᶠ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵍˡᵒᵇˢ ᵒᶠ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜˡᵃᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵇᵇˡʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬʳʳⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᶠᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ‧" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ⸴ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵇʸ ᵘⁿᵃⁿⁿᵒᵘⁿᶜᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‽" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴾʷᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵒʰ⸴ ᴵ ᶠᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵐᵉ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃᶠʳᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢᵏ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵐᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʸᵉᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ! ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃʸˢ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵐᵃʷʷⁱᵉᵈ!" "ᵂⁱˢᵈᵒᵐ ᵗᵒᵒᵗʰ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵃˡ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿˢ‧ "ᴵ ʰᵃᵇ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰⁱᵉˢ? ᵂʰᵉʷᵉ ᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ?" "ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵉᶠⁱⁿⁱᵗᵉˡʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ‧‧" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰᵉᵉ⸴ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉᵉ ᵐᵉ? ᴵ ʷᵘᵛ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˡˡ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ!" "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ ᵒʳᵍᵃⁿⁱᶜ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍˢ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧‧" ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵉᵉᵐⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ!" "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵉⁿˢⁱᵗⁱᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵒʷ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ?" "ᵀⁱʷᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵘᶜᵏˢ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ⸴ ʷⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵃᵖ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᔆᵘʳᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ʰᵃⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡˢ/ˢⁿᵒʳᵉˢ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ˡᵃᵗᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ᵈ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ⁱᶠ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴮʸᵉ!" ᵀʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ⸴ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ˢᵒʳᵉⁿᵉˢˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ‧ 'ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵐ ᴵ?' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʷⁱˢᵈᵒᵐ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰ ᵗᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ?' "ᴼʷ‧" 'ᴬʰ ᵐʸ ᵍᵘᵐˢ‧ ᴳᵃʰ! ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ?' "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ?" ᔆʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ'ˢ ʷᵒʳⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵇʸ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴼⁿˡʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵈᵘʳᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵘⁿᵍʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ?" "ᴵᶜᵉ ᶜʷᵉᵃᵐ⸴ ᵇᵘ’ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘⁿᵍʷʸ ᶠᵒʷ ᵃ ᵐᵉᵃˡ ʸᵉᵗ‧" 'ᵀᵒ ᵖᵃⁱⁿᶠᵘˡ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵗᵒᵈᵈˡᵉʳ!' "ᴵ ᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵗᵉ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ‧ 'ᴰⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵇⁱᵗᵉ ᵐʸ ᵗᵒⁿᵍᵘᵉ?' "ᔆᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ?" "ᴳᵒⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ⸴ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘʷ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵇ'ᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴵ ᶠⁱⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ?" 'ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ⁱˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢˡᵘʳʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ᵃˢ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵃˢ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ⸴ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵉˡˢᵉ‧" "ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧" "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒᵐⁱᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᴴᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ; ˡᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵉᵐˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵍᵒᵗᵗᵉⁿ‧ "ᴬᵐ ᴵ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡⁱⁿᵍ‽" 'ʸᵉˢ‧' "ᴺᵒᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ‧‧" 'ʸᵉˢ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ‧' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵖᵉˢ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢᵏˢ‧ "ᴳᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢʷᵉᵉᵖ‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ‧ ᵀᵃᵏᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴵ⸴ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ⁱᵗ‧" "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧" "ᔆᵒ ᵈᵒ ᴵ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ to be cont. Pt. Two

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."

"We removed Plankton's wisdom teeth. He's still asleep, you can stay with him." Said the oral surgeon to Karen. They've just finished and lead Karen into the room. Plankton is lying in the hospital bed, his face a mask of peace, the only signs of the recent surgery being the gauze in his mouth and the drool seeping out the side. His cheeks are slightly swollen, and she wonders when he'll wake up. The doctor said it could take a while. The IV line snakes up his arm. Karen pulls a chair up beside the bed. She takes his hand and holds it gently, feeling the warmth of his skin contrast with the coolness of her own palm. The room is sterile, the air conditioning humming steadily in the background. The faint smell of disinfectant fills the space. She looks around the room, noticing the monitors beeping in rhythm with Plankton's breathing and heart rate. The nurse comes in and checks the machines, making a few quiet notes on a clipboard. She smiles at Karen, "He's doing well. Just let him sleep. It's the best thing right now." Karen nods, squeezing Plankton's hand slightly, willing him to feel her presence. She wonders what dreams he's having, if any, behind his closed lid. Time seems to crawl as Karen watches him sleep. She tries to read a book, but the words blur together. Her thoughts drift to their lives before this moment, their shared laughter, their arguments, the quiet moments of understanding. Her gaze lingers on his swollen cheeks, his chest rising and falling with each breath. A soft groan escapes his lips and his eye begins to flutter open. Slowly, Plankton comes to, his vision blurred by the anesthesia's last hangover. He blinks, trying to focus on Karen's face. She sets aside her book and smiles at him, her screen welcoming him back to the world of the conscious. "Hi," she says softly. "How are you feeling?" Plankton makes a sound that's somewhere between a whine and a grunt. His eye wanders the room before finally settling on hers. "What...what happened?" he slurs, the words barely audible through the gauze. Karen's smile widens a bit. "You had your wisdom teeth removed, remember?" He nods slightly. The nurse reappears, checking his vitals again with a gentle touch. "Time to go home," she says, removing the gauze. They make their way out of the hospital, Karen supporting Plankton gently as he stumbles, his legs still wobbly from the anesthesia. The sun is setting, casting long shadows across the parking lot. Karen helps Plankton into the car, buckling him in and adjusting the seat so he can lean back and rest. He nods off almost immediately, his breathing evening out as the car starts and they pull away from the hospital. The drive home is quiet, Plankton's snores punctuating the hum of the engine. Karen keeps glancing over, checking on him, her concern etched into every line on her screen. The pain medication is strong, keeping him in a half-awake state. Each time he wakes, he looks around, disoriented, before his eye finds hers and his expression relaxes. Once they arrive, Karen guides him to the couch, his body feeling heavier than ever before. He slumps into the cushions and she grabs the ice pack from the cooler. "Hold this to your cheeks," she instructs, placing the cold compress against his skin. He nods obediently, his eye already glazing over with the promise of sleep. The TV flickers on, its blue light washing over the room. Karen finds a sitcom they both enjoy, hoping the familiar laughter will ease his pain and keep them both company. But Plankton's snores soon overpower the TV's audio, his head lolling to the side. She smiles, knowing he's in a deep slumber, and covers him with a blanket. The house is eerily quiet except for the steady tick of the clock on the wall. Karen moves around the kitchen, preparing a soft meal for when he wakes, her mind racing with thoughts of what the next few days will be like. Plankton's recovery will be slow, but she's ready to take care of him. She's his rock, his support, and she'll do anything to help him feel better.

Dr. McDermott's dental office. Plankton had been in surgery for wisdom teeth. The receptionist, a young woman named "Samantha," was going up to Karen. "Your husband is to be taken to the recovery," she said, her voice gentle and soothing. Karen nodded. Samantha led her down. Plankton was laid out on a narrow bed, his mouth open slightly. "He's still under," Samantha whispered, "but going to start bringing him out of it now. Waking is a gradual process so.." Karen nodded. She watched as a nurse approached, deftly adjusting tubes and machines connected to him. The nurse flicked a switch and began to decrease the flow. The anesthesia diminished. Plankton's chest continued to rise and fall rhythmically, his eye remained closed. Karen reached out and took his hand, her thumb brushing against his. She squeezed gently, hoping it might provide some comfort, or at least a thread of familiarity, as he began his journey back to consciousness. A few moments later, Plankton's hand twitched ever so slightly in response. "It's ok honey," she whispered, though she knew he couldn't hear. A nurse, named Margaret, offered an assuring smile. "It's normal for it to take time. Just keep talking to him, it'll help." Karen leaned closer, her voice barely above a murmur. "Remember our first date?" she began. Plankton's snore was the only response. "Don't worry, he'll come around soon. Anesthesia can take a while to wear off. And when he does, he'll be groggy. It's like waking up from a deep sleep." Her thoughts drifted to Plankton's snoring, a comforting sound. She squeezed his hand again, trying to will him to wake with her touch. Then, to her surprise, she heard a murmur. "Mm, chum... so... much... chum..." The nurse, Margaret, gave her a knowing look. "It's common for patients to talk in their sleep as they come out of it. Sometimes they say the darndest things." Karen smiles. "Chum?" she repeated, "Is that what you're dreaming about?" "Needff... chum..." "You're ok," she whispered, her voice filled with relief. "You're just dreaming, sweetie." "Chum... I... I nee to... get ith," he slurred. Karen's smile grew, his nonsensical words bringing a small spark of comfort. "You're dreaming about work," she said, stroking his forehead with the back of her hand. The nurse, Margaret, checked the monitors and nodded. "His vitals look good. He'll be fine," she assured. "Remember the first time you made me a Patty?" she asked, her voice soothing. Plankton's grip on her hand tightened slightly, his chest rising and falling with even breaths. "Ith... Ith was’at..." he mumbled. It wasn't often she heard him express his feelings so openly, especially not about her. "What was it, honey?" she prompted, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Youw... youwre the... the besht... the... besht..." his voice trailed off again into snores. Karen chuckled with affection. It was clear he was talking about her, despite the garbled speech. She leaned in closer. "I'm right here," she whispered. Plankton's sleep-talk grew, his grip on her hand tightening. "Pro-tec... the secret... chum... fwom... Plankton..." "You're safe," she said, her voice a soothing whisper. "You don't have to worry about the recipe now." Plankton's slurred words continued. "Fwom... Plankton... ith... ith... my... my... hearth..." It was almost as if he was speaking to it, whispering sweet nothings in his sleep. "Your... your heart?" she repeated uncertainly, trying to make sense of his words. Plankton's chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm, his hand still clutching hers tightly. A faint moan escaped Plankton's lips, and his eye began to flutter open. His eye searched the room, unfocused and glazed. He blinked slowly, a look of confusion spreading across his face. The nurse stood by, monitoring, ready to intervene if needed. "Karen?" he croaked, his voice slurred from the anesthesia. She squeezed his hand tighter and leaned in, her voice as gentle as a lullaby. "Hi, sweetie. It's all over now. You're in the recovery room." Plankton's eye searched hers, still clouded with sleep. "Wha... wha' happen'd?" he managed to ask. "You had your wisdom teeth removed," Karen said softly. "You're ok now." Plankton's eye grew clearer as his mind slowly surfaced from the depths of unconsciousness. He blinked again, looking around the room. "Why... why awe youw smiling?" "You were talking in your sleep," she said, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice. "It was just sweet." Plankton's eye searched hers. "Wha'did I shay?" "You said a lot of things," she replied, her smile lingering. "But the most important part was that you said I was the best." The corner of Plankton's mouth twitched into a weak smile. "Yeah?" he murmured, his voice still slurred. "Well, thath's twue." With Margaret's help, Karen managed to get Plankton into a more upright position. His head lolled slightly before he found his bearings, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. "How do you feel?" Karen asked, her voice full of concern. "Woozy," Plankton mumbled. With Margaret's guidance, Karen helped Plankton to stand, his legs wobbly. He leaned heavily on her, the anesthesia still clouding his movements. She felt his weight and knew that he would need her support to navigate the short walk to the car. "Let's go slow," she said, her voice steady and calm. Plankton nodded, his eye still half-lidded with sleep. They shuffled along the hallway, each step a victory over his grogginess. As they approached the door leading to the parking lot, Plankton swayed. Karen tightened her grip, for his head lolled to the side, and she caught him. "Whoa, honey," she said. Plankton's legs buckled slightly, and his head dropped to her shoulder, his weight pressing against her. Karen steadied him, her arms wrapping around to keep him upright. His breathing was deep and even, eye fighting to stay open. "You can't sleep now," she said, trying to keep the laughter from her voice. "We're not even home yet." With Margaret's help, they made their way to the car, Karen's arm supporting Plankton's weight. "Let's get you buckled in," she said, guiding him to the passenger seat. Plankton complied, his movements still sluggish and uncoordinated. With a gentle push, Karen secured the seatbelt across his chest. His head lolled back against the headrest, and for a moment, she thought he might fall back asleep, but managed to keep his eye open as she starts the engine. As she pulled out of the parking lot, Plankton's eye drifted shut. "We're almost home." Karen says as Plankton's head lolled back against the headrest. She took a hand off the wheel to pat his leg reassuringly. "You can sleep when we get there." Yet Plankton's snores filled the car, punctuating the silence. Karen couldn't help but look over at him, his face relaxed and peaceful in sleep. "Wake up, sweetie," Karen whispered, gently shaking Plankton. He stirred, his eye blinking open with difficulty. "We're home," she said. Plankton groaned. "Careful," she warned. They shuffled inside, Karen guiding him. The smell of home hit them, a mix of saltwater and the faint scent of cooking from the restaurant next door. "Come on, honey," she said, half-guiding, half-carrying him to their bedroom. Karen helped him lie downs. He let out a deep sigh. "Thathks," he murmured, his voice barely audible. Karen settled Plankton into bed, his head resting on the soft pillows, his body limp and heavy with the weight of the anesthesia. She took his other hand and squeezed gently. As they lay there, she noticed a small pool of drool forming at the corner of his mouth. Karen couldn't help but laugh softly, the tension of the day dissipating. She reached for a tissue from the bedside table and gently wiped the drool away. Plankton snuffled, his eye shooting open for a moment before closing again. "Don't worry," she whispered, stroking his forehead. "You're safe. You can go back to sleep now." Plankton's head lolled to the side, and drool grew more insistent, a silent testament to his deep slumber. Karen grabbed another tissue, wiping the saliva that trickled down his chin, his snores rumbling. With each tissue, the intimacy grew, the act of caring for him in this vulnerable state somehow endearing. She felt a tenderness for him that was usually overshadowed by their daily squabbles and the relentless pursuit of the Krabby Patty's secret recipe. As Plankton's snores grew softer, his grip on her hand loosened. Karen gently pulled her hand free and covered him with the blanket. She took a moment to gaze at his peaceful face. It was a side of him she rarely saw, and she found it surprisingly comforting. She leaned over and kissed him softly on the forehead, whispering, "I love you, even when you're drooling." Karen knew Plankton would be out for hours, so she decided to use the time to prepare a light meal for when he woke. She moved quietly to the kitchen, not wanting to disturb him. She rummaged, looking for something soft that wouldn't irritate his sore mouth. In the fridge, she found a bowl of Plankton's favorite jellyfish jello, a treat she had made the night before knowing he wouldn't be able to eat much solid food. Then, she pulled out a loaf of bread and a jar of jelly, carefully making a few soft, fluffy sandwiches that she hoped would be easy for him to chew. Next, she grabbed a few of Plankton's favorite books from the living room. She placed them on the bedside table, along with a glass of water, within arm's reach. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace settle over her as she listened to his rhythmic snores. Despite the stress of the day, she was grateful for the quiet moments like these.

