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ᶠᵒʳᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ pt. 1 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʳᵒᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴸᵃᵘⁿᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ʳᵒᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛᵃᵘˡᵗ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗᵃˡˡʸ ʰⁱᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵖᵖˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒʷ ᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿˡᵉˢˢ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ! ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ; ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʷᵉ ᵐᵉᵗ? ᵂʰᵒ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱᶠᶠᵉⁿᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ⁱˢ⸴ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᵐⁿᵉˢⁱᵃ‧" "ᵂʰᵃᵗ‽" "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿˢ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ! ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ?" "ᴬᵐ ᴵ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ?" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ʲᵒᵍ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳʸ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ?" "ᴴᵘʰ?" "ᴿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵖᵉʳᵐᵃⁿᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴬ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏ ˢˡᵃᵗᵉ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃᵈᵛᵃⁿᵗᵃᵍᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳʸᶜᵒᵒᵏ'ˢ ᶜᵒⁿᵈⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁱⁿᵈⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᴬˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵒʳᵐᵉʳ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ! "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵃˡˡ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ! ᴵ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ? ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵖⁱᶜᵗᵘʳᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ?" "ᴴᵉ ᵐᵃᵏᵉˢ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ‧" ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ˡᵃᵗᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱˣⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡʸ‧ to be cont. Pt. 2

ᶠᵒʳᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ pt. 3 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᵂᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧ "ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒⁿᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ‧ "ᴰᵒʷⁿ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵗᵗʳᵉˢˢ‧ "ᴼʰ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉˢ! ᴺᵒʷ⸴ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ?" "ᴼʰ⸴ ʸᵉˢ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵈᵒ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᶻᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵈᵉᵖʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ⸴ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿˢⁱᵇˡᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐⁿᵉˢⁱᵃ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ!" "ᴮᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃˡˡ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵘʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐⁿᵉˢⁱᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ⸴ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃˢ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵃˢ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ⸴ ʰᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵍᵘⁱˡᵗʸ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒʷ ˢᵃᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐⁿᵉˢⁱᵃ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈˡᵉˢˢˡʸ ᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʷᵉˡˡᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵉⁿ ᵃⁿʸ ʳᵉˢᵗ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵍᵘⁱˡᵗʸ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᶜᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ʰᵉ ⁱˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍᵍᵉʳ! "ᴮᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ ᵃᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵃᶜʳᵒˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵉᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ "ᴺᵒᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ʰᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵘⁿˢᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ; ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ! ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ; ʸᵒᵘ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ!" "ᴮᵘᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵉᵐˢ ᵈʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵒ⸴ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ!" to be cont. Pt. 4

ᶠᵒʳᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ pt. 4 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵉˢʰ ᵃⁱʳ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ᵃ ᵖᵉᵉᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰᵒʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇˢ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵃ ᵍᵒˡᵈ ˢᵗᵃʳ?" ᴴᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʸ‧ "ᴸᵒᵒᵏ⸴ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵖʳᵒʲᵉᶜᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ⁿᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ ᵇʳᵒᵏᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ⸴ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ! ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵈⁱᵗ! ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᵇʳᵒᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵃᵍʳᵉᵉᵈ ᵘᵖᵒⁿ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗ ᵐᵉ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵘʳʸ‧ ᵁⁿᵇᵉᵏⁿᵒʷⁿˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉᵐ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ⸴ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧ "ᴱˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᑫᵘⁱᵗ ⁿᵒʷ!" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ʷʳᵒⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶜᵒˡˡᵃᵖˢⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵒˡˡᵃᵖˢⁱⁿᵍ?" "ʸᵉᵃ⸴ ᵃˢ ⁱᶠ ⁱⁿ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ; ᴵ ʰᵃᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍᵒ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶠʳᵉˢʰ ᵃⁱʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵃⁱⁿᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃˡᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵃˢ ⁱᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵈʳᵃˢᵗⁱᶜ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵘᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ; ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˢʰᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵒˡˡᵃᵇˡʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴹʸ ˢᵉⁿˢᵒʳˢ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉˢ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵒˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵒⁱˢᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴼʰ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᑫᵘⁱᵗ ᵐʸ ʲᵒᵇ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵐᵖᵒʳᵗᵃⁿᵗ⸴ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" End finale

"Hi, my boss Mr. Krabs told me I need to work on my people skills and to volunteer.." SpongeBob says in the surgery room before recognizing Plankton and Karen. Plankton lay on the operating table, a small tube delivering medicine that kept him asleep. Karen sat by him. "Plankton‽" "Plankton's had his wisdom teeth removed." She glanced at the sleeping Plankton with affection. Sponge Bob leaned closer. He poked Plankton gently. "Hey, Plankton; wake up, buddy!" No response. Plankton's breathing remained slow and even, the rhythm unchanged by Sponge Bob's nudges. Karen's robotic hand shot up to stop Sponge Bob's poking. "He's not going to wake up anytime soon, Sponge Bob. The anesthesia will wear off in a couple of hours," she explained in her usual monotone. Sponge Bob's bubbly demeanor deflated a bit. He had never seen Plankton so... peaceful. Usually the tiny villain was full of mischief and plotting his next Krabby Patty heist. But the sight of his arch-nemesis helpless and snoring? "Karen, do you think a little light chat would help him wake up?" "Sponge Bob, the purpose of anesthesia is to keep him unconscious during surgery and ensure a painless recovery. Your efforts are futile." Undeterred, Sponge Bob leaned in closer. "Come on, Plankton. Time to wakey-wakey!" He waved his hands in front of Plankton's face, creating a gentle breeze that tickled his antennae. Still, Plankton remained steadfast in his slumber, oblivious to the world around him. Karen sighed again, the closest she ever got to expressing exasperation. "As I said, Sponge Bob, he's under the effects of anesthesia. There's nothing you can do to wake him up." She went back to reading her magazine, the glow from her screen casting a soft blue light on her metallic features. Sponge Bob studied Plankton's sleeping features. His mouth was open just enough to reveal his top row of teeth, and Sponge Bob had to stifle a giggle when a small bubble of drool formed at the corner of his mouth. "You know," he mused aloud, "I never realized Plankton had such a... cute snoring sound." The statement hung in the air, and even the normally stoic Karen couldn't resist cracking a smile. "Cute is hardly the word I'd use," she murmured, but the warmth in her voice belied the affection she had for her partner. Sponge Bob's curiosity grew as he continued to gaze at the unconscious Plankton. He'd seen him in various states before—angry, plotting and occasionally defeated—but never so vulnerable. The sight was strange yet fascinating. He reached out and carefully wiped away the drool. Plankton's head lolled to the side, but he remained asleep. SpongeBob put his head back up on a pillow. Plankton's snores grew quieter as his head settled into the cushioned embrace. "Don't worry, Plankton," he whispered, patting the villain's arm gently. "I'll watch over you." Sponge Bob's curiosity grew stronger as he watched the drool form at the side of Plankton's mouth. He leaned in closer, studying the phenomenon. He'd never noticed Plankton drool before. "It's like a tiny river," he said to himself. What would happen if he tried to touch it? He tapped it lightly. It wobbled, bulging slightly before collapsing back into its original state. He poked the drool again. This time, it grew slightly larger before popping, leaving a tiny, wet splatter on the pillow. Plankton's snores grew louder for a moment, but didn't stir. Sponge Bob couldn't resist a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like he's enjoying his nap," he whispered to Karen who remained engrossed in her magazine. The drool was fascinating—like a living organism, pulsating with every one of Plankton's breaths. He poked it again, gently this time. The drool grew larger, stretching out like a bubble of gum. It was almost mesmerizing. "I wonder if I can make it pop," he thought, eyes gleaming with child-like excitement. Slowly, Sponge Bob poked the drool bubble once more. It grew to the size of a marble before it burst with a tiny splat, splattering on to the pillow. Plankton's snoring remained undisturbed. Sponge Bob could see the light from the ceiling reflecting off the droplet's surface. He waited, the anticipation building, eyes fixed on the wobbling mass. At the last second, he poked it. The bubble popped with a sound that echoed through the quiet room. Plankton's snore caught in his throat for a split second, then resumed with renewed vigor. The splatter was more substantial this time, leaving a wet spot on the pillow. The sudden noise made Karen look up from her magazine. "What on earth are you doing, Sponge Bob?" she asked, voice a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Just... science," Sponge Bob said, his grin unabated. "I'm studying Plankton's snoring pattern... and drool." Karen rolled her digital eyes. "Fine. Just don't wake him. And for the love of Krabby Patties, please don't make a mess." She returned her focus to her magazine, seemingly unfazed by the sight of her arch-enemy playing with drool. Sponge Bob nodded solemnly, his eyes lighting up with newfound purpose. He decided to be more strategic in his scientific endeavor. He would need precision and timing. The drool bubble grew again, this time larger and more robust. Sponge Bob waited, his heart beating faster with every pulse of Plankton's snore. He took a deep breath, held it, and at the peak of the snore's crescendo, poked the bubble with a controlled flick. It exploded with a sound like a miniature water balloon, splattering across Plankton's cheek. The pillow was now a Jackson Pollock canvas of drool. Plankton's snoring hitched but he didn't wake. "Oops," Sponge Bob whispered, giggling quietly. He reached for a near by tissue to clean up the mess, his eyes glancing nervously at Karen. She peeked over her magazine, the corners of her robotic mouth curving upward slightly. "If you're going to play, at least be tidy," she said, voice a blend of reprimand and amusement. Sponge Bob nodded, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course, Karen," he whispered back, dabbing at Plankton's cheek with the tissue. The drool was sticky and clung to the fabric but Sponge Bob managed to clean when Plankton's snoring hitched. This time, Plankton's eyes opened a crack, his single eyelid revealing a sliver of his iris before dropping shut again. "What's going on?" he mumbled sleepily. Sponge Bob froze, tissue in mid-air. "Oh nothing," he said quickly, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just admiring your snoring." Plankton's eyelid quivered but remained shut. "Mmph." His mouth moved around the word. "Don't worry, buddy," Sponge Bob said softly patting Plankton's arm. "You're just resting. Nothing to worry about." The half-awake Plankton mumbled something unintelligible, and Sponge Bob took it as a sign to back off. He retreated to his chair, watching as Karen put down her magazine and began to fuss over Plankton, checking his vitals and making sure he was comfortable. For once, he wasn't at odds with Plankton.

https://perchance.org/ai-story-generator

ᔆᵘᵐᵐᵉʳᵗⁱᵐᵉ ˢᵃᵈⁿᵉˢˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᵂʰʸ ʸᵃ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵇᵒⁱ?" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴵ ᵐⁱˢˢ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ; ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˣᵃˢ‧‧‧" ᴹᵉᵃⁿʷʰⁱˡᵉ ᵃᶜʳᵒˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵉᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵘᶜᶜᵉᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢⁱᵐᵖˡʸ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵛᵃᵘˡᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ⁿᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵒᵇ ᵃⁿ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ᵖᵉʳ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵖᵃʸˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁱʳ ᶜᵒⁿᵈⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʰᵒᵗᵗᵉʳ‧‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁿᵘᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵗᶜʰᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵛᵃᵘˡᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᔆᵉᵉᵐⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ ᔆʷᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵖʳᵒᶠᵘˢᵉˡʸ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵒᵗ ᵍʳⁱˡˡ‧ "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒᵗ!" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʷᵉᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ⁱˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ; ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉˢⁱᵗᵃᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵘˢʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴬˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʷᵒ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵃˡᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵍᵉᵗᵃʷᵃʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ‧ 'ᶠᵒʳᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ' ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ˢʰᵃᵏʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳⁱˡˡ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᶜᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃⁿ ᵒⁿ!" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵉⁿᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ?" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳᵒᵘˢ ᵗʳᵒᵘᵇˡᵉ!" "ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃⁱⁿᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵘⁿᵈᵘᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ; ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ!" "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴱᵛᵉʳ‧" @ALYJACI

James Potter was a peculiar boy with a head of unruly black hair and eyes so bright they could outshine the stars. He had a knack for turning the most mundane moments into grand adventures. Whether it was climbing the tallest tree in the schoolyard or racing his friends across the Quidditch pitch, his imagination knew no bounds. But even in the whirlwind of his escapades, there was one person who remained steadfastly out of reach: Lily Evans. Lily was unlike anyone James had ever met. Her fiery red hair was a stark contrast to her soft, porcelain skin, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of intelligence and mischief. She was as fierce as a lioness and as graceful as a swan. Her laugh was like a melody that could charm the sternest of hearts, and it was a sound that James longed to hear directed at him. However, she had a tendency to dismiss his efforts with a roll of her eyes and a smirk that suggested she saw right through his bravado. Severus Snape, on the other hand, was a solitary figure. He lurked in the shadows of the school corridors, his eyes darting like a snake's as he took in every detail. His black hair was always impeccably combed and his robes pristine, as if he had just stepped out of a dark wardrobe. Severus was a prodigy in the art of potions, his talents often overlooked due to his cold demeanor. Yet, beneath the surface, there was something about him that drew James in. Perhaps it was the hint of vulnerability that occasionally flickered across his face, or the way his eyes lit up when he spoke about the most obscure magical herbs. The two boys moved in different circles, but they had one thing in common: a deep admiration for Lily. They watched her from afar, each imagining what it would be like to be the one to make her laugh genuinely or to capture her heart. But as the school year rolled on, their paths began to intertwine in ways they could never have anticipated. It was as if fate had a twisted sense of humor, throwing them together in situations that neither could escape. And as they found themselves drawn closer to Lily, a silent rivalry began to brew between them, a dance of longing glances and unspoken words. James, ever the charmer, tried to win Lily over with his flashy Quidditch moves and cheeky grins. But Lily, ever the enigma, remained unimpressed. In his frustration, James took to teasing Severus, using his popularity to make the other boy's life bad. He'd steal his books, trip him in the halls, and whisper snide comments. One rainy afternoon, as the school was dismissed for the day, James caught Severus crossing the crowded courtyard. He saw his chance and sneered, "Hey, Snapes, where's your broomstick?" His friends snickered, and Severus tensed, his eyes narrowing. Without waiting for a response, James conjured a water spray that drenched Severus' already soggy robes. The laughter grew louder as Severus stumbled away, the weight of his sodden clothes dragging him down. In the Great Hall, James watched as Severus sat alone at the Slytherin table, his shoulders hunched over a book. He whispered to his friends, "Look at the lonely little snake," and they all burst into laughter again. Severus glanced up, his gaze sharp and piercing, but James felt no remorse. In fact, he felt a strange thrill, as if he was in control of something he never had been before. The power of ridicule was potent, and he wielded it with the same ease he did his wand. Days turned into weeks, and James' pranks grew bolder. He'd jinx Severus' shoelaces to trip him up in the halls, replace his potion ingredients with foul-smelling dungbombs, and even cast a spell to make his robes shrink in the middle of class. Each time, Severus took the humiliation in silence, his eyes burning with a quiet anger that James found both fascinating and thrilling. It was a twisted game, but one James was determined to win. But the more James bullied, the more he felt the knot in his stomach tighten. It wasn't just guilt; it was something else. He noticed the way Severus' hands trembled as he poured potions, the way his voice grew softer in the face of his tormentors. And every time Lily saw what was happening, she'd give James a look that made him feel smaller than a house elf. He knew he was losing her respect, but he couldn't stop. It was as if he was under a compulsion to push Severus away from her, to prove to himself that he was the one she truly desired. One day, James' antics reached a new low. He'd convinced a group of his friends to help him pull a prank so elaborate, it was sure to leave Severus humiliated beyond repair. They waited in the shadows of the deserted library, setting up a series of traps that would culminate in a grand finale of slime and laughter. But as Severus approached, his head buried in a dusty tome, James felt a strange tug at his heart. He watched as the other boy stepped onto the first trap, a levitating book that smacked him in the face. The laughter of his friends seemed to echo hollowly in the vast room. Severus stumbled back, dropping his book into the puddle of ink that had appeared under his feet. He looked up, his eyes meeting James' for a brief moment. In that instant, James saw something he hadn't noticed before: a deep sadness that mirrored his own. It was as if the layers of bravado and spite had been peeled away, revealing a soul just as lost and lonely as his. The laughter died in his throat, and for a moment, James felt a flicker of empathy. But the moment was fleeting. His friends were still snickering, and Lily was watching from across the room, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. He knew he had to go through with it. The second trap was triggered, and a cascade of glittering confetti showered Severus, sticking to his damp robes like glittering scales. The Slytherin students looked on with a mix of amusement and contempt, and James felt his heart sink. He'd gone too far. As the last echo of laughter faded away, Severus slowly picked himself up, his eyes never leaving James. He wiped the ink from his face and took a step towards him, his fists clenched at his sides. "Is this what you call fun, Potter?" he spat, his voice low and dangerous. James took a step back, his bravado momentarily forgotten. He hadn't anticipated this. "It was just a joke, Snapes," James said weakly, his smile slipping. Severus took another step closer, his eyes blazing. "Is it a joke to you, to watch someone else's pain?" James's heart hammered in his chest as he searched for the right words, but his usual quips eluded him. The realization of what he'd done washed over him like a cold shower. He'd gone too far, and he couldn't take it back.

A fresh beginning Aquietwriter25 Characters: SpongeBob SquarePants, Sheldon J. Plankton https://archiveofourown.org/works/48244534/chapters/121667089 Fandom: SpongeBob SquarePants (Cartoon) Relationships: Sheldon J. Plankton/SpongeBob SquarePants

"You can totally sit with us," said a voice that seemed to shimmer with the promise of friendship. Cady Heron looked up from her lunch tray, blinking in surprise. The speaker was a girl with a smile so wide it could swallow her whole, her blonde hair glossy and her teeth as bright as the fluorescent lights above. The words hung in the air, tantalizing and slightly intimidating. This was Regina George, the queen bee of High School. Cady had heard the whispers, the stories that painted her as both an angel and a demon. She was the center of the school's social universe, and everyone else was just a planet orbiting around her. Cady felt a swell of excitement. She had been a fish out of water since moving from Africa to the suburbs of Chicago. The simple act of being acknowledged by the most popular girl in school was a beacon of hope in a sea of unfamiliar faces and cliques. She took a tentative step forward, her heart racing. "Thanks," Cady managed to murmur, setting her tray down at the table. The cafeteria buzzed with whispers as the group of pretty, popular girls made room for her. They were known as the Plastics, a name that Cady had learned from her newfound friend Janis Ian. These girls were the epitome of high school royalty, and now she was about to become one of them.

ᴴᵒᵐᵉ ⁱˢ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ ⁱˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵘᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵃⁱˡ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ⁱⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵘʳᵇ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵇᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃˡˡ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵉˡˡˢ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᴳᵃʳʸ‧‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ‽" ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᴵ‧‧‧" ᔆᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷᵃˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵖᵘʳʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴺᵉˢᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵘʳˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᵈᵃʳᵏ ᵒᵘᵗˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵘᵖ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ‧ "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ⸴ ˢᵒ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ!" ᴳᵃʳʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗⁱʳ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐᵃʸ ᵒʳ ᵐᵃʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ˢⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵒʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ "ᴴᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵘᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ᵖᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ʰᵉʳᵒᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵍᵘʸˢ‧‧‧" ᵂʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵒᵒᵐ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᵖᵉʳ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳᵃᵇⁱˡⁱᵃ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ⁿᵒ ᵛⁱˡˡᵃⁱⁿˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉʳᵒᵉˢ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵃ ʳᵃʳⁱᵗʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵍʳᵃᵗⁱᵗᵘᵈᵉ ᵒʳ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵖˡᵃʸᵉᵈ‧ ᴬˢ ᵃ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᶠᵃᶜᵗ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉ!