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]

SHELF IMPROVEMENT v (Autistic author) They sat together, the morning light filtering through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over their quiet meal. Karen watched Plankton closely, noticing the subtle differences in his behavior. The way his eye would dart around the room, as if searching for something. The way his antennas would stiffen whenever a noise pierced their sanctuary. "No more noise," he whispered, his voice tight with anxiety. Karen nodded, swiping at her eyes. "I'll be quiet, Plankton. I'm here." They ate in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Karen's mind raced with the implications of this new development. She had read about autism before, but it had always felt like something that happened to other people. Now it was right here, in their kitchen, changing the dynamic of their relationship. Plankton's antennae twitched as he chewed, his focus completely on his food. Every now and then, he'd look up at Karen, his eye searching for reassurance. She gave it without hesitation, her smile genuine, full of love. As they finished breakfast, Karen's mind raced with what their day would look like now. Would they still go about their usual routine, or would everything be different? "Plankton," she said gently, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Do you w..." He flinched at the sudden contact, his antennae shooting straight up. She had to be more careful, more sensitive to his new reality. She pulled her hand back, giving him space. "Plankton," she started again, her voice softer this time. "Do you want to find a quiet place to sit for a while?" He nodded, his antennas still. "Quiet," he whispered, his eye flickering to the living room. Together, they moved to the couch, the sunken cushions welcoming them like an old friend. Karen knew Plankton liked the feeling of being enveloped, and she hoped it would offer him some comfort, and moved a throw blanket over his legs. Plankton leaned into the cushions, his antennae twitching slightly as his eye darted around the room. Karen sat beside him, not sure what to say or do next. "Would you like to read a book?" she offered tentatively. Plankton's antennae stopped moving for a moment, his gaze locking onto hers. "Book," he mumbled, his voice lacking the enthusiasm he usually had. Karen selected a simple story, hoping the familiar words would comfort him. As she read, Plankton remained still, his eye half-closed. The words were a gentle lullaby to his overwhelmed mind. Karen noticed that he didn't react to the plot twists or the punchlines, his expression unchanged. It was as if he was listening, but not quite there. "The end," she said softly, closing the book. Plankton's antennae quivered slightly, and he turned his gaze to her. "Book," he mumbled. It was the first word he had said in what felt like hours. This wasn't the Plankton she knew, the one who could spout complex sentences and wield his wit like a weapon. This was a Plankton lost in a world of sensory overload and confusion. She knew that autism was a spectrum, and that Plankton was still himself, but it was difficult to see him this way. "Let's try something else," she suggested, desperation tinting her voice. She searched his face for any sign of recognition or interest. Plankton nodded, his antennas drooping slightly. "Okay," he murmured, his eye unfocused. "How about we play a game?" she suggested.

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!"

ᴰᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ ᴬᵖᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵐᵉⁿᵗ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Part 1 ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ ᵃᵖᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵗᵃʸˢ ᵘᵖ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢʰᵉ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵘᵇˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧" ᴴⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵇʳᵒʷ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ! ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ?" ᴴᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᴳᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ‧" ᴰᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡⁱᵛᵉ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃⁿ ᵒʳᵍᵃⁿⁱᶜ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ‧ ʸᵉᵗ ˢʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿᵃˡⁱᵗʸ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵈᵉⁿᵗᵃˡ ᶠˡᵒˢˢ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵉⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵃʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉˢ?" 'ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ?' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆᵒ ʷᵉ ᵈᵒ ˢᶜᵃⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ʷᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱˢᵈᵒᵐ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧" 'ᵂʰᵃᵗ‽' "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵃᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈ⁻ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᶜˡⁱⁿᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ?" "ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ ᴵ'ᵐ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰʸᵍⁱᵉⁿⁱˢᵗ! ᴺᵒʷ ʷᵉ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰ ʷᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿᵉˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐᵒˡᵃʳˢ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵃˡ‧ ᵂᵉ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵃʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉʳᵃᵗᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ᵒᵘᵗᵗᵃ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵐᵖʰˡᵉᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿˢᵗʳᵘᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ‧ ᴮᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʷᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃⁿˣⁱᵒᵘˢ‧" ᵀʰᵉ ʰʸᵍⁱᵉⁿⁱˢᵗ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᵈᵒ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉᵉᵗʰ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ᵉʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵖᵃˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵘᵐˢ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵈᵘʳᵉ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ⁱⁿᵛᵃˢⁱᵛᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵉᵈᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧" ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ˡᵉᵗˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ⁱᵗ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶜⁱʳᶜᵘᵐˢᵗᵃⁿᶜᵉˢ‧" "ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿʸ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ?" ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ᵃˢᵏˢ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ'ˡˡ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵉˣⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵒᵖᵉʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵃᵈʸ?" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵍⁱᵛᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˡˡ ⁱⁿᶠᵒʳᵐᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵃᵈᵐⁱⁿⁱˢᵗʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ˢᵉᵈᵃᵗⁱᵛᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴼᵘʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵒⁿⁱᵗᵒʳᵉᵈ‧" ᵀʰᵉ ʰʸᵍⁱᵉⁿⁱˢᵗ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ʲᵒᵇ‧" 'ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵉˡˢᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ˡᵉᵗˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵘʳˢᵉ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ'ˢ ʸᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵖᵉʳᶠᵉᶜᵗˡʸ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ/ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵉᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʰʸᵍⁱᵉⁿⁱˢᵗ ʷⁱᵖᵉˢ ᵃʷᵃʸ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇˡᵉᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇʳᵘⁱˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ˡᵉˢˢ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵃ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵉˣᵖᵉʳⁱᵉⁿᶜᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢʷᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ‧" "ᴿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ! ᴮᵘᵗ ʸᵉˢ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ˢʸˢᵗᵉᵐ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᶜᵗ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵈᵃʸ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵐᵖʰˡᵉᵗ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵘˢᵉ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ⁿᵘᵐᵇᵉᵈ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢˡᵒᵖᵖʸ‧ 'ᵂᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧‧‧' 'ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉ?' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʳʳᶻ ᵇʳʳʳᵈ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᵇᵇˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᴹʳⁿⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" 'ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵐ ᴵ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵘᵐᵇⁿᵉˢˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵈⁱᶠᶠⁱᶜᵘˡᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃʳᵗⁱᶜᵘˡᵃᵗᵉ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡˢ ᵒⁿ ʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒ‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ʲᵒᵇ!" ᴴᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐᵘᶠᶠˡᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵃᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ?" "ᴵ ᵐⁱˢˢ ᴷ⁻ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴵ⸴ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧" "ᴹʸ ˡᵒᵛᵉˡʸ ᴷᵃʳⁱ ᴵ ˡᵒ⁻ᵒᵛᵉ ʰᵉʳ!" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ'ᵐ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ!" ᵀᵒ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉˢ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉ⁻⁻⁻⁻ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‽" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉˣᶜˡᵃⁱᵐˢ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏˢ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴳᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧" "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ?" "ᵂᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵖᵉˢ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠˡᵃᵖˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ʳⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵈʳᵃᵍᵒⁿ‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ˢᵒ⸴ ᵉʸᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵘᵗ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢᵏˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃᵛⁱˡʸ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ʰⁱᵐ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘⁿᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉ‧ 'ᔆᵒ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˢᵗⁱʳʳᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡⁱᶜᵏᵉʳˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ⸴ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ‧ "ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ‧‧" "ᴷ⁻ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ?" 'ᴰⁱᵈ ᴵ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ?' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉʷ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʰᵃᶻʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵃᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵉᵈᵃᵗⁱᵛᵉ/ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉˢⁱᵃ ʷⁱˡˡ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʷᵒʳⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᵈ ˢᵗᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿᵉˢ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘʷ!" "ᶜʰᵃᵗᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵃʸ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵈᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐʸ ᵗᵉᵉᵈ ᶜʳᵉᵃⁿˢ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ‧" "ᴹʸ ⁿᵉⁿᵈⁱˢ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵈᵒᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉⁿᵗⁱˢ‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵖᵘˢʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵃᵘᶻᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ? ᵀʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴱᵃˢʸ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰˢ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ 'ᴶᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ' ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳˢᵉˡᶠ‧ to be cont. pt. two

ᴳᵉᵗ ᵂᵉˡˡ 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 𝟻𝟶𝟶 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉʷ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵇʸ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ˢˡⁱᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ˡᵒᵘᵈˡʸ ˢˡᵃᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉˡᵒʷ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢʷⁱᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ’ᵐ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧‧” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ, ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵒᵖᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶠᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵒˡˡᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ “ᴼʰ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ᵗᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ‧ “ᴵ’ᵛᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵃʸ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖˡᵉᵃᵈᵉᵈ, ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ‧ “ᵀᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧ ʸᵉˡˡ ᵃᵗ ᵐᵉ, ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ! ᴺᵒ ᵒʰ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ⁿᵒ‧‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʷⁱˢᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ, ⁿᵒʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʳᵉᶠˡᵉˣⁱᵛᵉ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰᵉˢ; ⁿᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵍⁱᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡⁱᵐᵖ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢˡⁱⁿᵍˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃʳʳʸ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ˢᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠˡᵃᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ‧ “ᴴᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵉⁿˢⁱⁿᵍ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ‧ ᴾᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖ ˢᵒ ˡᵉᵗ’ˢ ʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ‧” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ, ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ˡⁱᶠᵉˡᵉˢˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ, ʸᵒᵘ’ᵛᵉ ˢᵃᵛᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉ, ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ’ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ ᵇʸ ⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ? ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ…” “ᔆᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ? ʸᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵃʸ‧‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳˢ ᵗᵒ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ˢᵒᶠᵃ‧ “ᴴᵉ ᵗᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ᵉⁿᵗʰᵘˢⁱᵃˢᵗⁱᶜᵃˡˡʸ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵘⁿ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧” ᔆʰᵉ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗᵗᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ᴵ ᵃᵈᵐⁱʳᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵗⁱᵛⁱᵗʸ‧‧” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡᵉᵈ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ‧ “ᴳᵉᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ, ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ⁿᵉᵃʳ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒᶻᵉ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵃⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍʳᵒᵃⁿᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ʸᵉᵗ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?” ᴺᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ‧ ᴳʳᵒᵍᵍⁱˡʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ˢˡᵒʷ‧ “ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵐ ᴵ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵘᵐᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ˢˡᵘʳʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ᶜᵒʰᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ “ᵂʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ?” ᴴᵉ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴬˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵍⁱˢᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ʳᵃᵈⁱᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵈⁱᶻᶻʸ ᵗᵒ‧ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ʰᵉʸ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁿ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧” “ᵂʰᵃᵗ? ᵂʰᵉⁿ’ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ? ᵂʰʸ’ˢ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ…” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵗ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵈʳᵒʷⁿᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ, ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧” “ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ? ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ, ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧” “ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ‧‧”

SPONGEBOB OVERLOAD 1/2 (By NEUROFABULOUS) The morning light peeked through the blinds, painting stripes on the bedroom floor. Karen stirred in her sleep, sitting up. Her husband, Plankton, slept peacefully beside her, his arms wrapped around a pillow. Karen looked over at him, his face calm and serene. The digital alarm clock read 7:00 AM. She carefully slid out of bed, trying not to disturb his slumber. "Karen," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. She paused, half in and half out of the bed. Did he wake? But Plankton's snores grew softly, his breathing even. She sighed with relief. Their son Chip, a lanky teenager, was already up. Karen could hear his footsteps thundering down the hallway, his energy palpable even through the closed bedroom door. He burst into the room, a tornado of teenage angst and excitement. "Mom! Dad!" he shouted. "It's the day!" Karen winced at his volume. Plankton stirred, his eye slitting open. "What is it?" he asked, his voice groggy. "The science fair!" Chip exclaimed, his screen flushed with excitement. Plankton's eye shot open and he sat up instantly, his mind racing. The patty heist. Today was the day he had been meticulously planning for weeks. He had overheard Mr. Krabs, his rival at the Krabby Patty, bragging about their restaurant's dominance over the competition. Plankton had to have it. "Chip, buddy," he said, his voice a mix of sleep and urgency. "I will try to make it, but can’t guarantee it. But Karen, I mean ‘Mom’ can.." Karen's eyes widened, but she nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Her husband’s obsession with Krabby Patties had taken over again. "I'll be there for you, buddy," she assured Chip, trying to mask her own disappointment. Plankton threw the covers off, swinging his tiny legs over the side of the bed. His eye was sharp with focus, his mind already racing with the complexities of his heist. "I'll make it quick," he told Karen, kissing her screen. Plankton tiptoed, his heart pounding. The office door was closed, but unlocked. He eased it open, his eye darting around the room, searching for any signs of movement. Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob were deep in conversation, their backs to the door. Plankton took a deep breath and slipped in, his tiny frame barely making a sound. "Halt!" Mr. Krabs spun around, his beady eyes locking onto Plankton. His face grew red with anger. "What do ye think yer doing here?" Plankton froze, his heart thumping in his chest. "I... I... was just looking for a... a... " He searched for a plausible lie, but his mind was a whirlwind of panic. Mr. Krabs' glower deepened. "Don't lie to me, ye tiny scoundrel! I know what yer after, and ye'll not get it!" Mr. Krabs lunged forward, brandishing a heavy spatula. Plankton squeaked in alarm, trying to dodge the blow. But his reflexes weren't quick enough. The metal spatula connected with his head with a sickening crack, sending him crashing to the floor. The room spun around Plankton as darkness closed in. The last thing he heard was SpongeBob's startled, "Mr. Krabs!" before the world went silent. Mr. Krabs looked down at Plankton's crumpled form, his expression a stormy mix of anger and triumph. He turned to his trusty fry cook. "SpongeBob," he barked. "Take this...this... tiny troublemaker out of me office.." Sponge Bob looked at Mr. Krabs, then at Plankton, his face a mask of confusion and concern. He gently scooped Plankton up with one spongy arm, his eyes filled with concern for the unconscious villain. The weight of the situation hit him, and his steps were heavy as he carried his friend out of the office. He could feel the tension in the room as Mr. Krabs watched them go, his glower never leaving Plankton's form. Sponge Bob's mind raced with questions and worry. He had known Plankton for a long time, despite their rivalry over the Krabby Patty formula. They had shared laughs and schemes in the past, but this... He couldn't believe his boss would stoop so low as to attempt to hurt Plankton. As he stepped into the hallway, Sponge Bob quickly scanned for any prying eyes. The corridor was empty, the usual bustle of the Krabby Patty silenced by the early morning hour. Carefully, he navigated through the kitchen, trying not to jostle him. "What have you done?" Sponge Bob whispered to the unconscious Plankton, his voice tight with concern. He couldn't help but feel a pang of anger at his friend's usual foolishness, but his primary thought was to get him to safety. He carefully maneuvered Plankton's limp body past the kitchen appliances. The sizzle of the frying oil and the faint scent of sea salt filled the air, but Sponge Bob's thoughts were elsewhere. With a heavy heart, he carried Plankton's limp form down the narrow alley between the Krabby Patty and the Chum Bucket. The morning was still cool, the sun not yet high enough to warm the concrete. The journey was quick, but it felt like an eternity to Sponge Bob. Each step was precise, each breath measured. He didn't want to cause his friend any more harm. He reached the Chum Bucket, the neon lights flickering weakly in the early morning. With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, he slipped inside, the smell of stale chum and machinery assaulting his nostrils. "Karen!" he called out softly, his voice echoing in the small space. "Karen, it's Sponge Bob; I need your help!" Karen rushed to the front of the Chum Bucket, her eyes widening at the sight of her husband's lifeless body. "What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling. Sponge Bob gently laid Plankton down on their couch, his eyes filled with remorse. "He... he tried to steal the Krabby Patty formula again," he stammered. "Mr. Krabs... he hit him." Karen's screen paled as she took in the sight of her injured husband. She quickly moved to his side, feeling for a pulse. It was there, still present. "Oh, Plankton," she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. Sponge Bob watched, his eyes brimming with apology. "I didn't know what to do," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Krabs... he just lost it." Karen's eyes were cold and hard. "Thank you for bringing him home, Sponge Bob," she said, her words clipped. “It’s not your fault..” Her voice trailed off as she turned her attention to Plankton. She gently shook his shoulder. "Wake up, Plankton," she whispered. He didn't move. Her eyes searched his face, looking for any sign of consciousness. "Wake up," she said, a bit louder this time, her voice laced with desperation. The silence was deafening. The room felt like it was closing in on them, the air thick with the scent of concern and fear. Karen's voice grew desperate. "Plankton, wake up!" she shouted, patting his cheek gently. There was no response. Panic began to creep into her voice. "Come on, you can do it," she urged, shaking him slightly. "You've got to wake up." Plankton's body remained motionless, his single eye closed tight. Sponge Bob felt the panic swell inside him like a wave crashing against the shore. His heart raced as he watched Karen's desperate efforts to revive her husband. "Maybe we should call a doctor," he suggested, his voice quivering. Karen's eyes snapped to his, a mix of fear and determination. "No," she decided firmly. "We can't involve anyone else. Not yet." The two of them stood silently for a moment, the only sound the ticking of a clock hanging on the wall. They waited, every second seemingly stretching into an eternity. Each tick was a silent plea for Plankton to regain consciousness. Karen's hand hovered over her husband's forehead, feeling for any sign of life. Sponge Bob looked on, his usually cheerful expression now etched with worry. They waited, each second stretching into an eternity, as the morning sun began to creep into the Chum Bucket, casting a pale light over the disheveled scene. The only sounds were the soft whir of the refrigerator and the distant calls of seagulls. Then, a twitch from one of his antennas. It was so slight that Sponge Bob almost missed it. But Karen's gaze was trained on Plankton, and she noticed immediately. Her eyes lit up with hope. "Plankton?" she whispered, her hand moving to his cheek, her voice barely audible. There was another twitch, this time in his brow. Karen's heart leaped in her chest. "Sponge Bob, I think he's coming to." Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on Plankton's face. "Plankton," he whispered, his voice full of hope. "Can you hear us?" Plankton's eye cracked open, battling against the brightness of the morning. His vision was blurry, and the world spun around him. He moaned softly, his head throbbing with pain. "What happened?" he managed to croak, his voice hoarse and weak. Karen's eyes filled with relief. "You're awake!" she exclaimed, squeezing his hand. "You got hurt at the Krabby Patty."