"Come on, it'll be fun," Enid begged, her eyes wide with excitement. Wednesday sat quietly in the corner of the room, her black dress blending into the shadows. She didn't look up from her book, her finger marking her place. "I don't think so," she said, her voice calm and measured. Enid pouted, her cheerleader's spirit momentarily dampened. "But it's the prom dance, Wednesday. Everyone's going to be there!" Wednesday closed her book with a soft thud and looked up, her gaze piercing through Enid's hopeful facade. "I see your enthusiasm, but crowded social gatherings are not my idea of fun." Enid sighed, understanding that pushing the issue would lead nowhere. She sat down next to her friend, her own excitement dimming. "I know, I know. But it's our senior year. It's like, a rite of passage or something." Wednesday's eyes remained on the closed book in her lap. "I'd prefer to pass on that particular rite." Enid leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially, "But it's the perfect place to observe human behavior. Think of it as an anthropological study." Wednesday's eyes lit up slightly at the thought. "I suppose you have a point," she conceded. "But I'll need to establish some ground rules." Enid clapped her hands together. "Of course! What do you need?" Wednesday thought for a moment before listing her conditions. "First, no slow dancing. Second, I control the music playlist. Third, I wear what I want." Enid nodded eagerly. "Deal! I'll handle the first two. And as for the third, I trust your impeccable taste." Wednesday raised an eyebrow. "My taste is not up for debate, nor is it the issue. It's the school's dress code that requires negotiation." Enid's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Leave that to me," she said, already texting away on her phone. Within minutes, she had secured a meeting with the principal to discuss "alternative fashion choices" for the prom. As the big night approached, Enid sent Wednesday a playlist of dark, rhythmic tunes that she had carefully curated. Each song was a masterpiece of gothic rock, a genre that she knew would resonate with her friend's soul. Meanwhile, Wednesday had been busy designing the perfect dress —a long, flowing gown of midnight black with intricate white lace that looked like it had been plucked from a Victorian mourning ceremony. She had paired it with her favorite black boots and a choker necklace adorned with a single crimson rose. The day of the prom, Enid couldn't contain her excitement. She bustled into the room, her own outfit a vibrant mix of neon colors that seemed to glow in the dim light of the Addams' mansion. "Wednesday, you have to come see this!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying the urgency of a child who had just discovered a secret treasure. Wednesday set down her scalpel, which she had been using to dissect a particularly interesting spider, and followed Enid upstairs. The dress laid out on her bed was indeed a sight to behold. It was a macabre symphony of black taffeta and delicate lace, the skirt adorned with a pattern of thorny vines that looked like they could draw blood with a single brush. The bodice hugged her slender frame, the neckline plunging just low enough to hint at the darkness beneath. "It's... " she began, searching for the right word. "Awful," Enid offered, her tone teasing. Wednesday smirked. "Perfect," she corrected, her voice laden with approval. "It's perfect."

In the quaint town lived a young woman named Charlotte Watsford. Her days were filled with the quiet rhythms of the local library, where she worked meticulously cataloging books that had seen more years than she had. Charlotte had an unassuming beauty, with her auburn hair pinned back. Her smile was gentle, and it had the power to make even the sternest of patrons feel at ease. Beneath the veneer of the town, there was a world of magic, ancient and unseen. It was here that Charlotte's life took an unexpected turn when she met Cleo Sertori, a young woman with secrets as deep as the ocean. Cleo was a mermaid, a guardian of the sea, blessed with the ability to manipulate water and heal the creatures that dwelled within it. The revelation was as shocking as it was fascinating. Yet, with this gift came great responsibility, and Charlotte found herself torn between the life she knew and the allure of the vast, unexplored waters that called to her soul. One moonlit night, while the town slept peacefully, Charlotte felt an eerie emptiness within her. The gentle whispers of the sea that had once resonated in her heart were now silent. Panic set in as she realized her mermaid tail, a symbol of her newfound identity, had withered away, leaving her with the legs of a human once more. The loss of her powers weighed heavily on her, a sudden and profound absence that seemed to dull the vibrant colors of the world around her. Her heart pounded as she approached the edge. The ocean below was a restless canvas of inky blues and greys, a stark contrast to the serene waters that had cradled her during her time as a mermaid. The salt air kissed her cheeks, carrying with it a bittersweet reminder of the freedom she had left behind. Lewis, her devoted best friend, stood beside her, his eyes filled concern and curiosity. With trembling hands, Charlotte reached to Cleo's necklace. It was a talisman of her friendship with the mermaid, a bond that transcended the boundaries of land and sea. "I have to return this to her," she murmured, the weight of her decision etched into every syllable. With a heavy heart, Charlotte unclasped the necklace.

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Pt. 1 ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸˢᵉ ᵃ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉʳʸ ʷᵃˢ ˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃˡˡʸ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵗᵉᵉˡ ᔆᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵒⁿᵍᵉˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰᵃⁿᵈ, ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷ ᵇᵃʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᵐʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵘˢᵉ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱᵍᵍᵉˢᵗ ˢʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵃᵖᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴹⁱˢˢⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʷⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵃᵗᵘˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ‧ ᴬˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ’ˢ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ, ʸᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ ᵒᶠ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᶠᵒʳᵉᵛᵉʳ‧ ᴺᵒᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ, ᵃˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵈᶠᵘˡ‧ ᵀᵉᵃʳʸ ᵉʸᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ…” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵒˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷⁱˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿˢᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ? ᔆᵃʸ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒˡᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˢᵒᵇˢ‧ “ᵂᵉˡˡ, ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᶜᶜᵉˢˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ, ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢ!” “ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵘʳᵉ?” ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ!” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᴮᵒᵇ, ᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ⁱᶠ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵈ, ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧ “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ˢʰᵉ’ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘˢʸ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵃᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ, ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵘⁿˢᵉᵗᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵃⁿ ᵒᵘᵗᵇᵘʳˢᵗ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵉᵖᵃʳᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵇᵘˢʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵘˢᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵒᶜᶜᵘᵖⁱᵉᵈ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵏᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿ ᵉʸᵉ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵃʳʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵃ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖʸ ʳᵉᵐᵃʳᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵒʳᵉ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵃˡˢᵒ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵇʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳᵏ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ, ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒʷ, ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵗᵒʳˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ‧ ᴺᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡˢ ⁿᵒʳ ᵘᵖᵈᵃᵗᵉˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᵈⁱᶻᶻⁱⁿᵉˢˢ, ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ’ˢ ˢᵉᵉᵐⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᶠᵃʳᵃʷᵃʸ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᶠᵃⁱⁿᵗˡʸ ʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ… “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍᵃˢᵖ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐ ʰⁱᵐ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵐ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ…” “ᴼʰ ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒ ᵍˡᵃᵈ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᶠ‧ “ᵂʰʸ…” “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵒ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵇʳᵘⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴵ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ, ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵃˡ ᵗᵉˡᵉᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ “ᴴᵉ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ “ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵃ! ᵂᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᵒʳ ⁱᶜᵉ…” to be cont. pt. 2

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱᶻᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸᶻᵉ ᵃ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵒⁿᵍᵉˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷ ᵇᵃʳ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱᵍᵍᵉˢᵗ ˢʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵃᵖᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʷⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵃᵗᵘˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷ ᵇᵃʳ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʰⁱᵗ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᶤᵐᵖˡʸ ᵈᶤᵈᶰᵗ ᵐᵒᵛᵉˑ ᴺᵒᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ ᵀᵉᵃʳʸ ᵉʸᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ…” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵒˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉˑ ˢᵃʸ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰᶤᶰᵍˑ ᴬᶰʸᵗʰᶤᶰᵍˀ" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ˢᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷⁱˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿˢᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒᵇˢ‧ “ᵂᵉˡˡ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ᵃᶜᶜᵉˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢᵎ” “ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵘʳᵉˀ” ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ˒ ᵃᶰᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉᶰˢ ᵇᵘˢʸᵎ” ᴾᶤᶜᵏᶤᶰᵍ ʰᶤᵐ ᵘᵖ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵒᵐᵉ˒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶰᵉ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ˡᶤᶠᵉˡᵉˢˢˡʸ ᶠᵃᶤᶰᵗˑˑˑ" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵃᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ʰᵃᶰᵈ ˢʷᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ʰᶤˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵃʳʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵃ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖʸ ʳᵉᵐᵃʳᵏ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵘᵐᵐᶤᶰᵍ ᵃ ᵗᵘᶰᵉ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵃᶤᶰ ᶜᵒᶰˢᶜᶤᵒᵘˢᶰᵉˢˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᶤʳˢᵗ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᶜᵒᶰᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵈⁱᶻᶻⁱⁿᵉˢˢ‧ “ᵂʰ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵃᶰᵈ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰᵘᵐᵐᶤᶰᵍˑ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ˡᶤᵗᵗˡᵉ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗᶤˡˡ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ʰᶤᵐ‧ “ᵂʰᵃ…” “ᴼʰ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵒ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈᵎ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ˒ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᶜᵃˡˡˑˑˑ” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ˒ ᶜᵒᶰˢᶜᶤᵒᵘˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗᶤˡˡ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵏᶰᵒʷᶤᶰᵍ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᶤᵗ˒ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵃˡ ᵗᵉˡᵉᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ “ᴶᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᶠᶤᶰᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵃᵏᶤᶰᵍᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ “ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵃᵎ ᵂᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᵒʳ ⁱᶜᵉ…” “ᴵ ʷᵃᶰᶰᵃ ᵏᶰᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᴵ'ᵐ˒ ʷᵉˡˡ˒ ʷʰᵃᵗ…” “ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵉᵛⁱᶜᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ…” “ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃˡˡ⸴ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬˡˢᵒ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵖᵃᵗʳᵒⁿⁱᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ‧” ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶤᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰᶤᵐ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᵃᵈ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ; ˢᵗᵃʸᵎ” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢᶰ'ᵗ ᶤᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵒᵇᶤˡᵉ ᶤᶠ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᶰᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ… ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ⁱⁿ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ “ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷˀ” ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰᵃᵈ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ ⁱᵗ ˢᵃᶠᵉ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰⁱᵐ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᴵ’ᵈ ᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧” “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᵖᵉˢᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉᵎ” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ˒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ; ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵉ’ˢ ʳᵉᶜᵘᵖᵉʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵠᵘᶤᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳˀ” “ᴵ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃᵐ ᶰᵒᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡᶤᶰᵍ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳ ᵐᶤᶰᵈᵉᵈ…” “ˢᵒʳʳʸ…” “ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁱᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘᵎ ᵂᵃⁱᵗ⸴ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷ…” “ᴺᵒ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈˑ “ᴵ’ᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱⁿ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃᶰ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃᵗ ʰᵒᵐᵉᵎ ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᵍᵃᵐᵉˢ ᵒʳ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᶠᶤˡᵐˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ‧ ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒˀ” “ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʳᵃᵐᵇˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵏⁱᵈ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ⁿᵉʷ ᵃᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳⁱⁿᵉᵎ” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵉˣᶜˡᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵐᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗˀ” “ᴼʰ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴾⁱⁿᵏʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉˢᵎ ᔆᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉᵎ” “ᴱⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏᵎ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᶜᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ⸴ ʰᵉ’ˢ ʰᵘʳᵗ…” “ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵖˡᵃʸ…” “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃˢᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿ…” “ᵂʰʸˀ ᴴᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒ…” “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʰᵉ ⁱˢ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ…” “ᵠᵘᶤᵉᵗᵎ” ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᵗᶤᶰᵍ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ʰᶤᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ “ᵂᵉ’ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧” “ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇᵎ ᔆᵉᵉ ʸᵃ‧” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ “ᴴᵘⁿᵍʳʸˀ” “ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ‧ “ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ…” “ᴵ ᵖʳᵉᵖᵃʳᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ʷʰᵉᶰ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵉʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ‧ “ᴼᵘᵗˀ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵃⁿˣⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ᵃʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿˢᵉ‧ “ᴬʰ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢˀ” ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉʷʰᵃᵗ ᵇᵃˢʰᶠᵘˡ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ; ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ “ᴱʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ⸴ ʸᵒ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷˀ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳʸᶜᵒᵒᵏ…” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ “ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ʸᵉᵎ” ᔆᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵐʸ ʲᵒᵇ ʷᵉˡˡˀ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵐᵘˡᵃᵉ‧” “ᵂᵉˡˡ⸴ ᴵ’ᵐ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ…” “ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ᵖⁱᵖˢᑫᵘᵉᵃᵏ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇˀ” ᴴᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴸᵒᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢᵎ” ᴸᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ‧ “ᴵᵗ’ˢ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵇʸᵉᵎ” 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 ᵃᶰᵈ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ’ˢ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ⸴ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶠᵉᵃʳ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵍᵃˢᵖˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ “ᴸᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ…” 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 ᶰᵒʷ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇˢ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ⸴ ᵃˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱᶻᵉᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵒᶜᶜᵘʳʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵛᵘˡⁿᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵈˑ ᴴᵉ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳˑ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖᵉᵗ ʰᶤᵐ ᵍᵉᶰᵗˡʸˑ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ’ᵈ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳᵉˢᵘᵐⁱⁿᵍ‧ 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…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇˀ” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ‧ “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿᶠᵒʳᵐ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐᵎ ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵉˢᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ “ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵗᵒˀ” ᴴᵉ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ; ⁿᵒ ᵇⁱᵍᵍⁱᵉᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏᶠᵃˢᵗ⸴ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗⁱᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒʸˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏᵎ ᵂʰʸ ᵈᵒ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ˢᵃᶜᵏ ᶠᵒʳˀ” “ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵘˢ…” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵃˢ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʲᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧” “ᵂᵃⁱᵗ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃʸˢ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗˀ ᴬˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿˢ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ ᶠᵉᵃʳᶤᶰᵍ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ'ˢ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ “ᵂʰᵃᵗ…” “ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ …” “ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘʳᵍᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧” “ᵂᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ’ᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷˀ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐʸ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸᶻᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵘᶰᵗᶤˡ ᴵ ᵉᶰᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʰᵉʳᵉ…” “ᴵ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ…” “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵈᵃᶻᵉᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈˀ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ⁱᵗ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ʳᵉⁿᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˡᵉˢˢⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵒⁿ⁻ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ; ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇˡᵃᵇ⸴ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᶜᵗˢ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗᵎ” “ᴴᵒʷ’ˢ ⁱᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ…” “ᵂᵉˡˡ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉⁿᵉˢˢ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳᵗᵘⁿᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᵇˢᵉʳᵛᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ ᴼⁿᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ…” “ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᔆᑫᵘᵃʳᵉᴾᵃⁿᵗˢᵎ ᴮᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᴾⁱⁿᵏʸᵎ” “ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉᵎ” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᴺᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗˀ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ “ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡʸ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵘʳᵗ…” “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ…” “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃᶰᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵛᵉᵈ‧

ᴮᵉʷᵃʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷⁱⁿᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ pt. 1 ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ⁿᵉᵃʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵖᵒⁿᵈ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵏᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵒᶻᵉⁿ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍʳᵃᵇ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʷʸ ⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘˡˡ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳᵉᵉᶻⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵛᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵃʸ‧ "ᴴᵉˡᵖ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ ᶠᵃˢᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ⁱⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵒʳᵗᵃˡ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴳʳᵃᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵗʳᵉᵉ ᵇʳᵃⁿᶜʰ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉˡᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍʳᵃᵇ‧ ᴵᵗ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵈʳᵃᵍᵍᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ! ᴵᶜᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵒⁱˢᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇʳᵃⁿᶜʰ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ⸴ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᶠˡᵒᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱⁿᵍˡᵉ ˢʰᵉᵉᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᶜᵉ‧ ᵁˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇʳᵃⁿᶜʰ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵃᵈᵈˡᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ˢˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢʰⁱᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳˢ‧ ᵂᵉᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒˡᵈ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ˢᵒˡⁱᵈ ˡᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧‧‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵘˢʰᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ⸴ ʰʸᵖᵉʳᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱˡᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ‧ "ᵂᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʷᵃʳᵐᵗʰ⸴ ᴺᴼᵂ!" ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ˢʰᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒʳᵈᵉᵃˡ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ʷᵃʳᵐ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈʳʸᵉʳ‧" ˢʰᵉ ʰᵘʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˡⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵒⁿᵍᵘᵉ‧ ᴱⁱᵗʰᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ'ᵛᵉ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ ᵃᵇᵃⁿᵈᵒⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉᵐˢᵉˡᵛᵉˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ⁱⁿ ⁿᵒ ᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃ ʳᵘⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵃᵏᵉ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢʰⁱᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ?" "ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃᶜʳⁱᶠⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ʳⁱˢᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ⸴ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ˢˡᵉᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ'ᵛᵉ ᵖᵘˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘˢ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶠˡᵘᶠᶠᵉᵈ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʰᵉʳᵉ ⁱⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵘˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗᵈᵒᵒʳˢ ᵉˣᵖᵒˢᵘʳᵉ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ ˢⁱᶻᵉ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʰᵃᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ˢⁿᵘᵍᵍˡᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʷᵒ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᶠⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ⸴ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜⁱʳᶜᵘᵐˢᵗᵃⁿᶜᵉˢ‧‧‧ ᴬˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵘⁿⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧ "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᵉᵉᵐˢ ˢʰᵃᵏʸ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢʰⁱᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ; ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃᵍʳᵉᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ᶠⁱˣⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᵃᵗᵐᵉᵃˡ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʷᵉˡˡ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴬˢ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵒᵃᵗ ᵐᵉᵃˡ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵒʷˡˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ˡᵒᵒᵏ; ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏᶠᵃˢᵗ‽" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉᵃʳⁱˡʸ ˢᵃᵗ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵃᵗᵐᵉᵃˡ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶠʸ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ ⁱᶠ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ?" "ᵀᵒ ᵐʸ ʷᵒʳᵏ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ pt. 1 to be cont. Pt. 2

Plankton lay on the makeshift bed of crumpled newspaper, his body contorted into an uncomfortable knot. "I can't get to sleep, Eugene." Krabs sighed. "Why not?" "To hard," Plankton complained. Krabs looked over. "Maybe you need something to relax," he suggested. Plankton nodded, hopeful. "Like what?" Krabs considered for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "How about a bed time story?" "A what?" Plankton's voice was filled with skepticism. "You know, something to lull you to sleep." Plankton's expression softened. "Alright, Krabs, hit me with your best shot." Eugene cleared his throat and began his tale. "Once upon a time, in the vast expanse of the sea, there was a tiny plankton named Planky..." Plankton's eye widened for a moment, but the gentle rhythm of Krabs' voice soon began to work its magic. The crab's words painted a picture of a serene under water world, where the currents were soft whispers and the bioluminescent creatures danced a silent ballet. Plankton's eye grew heavier with each sentence, his body slowly unfurling from its tense state. "Planky," Eugene continued, "was a curious little fellow who loved nothing more than to drift through the sea, discovering its many secrets." His voice took on a soothing quality, each word carefully measured to match the steady rise and fall of the ocean outside their abode. "One night," Krabs went on, "as the moon cast its silver glow through the water, Planky stumbled upon a hidden lagoon. It was a place where the jelly fish swam in lazy circles, their soft bodies pulsing to an ancient lullaby that only the deep-sea creatures knew." Plankton's eyelid grew heavier, the image of the tranquil lagoon filling his mind. "In the center of this secret place," Krabs whispered, "was a giant clam, its shell open just enough to reveal a soft, inviting cushion of algae. Planky couldn't resist the urge to rest his tiny body upon it." Plankton's breathing grew deeper. He could almost feel the gentle sway of the clam's soft inner lining beneath him, the coolness of the water surrounding him, and the hypnotic pull of the moon's glow. Krabs noticed the change in his friend's demeanor and continued the story with renewed enthusiasm. "As Planky lay on the clam's cushion, the jellyfish grew closer, their ethereal lights creating a dazzling display of color that danced in time with the whispers of the water. They sang to him, their melodies echoing through the quiet night." The room grew quieter, save for the sound of the waves outside and Krabs' steady voice. Plankton's eye closed fully, his breathing syncing with the rhythm of the story. The crab went on, "Their song was one of peace and tranquility, of a world where worries were as fleeting as the bubbles that floated to the surface. Planky felt his troubles melt away, replaced by the warm embrace of the sea." Then, amidst the serene imagery, the first faint sound of a snore escaped Plankton. It was a sound so small and delicate that it could have easily been mistaken. Krabs smirked to himself. It's working. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "As the jellyfish serenaded him, Planky felt his eyes grow heavier and heavier, until they could no longer stay open. The lagoon's secrets grew dimmer, the colors of the jellyfish fading into a soft, comforting darkness." The snores grew progressively, more regular. Krabs took a moment to appreciate his own cleverness before continuing the tale. "The sea creatures of the night, noticing Planky's peaceful slumber, decided to join him. They formed a living blanket of fish and algae, wrapping him in their gentle embrace, ensuring his sleep would be uninterrupted." Plankton's body grew slack, the tension in his muscles seeping away as he descended deeper into the realm of sleep. His snores grew more rhythmic. The light from the moon had been absorbed into his dreams, guiding him through a world of peace and contentment. Krabs watched his friend's sleeping form, noticing the way the shadows played across his tiny frame, Plankton's antennae twitching ever so slightly with every snore, mouth slightly open as he inhaled and then to let out the soft, rumbling sounds. The sight was peculiar, yet endearing in its own peculiar way. He had never seen Plankton so relaxed, so free. The crab felt a strange sense of accomplishment and allowed himself a brief moment of pride before remembering his own exhaustion. "Now, Sheldon," Eugene murmured, "Let your mind rest, and tomorrow we'll tackle the world anew."