A JOURNEY TO AUTISM ii (Autistic author) His eye took a moment to focus on her, and when it did, she saw a flicker of confusion, followed by a glimmer of recognition. "Karen?" he repeated, his voice still faint. "Yes, it's me, Plankton. You're ok." But his gaze remained distant, his focus unsteady. "Where...where are we?" "We're at the hospital, sweetheart," Karen said softly, stroking his antenna. "You had an accident." The confusion in Plankton's eye grew, and he tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness forced him back down. "What kind of accident?" His voice was still weak, but there was an urgency to his words that hadn't been there before. Karen took a deep breath, her grip on his hand tightening. "Mr. Krabs...he hit you with a fry pan." The words tasted bitter but she had to tell him the truth. Plankton's eye widened slightly, and she watched as the puzzle pieces of the situation slowly clicked into place in his mind. "Krabby Patty," he murmured, his voice distant. "Yes, Plankton, you were trying to get the recipe again," Karen whispered, aching at the memory. "But it's over now. You need to rest." His eye searched hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of his old self, the cunning and ambitious man she had married. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a vacant stare. "Don't... don't remember," he mumbled, his antennas drooping. This wasn't the Plankton she knew, the one who schemed with a glint in his eye and a plan in his pocket. "It's ok, Plankton," she soothed, her voice trembling. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Do you remember me?" Plankton's gaze remained steady for a moment, and then he nodded slowly. "Karen," he said, his voice a hoarse whisper. But the spark of recognition was tinged with confusion, as if he wasn't quite sure how he knew her. Karen's felt like breaking into a million tiny pieces. But she knew she had to stay strong. For Plankton. For them. "You don't remember what happened, do you?" she asked gently. "What else do you remember?" Plankton's antennas twitched slightly, his eye searching hers. "Don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Karen's chest tightened as she held back a sob. "It's ok," she reassured him, her voice shaky. "Do you remember your name?" she asked, her voice hopeful. He blinked slowly, his gaze fading in and out of focus, his brow furrowing as he concentrated. "Sheldon... Plankton?" The sound of his voice saying his own name brought a small smile to Karen's face. "Yes, that's right," she said, her voice filled with relief. "Do you remember where we live?" she continued, her tone gentle. Plankton's eye searched the ceiling of the hospital room, as if the answer was written there. "The Chum Bucket," he murmured, his voice unsure. Karen nodded, encouraged by his response. "Good, good," she said, smiling weakly. "What about our friends?" Again, the confusion clouded his gaze. "Friends?" he repeated, his voice tentative. "SpongeBob, Sandy...?" "Yes," Karen said, her voice soft. "Do you remember them?" Plankton's expression grew more distressed, his antennas drooping. "Square...SpongeBob. And a squirrel, yes?" He paused, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. Karen nodded, brimming with unshed tears. "Yes, SpongeBob SquarePants and Sandy Cheeks. They're friends." Plankton's antennas twitched as he processed the information, his brow furrowing with the effort. "Friends," he repeated, the word sounding foreign. Karen could see the gears turning in his tiny head, his brain desperately trying to make connections to his past. "Do you remember anything about your life before the accident?" Karen asked, her voice trembling with anticipation. Plankton's eye searched hers, uncertain. "Life...before?" Her heart sank. "You know, our adventures, our home, our love?" He stared at her, his expression unreadable. "Love?" The word was barely a whisper. "Yes, Plankton," she said, her voice cracking. "We love each other. We've been married for a long time, and we've had so many adventures together." She paused, willing the words to resonate with him, to ignite a spark of memory. "Do you remember any of that?" Plankton's gaze remained vacant for a moment before he nodded slightly. "Married," he murmured, as if tasting the word for the first time. "To Karen." His antennas lifted slightly, a glimmer of something familiar flickering in his eye. "Karen Plankton computer wife." "Yes, Plankton," Karen said, her voice thick with emotion. "Does that mean something to you?" she asked, her heart in her throat. He nodded slowly, his antennas waving slightly. "Computer wife," he murmured again, his voice gaining a hint of warmth. "Karen." Karen felt a flicker of hope. "Yes, Plankton, I'm your wife." She leaned closer, her voice gentle. "Do you remember anything about us?" Plankton's antennas twitched as he thought. "Wife," he said slowly, his voice a faint echo of the man she knew. "Wife...Karen. Married July 31, 1999." That was their wedding day, a date they had celebrated every year since. "Yes," she whispered, her voice choking. "We got married on July 31, 1999." The hospital room felt thick with silence as she waited for his next words. Plankton's eye searched the room, his antennas twitching as he tried to piece together the shards of his past. "Plankton, can you tell me about yourself?" Karen asked, her voice gentle. "What do you like to do?" Plankton's antennas twitched as he thought. "Invent," he said, his voice still weak but with a hint of pride. "Science?" The words came out as a question, as if he wasn't quite sure of his own identity. "Yes," Karen said, her voice brightening slightly. "You're a genius inventor. You've made so many wonderful things." She paused, hoping to see some spark of recognition in his eye. "Do you remember any of your inventions?" Plankton's antennas waved in the air, as if searching for the memories that remained elusive. "Inventions," he murmured, his single eye searching the ceiling. "Gadgets...machines." "That's right," Karen encouraged, squeezing his hand. "You've created so many amazing machines. Can you describe one of them?" He blinked, his antennas stilling for a moment. "Chum...Chum Dispenser 3000," he said, his voice picking up a bit. "It makes...makes food for fishies." Karen's smile grew despite the pain. The Chum Dispenser 3000 was one of his earlier inventions, a failed attempt to lure customers to their restaurant, but it was a testament to his ingenuity. "That's wonderful, Plankton," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "How about something more recent?" she prompted, eager to see how much of their shared history remained with him. Plankton's antennas twitched as his brain worked overtime. "Um... the Incredibubble," he said, his voice picking up speed as he talked. "It's a bubble that can shrink things down to microscopic size." Karen felt a jolt of excitement. "That's right!" she exclaimed, squeezing his hand. "You used it to get to find a secret plan." Plankton's gaze remained distant, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eye. "Computer... plan?" "Yes," Karen said, her voice shaking. "We've had so many adventures together, Plankton. We've faced so much together." He nodded, his antennas twitching slightly. "Together," he repeated, as if testing the word on his tongue. "Do you remember any of those adventures?" Karen asked, her voice trembling. "Adventures?" Plankton's eye flickered, and she could almost see the wheels turning in his mind. "With Karen... wife?" "Yes, with me. We've traveled the ocean, faced so many challenges together." The doctor came in. "You can go home now," he said. Karen nodded, never leaving Plankton's face. She had spoken to the doctor about his condition, about the autism, but she still wasn't sure how to process it all. How would their life change now? "Come on, Plankton," she said, helping him sit up gently. "Let's get you home." She buckles him into his side of the car, his newfound passivity making the usual struggle unnecessary. The engine of the tiny vehicle roars to life, and Karen guides them out of the hospital parking lot. The ride back to the Chum Bucket is quiet, the only sound being the hum of the car's engine and the occasional splash from the waves outside. Karen keeps glancing at Plankton, his antennas listless as he stares out the window. His mind seems to be somewhere else, lost in a world of his own making. When they arrive, she helps Plankton out of the car and supports him as they make their way to the door. The neon sign flickers in the gloom, casting erratic shadows across the sand. The once bustling environment now feels eerie and desolate. Karen's mind is racing with thoughts of how to make this place feel like home again for Plankton.