⟡ pls note the ai inflicts emotional damage (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

ᶠᵒʳᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ pt. 2 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᵖᵃˡ‧‧‧" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵖᵃˡ?" "ᴵᵛᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒᵇ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ?" ᴬˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴴᵒʷ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ᵗᵒᵒ ᵇᵘˢʸ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ʷᵉˡˡ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴼʰ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒ ᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒʳᵈᵉᵃˡ ⁱˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ˢʷᵒʳⁿ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ!" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏ⸴ ᵇᵒʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵇʸ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ! ᴬⁿᵈ ʰᵉʸ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ? ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ⸴ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ?" "ᴺᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵗʰʳᵉᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ; ᵗʰᵘˢ ᴵ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵉ́ᵍᵉ́ ᵃᶜᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵈˡʸ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ‧ to be cont. Pt. 3

ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᴰᵒʷⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴬ ʰᵒᵗ⁻ᵃⁱʳ ᵇᵃˡˡᵒᵒⁿ‽" ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵇʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷʰʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ⸴ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶠˡⁱⁿᶜʰᵉᵈ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ "ᴹᵃʸ ᴵ ᵍᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ? ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ? ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳˢ ᶜᵒⁿᶜᵉʳⁿᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ⁱˢ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵒʸ!" ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵒ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵘˢ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢᑫᵘᵉᵉᶻᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵘᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʰᵘᵐᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᴬᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵃ ᵘⁿᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ⸴ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜʰᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʰᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ˢⁱᵍⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡᵉ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳʸ‧ "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˡˡ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ˢᵒ ᵈᵉˢᵖᵉʳᵃᵗᵉ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵃⁱᵈ ⁿᵒ ʰᵉᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁱˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᶜʳᵃʷˡᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃʳᵐ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᶠⁱⁿᵍᵉʳˢ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃ‧ "ᵂᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃˡˡ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ 'ᵂᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ' ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵒʳ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉʰᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᴮᵒᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᴺᵉⁱᵗʰᵉʳ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ⁿᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵃᵗᵗᵉᵐᵖᵗˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍʳᵘⁿᵗ‧ ᴴⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵈᵘˡˡ ᵃˢ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵉᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˡⁱᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴳʳᵘⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉʰᵉⁿᵈ ⁱᶠ ⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ˢᵒ‧ "ᵂʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ‧ "ᵂʰᵃ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ˢʷᵃʳᵐᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵏᵉᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ'ˢ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˡᵉʳᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʰᵘʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖˢ ᵇᵃʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ʷᵃᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵃⁱˡ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴼʰ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵈⁱᶻᶻⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡᵉˢ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ/ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ‧‧‧ ᴵ'ᵐ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴬʰ⸴ ᵒʷ‧‧ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‽" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸˢ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵃᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ‧ "ᴸᵉᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡʸ ᵍʳᵉʷ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵛᵘˡⁿᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉᵃʳʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ!" ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ʷᵉᵃᵏⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒˡᵈ⸴ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʷᵉ ᵃˡˡ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧ ᔆᵒ ᵈᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᵒʳ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵈⁱˢᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ?" "ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˡᵃˣ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃⁿ ʰᵒⁿᵉˢᵗ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵒᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵃˢˢᵃᵍⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃˡᵐᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵐᵖʳᵒᵐᵖᵗᵘ ⁿᵃᵖ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ᴴⁱ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵐᵉ‧ ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ ʳᵉᵖᵃʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇʸ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ⸴ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ʷʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃʸ‧ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ! ᴵ'ᵐ ʳᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵘᵍᵍᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗʳʸ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵈ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵉˢˢ!"

ᴿᵉᶜⁱᵖᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᴰⁱˢᵃˢᵗᵉʳ 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 𝟽𝟷𝟿 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 𝟽𝟷𝟿 "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ‧" ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉˢ⸴ ᵇᵘˢʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢʰᵉ ʷʳᵒᵗᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵐᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴹᵉᵃⁿʷʰⁱˡᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ "ᴳⁱᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵉᵐᵃⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ˢᵒ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃᶜᶜᵉˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘᵇᵉ ˢʰᵃᵖᵉᵈ ᵖᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵛᵃᵘˡᵗ⸴ ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵒʸ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵃⁿ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃˡˡ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵉᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵃⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵐᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ʸᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᶜʳʸ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢˡʸ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠᵉᵉᵇˡʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʳᵒˡˡᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃʲᵃʳ‧ "ᴺᵒ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉˢᵒˡᵘᵗᵉ‧ "ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵒ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᶠⁱⁿᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴹᵉᵃⁿʷʰⁱˡᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵇˢ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿˡᵉˢˢ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵒᶠ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ! ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ⸴ ʰᵉˡᵖ! ᴴᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᶜᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴹʸ ˢᵒᵘʳᶜᵉˢ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉˢᵗ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵘⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉ ᵗʳᵃᵘᵐᵃ‧ ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ˢᶜᵉⁿᵃʳⁱᵒ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵃ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵉˡˡ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ⁱⁿ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵃᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵃ ᵐᵒⁿⁱᵗᵒʳ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᵍʳᵃᵈᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵖᵉʳᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ⸴ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ‧ ᴱʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ "ᴱᵘʰ–" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᵀʰᵉ ᵈᵘˡˡ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ⁱⁿᶜʳᵉᵃˢᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᵁᵍʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ "ʸᵃᵍ⸴ ʷʰᵃ‧ ᴹʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ; ʷʰᵃᵗ ⁱˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳ ᵈᵃʸ! ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ?" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᴵ ᵇʳᵘⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗʳᵘᶜᵏ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴰⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ; ᵐʸ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱᵉˢ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ˢⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵖ ᵒᶠ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵖᵒˢⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵖⁱˡᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵒʳʳʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵃˣᵉᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒˡᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵒʳ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵒˡᵈ ⁱᵗ?" ᴹᵃᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵗᵒ ᵃʳᵍᵘᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉʷʰᵃᵗ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵈ; ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴸᵉᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧" ᴴᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʰⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒˢˢ 'ᴵ ᵃᵐ ʳᵉˢⁱᵍⁿⁱⁿᵍ' ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᵛᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵃ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵒⁿ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ‧ "ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧‧‧" "ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ⸴ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵍᵉˢᵗᵘʳᵉ‧ "ᴿⁱᵍʰᵗ; ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧" "ᴺᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᴵ'ᵈ ˢᵃʸ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ⁿᵃᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉⁿᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃᵛᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵉˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˢ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ!" "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵘʳᵉ?" "ᴬˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵈᵒ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵒʳ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒ ⁱᵗ!" ᵀʰᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ‧

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Pt. 2 “ᴴᵉ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ “ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵃ! ᵂᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᵒʳ ⁱᶜᵉ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ…” “ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵉᵛⁱᶜᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᶜᵒˡˡᵃᵖˢⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ “ᴰᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᶜʳʸ…” “ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ? ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʸᵘᵐᵐʸ ᵇᵃⁿᵃⁿᵃ ⁿᵘᵗ ᵐᵘᶠᶠⁱⁿˢ…” “ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃˡˡ, ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬˡˢᵒ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵖᵃᵗʳᵒⁿⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ‧” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵃ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ; ˢᵗᵃʸ!” ᴬˢ ⁱᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃˡᵃⁿᶜᵉ… ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ⁱⁿ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ “ᴬʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵒʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ?” ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰᵃᵈ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᵈᵒᵘᵇᵗ ⁱᵗ; ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ ⁱᵗ ˢᵃᶠᵉ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰⁱᵐ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ, ᴵ’ᵈ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧” “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᵖᵉˢᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ!” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ!” “ᵂʰʸ?” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ; ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵉ’ˢ ʳᵉᶜᵘᵖᵉʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗʳʸ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ, ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ!” “ᵀʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ “ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ?” “ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒʳᵉⁿᵉˢˢ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ…” “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʷⁱˢʰ ᴵ’ᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ…” “ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁱᵗ, ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ! ᵂᵃⁱᵗ, ᵈᵒᵉˢ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷ…” “ᴺᵒᵗ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵒᵘⁿᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳˢ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ, ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍᵍᵉʳ‧ “ᴵ’ᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱⁿ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ, ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃᵗ ʰᵒᵐᵉ! ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᵍᵃᵐᵉˢ ᵒʳ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵐᵉʳᵐᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵃʳⁿᵃᶜˡᵉ ᵇᵒʸ, ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ‧ ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ?” “ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʳᵃᵐᵇˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵏⁱᵈ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ to cont. pt. 3

ᑫᵘᵃˡⁱᵗʸ ᵀⁱᵐᵉ 2024 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒⁿᵈ ᵃˢ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵏᵉ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ! ᵂʰᵒ'ˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ?" "ᴵᵗ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵃ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ "ᵀʰᵉ ᵇᵘˢ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵐⁱⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ 'ᵂʰᵒ ᵃᵐ ᴵ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ? ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵉⁿᶜᵒᵘʳᵃᵍᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿⁿᵒʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉʰᵃᵛⁱᵒᵘʳ ᵒᶠ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧' ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᵂʰᵒ ᵉˡˢᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ'ˢ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇʸ‧ ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵈˡʸ‧ ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ⸴ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉ!" ᵂʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘˢ⸴ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉⁿᶜʰ ˢᵉᵃᵗ ᵃᵈʲᵃᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ "ᴬʳᵉ ʷᵉ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ʸᵉᵗ?" "ᴺᵒ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵈᵒᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᴹᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ 'ᵉᵐ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵒˢᵗˡʸ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ'ˢ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴴᵃ?" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᵗᵉˣᵗᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ʷᵉ'ᵛᵉ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ "ᴰⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ˢⁿᵃᶜᵏˢ?" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ; ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃˡⁱᵛᵃᵗᵉ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ˡˡ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ; ⁿᵒ ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ!" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ⸴ ⁿᵒ ᵒᶠᶠᵉⁿᶜᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ; ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ'ˢ ᵃ ʰᵉᵃᵛʸ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖᵉʳ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵖᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴳᵒᵒᵈⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧‧" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ?" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ⸴ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵘʳᵇ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᶜᵘʳˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ?" "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ⸴ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵃʳᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᔆⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵᵛᵉ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴾᵃᵗ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ! ᴮᵘᵗ ʸᵉˢ ʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵇᵒᵗʰᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵉᵃˢⁱˡʸ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵈ?" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧" ᴮᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʳᵒᵗᵉ ᵃ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ 'ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ' ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵘᵖ! ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵃⁱⁿ ˡᵒᵇᵇʸ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰᵉʳ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃᵈ'ˢ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃᵈ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᵇᵇʸ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴴᵉ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ⁱˢ‧‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵒʷ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ!" ᔆʰᵉ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵍⁱⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃˡᵏ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ⸴ ˡᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵒᶠᵗˡʸ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠʳᵒᶻᵉⁿ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵉᵃʳ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵖˡʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠˡⁱⁿᶜʰᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᶜʳʸ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴬⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ?" ᴼⁿˡʸ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵉⁿᵈ‧ "ᴵ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐʸ ᵈᵃᵈ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ?" "ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵇᵉʰᵃˡᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸ ᵈᵃᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ!" ᴴᵉ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˢᵒⁿ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇᵉʰᵃᵛⁱᵒᵘʳ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ; ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ʰᵃʳᵐⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ! ᴱᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ˢᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ⸴ ⁱⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗʳᵒᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᶜᵃˡᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᵂᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵇᵘˢ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ THE END

ᴮᵉʷᵃʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷⁱⁿᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ pt. 2 "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ ⁱᶠ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ?" "ᵀᵒ ᵐʸ ʷᵒʳᵏ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ⁱᶠ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰʳⁱˡˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵇʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵐʸ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ⸴ ᵇᵒʸˢ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ʷʰᵒ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃⁱⁿᵉʳ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵘˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʷᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ?" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵃⁱⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵉˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ‧ "ᴵ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰᵒᵗ ᵇᵉᵛᵉʳᵃᵍᵉˢ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃⁱⁿᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᶠⁱˡˡᵉᵈ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ!" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵒᵘʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉʷᵃˡᵏ ʷᵃʸ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ; ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ‽" ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵉʳʳᵒʳ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ᶠʳᵉᵉᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴴᵉ ˢᵗᵉᵖˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏˢ⸴ ʲᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵗᵉᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ʳⁱˢᵏ ˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒᵇ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢⁿᵗ ʳᵉᶜᵘᵖᵉʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ! ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʷᵉˡˡᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ˢʰⁱᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᵉ‧‧‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ‧ "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡⁱᵛᵉ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵈᵃʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵈ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ "ʸᵉ ˢʰᵃˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˢʸᵐᵖᵃᵗʰⁱˢᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵃˢ‧‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᔆⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵈᵒ ʸᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᶜʳᵒˢˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱⁿᵉ!" ᴺᵒʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵛᵉˢ ʰⁱˢ ʲᵒᵇ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱˢ ᵈᵉᵛᵒᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘʳᵖᵒˢᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵇᵉ ᵒʳ ᵈᵒ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠᵉⁿˢⁱᵛᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ‧ "ᴬˢ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ˡⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᵀʰᵉⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ⸴ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ; ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᑫᵘⁱᵗ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᵉ ʷⁱˢᵉˡʸ ᵇᵒʸ⸴ ᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ!" Pt. 2 to be cont. Pt. 3

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱᶻᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸᶻᵉ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱᵍᵍᵉˢᵗ ˢʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵃᶜᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵃᵖᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵃᵗᵘˢ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ‧ ᴹᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ⸴ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᶠᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉʰᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢˡᵃᵐᵐᵉᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴾᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵒˢᵉ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ! ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗʸ? ᴼ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷⁱˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵘᵈᵍᵉ ᵒʳ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒᵇˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖᵉᵗ ʰᶤᵐ ᵍᵉᶰᵗˡʸˑ “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈᵎ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧” ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ˒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶰᵉ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ᔆᵉᵐⁱ ᶜᵒᵐᵃᵗᵒˢᵉˑˑˑ" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ⁱᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵍʳⁱˡʸ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ʰᵃᶰᵈ ˢʷᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒᶰˢᶜᶤᵒᵘˢᶰᵉˢˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁱⁿ‧ “ᴴʳ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰᵘᵐᵐᶤᶰᵍ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿˑ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᵉᶜʰᵒᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰᶤᵐ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ‧ “ᵂʰᵃ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵃˢʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵃʳᵈˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃⁱⁿ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵒ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈᵎ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ˒ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᶜᵃˡˡˑˑˑ” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ˒ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉˣⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗᶤˡˡ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ˢᵗᵘᵖᵒʳ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵏᶰᵒʷᶤᶰᵍ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᶤᵗ˒ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᶠˡᵒᵒᵈᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ‧ “ᴴᵉ'ˢ ʷᵃᵏᶤᶰᵍᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ‧ “ᵂʰᵉ… ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ; ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ?” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ ᶠᵉᵃʳᶤᶰᵍ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ'ˢ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᴴᵉʰ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳˢ‧ “ᴮᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧‧‧ ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ‧ ᴸᵃˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ⸴ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ‧ ᵘᶰᵗᶤˡ ᴵ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᵉᶰᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ᵃˢˢᵘᵐᵉ ⁱˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ…” “ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ⁱᵗ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ʳᵉⁿᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˡᵉˢˢⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒⁿ⁻ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵒⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢᵎ” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ…” “ᵁᵍ⸴ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜʳʸ‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᶤˡˡ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ʷʳᵃᵖ ʰⁱˢ ᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵃ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷˀ” ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ ⁱᵗ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧” “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ‧‧‧” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ˒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ; ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵉ’ˢ ʰᵉʳᵉ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵠᵘᶤᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳˀ” “ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳ ᵐⁱⁿᵈᵉᵈ ʸᵉᵗ‧ ᵂᵃⁱᵗ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ᵉˡˢᵉ'ˢ…” “ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᴵ’ᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃᵗ ʰᵒᵐᵉᵎ ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒˀ” “ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʳᵃᵐᵇˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᴵ’ᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵐᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉˀ” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴾⁱⁿᵏʸ ᵃ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᔆᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉᵎ” “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᶜᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ…” “ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷᵉ…” “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃˢᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿ…” “ᵂʰʸˀ ᴴᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒ…” “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʰᵉ…” “ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵒᶠˢ ᵃʳᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵒᶠᶠᵎ” ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵃᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ “ᵂᵉ’ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧” “ᔆᵉᵉ ʸᵃ‧” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ “ᴴᵘⁿᵍʳʸˀ” “ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ “ᴱʰ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷˀ ᴵ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸᶻᵉʳ‧‧‧” ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ “ᵀʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ʸᵉᵎ” ᴮᵘᵗ ᔆᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵐʸ ʲᵒᵇ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵇʸᵉᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ⸴ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡⁱᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗ ᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠⁱˣᵉᵈ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵘⁿᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵈᵒ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵈᵃʸ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵉ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵗʳᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ˢᵐᵒᵒᵗʰ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵒᵘⁿᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧‧‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶻᶻᶻᶻᶻᶻ'ⁱⁿᵍ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡᵒᵍ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ "ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ’ᵈ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳᵉˢᵘᵐⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴼʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏˢ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ‧ “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ…” ᔆʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ʰᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗᵎ ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵉˢᵗᵉʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ…” ᴴᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ "ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ'ˢ ᵃ ᵇˡᵘʳ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ “ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧

ᴬ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ ᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ➵ 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝖽 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗇𝗍: 𝟧𝟫𝟢 "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵐʸ ᵐᵉᵃᵗˡᵒᵃᶠ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵗᶜʰᵉⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ˢᵃʸ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ‧" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃʳⁿᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉˢ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ; ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵇᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱˢᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᶻᵒᵒᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵃ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵒᶠ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ⸴ ˢᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉʳᵉ?" "ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡⁱᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵀʰᵉ ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗ ⁱˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ˢᵒ ᴵ'ᵐ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵖᵒʷᵉʳ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳʸᶜᵒᵒᵏ ʳᵃⁿ ʰᵒᵐᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢˡʸ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˡⁱᵛᵉ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵃᵐˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˡᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ⸴ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵃˢᵗ'ˢ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃʳˢʰ ᵇᵃⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵒʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵘⁿʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿˢⁱᵛᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ⸴ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱˢᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᶜᵏˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵘᵗ?" "ʸᵉˢ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʳᵃⁿ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" ᴺᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱᵗ ᵘᵖʳⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍʳᵉʷ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ‧ "ᵁᵐᵐ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵒ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱˡˡ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʰᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ!" "ᶠᵒʳ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˡˡ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵛᵉ? ᴴᵉ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢⁱᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵘⁿᵃˡⁱᵛᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒˢˢ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵉˣᵖˡᵒˢⁱᵛᵉˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ? ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵒⁿᵒᵘʳˢ‧ "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱˢ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ!" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᵘˢᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ; ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳ ʰᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ!" ᔆᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡˡ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵃⁿᵗˡʸ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ ⁱˢ ⁱˢⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧" ᴴᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃ ʳᵃʳⁱᵗʸ⸴ ˢᵒ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˢᵖᵉᶜⁱᵃˡ ʷʰᵉⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ʰᵃˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢᶠᵘˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗⁱʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗⁱᵒⁿ ˢᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵉˢˢ ʳᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵈᵒ ᶠᵒʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ⸴ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵉᵐⁱˢᵉ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ'ᵛᵉ ˡᵒˢᵗ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉ‧ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢⁿᵒᵒᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢʳᵘᵖᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵘⁿᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳⁱᵇᵘᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵐᵃˢˢ ᵍᵉⁿᵒᶜⁱᵈᵉ⸴ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ᶻᵒᵒᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶻᵒᵒᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ‧ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʷʰᵒˢᵉ ˢᵒᶠᵗ ˢᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵃʷᶠᵘˡ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛⁱᶜᵗⁱᵐˢ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ; ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᶠᵃᵗᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵒˡ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴳⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵈⁱᵗ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ! ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ⸴ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ⸴ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢʰᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ʰᵘᵍ‧

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ᵀʰᵉ ᴬᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ pt. 1 ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵐᵒˡᵈᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵉˡˡ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵍʳᵉʷ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ‧ ᴴᵒʷᵉᵛᵉʳ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒˡᵈᵉᵈ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵈⁱˢᶜᵒᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵍᵒᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉˡᵉˢˢ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ᵒᵘᵗˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵇᵉ ˢʷᵉᵖᵗ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶜᵉᵃⁿ ᶜᵘʳʳᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ˢˡᵃᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ᵃ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᵉᶜᵉˢ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗ‧ "ᴵᶠ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵒᵒⁿᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧‧‧" ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ᵃ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡᵇᵒʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʲᵉᵃˡᵒᵘˢ ᵉⁿᵛʸ ʳᵘⁱⁿᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ ᴺᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ⸴ ᵃ ˢᵉᵗᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵃᵈᵛᵃⁿᵗᵃᵍᵉ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ! ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ? ᴴᵉ ʰᵃˢ ᵃ ᶠᵃᵐⁱˡʸ; ʰⁱˢ ʷʰᵃˡᵉ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʳᵉᵛᵉⁿᵍᵉ!" ᔆᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉˡᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵉˢʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ˢᵃʷ ᵇⁱᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠʳᵃᵍᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵉᵃʳˢʰᵒᵗ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷᵉ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ‧‧‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ ᴿᵉᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒᵐᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍˡᵃⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵃᶜʳᵒˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʳᵉᵃᵈʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉˢˢ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵖᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ˡᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧" to be cont. Pt. 2

ᴴᵃᵖᵖʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴮⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵈᵃʸ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ⸴ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ! ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᶜᵉˡᵉᵇʳᵃᵗᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ‧" "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵉᵗ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ‧ ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ! ᴬⁿʸ ⁱᵈᵉᵃˢ?" "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ?" "ᴵᵗ ᵛᵃʳⁱᵉˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰ ᵈᵃʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᵇˡⁱᵛⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵉᵖ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˢᵗᵃⁱʳˢ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉ ᵖᵃʳᵗʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵐᵒᵒᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ˡᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵃ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵏⁱⁿᵈˡʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʲᵒˡᵗᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵉˡᶠ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᶜʰᵉᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ˢⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃˡˡ ⁿᵒʷ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ ᴬˡˡ ᵖᵃʳᵗⁱᶜⁱᵖᵃⁿᵗˢ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃᵗᵉ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ‧ ᴬⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵇⁱʳᵗʰᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵃʳᵗʸ ᵉᵛᵉʳ!

ᴸᵉᵍ ᵘᵖ pt. 1 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᵀʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏʸ ᵇᵒᵗᵗᵒᵐ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵃˡˡᵒʷ ˡᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵃᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵖⁱᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉᵐ⸴ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵒᵒᵗ ˢˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ˡᵉᵍ ʰⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏ‧ ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ᶜʳᵃᶜᵏ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵉⁿᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʷᵒ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒⁿᵈ ʷʰⁱˡᵉ ʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇˢ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵖᵉᵃʳˡ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵍⁱʳˡˢ ᵈᵃʸ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ "ᵂᵉ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ; ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵖʳᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗˢ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ⸴ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉ ʷʳᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ʰᵒˡᵈ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᶜᵗᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵍ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏⁱᵉ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ⁱᶜᵉ ᵒʳ ᵃ ʰᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵃᵈ‧‧‧" "ᑫᵘⁱᵗ ᵇᵃᵇʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ!" ᴴᵉ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿ ᵃʷᵏʷᵃʳᵈ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵘᵗᵇᵘʳˢᵗ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᶜᵒᵃˣᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ‧ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵒᵈᵈˡʸ ʳᵉᵍʳᵉᵗᶠᵘˡ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱᵗᵉ ʰⁱˢ ʰⁱˢᵗᵒʳʸ‧ ʸᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃˢ ᵃ ˡⁱᵐⁱᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵉʳᵐˢ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ˢᵒ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ⁱⁿⁱᵗⁱᵃᵗᵉ ⁱᵗ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵐʷⁱᵗ!" "ᴵ‧‧‧" "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵂᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ʰᵃᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗᵒᵘᵗ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ˡᵃⁿᵍᵘᵃᵍᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵒᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵃᶜᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵒⁿᵉˢᵗˡʸ ʳᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵃˢ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳˡʸ ᵖᵃᵗʳᵒⁿⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃˡˡ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖᵉᵉʳˢ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵃᵘᵗᵒᵐᵃᵗⁱᶜ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ˢᵒ⸴ ʰᵉ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ᶜᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ʷᵃʸ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵈᵉˢᵖⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒʷⁿˢᶠᵒˡᵏ‧ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ᶜⁱᵛⁱˡ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴺᵒ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ ᵒʳ ⁿᵒ ᵖˡᵃⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ ⁱˢˢᵘᵉˢ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ᶻⁱᵖ ⁱᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢʰʳⁱⁿᵏ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʰᵃᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵒʳᵐ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃˡᵏ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʷᵃˢ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ ᶠᵃᶜᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵐᵒᵒᵈ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵘʳˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ; ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ ᴹᵒˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ˢᵗᵉᵐ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃˡˡʸ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ‧ ᴾᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ˢᵉᵉᵐᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ᵉˣᶜˡᵘᵈᵉᵈ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍᵉᵈ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵃʳᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵏⁱⁿᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳⁱˡʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ʰᵃⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ To be cont. Pt. 2

ᴸᵉᵍ ᵘᵖ pt. 2 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵒˡᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃⁿʸ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷⁱᵖᵉ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵒ ⁱⁿᶠᵉʳⁱᵒʳ‧ "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ᵐᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢⁱᵗ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ‽ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵃˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ'ˢ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ ˢⁱⁿᵏ ⁱⁿ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵘᵖˢᵗᵃⁱʳˢ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ ⁱˢ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ⁱⁿʲᵘʳᵉᵈ ˡᵉᵍ‧ ᵀʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵇᵘᶜᵏˡⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴸᵉᵐᵐᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏᶠᵘˡ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ; ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵒᵇᵛⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʸᵉˡˡ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉˡʸ ᵘⁿᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ! ᴮᵉˢⁱᵈᵉˢ⸴ ᴵ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵉᵃʳ ᵘᵖ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿˢᵗᵃⁱʳˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʷʰʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒⁿⁿᵉᶜᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" "ᴮᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵈᵒ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵗᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴬˡˡ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ & ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵉˡˢᵉ!" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵘᵖˢᵗᵃⁱʳˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ⸴ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ˢᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ ᵁˢⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃʳᵐ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵐᵘˢᵗᵉʳ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈʳᵃᵍˢ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵖᵃⁱⁿᶠᵘˡˡʸ ˢˡᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᵛᵉˢᵈʳᵒᵖ‧ "ᴺᵒᵗ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃⁿ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" "ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢᵉ? ᵀʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ‽ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᴴᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵘʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ; ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ⸴ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ‧ To be cont. Pt. 3

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Pt. 5 ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏᶠᵃˢᵗ, ᵗʰᵉʸ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᶜᵒˡˡᵉᶜᵗⁱᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒʸˢ ᵃˢ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ‧ “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ! ᵂʰʸ ᵈᵒ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ˢᵃᶜᵏ ᶠᵒʳ?” “ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ…” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵃˢ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʲᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧” “ᵂᵃⁱᵗ, ʷʰᵃᵗ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵃʸˢ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ? ᴬˡᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿˢ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᶠᵘʳⁱᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍˡᵃⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ, ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ “ᵂʰᵃᵗ…” “ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ…” “ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ, ᵃˢ ᴵ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘʳᵍᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧” “ᵂᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰⁱᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ’ᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ?” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐʸ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ⁱᵗ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰ? ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ, ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ…” “ᴵ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ…” “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ, ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵈᵃᶻᵉᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ? ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ, ⁱᵗ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ, ʳᵉⁿᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˡᵉˢˢⁿᵉˢˢ, ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ, ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ, ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵒⁿ⁻ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ; ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇˡᵃᵇ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵐᵉ, ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᶜᵗˢ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ!” “ᴴᵒʷ’ˢ ⁱᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡ…” “ᵂᵉˡˡ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉⁿᵉˢˢ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳᵗᵘⁿᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ, ʷᵉˡˡ, ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵒᵇˢᵉʳᵛᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ ᴼⁿᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ…” “ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱᵗ, ᔆᑫᵘᵃʳᵉᴾᵃⁿᵗˢ! ᴮᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ, ᴾⁱⁿᵏʸ!” “ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ!” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ, ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᴺᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ?” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ, ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ To be cont. pt. 6

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ final Pt. 6 finale “ᴮᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ, ᴾⁱⁿᵏʸ!” “ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉ!” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ‧ ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ, ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᴺᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ?” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ, ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ “ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡʸ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵘʳᵗ…” “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ, ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ…” “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᶜᵃⁿ ʳᵉˢᵘᵐᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵈᵃⁱˡʸ ᵃᶜᵗⁱᵛⁱᵗⁱᵉˢ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ The End

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Pt. 3 “ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ?” “ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʳᵃᵐᵇˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵏⁱᵈ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ⁿᵉʷ ᵃᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳⁱⁿᵉ!” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵉˣᶜˡᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ, ᶜˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵐᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ?” “ᴼʰ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴾⁱⁿᵏʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ, ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉˢ! ᔆᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ!” “ᴱⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ, ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ! ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᶜᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ, ʰᵉ’ˢ ʰᵘʳᵗ…” “ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵖˡᵃʸ…” “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃˢᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱᶠ…” “ᵂʰʸ? ᴴᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵒˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ…” “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʰᵉ ⁱˢ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʰᵉ’ˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ…” “ᴱⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ!” ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵇˡʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ “ᵂᵉ’ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ, ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧” “ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ! ᔆᵉᵉ ʸᵃ‧” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ “ᴴᵘⁿᵍʳʸ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?” “ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ʰᵉ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ‧ “ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ʸᵒᵘ…” “ᴵ ᵖʳᵉᵖᵃʳᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵉʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷᵒʳᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵉʳᵉⁿ’ᵗ ᵘᵖ, ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ʸᵉᵗ?” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵃⁿˣⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ᵃʷᵃⁱᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿˢᵉ‧ “ᴬʰ, ʷᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ?” ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉʷʰᵃᵗ ᵇᵃˢʰᶠᵘˡ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ, ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ; ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ “ᴱʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ, ʸᵒ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ? ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳʸᶜᵒᵒᵏ…” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ; ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ‧ “ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ, ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ʸᵉ!” ᔆᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃᵏʸ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵐʸ ʲᵒᵇ ʷᵉˡˡ?” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ “ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵐᵘˡᵃᵉ‧” “ᵂᵉˡˡ, ᴵ’ᵐ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ…” “ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ᵖⁱᵖˢᑫᵘᵉᵃᵏ, ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ?” ᴴᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴸᵒᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ!” ᴸᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ‧ “ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿᵗ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ!” “ᴬʷ, ⁱᵗ’ˢ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” “ᴵ…” “ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵇʸᵉ!” to be cont. pt. 4

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

He felt his eyelid grow heavy to anesthesia. "Alright, Mr. Plankton, you're gonna start feeling sleepy," the doctor's voice echoed. The world around him grew fuzzy, sounds becoming muffled and indistinct. His head lolled, body slack. The nurse's grew blurry, darkness before not even nothingness. Karen, his wife, sat by him. Finally, the doctor stepped back, turned and gave her a thumbs up. The nurse began to clean Plankton's face, wiping away the excess saliva and bleeding with gentle touch. Karen follows as they wheel him out. His bed was pushed into a small cubicle, his breathing slow and even. In stumbled SpongeBob. Karen smiles. "The surgery went well, he's just sleeping it off," she assured. SpongeBob's taking in the beeping monitors. "What's all this for?" he asks, curiosity piqued. "To make sure he's ok while he's asleep," Karen explained. "The doctor said he'd be out for a little while." The yellow sponge nodded, his gaze lingering on the small wads of gauze peeking out from the sides of Plankton's mouth. "What's that?" he asks. "It's to help absorb.." Sponge Bob took in the sight of Plankton, who had begun to drool slightly onto the pillow beneath his head. The saliva pooled. "Oh no, Plankton. You're drooling!" Sponge Bob watched as drool continued to form like a thin string connecting Plankton's mouth to the pillow. Karen chuckled softly. "It's normal, Sponge Bob. He won't feel it as he's asleep." SpongeBob nodded, but curiosity remained. "Can I... I mean, should I... wipe it up?" he asks. Karen laughs. "It's ok, they'd take care of it. Just let him rest." "I promise to be super gentle" Karen nodded, a small smile playing. "Alright. Just be careful." His movements were deliberate, eyes never leaving Plankton's mouth as he approached. The drool strand grew longer, a tiny bridge between his friend and the pillow. The droplet fell away, landing on the pillow with a soft splat. Plankton stirred slightly but didn't wake. "It's fine. He's going to be a bit out of it when he wakes up anyway. Why don't you try talking to him while we wait for him to wake? It might help him feel more at ease." "Hey it's Sponge Bob. You're ok, just having a little nap. No Krabby Patties to steal right now," he added with a chuckle. Plankton's eye began to flutter, a sure sign that he was slowly coming back to consciousness. His body twitched, the anesthesia wearing off. "Looks like he's waking up," she said. Karen leaned closer, her hand reaching out to gently squeeze his. "Honey, it's me," she whispered. "You're ok." Plankton's unfocused and glazed. "Where... what... happened?" he mumbled. "You had wisdom teeth removed. You're in recovery," she said, voice soothing. Plankton blinked. "Wis...wis...what?" "You had a little...uh...dental appointment," SpongeBob said. "Teeth...gone?" he mumbled, still groggy. "You're fine," she assured. "I feel... funny," he giggled, voice silly. "Just relax, Plankton," Karen said. "But...but I wanna...see!" Plankton protested, arms flailing weakly. "Plankton, you need rest." "But I'm not tired!" he exclaimed, as his head lolled back onto the pillow. "I... I want to dance," he said, voice still slurred, which only resulted in more drool escaping. "First, you gotta get better," she said, voice earnest. Plankton's giggles grew, his eye half-closed. "But I'm already the best... at... at... at... " he mumbled, trailing off. "It's anesthesia," the nurse chimed in. "It can make people say some funny things. You're just feeling a bit loopy, Plankton. You'll be back to your usual self soon." Plankton's giggles grew softer, his eye struggling to stay open. "But... but... I'm not tired," he protested weakly, his voice a mere whisper. His eyelid began to droop once more. Sponge Bob leaned in. "You just had surgery, Plankton. You need to rest," he said firmly. Plankton's giggles turned into snores, his tiny body giving in despite his protests. "He's going to be out for a while," the nurse said. "Anesthesia can take time to wear off completely." Karen nodded, watching his chest rise and fall with each snore. Sponge Bob reached out and lightly patted Plankton's arm. Plankton's snores grew quieter and stirred, eye cracking. "Wha... SpongeBob?" he mumbled, groggy. Sponge Bob's heart swelled at the sight of his confused expression. "Just keeping you company as you wake." Plankton's eye rolled to the side. "Wha... what are you doing?" he slurred, his voice barely above a whisper. He tried to lift his hand to his mouth, but it flopped back down onto the bed with a limp thud. "Drool? I...I can't stop," he mumbled, his drool pooling around the fresh gauze. Sponge Bob chuckles. "It's ok, Plankton," he said. Plankton's eye narrows. "Not funny," he mumbled, words barely intelligible. Yet as he said it, another string of drool began to form, stretching from his mouth to the pillow. Sponge Bob's chuckles grew. "I know, I know. It's just... you're so... so... " he couldn't find words, laughter took over. Plankton's unable to control his drool. "I'm so...so...so..." he tried to form a coherent thought. "So what, Plankton?" "I'm...I'm not...not...drooling," he managed to say, words barely coherent. But even as he spoke, a new droplet formed at the corner of his mouth. "You sure?" "St...stop," Plankton managed to mumble, his mouth open and drooling again. "It's...it's...embarrassing." Sponge Bob smiled. "I know, you're ok. The surgery went well," he said. "Alright, we can get him ready to go home now," says nurse. They carefully lift Plankton from the bed, body still limp from the anesthesia. "You ok?" "Mm-hmm," Plankton mumbled, head lolling to one side. He struggled to keep his eye open, but the medication was too strong. Plankton's eye drooped shut once more, his snores echoing through the hall. "Whoa, there he goes again…" "He's still pretty out of it," she said. Plankton's head lolled to the side, his mouth hanging open. "Whoa, Plankton, wake up," Sponge Bob said, gently shaking his shoulder. "Mmph," Plankton mumbled, his eye cracking open. "Where...are we?" "Almost to the car," Karen said. "Just a bit longer." But Plankton's eyelid grew heavier. The nurse disappeared through the doors, leaving Karen and Sponge Bob to maneuver Plankton into a more upright position. His head kept flopping to one side, his snores grew louder. "Come on, Plankton, stay with us," Karen urged. Sponge Bob leaned close. "You ok?" he asked, patting Plankton's shoulder. Plankton's head lolled to the side, eye half- open. "Mmph...tired," he mumbled. Karen managed to get him in, his body collapsing into the seat like a ragdoll. She buckled him in. "You're gonna be ok," she whispered. Sponge Bob climbed into the backseat. Karen started the engine. "Let's get him home." The car ride was a blur of Plankton's snores and occasional mumble. Sponge Bob sat in the back, his hand on Plankton's shoulder, keeping his friend from lolling too far to the side. Each time Plankton nodded off, his mouth would droop, and gauze would slip out. "Plankton, gotta keep it in." Plankton mumbled something incoherent, his mouth still open and drooling. Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his hand ready to catch the gauze if it fell out again. Plankton's eye fluttered open, looking around the car. "Just stay with us, ok?" Sponge Bob nodded, hand on Plankton's shoulder. He watched as Plankton's eye drooped, the gauze slipping again. He leaned over and gently pushed it back. "We're almost there." Karen chuckled from the driver's seat. Sponge Bob’s grip on Plankton's shoulder tightening slightly. "Want to play a game?" "Mmph...game?" he mumbled. "I spy with my little eye, something..." But Plankton's head had already dropped back, snores echoing. Karen glanced in the mirror. "I think he's out for the count," she said. Sponge Bob was still vigilant, making sure Plankton didn't tumble out of the car. With Karen's help, they managed to get him to the couch. Sponge Bob helped prop Plankton up, careful not to jostle him too much. Everything’s just fine.