SPONGEBOB OVERLOAD 2/2 (By NEUROFABULOUS) Plankton's memory was a jumble of images and sounds, but he recaled the confrontation with Mr. Krabs, the spatula, and the pain. He sat up slowly, his head spinning. The pain was intense, but his mind was racing even faster. Plankton looked around the room, his eye trying to make sense of the scene. The Chum Bucket was a mess, his usual order thrown into chaos. Karen's face was a blur of concern, and Sponge Bob hovered close by, his expression filled with a mix of fear and pity. Plankton's mind raced, his thoughts scattered like sand in a storm. He felt a deep disconnect from the world around him, as if he was watching a play in which he was a reluctant participant. His head throbbed, but not just from the blow. It was the pressure of his own thoughts, his brain working overtime to process what had just occurred. Karen noticed the confusion in his expression and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You had an accident, sweetie," she said softly. "It's okay. You're home now." Plankton's eye darted around the room, his mind struggling to understand the sudden shift in his reality. The noise was overwhelming, each sound a needle pricking his sensitive nerves. "Karen," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "What's happening?" Her gaze softened. "You got hurt, Plankton," she explained gently. "But the science fair," he mumbled, his thoughts jumbled. Karen's expression grew even more concerned. "The science fair can wait, Plankton," she soothed. But Plankton's mind was stuck in a loop, repeating her words. "The science fair can wait Plankton," he echoed, his voice frail and distant. Karen's eyes grew wet with worry. "Yes, dear," she said, stroking his arm. "Your wellbeing is more important." Plankton's eye narrowed as he repeated her words, his voice a mix of stubbornness and determination. "Wellbeing is important," he murmured, his thoughts racing. The words echoed in his head, a maddening loop. "The science fair can wait, Plankton," he whispered to himself, his voice taking on a rhythmic pattern. "Can wait, can wait..." Sponge Bob watched, his heart heavy with concern. He had never seen his friend like this, his usual confidence and scheming reduced to repetitive mumbles. "Plankton," he ventured cautiously, placing a spongy hand on his shoulder. Plankton's eye snapped to his, the loop breaking for a brief moment. "Sponge Bob," he murmured, his voice still weak. Sponge Bob's heart leaped with hope. "Yes, Plankton, I'm here," he said gently. But Plankton's gaze was distant, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. "Wellbeing is important," he murmured again, the words coming out in a staccato rhythm, his mind locked in the grip of echolalia. Karen's heart clenched with fear. This wasn't just disorientation from his injury. This was something more. "Sponge Bob," she whispered urgently. "I think he's in shock." Sponge Bob nodded, his face a mask of concern. "I'll get some water," he said, rushing to the sink. He filled a glass and hurried back, careful not to spill a drop. Plankton's eye followed the glass, his gaze unfocused. He began to rock back and forth slightly. Karen noticed the change in his behavior, her concern deepening. "Here, drink some water," she urged, offering the glass to his shaking hand. Plankton took it without a word, his motions mechanical. He brought the glass to his lips, but his hand trembled so badly that water sloshed out, spilling down. The moment the cool liquid hit the floor, a strange look passed over his face. It was as if he had seen a ghost, his single eye going wide with alarm. "The water," he stammered, his voice shaking. Karen's heart sank as she watched her husband's distress. "It's okay, Plankton," she soothed. "It's just water..." But Plankton's eye were glued to the spilled water, his entire body trembling. "It's... it's not right," he muttered, his voice filled with a childlike fear. Karen looked confused, the spilled water seemingly a minor issue. “Plank…” “It’s not right!” Plankton’s voice was urgent now, his trembling hand gesturing at the spill. His mind was a whirlwind of disturbing thoughts, each more distressing than the last. Sponge Bob and Karen exchanged worried glances. “What do you mean, Plankton?” Sponge Bob asked, kneeling beside the couch, his eyes full of concern. Plankton's breathing grew rapid, his chest heaving. "The... the... water," he stuttered, pointing at the puddle. "It's too... too... much!" Karen's gaze flitted to the floor, then back to her husband. "It's okay," she soothed, her voice quaking with fear. "It's just a little spill." But Plankton's agitation only grew. He flung the glass aside, the remaining water splattering against the wall. "No!" he shouted, his voice high and desperate. "Too much!" Karen and Sponge Bob watched in horror as Plankton collapsed into a sobbing mess, his tiny body wracked with tremors. His hands fluttered in his face, his breath coming in quick, sharp gasps. The room grew claustrophobic, the air thick with his panic. "It's okay," Karen whispered, her voice shaking. "It's just water, Plankton." But his anguished cries only grew louder. Sponge Bob's heart ached as he watched his friend fall apart before his eyes. Plankton's behavior was unlike anything he had ever seen, his usual cunning replaced with a raw, overwhelming fear. The room grew smaller as Plankton's sobs filled the space, his body convulsing with the intensity of his breakdown. Karen looked at Sponge Bob, her expression a mix of despair and determination. They both knew they had to calm him down, but how? Sponge Bob took a deep breath, trying to think. "Plankton," he said softly, his voice a gentle coax. "Look at me, buddy. It's just a spill. It's okay." Plankton's cries grew louder, his body shaking uncontrollably. Karen wrapped her arms around him, trying to soothe the storm raging inside his mind. "Shh, it's okay," she murmured, her voice barely audible over his cries. Sponge Bob's heart was in his throat as he watched his friend's breakdown. Plankton was not his usual self. The usually scheming, sneaky scientist was reduced to a quivering mess, his sobs echoing off the walls of the tiny Chum Bucket. His face was a mask of fear and confusion, his single eye wide with panic. "Plankton, please," Karen begged, her voice trembling. "You're scaring me." She scans his brain. The results were not what she expected. The blow from Mr. Krabs had caused more damage than she could have imagined. The injury had altered his brain chemistry in a way that was both profound and irreversible. Plankton had developed a rare condition called acquired autism, a disorder that could occur after a severe head trauma. It was a cruel twist of fate for a man whose life had been consumed by the desire for the Krabby Patty formula. The realization hit Karen like a tidal wave, knocking the wind out of her. Her eyes filled with tears as she whispered the diagnosis to Sponge Bob and Plankton. His expression mirrored her shock and sadness. Sponge Bob sat silent for a moment, his usually cheerful face contorted with sympathy and concern. "What do we do?" he asked finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “Can you clean the mess?” Karen asks him. He nodded solemnly, his movements slow and deliberate as he stood up to mop the spilled water. As he worked, he couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow for his friend. Plankton had always been the troublemaker, the one who pushed boundaries. But now, his world was shattered. The silence in the room was only broken by Plankton's sobs and the swish of the mop. Sponge Bob's heart felt heavy as he cleaned up the water, his thoughts racing. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. His best friend, his rival, his... his family. Plankton had always been there, through thick and thin, and now he was... different. And yet, that’s ok.

AUTISM IN THE PLANKTON FAMILY iii (Autistic author) Karen picked him up, and carried his limp form to his bed. She stood there for a moment, watching his chest rise and fall. The snores grew quieter as sleep consumed him. The weight of what had just happened settled on her shoulders. Karen lay him down gently. She tucked him in, his antennae resting against the pillow. The room was quiet except for his soft snores, a stark contrast to the chaos that had filled it moments before. Karen sat by his side, her hand on his arm. After a few moments, she stood up and walked to the door, closing it gently behind her. She found Hanna in the living room, her eyes red-rimmed and worried. "Hanna, I need to talk to you," Karen said, her voice firm but not accusing. Hanna looked up, her expression hopeful for guidance. Karen sat beside her, her eyes on her own hands, which were fidgeting in her lap. "Plankton's been through a lot," she began, her voice measured. "He's different now." Hanna nodded, her eyes wide with unspoken questions. "Still coming to terms with it but you're just fine. It's a rarity, yet he'll be fine." "I guess I'll head out. I never meant to cause Plankton distress." Karen nodded, her eyes still on her fidgeting hands. "Thank you for understanding. I'm pretty sure he knows you didn't mean to, but I can still tell him when he wakes up." Hanna left, and Karen went back to the bedroom. Plankton was still asleep, his breathing steady and peaceful. Karen sat by the bed. Plankton's snores were the only sound in the room, a gentle reminder of the peace that sleep brought him from his tumultuous world of heightened senses. Karen took a deep breath, her thoughts racing. This was their new normal, a dance of understanding and patience they would have to learn. When Plankton next woke up, his eye searched the room, his antennae twitching slightly. He looked over to find Karen sitting in a chair beside the bed, her gaze on him. "Hi," she said, her voice gentle. He sat up slowly, the fabric of the bed rustling beneath his weight. "How are you feeling?" Karen's concern was palpable, her eyes scanning his face for any signs of distress. Plankton took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. Karen's presence was a balm to his soul, her understanding a lifeline in the storm of sensory input. "Where's Hanna?" Karen sighed, her gaze never leaving his face. "She left, sweetie. You were a bit...overwhelmed." Plankton nodded, his antennae twitching with the memory of the sensory assault. "It's okay," Karen assured him, her voice a soft whisper. "She just didn't understand, and felt bad for the way she treated you." Plankton nodded, his antennae still. The room was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos from before. He took a moment to collect himself, his thoughts racing. "Sorry," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. Karen reached out and took his hand, her grip firm but gentle. "You have nothing to apologize for," she said, her tone soothing. "This is all new to us. Would you like to eat?" Plankton nodded. "I'll get you something quiet and simple," Karen said, standing up. She knew that too much stimulation could send him spiraling. In the kitchen, she prepared a snack of plain crackers. She placed the plate on the table carefully, not wanting to startle his heightened senses again. Plankton entered the room, his movements deliberate and slow. He sat down across from her, his eye darting around the room. "It's ok," Karen reassured him, handing him the plate of crackers. "Just food." "Just food. It's ok; just food." He repeats back to himself, focusing on the plate. Each cracker was a tiny square of safety, a familiar comfort in a sea of sensory uncertainty. He took a deep breath and selected one. The taste was comforting, a reminder of a simpler time. Karen watched him, her screen filled with love. Plankton took a sip of water, his eye never leaving hers. "It's ok just food," he said again, his voice still low. "Karen good and good food. It's ok." Karen nodded, her smile a mix of relief and sadness. She knew his echolalic tendencies was the autism, but she's glad he likes the food as well. They sat in silence, the only sound the crunch of crackers and the occasional sip of water. Plankton's eye focused on the cracker in his hand, the patterns on the surface a comfort. His autistic brain craved the predictability, the sameness that calmed his nerves. This was the man she knew, yet he was different. The Plankton who was always plotting and scheming was now one who found comfort in the mundane. His mind felt clearer now, the overwhelming chaos of the earlier encounter with Hanna beginning to fade. Karen watched him, her heart breaking for the silent struggle she knew he faced every moment. "I'll talk to Hanna," she said gently. "I'll explain. What do you want me to tell her? What'd you like for her to know?" Plankton's gaze remained on the cracker, his thumb tracing the edge. "Tell her sorry," he mumbled. "What else? I mean, is it ok if I tell her you're autistic now? Or what about the accident that lead to the autism?" Plankton's antennae twitched at the word 'accident', his mind reeling with memories of the stove, the fight with Mr. Krabs, the pain. But he nodded slowly. "Ok," he murmured. Karen's heart ached at the simplicity of his response. The complexity of his thoughts was now a tightly guarded secret, hidden behind a wall of sensory overload. "Okay, I will," Karen said, her voice soft. "But remember, it's ok to be different." Plankton nodded, his eye still on his food. But as he took another cracker, he paused. He looked up, his gaze locking with hers. "Karen," he said, his voice a little stronger now. "I, I l-love you." Karen's eyes widened at the sudden declaration. "Oh, Plankton," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you too." Plankton nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "Karen making everything okay," he murmured. He took another cracker, his hands shaking slightly. "You make Plankton feel safe," he continues with sincerity. "In a world that's too much, Karen not too much." Karen's eyes filled with tears at his heartfelt words. She reached across the table and took his hand. "Plankton, I'm here for you. Always." Plankton's antennae stopped twitching. He looked into her screen, his own filled with a depth of emotion that hadn't seen before. "You good, Karen," he said, his voice steady. "Helping Plankton." Plankton was finding his way to express himself, to connect with her in a way that was meaningful. She squeezed his hand. "I'll always help you," she promised. "Karen," Plankton began, his voice tentative. He took a deep breath, trying to find the words. "I love you, Karen," he said finally, his eye intense with feeling. Karen swelled with love and pride. Despite his struggles, Plankton was learning to express his emotions in a way that made sense to him. It was a victory, small but significant. "Thank you, Plankton," she said, squeezing his hand. "Your love makes me happy." His antennae twitched slightly, a sign of his awkwardness with the emotional exchange. The room was quiet, the only noise the soft sound of their breathing and the occasional crunch of a cracker. Plankton's eye searched hers, looking for reassurance. "Plankton need...space," he managed, his voice shaky. "Too...much emotional interaction. Still love." Karen nodded, understanding dawning. "Okay, sweetie," she said, releasing his hand. "I'll be right here. Take all the time you need."

PATRICK PLANKTON 1/4 (NEURODIVERGENT AUTHOR) Patrick went in the Chum Bucket where Plankton lives with Karen. "Welcome to the Chum Bucket Patrick," Karen called out. Patrick waved back, eyes lighting up at the sight of the various contraptions and inventions that lined the walls. He always found Plankton's fascinating, a stark contrast to the bright and bustling SpongeBob's pineapple house. The Chum Bucket was like a treasure trove of mysteries waiting to be uncovered, and Patrick loved a good mystery. He wandered further into the lab, his footsteps echoing off the metal floors, each step revealing more of Plankton's ingenious creations. Suddenly he spotted a tiny figure hunched over a book on a couch. It was Plankton, his single eyeball glued to the pages, oblivious to the world around him. The book's title, "101 Ways to Steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula," was barely visible under a thick layer of dust. "Hey, Plankton!" Patrick bellowed, his voice booming like a foghorn in the small, cluttered space. The sudden noise caused Plankton to jump, sending his book flying into the air. "What are you reading?" Karen, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold from her desk, couldn't help but notice that Plankton had not moved a muscle since the book flew from his grasp. His body remained rigid, his eyeball unblinking. Concern crept into her voice as she called out to him, "Plankton, are you ok?" The tiny villain didn't respond, his expression frozen in a silent scream. Patrick looked around, puzzled. "Is he playing a game?" he asked, his tone hinting at the innocent curiosity that often got him into trouble. Karen recognized immediately went to the couch and sat by Plankton, Patrick not knowing what's happening. Karen's gaze fell upon Plankton's unblinking eye and she knew instantly what was wrong. He was in a state of sensory overload. She had seen it happen before, though Patrick hasn't. She gently touched his shoulder, trying to coax him back to reality. "Plankton, sweetiep," she cooed. Patrick's puzzled expression grew more concerned as he took in Plankton's unresponsive state. "What happened to him, Karen?" he asked, his voice quieter now, a hint of worry in his tone. "It's his sensory shutdown, Patrick," Karen explained softly, stroking Plankton's arm gently. "It's like his brain got too full of thoughts and had to take a little break. It's ok, he'll be fine." She knew this was something he'd have to come out of on his own. She had been there for him countless times before, each instance more terrifying than the last, but she had learned patience was key. Patrick, still not fully grasping the situation, knelt beside the couch. He leaned in closer to Plankton nearly touching the little plankton's face. "Hey buddy you ok?" he asked, his voice now a gentle whisper. Karen put a hand on Patrick's arm, gently guiding him back. "Just give him some space, Patrick," she instructed. "He'll come around. This happens when he's really stressed or overwhelmed." Patrick nodded slowly, his eyes still glued to his friend. He didn't fully understand, but he knew that Karen knew what she was talking about. He stepped back, allowing Karen to continue her soothing whispers to Plankton. The room grew quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of a clock that had long ago lost track of time and the soft hum of machines in the background. The tension in the air was palpable, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting for Plankton to snap out of his frozen state. "You can do it, Plankton," she encouraged. "Just breathe." Plankton's body slowly relaxed, and his eye blinked, finally coming back into focus. He looked around, bewildered, as if he had just woken from a particularly vivid nightmare. "Karen?" he croaked, his voice weak and trembling. "I'm here, Plankton," she said, her hand still resting on his arm. "You had another shutdown, but it's over now." His eye narrowed on Patrick, who was now standing awkwardly by the couch. "What?" Plankton snapped. Patrick's eyes widened. "I-I just want to see what was wrong," he stuttered. "Well, nothing's wrong with me!" Plankton spat pushing himself up from the couch. "But you were just..." Patrick started to protest. "I said there's nothing wrong!" Patrick took a step back. "But..." "Just leave me alone!" Plankton shouted, echoing off the cold metal walls. Patrick's smile faded, and he looked down. He hadn't meant to upset his friend, but he couldn't help but feel confused and hurt by Plankton's sudden outburst. "I-I'm sorry, Plankton," he murmured. "I didn't mean to... I just..." "You just what?" Plankton cut him off, antennae quivering with irritation. "You just don't know to mind your business do you?" "But I just..." "I said leave me alone!" Plankton barked again, his tiny frame shaking with anger. Patrick took another step back, his eyes brimming with confusion. "Plankton..." "What part of 'leave me alone' don't you understand?" Plankton retorted. Patrick's eyes searched the room, desperate to find something to say or do that would fix the situation. The air grew thick with the tension of Plankton's frustration and Patrick's fear of losing a friendship he had worked hard to maintain despite their many differences. "I just..." he began again, his voice trailing off as he tried to find the right words. "What is it?" Plankton snarled, impatience growing with each passing second. Patrick took a deep breath, trying to compose his thoughts. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok because I don't know what's wrong with you," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Wrong with me?" Plankton's voice grew louder, his tiny fists clenching at his sides. "You think there's something wrong with me?!" Patrick took another step back, his eyes never leaving Plankton's furious gaze. "Well, you know you were just sitting there, not moving..." "It's none of your business!" Plankton yelled, his antennae quivering with rage. "What's it to you anyway?" Karen, who had been watching the exchange with a growing sense of unease, knew that she had to intervene. She could see the hurt in Patrick's eyes and the turmoil within Plankton's, and she knew that their friendship was hanging by a thread. Carefully, she stood up from her chair and approached the two, her movements deliberate and calming. "Plankton, honey, let's not get too worked up," she said placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Patrick didn't mean any harm. He's just worried about you." Patrick nodded emphatically, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Yeah, buddy, I just want to help." But Plankton's anger didn't subside. "You don't get it do you? I don't need your help, or your pity. I just want you to leave me alone!" Karen's gaze softened as she looked at her husband. "Patrick, I know you mean well, but sometimes Plankton needs his space." Patrick's eyes darted from Karen to Plankton, his confusion now mixed with a hint of sadness. "But, I thought..." Karen stepped between them, her eyes filled with understanding. "Patrick, sometimes Plankton just needs a moment." She turned to Plankton, her voice firm but gentle. "And Plankton, you know Patrick only wants to be there for you." Plankton's eye narrowed, but he didn't argue. He just nodded curtly, embracing her hand. "Ok," Patrick murmured, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Look, Patrick," Karen said, her voice measured and soothing, "Plankton's got a condition." Karen turns to Plankton as Patrick comes back by them. "Plankton, may you explain to Patrick?" Plankton let out a heavy sigh, his tiny shoulders rising and falling dramatically. Patrick's expression grew more concerned, his pink star-shaped body inching closer to the couple. "Plankton, don't be scared.." "I'm not scared!" Plankton barked, his antennae shooting straight up. "I just don't need you poking in to my business!" Patrick's eyes grew wide, and he took a tentative step back. "But..." "But nothing!" Plankton spat, curling inward to Karen. "I don't need your help, I don't need your pity, and I certainly don't need you treating me like some sort of lab experiment!" Ignoring the barb, Patrick took a step closer, his tentacles reaching out to pat Plankton's shoulder. It was a gesture of comfort he'd seen SpongeBob use countless times, and it had always worked to soothe his frayed nerves. But as soon as his hand made contact, Plankton flinched violently, as if he'd been scalded. "Don't touch me!" he yelled, shoving Patrick's hand away. Patrick's eyes went wide, and he took a hasty step back, his tentacles retreating into his body. "I'm sorry, Plankton," he stammered, his voice full of genuine remorse. "I didn't mean to..."

COPEPOD AUTISM pt. 5 (Neurodivergent author) Karen returns to the bedroom, where Plankton is already snoring softly. She pulls the covers up to his chin, tucking in gently. She sits in the chair beside his bed, never leaving his peaceful form. His chest rises and falls in the steady rhythm of sleep, each breath a testament to his resilience. Karen watches him, her mind racing with thoughts of what the future holds, the challenges they'll face together. But for now, she forces herself to be still. Plankton's antennae twitch in his sleep, as if he's navigating the vast underwater world of his dreams. Karen watches him, full of a love she didn't know existed. The soft snores from Plankton's tiny form are music to her. In his sleep, the weight of the world is lifted, his mind free to explore the vast depths of his underwater universe without fear. Her gaze lingers on the soft lines of his face, the tension erased by the gentle embrace of slumber. She smiles, her eyes filling with tears. The room is a sanctuary, a bubble of quiet amidst the storm of confusion and fear. The shadows play across the wall, telling silent stories of adventures that await when he wakes. Karen reclines in the chair, her hand resting gently on his arm. The nap stretches into an hour, then two, the house a cocoon of peace around them. Plankton's body relaxes into the embrace of the bed, his mind swimming through a sea of tranquility. Karen sits by his side, her hand still resting on his arm. She thinks of the Plankton she knew before, his quirks and routines now painted with the brushstroke of understanding. Autism isn't a label to shrink from, but a part of him to be embraced, a piece of the intricate tapestry that makes him who he is. In his sleep, Plankton starts to murmur, his words a jumble of half-thoughts. Karen leans closer, trying to make sense of the words. "...I...Karen...love." Her hand squeezes his arm gently, her thumb tracing circles on his skin. "I love you too, Plankton," she whispers back, her voice a soft lullaby. Plankton's sleep-talk starts up again. "...so many stars," his voice murmurs, his antennae twitching with the vividness of his dream. Karen smiles, imagining the vast cosmos that must exist in his mind. Her hand continues its gentle caress, her hand stroking his antennae in a calming pattern. "Shh, Plankton, it's just a dream," she soothes. His snoring starts again, a soft, rhythmic sound that fills the quiet. She smiles, her eyes still on his peaceful form. The world outside their sanctuary seems to fade away, its worries and noises muted by the wall of their understanding. Plankton's autism is a challenge, but it's also a bridge that's brought them closer, a shared secret that only the two of them understand. As Plankton sleeps, Karen's phone vibrates with a text from her friend, Hanna. "Dinner tonite?" Her thumb hovers over the keyboard, debating. Plankton's diagnosis is still fresh, the memory of his seizure a stark reminder of the fragility of his newly understood world. But she knows the importance of keeping up appearances, of not letting fear or pity define them. With a sigh, she texts back, "We'd love to. Your place." The evening stretches before them like a tightrope, a delicate balance between Plankton's needs and the social norms that often feel like a prison for him. Karen's mind whirs with strategies to make it work. A quiet place, familiar faces, a set schedule. These are the keys to a successful outing. Gently, she shakes him awake, her touch as light as a seashell on the shore. Plankton's antennae twitch, his eye fluttering open. He looks up at her with sleepy confusion, the world still a blur. "Dinner with Hanna," she says, keeping her voice low and soothing. He nods, his body already tensing in anticipation of the sensory bombardment to come. The car ride is a symphony of preparation, the engine's hum a soothing background to their silent conversation. Karen's eyes are on the road, but her mind is on Plankton, his hands fidgeting in his lap. She knows the world outside is a minefield of sounds and sensations, so she keeps the radio off and the windows up, creating a bubble of quiet around them. Plankton's breathing is shallow, his antennae twitching with each passing car. Karen reaches over to squeeze his hand, a silent reminder that she's there. He looks at her, his eye filled with a mix of fear and gratitude. She smiles, the warmth of her gaze a lifeline in the chaos. "We're almost there," she says, her voice a gentle wave lapping at the shore. They arrive at Hanna's house, a beacon of light in the deep blue sea of the night. The door opens, revealing a whirlwind of laughter and chatter, the smell of garlic bread and seafood stew wafting out. Karen takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the evening ahead. Plankton's antennae quiver, his eye wide at the unfiltered stimulation. Hanna, oblivious to their new dynamic, waves them in with a cheerful smile. "You're just in time!" she exclaims, her voice a trumpet in the quietude of Plankton's mind. Karen's hand tightens around his, a silent reassurance as the door closes, the sound a thunderclap in his ears. The house is a cacophony of sounds and smells, a whirlpool of sensory information threatening to pull him under. He gulps, his breathing shallow, his body braced for the inevitable. Hanna, their friend, is a whirlwind of energy, her eyes sparkling like the ocean's surface. She doesn't notice the tension in Plankton's body, the way he flinches at her excited exclamations. She doesn't see the way his antennae twitch, his mind racing to keep up. But Karen does. She's his lifeline in this tumultuous sea of social interactions. She nods, smiling, as Hanna leads them to the dinner table, her hand squeezing Plankton's in silent support. The room is a kaleidoscope of colors, the clatter of silverware and laughter a symphony of overwhelming sound. Karen's eyes dance over the room, noting each potential trigger. "Hey, ladies; meet Karen and Plankton!" Hanna's enthusiastic introduction was like a tidal wave crashing over the quiet bubble they'd been in. Plankton flinched, his antennae retreating like snails into their shells. Karen offered a forced smile, her eyes darting around the room, searching for an anchor. The dinner table was set with a rainbow of plates and bowls, the smell of garlic bread and seafood stew overwhelming. Hanna's home was a sensory minefield, but Karen was determined to navigate it with grace. Plankton's hand was cold in hers, a silent plea for rescue. As they sit, Karen scans the table, noticing the flickering candles, the glint of silverware, and the clinking of glasses. Each detail a potential trigger. She whispers into Plankton's ear, "Remember, if you need to, just tell me." He nods, his antennae tucking closer to his head.