Her strongest memory was of the smell of rain on hot pavement. It was a scent that didn't just fill her nose but seemed to soak into her skin, bringing with it a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a very long time. Bluey Heeler was a creature of the outdoors, a dog with a heart that pounded in sync with the vast wilderness she called home. Her fur, a blend of blue and gray, blended seamlessly with the shadows of the eucalyptus trees that stretched tall beside her family's modest house. Rainy days meant puddles to splash in and the rich scent of earth coming alive around her. But it had been a long time since she'd felt the cool kiss of rainwater on her snout. Now, Bluey was in the city, surrounded by the concrete jungle, a stark contrast to the boundless plains she'd once known. The smells here were overwhelming, a mishmash of exhaust fumes, fast food, and a million different creatures packed into a space so tight it made her feel claustrophobic. The noises were constant, a never-ending din that made her flinch and whine in the quiet moments of the night. Yet, amidst the chaos, she had found a purpose, a reason to push through the fear and confusion. Her new friend, named Mia, had taken her in, offering her a chance at a new life filled with love and companionship. Mia was as vibrant as the flowers she tended in the small patch of earth outside their apartment. Despite the stark difference in their sizes, they shared a bond that transcended the confines of the urban sprawl. Each day, Mia would take her on adventures through the parks, allowing her to feel the grass under her paws and chase the occasional squirrel up a tree. It wasn't the same as the open ranges she'd left behind, but it was a taste of freedom she hadn't known in weeks. One evening, as the two sat on the windowsill watching the rain dance in the streetlights, a distant howl echoed through the concrete valleys. It was faint, almost lost in the symphony of city sounds, but to Bluey, it was as clear as if it had come from right beside her. Her ears perked up, and she let out a soft whine, longing for the days when she could have joined the chorus. Mia looked at her, concern etched on her features. "What is it, girl?" she asked, her tail thumping against the sill as she tried to convey the ache in her soul. The howl grew stronger, more insistent, and suddenly, Bluey realized it wasn't just any howl. It was her sister, Bingo. The same melody that had serenaded their nights back home, now calling to her from across the miles. Bingo's howl was a beacon, a thread of their shared past that had somehow found its way to her here in the city. Mia's eyes widened as she saw the recognition in Bluey's eyes. "Is that...?" she began, but the question was unnecessary. Bingo came in. Without a second thought, Bluey leaped. She didn't care about the water soaking her fur or the cold seeping into her bones. All that mattered was finding Bingo. The city streets were a labyrinth of wet reflections, the neon lights playing tricks on her eyes as she sprinted through the rain. The scent grew stronger with every bound, her nose leading her through alleys and across busy roads, dodging puddles that mirrored the chaos above. Mia, soaked and panting, struggled to keep up. Then, a shadow moving swiftly in the rain. Bluey's heart leaped. That was Bingo! She picked up the pace, her paws barely touching the ground. The howl grew closer, turning into a series of excited barks as the two sisters rounded a corner and locked eyes. Bingo's tail wagged a mile a minute, and she barrels towards Bluey, knocking her over in a joyous reunion of wet dog and muddy paws. They rolled together, the sound of their laughter piercing the rain-soaked silence. Mia skidded to a stop, panting and smiling through the downpour. She watched as the two sisters played, their tails creating a whirlwind of joy in the dim streetlight. The sight was enough to warm her to the core, making the dampness of her fur coat feel like a small price to pay for this moment. "Bingo," she called out, her voice a mix of happiness and relief. "You found her, Bluey!"

"Hey, how's Plankton doing?" asked Patrick. SpongeBob looks at Plankton, chest rising and falling with snores. "He's sleeping," he said. "But it's the middle of the day!" "Well, he just had his wisdom teeth out," he explained in a hushed tone. "He's pretty out of it. But be quiet, ok?" He turned his attention back to Plankton, who had somehow managed to dislodge the gauze again. With a sigh, SpongeBob carefully repositioned it. "You're going to have to keep that in, Plankton," he said, his voice a gentle scold. But Plankton’s head lolled to the side, his snores growing louder with each breath, drool seeping through the gauze. "Look at him, SpongeBob," Patrick whispers. "He's snoring." "Patrick, shh. He's still recovering." "Can I...can I poke him?" "No, Patrick," he said, his voice a low whisper. Patrick's finger was already outstretched, hovering over Plankton. "Just a little? I just wanna see if he'll snore louder," he whispered. SpongeBob's grip on Patrick's hand tightened. "Patrick, remember what I said about being quiet," he reminded him. Plankton stirred in his sleep, snores turning to mumbles. Patrick was undeterred. He leaned even closer to Plankton, his hand hovering above the sleeping creature's forehead. "You're okay, buddy," he whispered, his voice a mix of concern and glee. "Just rest up, and when you wake up, we'll have the best party ever!" Plankton's snores remained steady. He reached out and gently poked Plankton's forehead. "Wake up, little buddy," he cooed, his voice a soft whisper. Plankton's eye snaps open, his tiny body jolting upright with a snort. The gauze fell from his mouth, and he looked around the room with a glazed expression, his eye finally settling on Patrick's massive grin. "Wha... what's going on?" he slurred, his voice muffled by the anesthesia. Plankton's eye narrowed, his head lolling slightly to the side. "What happened?" he slurred. SpongeBob took a tentative step closer to the couch, his heart racing. "You had your wisdom teeth out," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "You're at my place, just resting." Plankton blinked, his eye focusing on SpongeBob with a look of confusion. "Wisdom teeth?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. SpongeBob nodded, his eyes never leaving Plankton's face. "Yes, Plankton, remember? You're all fixed up now," he said, his voice soothing. But Patrick couldn't resist the urge to add his own twist. "And, you snore!" he whispered, his voice filled with mirth. Plankton's confusion grew. "I... I snore?" he asked, his voice a mix of surprise and mortification. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about," he assured, SpongeBob eyes Patrick with a warning look. "What's it feel like?" he whispered, his voice a mix of excitement and concern. Plankton looked at Patrick with bewilderment. "It feels...weird," he mumbled, his words slurred. "And my mouth is...numb." Drool had formed at the corner of Plankton's mouth. Patrick couldn't resist pointing it out. "Look, Sponge Bob, he's drooling!" Sponge Bob shot him a look that was a mix of annoyance and amusement before turning back to Plankton. "It's okay, Plankton," he whispered, his voice gentle. "It's normal." Plankton's eye grew distant, his mind still clouded by the anesthesia. "Everything's...so...blurry," he murmured, his words slurring together. Sponge Bob and Patrick exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them. "It's the medicine," Sponge Bob explained, his voice calm and reassuring. "It'll wear off soon." But Patrick's curiosity was unquenchable. He leaned closer to Plankton. "Hey, Plankton," he whispered. "I... I don't know," he mumbled, his voice groggy. "Everything's all... wibbly wobbly." "Wibbly wobbly?" He looked over at Plankton, whose eye was still open, staring at the ceiling with a look of wonder. "Everything's...so...pretty,". "It's just the living room, Plankton. You're still a bit out of it." Patrick's eyes grew wide with fascination. "Hey, Sponge Bob," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "Look at his mouth!" Sponge Bob turned his gaze to Plankton, drooling more than ever. "Patrick, shh," he scolded, his voice a gentle whisper. "Let him rest." Plankton's snores grew quieter for a moment before picking up again, a trail of drool connecting his mouth to the pillow. "Is it...normal?" "It's just his body's way of dealing with the surgery, he can’t help it" he murmured. "It'll go away eventually, all part of the process. It's the stuff that makes you sleep through the surgery, like a really deep sleep so he won’t feel or remember.” "But why does it keep coming out?" "It's because his mouth is numb from the dental surgery, Patrick, it's his mouth muscles still asleep." "Can I...I mean, is it okay to, like, nudge it?" He made contact with the drool, sending a ripple through the salivary puddle. Plankton's snores grew louder, his mouth opening even wider. "Patrick," he hissed, his voice a mix of warning and amusement. "You're pushing your luck." His eyes remained fixed on Plankton, watching the drool pool grow and shrink with each snore. He remained blissfully asleep, oblivious to the conversation happening around him "What if I just...dab it with a tissue?" "I guess it’ll help keep him comfortable." He gently touched the tissue to the side of Plankton's mouth, catching the drool before it could fall onto the pillow. The moment the tissue made contact with the saliva Plankton, who was now snoring more heavily, his mouth hanging open even wider, drool cascading onto the pillow, sending a ripple through the salivary puddle. Plankton's snores grew louder, his mouth opening even wider., It was a light touch, just enough to make the saliva wobble like a gelatinous blob. It was a tiny movement, but it was enough to make Plankton's snores hitch. "The anesthesia is wearing off, and his mouth is just... reacting. The numbness is normal." With each dab of the tissue, Plankton's snores grew softer, quieted, his mouth twitching slightly, his breathing even. Then Plankton's face twitched slightly, his expression shifting from remaining asleep with breathing deep and steady, to one of slight discomfort as the lingering anesthesia began to wear off. Snores had turned into soft whimpers of discomfort. "It’s normal he's starting to feel the pain." He reached for the medicine. “Just stay still, Plankton," Sponge Bob whispered. Sponge Bob nodded, his smile gentle. "It's just the start," he murmured, his voice a mix of reassurance and experience. "It'll take a bit for the pain to go away." Plankton's mouth was still slack, the drool now a steady stream that pooled on the pillow. Together, they managed to get Plankton into a sitting position, his legs dangling over the side of the couch. "Hey you need to wake up just a little bit to take your medicine." Plankton's head lolls back against the pillows. "Patrick, hold his shoulders," Sponge Bob whispered urgently. "We don't want him to fall over." Plankton's gaze searched the room, his thoughts clearly muddled. "There you go," Sponge Bob whispered, his voice filled with relief. He carefully laid Plankton back down on the pillows, wiping the last of the drool from him. Plankton's eye remained open, blinking slowly as the world swam back into focus. "You did it," Sponge Bob whispered, his voice filled with pride as he swallowed medicine. "Now, just rest. The pain will start to go away soon." Plankton's eye drifted closed again, his snores returning, though softer than before. Sponge Bob gently let Plankton's head back onto the pillow. "He's okay now," Sponge Bob whispered, his voice a mix of relief and pride. "Good job, helping Patrick." Patrick's eyes remained wide with wonder, his mind still racing with the excitement of the past few moments. "What happens next?" he murmured, his voice filled with anticipation. Sponge Bob's smile was a mix of amusement and reassurance. "Now the medicine will kick in."

ᴮᵉʷᵃʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷⁱⁿᵗᵉʳ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ pt. 3 "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ⸴ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ; ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᑫᵘⁱᵗ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᵉ ʷⁱˢᵉˡʸ ᵇᵒʸ⸴ ᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ'ˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ!" "ᴵ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʳ ᵇᵉ ᵖᵃʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵖʳᵒᵇˡᵉᵐᵃᵗⁱᶜ ᵇᵘˡˡʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴵ ᑫᵁᴵᵀ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ʰᵃᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ⸴ ᵗᵉᵃʳᶠᵘˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵒᵐᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵏⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʰᵃᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵗⁱᵒᵘˢˡʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᶠᵒʳᵐᵉʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᶜᵉⁿᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶜʰⁱˡˡˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳⁱˢᵏᵉᵈ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵖᵉᵗ ᴳᵃʳʸ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢⁱᵈᵉ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵘᵈᵈˡᵉˢ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵈᵘʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ʷᵃʳᵐ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʰᵒᵗ ᵈʳⁱⁿᵏˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᶜᵒᶜᵒᵃ ᶜʰᵒᶜᵒˡᵃᵗᵉ! ᴮʸ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵉᵉᵏᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵗʳᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵘˡᵃʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˡⁱⁿᵍᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂʰʸ?" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ; ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʳᵉᵖᵃʸ ʸᵒᵘ! ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʷᵉˡˡ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃˡˡ'ˢ ʷᵉˡˡ‧ end final pt. 3 end

In the quiet town of Ponyville, there lived a young earth pony named Applejack. Her coarse, burnt- orange coat was always dotted with freckles of dirt from a hard day's work on her family's farm, Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was known for her honesty and her strong work ethic, which were as solid as the oak trees that lined the property. Her mane and tail, a fiery shade of red, matched the color of the apples she grew with such care. One sweltering afternoon, Applejack took a break from her chores, wiping the sweat from her brow with a bandana that smelled faintly of apple blossoms. She looked out over the fields, the sun blazing down like a second sun, and sighed. The harvest was coming soon, and she had so much to do. Her thoughts drifted to her friends, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and the others, and she wondered how they were spending their day. Her contemplation was interrupted by the distant sound of hoofbeats. She shielded her eyes from the glare and saw a figure approaching. As it grew closer, she recognized the purple and white unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, her friend and the town's resident scholar. Twilight looked flustered, her eyes wide with excitement. "Applejack!" Twilight called out, her voice strained from the run. "You won't believe what I've found in the library archives!" Applejack leaned against the fence post, her curiosity piqued. "What is it, Twilight?" Twilight's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I've discovered something absolutely fascinating, Applejack. It's about an ancient artifact called the Element of Honesty!" Applejack's ears perked up at the mention of something old and precious. "The Element of Honesty? What's so special about it?" Twilight paused to catch her breath, her flank heaving. "It's one of the six Elements of Harmony," she began, "each representing one of the core virtues of our world. The Element of Honesty is said to be a rare and powerful artifact that can reveal the truth in any situation. It's been lost for centuries, but I found a map leading to its last known location!" Her voice grew hushed as she unfolded the ancient parchment, its edges yellowed with age. The map was intricate, with swirling symbols and cryptic notations that seemed to dance before Applejack's eyes. "It's somewhere in the Whispering Woods," Twilight whispered, her horn glowing softly as she traced a line over the paper. "Well, shucks," Applejack drawled, "that's a place I've heard plenty of tall tales about, but never actually visited." The wood had a reputation for being eerie and mysterious, a place where whispers of forgotten secrets lingered on the breeze. But the prospect of finding something as important as the Element of Honesty was too tempting to pass up. Twilight's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Applejack, I think we should go look for it. It's not far from here, and who knows what kind of trouble it could prevent if it falls into the wrong hooves?" Applejack nodded, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in her gaze. "Alright, but we'd better tell the others. They might want to come along." They gathered their friends, who were equally intrigued by the prospect of an adventure. Pinkie Pie bounced with excitement, Rarity's eyes gleamed with the promise of a new treasure to add to her collection, and Fluttershy looked nervous but determined. Rainbow Dash and Rarity promised to keep an eye on Fluttershy, who had a tendency to get spooked in unfamiliar places. They set out into the late afternoon sun, the map fluttering in Twilight's magic as they followed the path into the wood. The Whispering Woods lived up to their name, with rustling leaves and hushed whispers that seemed to follow them through the dappled shade. The air grew cooler, and the scent of damp earth and pine needles filled their nostrils as they ventured deeper. Suddenly, a shadow flitted through the trees. "Greetings, travelers, I am Aloysius, keeper of the woods' lore." His feathers were the color of moonlit silver, and his eyes held a knowing glint. Twilight stepped forward, the map still clutched in her telekinetic grip. "We're looking for the Element of Honesty," she said with a hint of urgency. "Could you help us?" Aloysius tilted his head, his beak clicking thoughtfully. "Ah, the Element of Honesty," he murmured. "A treasure indeed. But beware, for the woods are not kind to those who seek without pure intentions." The friends exchanged glances, their determination unwavering. Applejack stepped up, her eyes meeting the owl's. "Our intentions are as true as my word. We aim to protect our town and find this artifact before it falls into the wrong hooves." Aloysius studied them for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I will guide you to the spot where the Element lies hidden. But heed my warning: the woods hold secrets, and they do not give them up easily." The group followed the him, their hoofsteps echoing through the quiet wood. The whispers grew louder, and Applejack couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Twilight, ever the scholar, took notes on the various plants and magical phenomena they encountered, while Pinkie Pie chattered away, trying to keep everyone's spirits high. As they ventured further in, the wood grew denser, the path narrower. The light grew dimmer, the sun's rays barely piercing the thick canopy above. The air grew colder, carrying with it a sense of unease that made even Rainbow Dash's wings flutter anxiously. "This place is giving me the creeps," Fluttershy whispered, her eyes darting around nervously. "Don't worry, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash assured her, "we're all here for you." Aloysius led them to a clearing, where an ancient tree stood tall, its trunk twisted with age. The whispers grew to a crescendo, swirling around the tree's base like a cacophony of secrets yearning to be heard. "Here it is," He announced, his voice barely audible over the din. "The Element of Honesty lies within this tree. But remember, it will only reveal itself to the worthy." Applejack squinted at the tree, her heart racing. The whispers grew so loud, they seemed to form words, urging them to turn back. But she knew they couldn't. "Thanks, Aloysius," she said, turning to her friends. "Let's get to it."