WISDOM WITH TEETH 1/2 Karen glanced at the clock, its digital display reading 7:58 AM. "Alright, Plankton, it's time to get up. The dentist's appointment is at 8:30," she says. Groaning, Plankton pulls the covers over his head. "Do we have to go right now?" he mumbles. "I'm not even hungry for breakfast." Karen rolls her eyes and smiles. "No, honey, you're not supposed to eat before the surgery. Come on." The drive to the dental office is filled with tension. The scent of antiseptic greets them as they walk in. Finally, the nurse calls his name, and his heart skips a beat. Karen squeezes his hand reassuringly as they follow her down the hallway. The chair in the operating room is a monstrous contraption that looms over him like a predator ready to devour him. The nurse tells him to sit, and he does, reluctantly. The doctor enters the room. He explains the procedure in detail. The nurse wraps a blood pressure cuff around his arm, and he feels the squeeze. "Everything looks good," she says, smiling. "Now, let's get you all set up." The anesthesiologist arrives, wheeling in a cart filled with syringes and tubes. "Ok Plankton," the doctor says calmly. "This is just to help you relax." Plankton's eye widens, but the room quickly starts to blur. Karen kisses him on the forehead as if from far away. The anesthetic takes hold, and Plankton feels himself slipping into a deep sleep, his fear momentarily fading to the background. The last thing he hears is the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor, and then silence. Karen watches her husband from the chair beside him, his chest rising and falling evenly. The doctor and his team spring into action, their movements swift and precise. The nurse notices her tension and offers her a magazine, but she can't tear her eyes away from Plankton's still face, his mouth now open and vulnerable. The whirring of the drill starts up, and she clenches her fists in her lap. She tries to focus on his breathing, until finally, she hears the doctor say, "Alright, we're all done." Relief floods through her, and she exhales deeply. The nurse gently guides Plankton into the recovery room, his face now swollen and his mouth packed with cotton. Karen takes his hand and squeezes it. The room is cool and dim, designed to soothe patients coming out of anesthesia. The doctor enters, his mask now removed, and gives them a thumbs up. "It went well. No complications," he says, and Karen's shoulders drop in relief. She leans in and whispers, "You did so well, honey," though he's still too asleep to hear. The nurse explains that he'll be groggy for a while and that the numbness will wear off. Karen nods, taking in the doctor's instructions about pain medication and diet restrictions. Plankton's snores fill the quiet space, a testament to his deep sleep. She watches his chest rise and fall, the rhythm comforting and steady. The beeping of the monitors creates a backdrop to the scene, a gentle reminder that he's ok. She smooths his antennae with affection. Karen's mind wanders to the day ahead. The errands they'll need to run, the meals she'll have to prep that won't upset his tender mouth. She'll have to be extra careful with him, making sure he doesn't accidentally bite his cheek or tongue. The thought makes her smile, knowing he'll be extra cranky with the pain. But she's ready for it, ready to be his rock through the recovery. The nurse checks Plankton's vitals, her eyes flickering to the monitor before giving Karen an encouraging nod. "He's doing great." Karen nods, her gaze never leaving him. As Plankton starts to stir, his eye blinking open, the world coming back into focus, he looks at Karen with a dazed expression. "Wheh am I?" he slurs, his voice muffled by the cotton in his mouth. Karen laughs softly, her voice soothing like a lullaby. "You're at the dentist, sweetie. You just had your wisdom teeth taken out. It's all over now." He tries to sit up, but the nurse gently presses him back down. "Take it easy," she says. "You're still pretty out of it." Plankton's eye darts around the recovery room, looking for anything familiar. Karen's face is a welcome sight. He reaches for her hand, his own feeling like it's made of rubber. "Whewe awe we?" he asks again, his mind foggy with confusion. The nurse laughs kindly. "You're still a little loopy from the anesthesia," she explains. "You're at the dentist's office. Do you remember the surgery?" Plankton nods slightly, the memory of the needle piercing his skin coming back in a rush. "Ow...teef," he mumbles, his hand moving to his mouth. Karen squeezes his hand, her smile filled with a mix of relief and amusement. "Don't worry, you're ok," she says, speaking slowly and clearly. "You're going to be groggy for a bit, but I'm here with you." The nurse starts to remove the cotton, and Plankton winces at the sudden coldness. "I'm fwothless," he murmurs, his voice still thick with the anesthesia. He tries to sit up again, but his body feels like it's made of jelly. The nurse places an ice pack on his cheek, and the coolness spreads through him like a wave. "You're fine, Mr. Plankton," she says. "Your wife will take you home soon." Karen watches with a blend of love and amusement as he blinks rapidly, his eyes trying to clear the fog. "Whath happened tho me?" he asks, his voice cracking. "You had surgery, remember?" she says, stroking his forehead. He nods, but his gaze is still faraway, lost in the haze of the drugs. "I wanth ice wath," he says, pouting like a child who's lost his favorite toy. Karen laughs. "Here, honey," she says, holding the cup to him. He sips slowly, the cold water soothing his dry throat. He clutches the cup with both hands, his grip weak but determined. "Whewe am I?" he asks again, his voice a whisper. Karen smiles. "You're in the recovery room," she repeats. "They just took out your wisdom teeth." Plankton nods, his eye half-closed. He looks like a little boy who's just woken up from a nap, unsure of where he is or what's happening. He tries to sit up once more, his body moving in slow motion. "Whewe's my bwanket?" he mumbles. "You don't have a blanket, but you have me," Karen says, her voice gentle. The nurse returns with a set of instructions. "Now, remember, no hot food or drinks for the next few days, ok?" the nurse instructs, her tone motherly. He nods, his eye drooping. "No soup either," Karen adds, smiling at the nurse's nod. "Only soft things, like mashed potatoes and pudding." The nurse hands him a cup of ice chips. "Here you go," she says, placing them in his hand. He looks at her with a mix of gratitude and confusion. "Ice wath?" he repeats, his fingers fumbling to bring the cup to his mouth. The cold sensation jolts him back to reality, and he crunches on them with gusto, dropping a few onto his chest. Karen quickly wipes them off with a napkin, trying not to laugh at his childlike antics. The nurse leaves them with a final smile and a promise to check back soon. Plankton looks around the room again, his eye wide and uncertain. "Whath's thith?" he asks, pointing at the IV in his hand. "It's your pain medication, Plankton," Karen explains, her voice soft and soothing. "It's to help you feel better." He nods, his eye half-closed, and snuggles against her shoulder. "Tank you, Kahen," he mumbles, his speech still slurred. "You're welcome," she whispers, stroking his hair. "You're going to be ok." The room spins slightly around him, and he feels his eyelid growing heavy. With the coldness of the recovery room and the warmth of Karen beside him, Plankton slips back into a doze, his breathing deepening. The nurse returns, checking his vitals and giving Karen a knowing smile. "It's normal for him to be a bit out of it. The anesthesia can take a while to wear off. He'll be more lucid in a bit." Plankton's eye flutters open, and he looks around the room again, drool forming at the corner of his mouth as he tries to articulate. "Whewe's...my...bwanket?" he asks, his voice a slurred mess. Karen chuckles with love and pity. "You don't need a blanket," she says, wiping the drool away with a tissue. "You're right here with me." He looks down at the ice chips in his hand, and then back up at Karen, his expression puzzled. "Mashed potatoes?" he repeats, his voice hopeful. "Yes, mashed potatoes," she confirms, laughing lightly. "And maybe some Jell-O for dessert." The mention of food seems to perk him up, and his eye brightens slightly. But the drowsiness wins, and he lets his head loll back onto the chair, his breathing deepening. Karen watches him with a mixture of love and concern. The sight of him, so vulnerable and childlike, tugs at her heartstrings. She can't help but wonder what kind of day this will be, caring for him like this. But she's ready for it, ready to be the strong one.