"Honey, wake up," Karen said gently. Her voice was the sweet sound of a lullaby echoing through the silent, sterile room, but Plankton remained unresponsive. The steady rhythm of the heart monitor was the only reply to her soft pleas. She sat by his side, her hand intertwined with his, her thumb brushing the back of his palm. But now, his hand lay limp, a stark contrast to the warmth and strength it usually exuded. The antiseptic smell of the hospital filled the air, a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a cold, artificial glow on Plankton's pale face. His chest rose and fell with each shallow breath, and the rhythm was the only reassurance Karen had that he was still with her. The doctor had said it was a mild concussion, but the sight of him lying there, so vulnerable, filled her with dread. She knew that she had to stay strong, not just for herself, but for Plankton. The door to the room creaked open, and the doctor stepped in, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. He was a young man, his expression a mix of professionalism and concern. He looked at the charts in his hand before glancing up at Karen. "How is he?" he asked. Karen's eyes never left her husband's face as she replied, "The same." The doctor nodded, his eye reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "It's not uncommon for someone with a concussion to sleep longer than usual. We're monitoring him closely, and his vitals are stable. We've given him medication to manage the pain and reduce the swelling." Karen leaned forward, her grip on Plankton's hand tightening. "But when will he wake up?" she asked, her voice a whisper of hope. The doctor's eyes softened. "It could be hours, or even days. The brain needs time to heal. But rest assured, Mrs. Plankton, we're doing everything we can to ensure a swift and full recovery." Karen nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She didn't want to believe it would take that long, but she knew that patience was the only option she had. She leaned back in the chair, her eyes never leaving Plankton's face. Time stretched out before her, each minute feeling like an eternity. The only sounds in the room were the tick of the clock on the wall and the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor. The hospital's white walls closed in around her, making her feel trapped in a world where time had ceased to have meaning. Her thoughts raced, playing out every possible scenario in her head, each one more alarming than the last. A nurse came in to check on Plankton, her shoes squeaking against the floor. She offered Karen a kind smile and a reassuring pat on the shoulder before she tended to her husband, checking his bandages and administering fluids through the IV. Karen watched her every move, feeling helpless and out of place. The nurse noticed her distress and offered her a cup of tea, which she accepted with a nod of gratitude. The warm liquid helped soothe her nerves as she took a sip, her eyes never straying from Plankton. The minutes ticked by, each one feeling heavier than the last. The silence was broken only by the occasional murmur from the hallway or the rustle of pages as the nurse updated his chart. Karen's mind drifted back to the moments before the accident, the laughter and the joy that seemed so distant now. Plankton had been working on his latest invention, a contraption he swore would revolutionize the fast-food industry. It was a wild tangle of metal and wires, something that only he could understand. Karen had watched him, her curiosity piqued but her technical knowledge barely scratching the surface of his genius. "What does it do?" she had asked, her eyes wide with wonder. He had grinned, his teeth gleaming in the light of the makeshift workshop. "It's a secret," he had said, his voice filled with mischief. Now, as she sat by his side in the hospital room, she wished she had paid more attention. Perhaps then she could have anticipated the malfunction that had sent him to the emergency room with a concussion. Plankton had always been so driven by his ideas, so wrapped up in his world of gadgets and gizmos, that he often forgot the dangers that came with his experiments. It was his passion, and she had always admired it, but in moments like these, she couldn't help but worry. The room grew dimmer as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the floor. Karen's eyes grew heavy, and she fought the urge to sleep. Suddenly, Plankton's eyelid fluttered open, revealing eye that searched the room with confusion. "Where am I?" he croaked, his voice dry and scratchy. Karen's heart leaped into her throat, and she leaned forward, her hand tightening around his. "You're in the hospital, sweetie. You had an accident," she said softly, her voice trembling. Plankton blinked several times, his gaze shifting from the blurry ceiling to Karen's face. Recognition dawned in his eyes, but confusion remained etched on his furrowed brow. "What happened?" he murmured, his voice still weak and groggy. Karen's heart swelled with relief at the sound of his voice. She took a deep breath, then explained the accident as calmly as she could. "You fell while working on your latest invention. You hit your head pretty hard. The doctor said it's just a concussion, but you need to rest." Plankton's eyes searched hers, trying to piece together the puzzle of his foggy memory. "A concussion?" he repeated, his voice a mere whisper. "How long have I been out?" Karen's grip on his hand tightened, her knuckles white. "A few hours, darling. But it's going to be okay." She hoped her words were true, that the fear and doubt didn't seep through. Plankton's gaze was unfocused, his thoughts jumbled. He didn't remember the accident, the pain, or the panic that had brought him here. All he knew was the gentle squeeze of her hand and the sterile scent of the hospital room. As he began to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over him. Karen's other hand shot out to steady him, her eyes filled with concern. "Lie back down, Plankton. You need to rest." He obeyed, his head heavy on the pillow, and his eye fell shut again. The doctor had warned her about the potential side effects of the concussion: confusion, dizziness, and memory loss. It was a strange sight, seeing him so unsure of himself, a stark contrast to the usual confidence that radiated from him. When he opened his eye again, the confusion had deepened. "What's the last thing you remember?" Karen asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Plankton's eye searched the room, as if the answer was hidden in the shadows. "I... I don't remember," he said, his voice filled with a sense of panic that was alien to him. "It's all blank." Karen felt a chill run down her spine. The doctor had mentioned that amnesia was a possibility, but she hadn't allowed herself to believe it would happen to Plankton. "It's okay," she assured him, her voice shaky. Plankton's eye searched hers, desperation flickering in their depths. "What do you mean, I don't remember?" Karen took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of anxiety brewing within her. "Sometimes with concussions, memories can be a bit jumbled. But don't worry, they'll come back to you." She hoped her reassurance sounded more convincing than it felt. The doctor had warned her that the road to recovery might be bumpy, but she had never anticipated Plankton's memory loss. Her mind raced, trying to think of ways to help him, to fill in the blanks without overwhelming him. "Do you remember anything at all?" she asked, her voice gentle. Plankton's eye searched the room again, as if the answer was hiding in the corners. "I remember... I remember working," he said, his voice trailing off. "But it's all... fuzzy." Karen felt a pang of sadness at the lost look on her husband's face. She didn't know how to navigate this new, uncharted territory. But she knew she had to be strong for him. "It's okay, Plankton," she said, stroking his forehead with the back of her hand. "You just need to rest." The doctor had instructed her to keep the environment calm and familiar to aid in his recovery. So, she began to speak in soothing tones, telling him stories of their past adventures. Her words painted a picture of a life filled with love and adventure, and she watched as his face relaxed with each passing moment. His breathing grew steadier, his chest rising and falling in a more natural rhythm. The hospital room was a cocoon of beige and white, the only color coming from the bouquet of flowers she had brought from home. Plankton's chest rose and fell in the rhythm of deep sleep, his breathing steady and even. The heart monitor beeped reassuringly, a metronome to the symphony of his rest. His face was peaceful, free from the tension that had gripped it earlier. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she realized the immediate danger had passed. For now, at least, he was safe, and she was grateful for every moment of his peaceful rest. She knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but for now, she was content to sit by his side and enjoy the quiet.

ᴬʳᵐᵃᵍᵉᵈᵈᵒⁿ pt. 1 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴴᵒʷ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵒˡᵈ ᵘᵖ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ʰᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᶜᵃˢᵗ? ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᵈᵒ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᶠˡⁱᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᶜᵒⁿᵈⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿ! ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵃ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵀᵉˣᵃˢ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᵘˢᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᶠ ʰᵉʳ ᵖʰʸˢⁱᶜᵃˡ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵉᵉ ʷʰᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐ ᵃˡˡ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵘᵖ⸴ ʰᵒᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʰᵒˢᵖⁱᵗᵃˡⁱᵗʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵘʳᵗ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʸ⸴ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳⁱᵐᵃʳʸ ʳᵉᵃˢᵒⁿ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵒᵉˢ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱⁿᵈˢ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᴵ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ⸴ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᶜᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜʳᵃˢʰ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵍᵃʳʸ ʷʰⁱˡᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ᵐᵒᵗʰᵉʳᵇᵒᵃʳᵈ ⁱⁿ ˡᵃʷ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ᵛⁱˢⁱᵗ ʰᵉʳ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃʷᵃʸ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵉᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ⸴ ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵘˢ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵇᵃʳᵏ‧ "ᵂⁱˡˡ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵉᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴵ ᵃᵐ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ! ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵉᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵈ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵒⁿ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˡʸ ᵗᵉʳᵐˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ʷᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵖᵒˡᵃʳ ᵒᵖᵖᵒˢⁱᵗᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ᶠʳᵒʷⁿᵉᵈ ᵘᵖᵒⁿ ᵇʸ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ⸴ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵉᵃᶜʰᵒᵗʰᵉʳ! ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵒʷᵉ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵈᵉᵉᵈˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳˢ ʰᵒʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿⁿᵒᶜᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵗᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ⸴ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵗʳᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉʰᵒʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃʳᵉˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᵉᵐᵒᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵃˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ʷᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶠᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿᵈᵘˢᵗʳʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃˢⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳ ᵃ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒᵗˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵇᵘᵈ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃⁿ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ; ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ᵖʳᵉᵗᵗʸ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐᵐᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵉʳᵉ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵐⁱˢᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵒʳ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ‧ ᴬⁿʸ ᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ʷᵃˢ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃⁿⁿᵒʸᵃⁿᶜᵉ⸴ ᵒʳ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ˢᵃᵇᵒᵗᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ‧ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʰᵒʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ to be cont. Pt. 2

ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ pt. 1 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴿᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵒʷⁿᵉʳˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒⁿᵗʰ ʷᵉʳᵉ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ & ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵘˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃˢ ⁿᵒ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ, ˢᵒ ʰᵉ’ᵈ ᵍᵒ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵗʰʳᵉᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵐᵉᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘˢ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳᵃᵛᵉˡ ᵃᶜʳᵒˢˢ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵇᵉˡᵒⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳᵉ!” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᶜʰᵉᵃᵖ ᔆᵏᵃᵗᵉ!” ᴴᵉ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ “ᴳᵘʸˢ ˢᵗᵒᵖ! ᵂᵉ’ʳᵉ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ᵃ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉ’ʳᵉ ʳᵉᵖʳᵉˢᵉⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇⁱᵏⁱⁿⁱ ᵇᵒᵗᵗᵒᵐ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵃᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʳᵒʷ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ; ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵃᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ ˢᵉᵃᵗ, ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵈᵍᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ʳⁱᵈᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵗⁱʳⁱⁿᵍ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ, ʷʰᵒ ʷᵃˢ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵈʳᵒʷˢʸ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᶜᵒᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ˢʰᵃʳᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ˢᵘⁱᵗᵉ‧ to be cont. pt. 2

ᶠʳᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ ᴿᵉᵘⁿⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟗𝟑𝟗 "ᴴᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇⁱᵍ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉᵐᵖˡᵒʸᵉᵉˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʳⁱᵛᵃˡˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵃᵐⁱᶜᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒʷ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ 'ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵉᵉ' "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʰᵃⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᶠᶠᵉᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢⁱᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴷⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ˢᵒ ˢʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉʸ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵃˡᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴺᵒʷ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵈʳᵃᵖᵉᵈ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ ᵃ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵘⁿˢ ᵘᵖ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᵂʰᵃᵗ‧‧" "ᴵ ʰᵉᵃʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ'ˢ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵈᵃᵗᵉ⸴ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵇᵒʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˡʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵘᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵘʳᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒˢˢ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ⸴ ʷʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠˡⁱⁿᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ˢᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵃˢ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴴᵒⁿᵉʸ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵉˡᶠ ᵘᵖ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵐʸ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ⸴ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ ᶜᵒᵃˣᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴴᵘʰ?" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵐᵖᵉᵈᵉ ᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿᵃˡ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱˢ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ˢᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏˡʸ‧" ᴮᵒᵗʰ ⁿᵉᵐᵉˢᵉˢ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ‽" "ᴮᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ˡᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗᵃˡᵏ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵃᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵒʳ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ʳᵉᶠ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵒᵗʰ‧ ᴱᵃᶜʰ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍˢ ⁱⁿ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵗᵒ ᵍˡᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ'ᵐ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ‽" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ˢᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᶜᵉⁿᵗʳᵉ ⁱᶠ ᵃⁿʸ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧" "ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ᵏⁱᵈ⸴ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵘˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵒᵖᵉˢ ᵘᵖ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵖʳⁱᵛᵃᶜʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒⁿ ʳᵉˡᵃᵗⁱᵛᵉˡʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗᵉʳᵐˢ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵉˢˢ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ˡᵉᵃʳⁿ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ; ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃⁿᵈˡᵉ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵒˢˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵉ‧ ᵀʳᵘᵗʰ ʰᵘʳᵗˢ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵉᵃⁿˢ ⁿᵒ ˢᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᶠᶠ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ ᵃˢ ⁱⁿ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵖⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʰᵃⁱʳ ᵗᵒ ˢʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒⁿᵗ ᵒᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆᵗᵒᵖ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ⁿᵒ!" ᴮᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ʰⁱᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴬˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱᵐᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵇᵃᵈˡʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵒⁿˢᵗᵉʳ! ᴬˡˡ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵖʳᵒᵇˡᵉᵐˢ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ᵘˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇʳᵘⁿᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵒʷ ᵈᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ⸴ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᶠᵒʳᵐ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵃᵍᵃᵖᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒⁿˢⁱᵈᵉʳ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉˡᵗ ᵇʸ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʰᵉˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ; ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵛⁱᵗʸ ᶜᵒⁿˢᵉᑫᵘᵉⁿᶜᵉˢ ᵒᶠ‧ "ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵒʰ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵘʳᵍᵉⁿᶜʸ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ᵇʳᵒᵏᵉⁿ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒʳ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵒᵐᵖᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇʸ ʲᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳ! ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵖᵃʳᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᵘⁿˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᴵ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ! ᴺᵒ ᵐᵒⁿᵉʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ⁱⁿⁿᵒᶜᵉⁿᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵒᵇˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵃʷˡⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‽" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ᴵ ᵃᵐ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖⁱᵗʸ ᵖᵃʳᵗʸ‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵃˢᵗ ʷᵒʳᵈ ᵃˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵒ ᵇᵃᵈ⸴ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇʸ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵉˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ʰᵘʳᵗ‧ ᔆᵒ⸴ ᵍᵉᵗ! ᴺᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ˢᵃʸ! ᴮᵉᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒʷ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗʳᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᵂⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ 'ᵉᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵒʰ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗⁱᵉ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷʰʸ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ; ˢʰᵉ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵉᵗⁱⁿᵍ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ʷᵉˡˡ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗᵃⁿᵗʳᵘᵐ ᵘⁿˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘⁿˢᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵉᵐᵖᵉʳ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ‧ "ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ⸴ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ; ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵘᶜᵗⁱᵛᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᑫᵘⁱᵗ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁿᵃᵖˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷⁱˡᵈˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵈⁱᵃʳʸ ʲᵒᵘʳⁿᵃˡ ᵒᶠ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉˢ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵖⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡᵉ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈˡⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵒˡᵒᵍⁱˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃʸ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵃˡˡ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃᵘˡᵗ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃʳⁿ; ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵃ ᵗᵉᵃʳ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᴵ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵘⁿᵈᵒ ᵃˡˡ ᵐⁱˢᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵘˢ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᶜⁱᵛⁱˡ‧ ᵂᵉ ᵐᵃʸ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ʸᵉᵗ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵉⁿᵉᵐⁱᵉˢ‧" "ᴰᵒᵉ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉˢ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧" ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵘᵍᵍᵉᵈ‧

ᶜᵒˡᵈ ᴮˡᵒᵒᵈᵉᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵈʳⁱᵛᵉ ʷᵃʸ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵒᵛᵉˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʷ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉ ˢⁿᵒʷ ˡᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ ⁿᵒʷ ᵗʳⁱᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵐᵉʳᵍᵉ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷʰᵒ ʷᵃᶜᵏ ʰⁱᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘⁿⁱⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢˡᵃᵐᵐᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʸᵉˡᵖ ᶜʳʸ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ˡⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵉᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ‧ "ᴵ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ‧ ᵁⁿᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈˡʸ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ᶜᵒˡˡᵃᵖˢᵉᵈ ᶠᵃⁱⁿᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ˡⁱᵐᵖ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ˢˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ˢʰᵘᵗ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴮʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵐᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʷᵉ ʷᵉʳᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵖˡᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵒʷ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ ʷᵉ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠʳᵉᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᵂⁱˡˡ ʰᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳʷⁱˢᵉ ᵘⁿᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴⁱᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ᵐᵘˡᵗⁱᵖˡᵉ ⁿᵃᵛʸ ᵇᵘᵈᵈⁱᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵒʸ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ˢʰᵘᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ ˢʷⁱᵗᶜʰ ʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʸᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˢ⸴ ⁱᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖˢ ᵉˡᵉᶜᵗʳⁱᶜⁱᵗʸ ᵗᵉᵐᵖᵒʳᵃʳⁱˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵉˣⁱˢᵗˢ‧ ᴵᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵇˡᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒʳ ˢᵗᵒᵖˢ ʷᵒʳᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒ ᵉˡᵉᶜᵗʳⁱᶜⁱᵗʸ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ?" "ᔆᵒ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃˡ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʳᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵉᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵒⁿ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ‧ ᴸⁱᵏᵉ ᵃⁿ ⁱⁿᵈᵘᶜᵉᵈ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ˢʰᵉᵈ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵏᵉᵉᵖˢ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵒᵐᵃ? ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ⸴ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ⁱᵐᵖʳᵒᵛᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜ‧ ᵂᵉ'ˡˡ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᶠ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵉ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵈᵉˢᵉʳᵛᵉᵈ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʳᵃⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵒᵖᵉˢ ᵘᵖ‧ ʸᵉᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᵐᵖ ᵇᵒᵈʸ ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ᵘⁿˢᵉᵗᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂⁱˡˡ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵘʳᵉ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʳᵉᵗᵃⁱⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵇᵉ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᴵ ᵈᵒᵘᵇᵗ ᵃᵐⁿᵉˢⁱᵃ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁱᵐᵐᵉᵈⁱᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ˢᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʲᵘᵐᵖ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ⁱᶠ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖˡᵃʸᵉᵈ ᶜᵃʳᵈ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍʳᵘⁿᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ᵗᵒᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵂᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵇˡᵉᵃʳʸ ᵉʸᵉ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᴺⁿⁿʰʰʰ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵉᵗ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵃ⁻ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ⸴ ʷʰ⁻ʷʰ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ ʷʰ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᔆᵘʳᵉ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵍⁱˢᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ˢʷᵃʳᵐⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ "ᴬʰʰʰ⸴ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖʳⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ⁱˢ⸴ ʰᵒʷ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧‧‧ ᴵ⸴ ᵘʳᵍʰ; ʷ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰ⁻ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‽" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵘˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ ˢⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵒᵐᵇᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ; ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ˢˡᵒʷ‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢʰᵒᵛᵉˡ‧ ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ˢᵒʳʳʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ʳᵉ ʷᵉ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵈᵒ? ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᶜᵒᵒᵗˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵇʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ʲᵃʳʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢⁿᵒʳᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖⁱᶜᵏˢ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿˢʷᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵘʳˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ‧ 'ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ʸᵉᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ‧‧‧' ˢᵃʸˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵉⁿᵈ‧ "ᴱˣᶜᵘˢᵉ ᵐᵉ" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏ ʰᵉʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰʸ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵐᵒᵛᵉᵈ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵈᵒʷⁿ⸴ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ/ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ ᵈᵘᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵈⁱᶻᶻⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵃᵗⁱᵍᵘᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᔆᵗᵒᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʰᵘʳᵗ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʷᵉᵃᵏ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧" ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵈᵒⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗ! ᵂᵉ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˢᵗᵃⁱʳˢ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵈⁱˢᵗᵘʳᵇ 'ᵉᵐ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠⁱˣᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵏᵉˡᵖ ᶜᵉʳᵉᵃˡ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᵗ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ'ˢ ˢˡᵘᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵖᵃʳᵗʸ‧ "ᴴⁱ⸴ ᵈᵃᵈᵈʸ!" ᔆʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ˡᵒᵘᵈ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ‧ ᔆᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵒᶠᵃ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉʳ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶠᵉᵃʳ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ‧ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ'ʳᵉ ᵃᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵒˡᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵘⁿᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᔆᵗᵃʸ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ! ᴳᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵈᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵘⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗᵘᵐᵇˡᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʷⁱᵗᶜʰ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵒ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡ!" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᴮʸᵉ⸴ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᵂ⁻ʷ⁻ʷʰᵉʳᵉ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᴼʷ! ᴼᵘᶜʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ! ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵖᵃˢˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ʰᵘʳʳʸ‧‧" "ᔆᵉᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ; ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ʰᵉᵃᵖ‧ "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉʸ⸴ ᵃʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ⸴ ʰ⁻ʰᵘʰ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" "ᴴᵘʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʳᵉˢᵗ⸴ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᵘᵖ‧‧‧" 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟗𝟑𝟗