COPEPOD AUTISM pt. 6 (Neurodivergent author) The conversation turns to their favorite food, and Plankton's face lights up briefly. "Jellyfish," he murmurs, his voice lost in the noise. Hanna's friends look at him, puzzled by his quiet confidence. One of them, Patricia, leans in, her hand patting Plankton's back. "That's cool, buddy," she says, her voice booming. Plankton's body stiffens, his eye blinking rapidly. Karen feels his discomfort like a physical force, a tightening of the air around them. She interjects gently, guiding the conversation away from food, his favorite topic now a minefield of potential stress. "So, what have you all been up to?" she asks, her voice a lifebuoy in the storm. Hanna's friends chatter away, their voices a symphony of laughter and good cheer. Plankton sits stiffly, his antennae folded inward like a turtle's shell. Karen watches him, ready to jump in if the conversation starts to spiral. "I went on a deep-sea dive last week!" exclaims one, his words a sonic boom to Plankton. "Ya ever been diving b'fore?" Karen nods at the storyteller, interjecting gently. "Plankton's not much of a swimmer," she says, her voice a gentle current. "But he loves the thought of exploring the deep sea." Her words are a shield, deflecting the spotlight from his discomfort. Hanna's friends nod, their smiles dimming slightly in understanding. Patricia leans in, her eyes full of genuine affection. "Aww, Plankton, you're such a character!" she says, lightly cupping his cheek and invading his personal space. The contact is too much for him. His body jerks back, antennae stiffening, his eye wide with panic. Patricia's hand falls away, her expression one of shock and confusion. Karen's heart skips a beat, but she's ready for this. She's studied, prepared. "It's ok," she says, her voice a lighthouse beam in the sensory storm. "Plankton just needs his space." The room goes quiet, the waves of conversation receding like a tide. They all look at him, their eyes full of concern, their smiles now tentative. Plankton's antennae twitch, his body still tense. Hanna quickly asks, "Is he just tired?" The lie hangs in the air like a bubble waiting to pop. Karen's face tightens, but she nods, playing along. "Long week," she adds, her voice as smooth as a polished pebble. Plankton's gaze locks onto his hands, his fingers twisting together like seaweed in a current. The pressure builds, each laugh a wave pushing against the dam of his anxiety. But Karen is there, her hand on his back, a gentle reminder that he's not alone. The meal is a dance of flavors and sounds, each bite of stew a step closer to the edge of his comfort zone. Plankton's eye dart around the table, the conversations swirling like the soup in his bowl. Hanna's enthusiastic friends keep glancing over. They mean well, but their affection feels like a wave crashing over him, leaving his nerves exposed and raw. The clatter of silverware and the hum of conversation form a wall of sound, trapping his thoughts. He takes a deep breath, trying to find the calm in the chaos. Karen's hand on his back is a comfort, her touch a gentle reminder that she's there to help him. The meal stretches on, each bite a small victory in the face of overwhelming stimulation. Karen's eyes never leave him, scanning for signs of distress. She's his compass in a stormy sea, guiding him through the unpredictable currents of social interaction. As dessert arrives, the chatter grows louder, the laughter more boisterous. The candles flicker, casting a dizzying array of shadows across the table. Plankton's hands shake as he lifts his spoon. Hanna, noticing his discomfort, reaches out to pat his back. "You okay, buddy?" she asks, yet her touch unintentionally sends a shockwave through Plankton's body. "Just a little overwhelmed," he murmurs, his antennae retreating even further. Karen's grip on his hand tightens, her eyes a beacon of calm in the storm. She whispers, "You're doing so well, Plankton," her voice a lullaby against the clamor of the room. But Patricia, not quite tuned in to his distress, leans in with a boisterous laugh, her hand landing on Plankton's shoulder. The room spins around him, a tornado of colors and sounds. "You're just so cute when you're shy!" she says, squeezing his cheek. And that's what did it. With a gasp, Plankton's body shudders, a seizure starting to inevitably take hold. This is his second meltdown since the diagnosis, Karen knew. She gently helps Plankton to the floor, his body convulsing. Hanna's friends hover, their faces a canvas of confusion and fear. "Everyone, stay calm," Karen instructs, her voice steady despite the chaos in her heart. "Give us some space." She turns her attention to Plankton, her hands guiding his body into a safe position. The room's energy shifts. Hanna's friends look on, their laughter replaced by concern. Patricia's face is a picture of horror. "PLANKTON‽" Karen's voice is a lighthouse beacon in the chaos. "Everyone, stay back," she says firmly. "He'll be okay." Her eyes never leave Plankton's contorted form, fear and determination melding into one fierce gaze. The room goes still, the laughter choked off like a switch. Hanna's friends stare, their smiles frozen like icebergs in the face of his distress. Karen whispers to him, her voice a gentle wave. "You're okay, just breathe." Her hand is on his forehead, her touch cool and calming. The seizure subsides, leaving him limp and panting on the floor, his antennae drooping like tired leaves. Karen's heart is racing, but she forces her voice to be soothing, her eyes never leaving his. "It's okay," she repeats, her mantra a lifeboat in the storm. Hanna's friends hover, their faces a canvas of shock and concern. Patricia's hand is still hovering, her smile gone, replaced by a look of horror. "What happened?" she stammers, her eyes wide with fear. "It's okay," Karen repeats, her voice a gentle tide, washing over the silence. "Plankton just had a little...mishap." Hanna's friends exchange worried glances, their smiles nowhere to be seen. The room feels colder, the warmth of their laughter long gone. Plankton finally opens his eye, the room swimming back into focus, still twitching with the aftermath. Hanna's friends hover, their faces painted with confusion and concern. "It's okay," Karen says, her voice a soft breeze in the storm. "Plankton just needs some space." Patricia nods, her smile fading like a sunset. "I'm so sorry," she says, inching closer. "He's just a little sensitive," Karen explains, her voice a lifeline in the awkward silence. Patricia's face falls, the horror of her mistake written clearly. "I had no idea," she whispers, her voice a leaf fluttering in the breeze of their new reality.

WISDOM WITH TEETH 2/2 The nurse returns with a wheelchair. "Alright, Mr. Plankton," she says with a smile. "Let's get you up and moving." He looks at her with a dazed expression, his mouth hanging open slightly as he drools onto his chest. "Whath's the maddah?" he asks, his words jumbled. Karen tries to hide her smile as she gently wipes his mouth with a tissue. "You're just groggy, sweetie. The anesthesia's wearing off," she explains, taking his hand. "Let's get you into the chair." With her help, Plankton manages to stand, his legs shaky beneath him. The nurse places the wheelchair behind him, and he plops down with a sigh of relief, the chair's cushions enveloping his frail frame. His drool hangs from his mouth like a tiny waterfall, and she can't help but lean in and kiss him gently on the forehead. He looks up at Karen with the wide, wondering eye of a toddler discovering the world for the first time. "Whath's...thath?" he asks, his gaze fixed on the wheelchair. Karen laughs lightly, her hand still steadying his arm. "It's for you to sit in so you don't have to walk all the way to the car." He nods slowly, the action causing his antennae to wobble. With a gentle push from the nurse, the wheelchair begins to move, and Plankton looks like a lost child in an unfamiliar playground. His drool forms a small puddle in his lap, and Karen graciously hands him another napkin. The corridor outside the recovery room is a blur of white walls and sterile equipment, but the warmth of Karen's hand on his shoulder keeps him anchored. "Whath's...thath?" he asks again, his gaze fixed on the ceiling lights as they pass above him. They look like stars, twinkling in an alien sky. Karen smiles patiently, pointing out each one. "They're just lights, Plankton. We're in the hallway now." His eye follows the nurse's hand as she opens the door to the waiting area. She can see the fear and confusion in his gaze, but she knows it's just the drugs. A young couple with a toddler looks over as they pass by. The little girl giggles, pointing at his mouth. "Mommy, why is he drooling?" she asks innocently. The mother blushes and pulls her daughter away, muttering an apology to Karen. Plankton's cheeks redden, and he tries to wipe his mouth discreetly with the back of his hand. "It's ok," Karen whispers, her voice a gentle breeze. "You're just a little out of it." He nods, his gaze still mesmerized by the lights. "Whath's thath?" he asks again, pointing at a framed poster on the wall. Karen leans in to look. "It's a picture of a happy family," she says, her voice a balm to his confusion. His antennae twitch, and he nods again, the motion setting off a fresh wave of drool. The nurse wheels him out to the car, and Karen helps him into the passenger seat, his body moving like a ragdoll. "Buckle up, Plankton," she says, and he fumbles with the seatbelt, his hands slipping over the buckle. She fastens it for him, his cheek pressed against the cool leather. "Whewe's we going?" he slurs, his voice laced with sleep. "Home," she says. His mouth hangs open slightly, a string of drool connecting his bottom lip to his chin. "Whath's happening?" he mumbles, his head lolling to the side. "You're ok, honey. We're just driving home." She keeps her voice low, hoping to keep the outside world at bay. The car jolts over a bump, and Plankton's eye snaps open. "Ow," he whines, his hand flying to his mouth. The cotton has shifted, and the pain is sharp. Karen quickly reaches over and readjusts it, her touch gentle. "You're ok," she whispers. "Whath's this?" he slurs, his hand fumbling with the seatbelt. "It's keeping you safe," she says, her voice steady and calm. "Just hold on, ok?" He nods, his eyelid drooping almost immediately. "Whath's...whath's..." he mumbles before falling asleep. Then his head nods forward, jerking back up as he started to doze off. He wakes with a snort, the cotton still lodged in his mouth. Karen laughs softly, reaching over to remove it. "Almost there, sweetie," she says. His eye is glassy, and he nods, his head lolling again. The car hits another bump, and his eye flies open again, wide with panic. "Whe... whath...whath's happening?" he asks, his voice high pitched. "It's ok," Karen repeats, keeping her tone calm and soothing. "We're just driving home. Try to relax." Plankton's eye closes, and for a brief moment, the car is silent except for the purr of the engine. But then he's jolted awake again, his head snapping back with a start. "Whewe awe we?" he asks, his voice slurred. "Almost home, sweetie," Karen says, her voice steady. He nods, his head falling back onto the headrest. The car's movement rocks him like a cradle, and his eye closes with a snore. But the jostle of a turn wakes him up with a start. "Whath's happening?" he mumbles, his eye unfocused. The world outside the window is a blur of colors and shapes. Karen smiles, taking his hand in hers. "Just a turn. We're almost there." Another snore escapes his throat, and his head lolls to the side again. Karen gently shakes him awake. "We're home," she says, her voice a beacon in the fog. He blinks, his vision swimming with sleep. "Whe...whe...whath's that?" he asks, his voice barely a murmur as the car slows to a stop. "Whe...whath's going on?" he asks again. His eye is heavy, and his words are a jumble. With a sigh, she unbuckles his seatbelt and helps him out of the car, his legs still wobbly. The cool breeze slaps his face, and he winces. "Home," he murmurs, his eye half-closed. Karen guides him to the front door, his steps labored. The house is quiet, save for the distant hum of the refrigerator. Inside, she helps him to the couch, where he flops down like a ragdoll, his body heavy with exhaustion. "Whe...whe...whath's that?" he asks again, his head lolling to the side. Karen chuckles softly. "It's our living room, Plankton," she says, placing a pillow under his head, but Plankton barely registers. "Whath's that?" he asks again, his gaze wandering to the TV. It's off, but in his drug-induced haze, it's a source of fascination. Karen sits down beside him, his body a dead weight against the couch cushions. She takes his hand in hers, her thumb tracing circles on his palm. "It's just the TV, honey. You don't need to worry about it." He nods, his head still lolling to the side. "Whe...whath awe we washing?" His question hangs in the air, and she laughs softly. "We're not watching anything. It's off." The TV seems to beckon to him, and he tries to sit up, his body protesting. "Whe...whath's on?" he slurs, his antennae waving sluggishly. "It's not on, Plankton," Karen says, her voice a warm embrace. "Why don't you just rest?" She tucks the throw blanket around his shoulders and reclines the sofa. His eyelid flickers, the struggle between sleep and curiosity evident. The room starts to spin, and Plankton's antennae wave erratically. "I'm... so tiwed," he mumbles, his words a gentle protest. Karen nods, her smile understood. "Sleep, sweetie. I'll be here when you wake up." He nods, his eyelid fluttering closed, and his breathing becomes deep and rhythmic. Karen watches him for a moment, his chest rising and falling with the comfort of a sleeping babe's. Then she gently slides the blanket over him, his snores the only sound piercing the quiet. The room dims as the afternoon sun moves behind the curtains, casting a soft glow across the living room. Plankton's hand, still clutching Karen's, slips to the floor with a thump, and his snores grow louder. Karen chuckles, reaching for it to place it gently on his chest. His breathing is slow and even, his chest rising and falling beneath the blanket. Karen sits for a moment, watching him sleep, her mind racing with all the things she needs to do: prepare his meals, make sure he takes his medicine on time, keep an eye on his swelling. But for now, she's content to just sit and watch him, his features relaxed and peaceful in slumber.