KAREN AND THE TEETHIES i Karen sat by her husband Plankton, who's in the dentist chair. They numbed his arm where the Iv's to go in; today Plankton gets his wisdom teeth surgically removed. The dentist, a man named Dr. Finnegan, leaned in and said, "Plankton, you're going to start to feel sleepy now." Dr. Finnegan started the Iv. "Are you sure? I'm still awake and not to mention a light sleeper," Plankton says, "I don't feel anyth—" His voice trails off as his eye flutters closed, his mouth opens slightly, revealing his tiny white teeth, and his body goes limp. His head tips to one side, and Karen reaches over to gently push it back to a more comfortable position. Plankton's snoring echoes softly in the surgical room. Karen watches Dr. Finnegan as he starts to prep for the procedure. He's all smiles and nods, assuring her that everything will be fine. The smell of antiseptic fills the room as Dr. Finnegan cleans the area around Plankton's mouth with a cool, minty solution. Karen's grip on her husband's hand tightens instinctively, even though he doesn't stir, lost in the depths of sleep. Dr. Finnegan's assistant, a slender young man with a gentle touch, carefully inserts the mouth prop to keep Plankton's mouth open. Plankton's snores change pitch slightly, but he still doesn't wake. Karen squeezes Plankton's hand, even though he's unconscious. The assistant nods at Dr. Finnegan, who begins to explain the procedure to Karen. She nods, trying to focus on his words, but her eyes keep drifting to her snoring husband. She can't help but feel a mix of anxiety and affection. Plankton, ever the worrier, had been so nervous about the surgery. Now he's out like a light, blissfully unaware of the impending extraction. The assistant places a soft bib under Plankton's chest to absorb any excess saliva. His snoring gets a little louder, and Karen can't resist the urge to smile. Dr. Finnegan then starts the actual surgery, making an incision in Plankton's gum. The sound of the drill starts to fill the room, a high-pitched whine that makes Karen's teeth ache in sympathy. She watches as the assistant suctions the area to keep it clean. Plankton's body remains still, his breaths deep and even. The tension in the room is palpable, even though Plankton is completely oblivious to it. Karen's thumb rubs his knuckles in a soothing rhythm as she watches Dr. Finnegan's steady hand make the first incision, and Plankton's snores hitch slightly before resuming their normal rhythm. The assistant, noticing Karen's nervousness, gives her a reassuring smile. "It's normal for any snoring to change a bit. He's still deep in sleep." Plankton's snores become more rhythmic as the surgery progresses. Dr. Finnegan's expert hands navigate the tight space of his mouth with ease. Karen's gaze shifts from the dental tools to the monitor above them. It displays an X-ray of Plankton's mouth with the wisdom teeth highlighted, their jagged edges pressing against the other teeth. The reality of the procedure sets in, but she trusts the dentist. Her thumb continues to stroke his hand. The drill's whine grows louder, and the smell of bone dust mingles with the antiseptic. Plankton's snores remain unfazed, a testament to the anesthesia's effectiveness. The assistant periodically wipes away the blood and saliva that collects in the corners of his mouth, his eyes never leaving his task. Karen's eyes dart to the clock. Time seems to crawl as the minutes pass. Each snore from Plankton is a comforting metronome, keeping her anxiety in check. The surgical team works with precision, their movements choreographed from years of practice. The nurse keeps a close watch on the monitors, noting Plankton's vitals with a nod of approval. Dr. Finnegan's concentration is unbroken, his expression a mask of focus. The sound of the drill pauses, and Karen's heart skips a beat, but it's quickly followed by the crunch of bone as the first wisdom tooth is exposed. Plankton's snoring doesn't miss a beat. She swallows hard, her eyes stinging slightly from the tension. The nurse notices her discomfort and offers a kind word, "You're all doing great." Karen nods as Dr. Finnegan gently probes the tooth with a tiny pair of forceps, his brow furrowed in concentration. The drill starts up again, cutting through the bone. Karen's eyes dart between her husband's face, the X-ray monitor, and the clock, each tick another step closer to the end of this ordeal. Plankton's snores don't even hitch as Dr. Finnegan applies gentle pressure to the tooth. The forceps clamp down, and the tooth gives a little. Karen holds her breath, her eyes wide with anticipation. The tension in the room is like a tightrope, but Plankton remains completely relaxed, unshaken by the invasion in his mouth. With a final, almost ceremonial scraping, the first wisdom tooth is free. Dr. Finnegan's smile widens as he holds it up for Karen to see before disposing of it. "One down, three to go," he says cheerfully, as if removing teeth is as simple as plucking daisies.

https://criticalcurve.tumblr.com/day/2018/02/03/

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KAREN AND THE TEETHIES ii Karen's relief is palpable, but she squeezes Plankton's hand even tighter. The process repeats. Karen's eyes never leave his face, searching for any sign of discomfort, but all she sees is peaceful oblivion. The second tooth comes out without much fanfare, and Plankton snores on, a symphony of deep, contented breaths that seem almost comical against the surgical backdrop. Karen's eyes stay glued to the monitors, watching the blips and waves that indicate her husband's steady heartbeat and rhythmic breaths. The assistant works quietly, keeping the area clear and sterile, his movements a silent ballet that complements the dentist's more forceful actions. The third tooth is a tougher proposition. The drill's whine deepens, the smell of bone dust more pronounced. Karen's knuckles are white from her tightened grip. The nurse notices and places a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. He's fine," she whispers. The sight of his mouth, open and vulnerable, filled with foreign instruments, should be terrifying, but his deep, unbothered breaths reassure Karen. The drill's pitch changes again as the third tooth resists extraction. Plankton's snoring adjusts to a deeper, more rumbling tone, vibrating the chair. Dr. Finnegan's smile diminishes slightly, his brow furrowed as he applies more pressure. The forceps clamp and pull, the tooth refusing to budge. Sweat beads on the assistant's forehead as he quickly switches tools, preparing for a tougher extraction. The room falls quiet except for the persistent snoring. Plankton's chest rises and falls with each breath, his head resting back against the chair, utterly at ease. Karen wonders how he can be so comfortable amidst the chaos. The nurse monitors the vitals, nodding slightly to herself, a silent mantra of reassurance. Dr. Finnegan grunts as he applies more pressure to the stubborn tooth. The forceps clamp down again, their metallic grip unyielding. The tooth shifts, just a little, and the tension in the room releases slightly. Plankton's snoring changes once more, a symphony of slurps and gurgles as saliva threatens to spill over the prop. Karen giggles, the tension breaking like a dam. The assistant glances over with a smile of his own. "It's okay," he whispers, "It's normal. He's still under." Karen nods, her eyes fixed on the nurse's calm expression as much as the monitors. The fourth tooth is proving to be the most challenging yet, the drill's buzz a constant reminder of the work being done. The nurse whispers, "This one's a little stubborn," but doesn't look up from her task. Plankton's snoring continues, now a mix of deep, even breaths and the occasional snort that makes Karen want to laugh despite the gravity of the situation. Dr. Finnegan's grip on the forceps tightens. He wiggles the fourth tooth gently, then with more insistence. The drill starts up again, the sound echoing in the small room. Karen's heart is in her throat, but Plankton's snores don't change. They're a comforting white noise, a reminder that despite the chaos, he's still deeply asleep, unaware of the dance of metal and pressure in his mouth.

KAREN AND THE TEETHIES iii The nurse's voice is calm as she informs Dr. Finnegan that his blood pressure is stable, his oxygen levels good. The monitors beep steadily, a lullaby of safety amidst the cacophony of surgical sounds. With one final tug, the fourth wisdom tooth gives way, and Plankton's snoring remains a steady crescendo in the background. The doctor holds it up in triumph, and Karen feels a weight lift from her chest as the wisdom teeth are disposed of. A trickle of drool starts to form at the corner of Plankton's mouth. The assistant quickly moves in to clean up the remaining debris, his movements efficient and precise. Plankton's snores morph into something closer to a gentle purr, his mouth open wide and vulnerable, revealing the now empty sockets where the teeth once were. Dr. Finnegan takes a step back, wiping his brow with a satisfied sigh. "Alright, that's the last one," he says, looking over at Karen. She lets out the breath she's been holding, her grip on Plankton's hand finally loosening. The nurse begins to clean Plankton's mouth, the suction tool humming as it removes blood and excess saliva. His snoring softens, turning into a gentle purr that's almost endearing in its vulnerability. Karen can't help but feel a swell of love for his unconscious form, even as Dr. Finnegan's hands probe his swollen gums. The assistant starts to stitch the incisions closed, his movements swift and sure. The sound of the needle passing through Plankton's gums makes Karen wince, but Plankton doesn't flinch. He remains a picture of peace, his snores continuing their lulling rhythm. The room's tension dissipates as the final stitch is placed. Dr. Finnegan steps back, a satisfied look on his face as he surveys his handiwork. "We're almost done here," he says, his voice calm and soothing. The nurse begins to prepare the recovery area, laying out gauze and ice packs, as the mouth prop is gently removed from Plankton's mouth. His snores become a little less snuffly. Karen leans in closer, whispering, "You did so good, babe," to him. The nurse chuckles lightly. "He's a champ," she says, applying pressure to the gauze to stem the flow of blood from the stitched sockets. Dr. Finnegan nods in agreement, his eyes on the monitors. "Just a few more minutes," he tells her, his voice soft and reassuring. "He'll be out of it for a bit when he wakes up," Dr. Finnegan says with a chuckle, looking over at Karen. "The anesthesia can make people act a little... peculiar." The nurse gently wipes Plankton's mouth with a moist cloth, his head lolling to the side. Karen's heart is a wild thing in her chest, but she can't help the smile that tugs at her lips. "He might say some funny things when he wakes up," Dr. Finnegan says, his voice low and amused. "The anesthesia can do that." The nurse nods in agreement. "Don't worry, it's completely normal. He might not even remember most of it, or he may just feel a bit loopy." Karen smiles nervously, her mind racing with all the funny scenarios that could play out. "But for now," Dr. Finnegan says, patting Plankton's shoulder, "he's going to keep sleeping while we make sure everything is all set." The nurse administers a final dose of anesthesia in his gums to numb his mouth to keep Plankton comfortable. "When he wakes up," Dr. Finnegan says, his gloved hands now free of blood, "his mouth will be a bit swollen, and he'll probably be groggy. The important thing is to keep his head elevated and have him use the ice packs to reduce the swelling. And don't let him eat anything too solid for the next few days. Soft foods only." The nurse adds, "And if he says anything strange or does something unexpected, just roll with it. It's the anesthesia talking." Karen nods, her mind racing with the instructions, the possibilities of Plankton's anesthesia-induced ramblings. He's always had a wild imagination, so who knows what might come out once the drugs kick in? The nurse gently wipes Plankton's face, catching the droplets of drool that form at the corners of his mouth. His snores turn into a soft snuffle as his mouth shifts with each breath. Karen can't help but chuckle softly at the sight, the tension of the surgery giving way to the comfort of knowing it's almost over. Plankton's arm, still numb from the I.V., hangs loosely by his side. His chest moves up and down in a deep, steady rhythm, the only indication of life amidst the stillness of his body.

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ᴾᵃʸ ᴬˡˡ ᴰᵃʸ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᶠʳⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍˡʸ‧ "ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ʷⁱˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵐᵒᵘⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ! ᴬ ᵈⁱˢᵃᵖᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵐᵉⁿᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍˡᵃʳᵉᵈ⸴ ʳᵉᵃᵈʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵐᵃᵈ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ʷʰᵒ ᵇᵘˡˡⁱᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ˡᵒˢᵉ ᶜʰᵃⁿᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃʷᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ "ᴼᵘᶜʰ! ᵂʰᵒ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵗ ᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵍˡᵃˢˢ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ?" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵘˡˡʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ‧" ᴴᵉ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ‧ "ᴺᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ ᵍᵒ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ˡᵉᵗ‧ ᴴⁱᵐ‧ ᴳᵒ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᶠᵃᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ "ᵁⁿˡᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃᶠʳᵃⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵉʸᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃᶜᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵒᶠ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵐⁱˢˢᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʰᵃᵗᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ ˡⁱˢᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ʳᵒˡˡᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴾⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵍᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒʷ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ⁱⁿᵗʳⁱᵍᵘᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ˢᵒ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᶠⁱʳᵉᵈ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃˢᵖᵉᵈ‧ "ᵀʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧ ʸᵃʰ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵇⁱᵗᵗᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵉᵍ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ˡᵉᵍ ⁱⁿ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ" ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐᵘᶠᶠˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵇⁱᵗᵉˢ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ᵏⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠˡʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃˡˡ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʰⁱᵗ ʰᵃʳᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˡᵒᵘᵈ ᵗʰᵘᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˢˡⁱᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˡⁱᵐᵖˡʸ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵃⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ᴹᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ! ᵂʰ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵖᵒᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ʰⁱʳᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᶠᵒʳᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ; ᴵ'ᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᵉʳᵉ!" ᵀʰᵉ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖⁱᵉᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖʳᵒᵐᵖᵗˡʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵖᵃʳᵃˢⁱᵗᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵇʳⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃʳᵐ! ᴴᵉ ᵗʰʳᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᶜᵘˢᵗᵒᵐᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵇᵃᵈˡʸ ʰᵘʳᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵒˢˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵉᶜᵘʳⁱᵗʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉʳᵃ ᶠᵒᵒᵗᵃᵍᵉ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵘᵗᵗᵉʳˡʸ ˢᵖᵉᵉᶜʰˡᵉˢˢ‧ "ᴴᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ'ᵛᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒᵇᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ‧ "ʸᵉˢ⸴ ʸᵉˢ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵃˢ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉˡᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ 'ᴴᵒʷ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ʷᵃˢ ᴵ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵐᵒᵘⁿᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵃˢᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʷᵃ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵛᵉⁱˡˡᵃⁿᶜᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˢᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢᵏ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵐʸ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ? ᴵᵗ'ˢ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ᵒᵘʳ ᶜʰⁱˡᵈʰᵒᵒᵈ‧‧‧" "ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒˡᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ ˢᵃᵏᵉ? ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" "ᵂᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ᵐᵉ ʰᵃᵐᵐᵒᶜᵏ?" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵉᵐᵖᵗ ᶠᵃᵗᵉˢ ᵒʳ ᵐʸ ˢᵃᶠᵉᵗʸ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ‧ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃⁿ ᵉˣᵗʳᵃ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ!" ᴴᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧‧‧" ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉⁿ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʰᵃˡᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ʰᵒᵐᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᴰᵃᵈ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉˣᵗʳᵃ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ "ᴼʰ⸴ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗⁱʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ⁱˢ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁿ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ⁿᵉʳᵛᵒᵘˢ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ‧ ᴸᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ ᵂʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵉᵃʳ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ "ᴴⁱ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴴᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵒʷ ˢʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ʷʰᵃˡᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵃⁿ ˢᶜʳᵉᵃᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢⁿᵒʳᵗ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʰᵃᵈ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˡʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵒˡᵗᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵃᶠʳᵃⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃˡᵉˢ ᵐᵉ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵇᵉˡᵘᵍᵃ‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᴵ ᶠᵒʳᵍᵒᵗ‧ ᴾᵉᵃʳˡ'ˢ ᵐᵉ ᵈᵃʳˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵇʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ‧" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢ ˢᵒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵗᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᶜʰᵃ‧"

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‧

ᶠʳᵃᵗᵉʳⁿⁱᶻᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ’ˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸᶻᵉ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵃˡˡ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱᵍᵍᵉˢᵗ ˢʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵃᶜᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵃᵖᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵃᵗᵘˢ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵍᵒᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ‧ ᴹᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ⸴ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᶠᵃᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵖʳᵉʰᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉᵃᵏˡʸ ᶠᵉˡˡ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢˡᵃᵐᵐᵉᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ‧ ᴾᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢᵖᵒˢᵉ‧ "ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ! ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏˢʸ? ᴼ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷⁱˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵇᵘᵈᵍᵉ ᵒʳ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵐᵉ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒᵇˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵖᵉᵗ ʰᶤᵐ ᵍᵉᶰᵗˡʸˑ “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈᵎ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧” ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ˒ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶰᵉ ʷʰᵒ'ˢ ᔆᵉᵐⁱ ᶜᵒᵐᵃᵗᵒˢᵉˑˑˑ" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ⁱᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵍʳⁱˡʸ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ʰᵃᶰᵈ ˢʷᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒᶰˢᶜᶤᵒᵘˢᶰᵉˢˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁱⁿ‧ “ᵁʰ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰᵘᵐᵐᶤᶰᵍ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉⁿˑ “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᵉᶜʰᵒᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰᶤᵐ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ‧ “ᵂʰᵃ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵃˢʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵃʳᵈˡʸ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵃⁱⁿ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵒ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈᵎ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ˒ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᶜᵃˡˡˑˑˑ” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ˒ ⁿᵒʷ ᶜᵒᶰˢᶜᶤᵒᵘˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗᶤˡˡ ᵈᵃᶻᵉᵈ⸴ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵏᶰᵒʷᶤᶰᵍ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵃᶰᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᶤᵗ˒ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᶠˡᵒᵒᵈᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ‧ “ᴴᵉ'ˢ ʷᵃᵏᶤᶰᵍᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ‧ “ᵂʰᵉ… ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ; ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ?” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ ᶠᵉᵃʳᶤᶰᵍ ᴾˡᵃᶰᵏᵗᵒᶰ'ˢ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳˢ‧ “ᴮᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ᴵ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐʸ ᵐᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸᶻᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴸᵃˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ⸴ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵘᶰᵗᶤˡ ᴵ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʰᵒʷ ᵉᶰᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ʰᵉʳᵉ…” “ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ⁱᵗ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ʳᵉⁿᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˡᵉˢˢⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵗⁱˡ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒⁿ⁻ᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ⁱᵗ’ˢ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ⁿᵒⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢᵎ” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ…” “ᵁᵍ⸴ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜʳʸ‧” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᶤˡˡ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ʷʳᵃᵖ ʰⁱˢ ᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵃ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ “ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷˀ” ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᑫᵘᵉˢᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖˡᵃʸ ⁱᵗ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ…” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘⁿᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧” “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵉᵃˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵒᵘʳ ᵇᵒˢˢ‧‧‧” “ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ˒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ; ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵉ’ˢ ʰᵉʳᵉ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵠᵘᶤᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ˢᵖᵒᶰᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳˀ” “ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵗᵒᵗᵃˡˡʸ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳ ᵐᶤᶰᵈᵉᵈ ʸᵉᵗ‧ ᵂᵃⁱᵗ⸴ ʷʰᵒ ᵉˡˢᵉ'ˢ…” “ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᴵ’ᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉʳᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃᶰ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳˢᵉˡᶠ ᵃᵗ ʰᵒᵐᵉᵎ ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒˀ” “ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ˢᵗᵒᵖ ʳᵃᵐᵇˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᴵ’ᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵐᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉˀ” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᴾⁱⁿᵏʸ ᵃ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᔆᵒ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉᵎ” “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᶜᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ…” “ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷᵉ…” “ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃˢᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿ…” “ᵂʰʸˀ ᴴᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒ…” “ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʰᵉ…” “ᑫᵘᶤᵉᵗ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵒᶠˢ ᵃʳᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵒᶠᶠᵎ” ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵃᶜᵗᶤᶰᵍ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ʰᶤᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ “ᵂᵉ’ˡˡ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧” “ᔆᵉᵉ ʸᵃ‧” ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ “ᴴᵘⁿᵍʳʸˀ” “ᴳᵘᵉˢˢ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵈⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ‧ ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ʳⁱⁿᵍⁱⁿᵍ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒⁿᵉ‧ “ᴱʰ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷˀ ᴵ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸˢᵉʳ‧‧‧” ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ “ᵀʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ ⁿᵉᵉᵈˢ ʸᵉᵎ” ᴮᵘᵗ ᔆᵒ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ “ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢʰᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵐʸ ʲᵒᵇ ʷᵉˡˡ ᵇʸᵉᵎ” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʰᵃⁿᵍˢ ᵘᵖ⸴ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡⁱᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗ ᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ˡⁱᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠⁱˣᵉᵈ ʷᵃʳᵐ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ…” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵘⁿᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵈᵒ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ‧‧‧" "ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᵃ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵈᵃʸ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵉ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵇᵒᵘⁿᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧‧‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵖᵒᵏᵉ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶻᶻᶻᶻᶻᶻ'ⁱⁿᵍ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡᵒᵍ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ˢᵗʳᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵐᵒᵒᵗʰ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ʷʰⁱˢᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ "ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ’ᵈ ᵃᵗᵗᵉⁿᵈ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʳᵉˢᵘᵐⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴼʳ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵍᵉᵗˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ʷᵃˢ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵉ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏˢ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᵗ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ‧ “ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ…” ᔆʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵒʷᵇᵃʳ⸴ ʰᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏᵒⁿᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ‧ “ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗᵎ ᴴᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵉˢᵗᵉʳ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ…” “ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ; ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ⁱᵗ ⁿᵉᶜᵉˢˢᵃʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ…” ᴴᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ "ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ'ˢ ᵃ ᵇˡᵘʳ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ⸴ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵏⁿᵒᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ “ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ‧ ᴵ ᵖˡᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ‧” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒ…” ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃᶰᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧

Common signs and sympt0ms of cognitive impairment or disturbed thought process may include memory loss, confusion, disorientation, difficulty concentrating, impaired judgment, language difficulties, changes in behavior or personality, and problems with problem-solving and decision-making abilities. The following signs and sympt0ms characterize cognitive impairment: Memory impairment. Significant difficulty in retaining new information or recalling previously learned information. Cognitive disorientation. Altered perception of time, place, and person, often resulting in confusion about surroundings and events. Impaired attention and concentration. Difficulty focusing, sustaining attention, and staying engaged in activities. Executive dysfunction. Challenges in planning, organizing, and executing complex tasks result in difficulties with problem-solving and decision-making. Aphasia. Language impairments involve difficulties with speech production, comprehension, or word finding. Changes in behavior and personality. Observable alterations in mood, emotions, social interactions, or impulse control. Apraxia. Difficulty performing purposeful movements or using objects correctly despite intact motor function. Agnosia. Inability to recognize or identify objects, people, or familiar sensory stimuli. Disrupted visuospatial abilities. Impairments in perceiving and interpreting spatial relationships, depth perception, or object recognition. Psychomotor disturbances. Changes in motor activity, such as agitation, restlessness, or slowed movements. The following are the priorities for clients with cognitive impairment: Client safety. Cognitive impairment can affect balance and coordination, increasing the risk of falls. These clients may also wander and become disoriented, leading to risks to safety. Communication. Cognitive impairment can impair communication skills, leading to frustration and isolation. Impaired activities of daily living (ADLs). Cognitive impairment often affects the client’s ability to perform independently. Nutrition and hydration. cognitive impairment can lead to forgetfulness or difficulty eatıng and drinking independently. Prioritizing adequate nutrition and hydration to prevent malnutrition and dehydration is essential. The following are the common goals and expected outcomes: The client will maintain reality orientation and communicate clearly with others The client will recognize changes in thinking/behavior. The client will recognize and clarify possible misinterpretations of the behaviors and verbalization of others. The client will identify situations that occur before hallucinations/delusions. The client will use coping strategies to deal effectively with hallucinations/delusions. The client will participate in unit activities. The client will express delusional material less frequently. Dr*gs can have direct effects on the brain, or have side effects, dose-related effects, and/or cumulative effects that alter thought patterns and sensory perception. Cognitive alterations and deficits that are observed in substance us̀e disorders contribute directly and indirectly to the overall tremendous public health burden that these disorders place on society. The typical cognitive domains contributing to this understanding of addiction are attention, response inhibition, decision-making, and working memory (Ramey & Regier, 2018).

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"Come on, Sheldon," Krabs said. "You get that patty back here, I'm warning ye." Sheldon Plankton had tried countless times to steal the recipe, but Mr. Krabs had always been a step ahead. Plankton whined. "I've got a restaurant to run too, you know." Krabs ignored the protest, his beady eyes never leaving the control panel of his latest contraption. Plankton felt a prick and looked to see a small dart. "Whoah.." He managed to squeak before the world started to spin around him. His legs felt like gelatin, and he could see the edges of his vision blurring as the tranquilizer began to take effect. Krabs cackled with satisfaction as he watched Plankton frame wobble. "That, me hearty, was yer ticket to a little... unscheduled nap. Now, don't go anywhere, I've got business to attend to." The tranquilizer spread through Plankton's body, turning his muscles to jelly. His eye grew heavier, his thoughts slowing to a crawl. As the darkness claimed him, he was vaguely aware of the cold steel surrounding him, the echoes of his own voice bouncing around the chamber. "What are you planning, Krabs?" he slurred, the words barely audible through his fading consciousness. He couldn't let Krabs win again. He got the dart off himself, but not before it'd take effect. He noticed a lever that looked out of place, and with a hopeful thought, he threw himself at it. His tiny form hit the lever with surprising force, and he heard the sound of gears grinding to life. The walls of the chamber began to vibrate, and a faint light grew in the distance. Plankton stumbled towards the light. It grew brighter, revealing a small hatch, turning his thoughts into a thick fog. He had to focus on the light, on the escape that lay before him. With a herculean effort, he managed to pull himself to the hatch. The metal was cold and slick with condensation. He fumbled with the lock, his tiny hands slipping off repeatedly. Each failed attempt was met with a groan of frustration that seemed to echo through the chamber. But Plankton's resolve was unyielding. He had to get out. He had to show Krabs that he wasn't going down without a fight. As the tranquilizer continued to take hold, Plankton's movements grew more erratic, his coordination slipping away like grains of sand through his fingers. His vision narrowed to a pinprick, the light from the hatch the only thing keeping him tethered to reality. His breaths grew shallower, his heartbeat a distant drum in his chest. He could feel the darkness closing in, the sedative's embrace threatening to pull him under. He tried to focus on the hatch, his eye crossing with the effort. The lever was his lifeline, and he had to get it open. But his hands, once so nimble, now felt like overstuffed sausages attached to his wrists. He slapped at the metal, his fingertips barely grazing the edge. Each failure brought with it a wave of drowsiness that threatened to swamp him. "Must... stay... awake," he mumbled, his voice barely more than a whisper. The light from the hatch grew more enticing, beckoning him to give in to the warm embrace of sleep. But Plankton had faced worse than a simple nap before. He'd been flattened, shrunk, and even temporarily turned into a Krabby Patty. This was just another hurdle in the never-ending saga of his life. The world around him swayed. His thoughts were as elusive. He knew he was close to losing consciousness, and with it, any hope of victory. With a tremendous effort, he focused his gaze on the hatch, willing his arms to move. His body felt like it was made of cooked spaghetti, but he had to keep fighting. "Open... open...," he murmured, his voice a hoarse whisper. His hand reached for the lever, slipping off several times before finally catching it. The metal was cold and slippery against his skin, but he held on, his determination stronger than the tranquilizer's grip. He pushed with all his might, his eye sliding shut against his will. The hatch gave a little, and a burst of cool, fresh water spurted out. The sensation brought a moment of clarity, and Plankton realized that he had to act fast before he lost the battle against his heavy eyelid. He gritted his teeth and pushed with everything he had, the lethargy in his limbs slowly dissipating. The hatch groaned in protest before swinging open with a metallic screech. The chamber floor tilted and spun beneath him, and he barely registered the rush of water that flooded the room. His eyesight swimming with stars, Plankton threw himself through the opening, his body landing with a thump in a narrow, pipe-like corridor beyond. The water sloshed around him, carrying him away from the chamber. He had no idea where the pipe led, but it was a path to freedom, and he had to follow it. The tranquilizer made his thoughts as murky as the water around him. He tried to remember the layout of the Chum Bucket, but it was like trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle that had been tossed into a blender. His brain felt as though it was wrapped in seaweed, each thought a struggle to form. Plankton knew he had to keep moving, but his body didn't seem to agree. His eyelids drooped, threatening to close and pull him into the abyss of sleep. The pipe leads him right to SpongeBob. "W-who...what...wha...?" Plankton slurred as the water receded, his legs still feeling like they were made of rubber. His eye blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness of the lights outside the chamber. He found himself face to face with a concerned SpongeBob, who was staring at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Plankton?" Sponge Bob's voice was filled with confusion. "What are you doing here?" Plankton tried to speak, but all that came out was a garbled mess of words. "K-Krabs...tranq-tranq...recipe...nap..." SpongeBob's confusion grew with every incoherent syllable that tumbled from Plankton's mouth. "What's going on, buddy?" "Sponge Bob...sorry...so sleepy," Plankton murmured, voice childlike. "Krabs...put me to beddy-bye...but no nap-nap." Sponge Bob looked around, his spongy brow furrowed. "Mr. Krabs didn't do anything to you, did he?" Concern etched into his porous features as he bent down to help. Plankton was a persistent pest, but Sponge Bob had a soft spot for the tiny creature. He knew deep down that Plankton's heart was in the right place, even if his methods were...less than desirable. The corridor grew dimmer as the sedative dragged Plankton under. His voice grew quieter, his words slurring into a sleepy lilt. "Krabs...so sneaky...sleepy...patty...nap time..." His eye rolled back and his body went limp. The tranquilizer had done its job, and now Plankton was out cold. "Oh no, not another one of Mr. Krabs' contraptions!" He didn't know what the crab had been up to, but he knew he had to help. Gently, he propped Plankton up. The sight of the sleep dart on the ground was the clue he needed. "Oh, Plankton," he whispered, his heart sinking. He tried shaking him gently, calling his name in a soft, urgent voice. Plankton's head lolled back, but he remained deeply asleep. "Wake up, Plankton," Sponge Bob pleaded, patting his cheek with a spongy hand. Plankton remained unresponsive. "Mr. Krabs, what have you done?" He whispered to himself, his heart racing. In all their years of rivalry, Krabs had never used a tranquilizer on his arch-nemesis. This was a new low, even for the penny-pinching crustacean. "Come on, Plankton," Sponge Bob said, his voice a mix of worry and determination. "You can't just nap here like a jellyfish." He didn't flinch. His eye remained closed, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic pattern as he breathed in and out, completely oblivious to the world around him. Krabs had gone too far. He had to get him out somewhere safe where he could sleep off the tranquilizer. Sponge Bob had to get Plankton back to the Chum Bucket, where he could wake up safely. "Karen, Karen!" Sponge Bob called out as he laid Plankton down on the cold, metal floor of his lab. "Look what happened!" "Oh dear, Sponge Bob," she said, her voice synthetic but filled with worry. "Mr. Krabs really outdid himself this time." Sponge Bob nods. He gently patted his friend's cheek, willing him to stir. "Plankton, come on, wake up," he whispered, his voice thick with concern. Plankton was out for the count, so they wait the sedative to wear off. Plankton's features in sleep, his mouth slightly open, emitting faint snores that were barely audible. Even his eyebrow, which often furrowed in determination or anger, were now soft arches on his forehead. But as the tranquilizer's grip slowly loosened, the first stirrings of consciousness began to ripple through. His eye flickered open, and for a moment, he stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling, blinking in confusion. The world was a blur of colors and shapes that slowly began to resolve themselves into the familiar surroundings of his Chum Bucket lab. Groaning, Plankton blinked and slowly, the room came into focus. Karen's screens were alight with concern, and Sponge Bob hovered over him, his spongy hands wringing together nervously. "Wha...?" Plankton mumbled, but everything came rushing back to him. "Krabs," he spat. Sponge Bob looked down at him with a mix of confusion and relief. "You were...uh, you were tranquilized," Sponge Bob explained, his voice tentative. Plankton's eye narrowed, and a low growl built in his throat. The fuzzy memories of the chamber and Krabs' laughter grew sharper. "That cheap, slimy...crustacean! Where is he?" "Mr. Krabs isn't here," he said. "I brought you here." Plankton's gaze sharpened, his curiosity piqued. "Why would you do that?" he slurred, his voice thick with distrust. "You work for him." Sponge Bob's expression was earnest. "Because, Plankton, sometimes doing what's right is more important than where you work. Besides, I'm quitting my job and will work for you; it's what friends do."

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ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ pt. 2 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ “ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵒ ᶠˡⁱᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵃⁿⁿᵉˡˢ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉˡᵉᵛⁱˢⁱᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ “ᵀʰᵉʳᵉ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ…” “ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵉˡˢᵉ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵈᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵃˢˢ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ “ᴴᵒʷ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵗᵒʳʸᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ…” ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ “ᶠⁱⁿᵉ, ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ…” “ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵃᵛʸ ᵃᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗ; ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵘˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᵗᵃˡᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵐʸ ᵈᵃʸˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵃᵛʸ…” “ᔆᵘʳᵉ! ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ᵘᵖᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ, ᵗʰʳᵉᵉ ᵍᵘʸˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵉᵗⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵒⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇⁱᵏⁱⁿⁱ ᵇᵒᵗᵗᵒᵐ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ “ᴼⁿᶜᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ, ᵃ ˢᶜⁱᵉⁿᵗⁱˢᵗ ⁱⁿᵛᵉⁿᵗᵒʳ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ⁱⁿᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ᵖᵒᵖᵘˡᵃʳ ᵉᵃᵗᵉʳʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵃᵍʳⁱⁿ ᵒᶠ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ “ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵒ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ?” “ᔆᵘʳᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ…” “ʸᵃʸ! ᔆᵒ ᴵ’ˡˡ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʸ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱʳᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᴷʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᴷʳᵃᵇ, ᵐʸ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵈᵃʸ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵒᵇ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉᵐ, ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʰʳᵉᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃˡˡ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ‧ “ᴺᵒʷ, ᵐʸ ᵗᵘʳⁿ… ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁿᵃᵛʸ ᵇᵘᵈᵈⁱᵉˢ ʷʰ…” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴴᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ’ˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳ ˢʰᵘᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ˢᵒᵘʳᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉˢ‧ ᔆⁱᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ, ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ, ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ˢᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ‘ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗ ʷᵉˡˡ’ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ‘ᵍᵒᵒᵈⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ’ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ‧ to be cont. pt. 3

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‧‧

ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ pt. 3 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᵀʰᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ’ˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴵᵗ’ˢ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ʸᵉᵗ‧ ᵂᵉˡˡ ʳᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ, ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱᵖᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ᶠⁱⁿᵍᵉʳ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ˢᵗᵘᵈʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇⁱᵍ ᵈᵃʸ, ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ’ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ, ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ’ˢ ᵃᵇˢᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʷᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ, ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵘᵈʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ‧ “ᴴᵉʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ…” “ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ʷᵒⁿᵈᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ!” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵃᵗ ᵇʸ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ‧ “ᔆᵒ, ᵃʳᵉ ʷᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖˡⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳⁱᶻᵉ ᵗʰʳᵉᵉ ʷᵃʸˢ, ⁱᶠ ʷᵉ ʷⁱⁿ?” “ᴵ ᵍᵘᵉˢˢ ˢᵒ…” ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗⁱᶠˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡᵉˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ˢᵗᵘᵈʸⁱⁿᵍ‧ to be cont. pt. 4

1/2 THE MOOON Karen took a seat by the window. She could feel the tension in the room, a palpable thing that thickened the air. The dentist, a man with a name tag that read "Dr. McFinley," entered the room. Plankton swallowed hard as he took his place in the chair. The nurse began prepping him, wrapping a bib around and placing in his mouth a prop that looked like a doorstop, designed to keep his mouth open wide. "Now, Mr. Plankton," Dr. McFinley said, "We're going to give you some anesthesia to make sure you don't feel a thing. It might taste a bit funny, but just relax and let it do it's job." The nurse administers the anesthetic into Plankton's gum, and he felt a cold spread through his jaw, a strange tingling that grew more intense with each passing moment as his mouth grew numb. "Ok Plankton, I want you to start counting backwards from twenty." Plankton took a deep breath. "Twenty... nineteen... eighteen..." With each number, his voice grew softer, his eyelid heavier. By the time he reached fifteen, his speech was slurred, the words barely audible. Karen watched with a mix of concern and fascination as his count grew less deliberate. "Thir...four... th...thwee..." His counting trailed off, and his head lolled to the side with a gentle snore. The nurse gave a knowing smile and patted Plankton's shoulder. "He's under," she assured Karen as she gently moved his head back into place. Karen's gaze followed every move Dr. McFinley made. The chair leaned back, and Plankton's snores grew softer as his consciousness retreated. She watched as the doctor's gloved hands moved precision over Plankton's slack jaw, his face a mask of concentration. She squeezed her own hand into a fist, nails digging into her palm, as the instruments moved in and out of his mouth, a silent ballet of extraction. The chair's hydraulics hissed as it tipped back, and a bright light was shone directly into Plankton's open mouth. The nurse held his mouth open wider, her grip firm but gentle. Dr. McFinley's eyes narrowed in concentration, and his hands worked with a steady rhythm. Plankton's body remained still. The nurse leaned in closer, assisting Dr. McFinley with a suction device, clearing away the excess saliva and blood. Karen forced herself to keep looking, to be there for Plankton, even if he wasn't aware of it. The doctor's face was a study in focus, his forehead creased with the effort of maneuvering around the obstinate tooth. The relief was palpable, even though Plankton remained blissfully unaware of the progress. The nurse's eyes flitted between her monitor and Plankton's face, ensuring his vitals remained stable while offering quiet encouragement to the doctor. Karen watched as the doctor's pliers gripped the tooth and began to apply steady pressure, his knuckles whitening with the effort. The tooth didn't want to give up without a fight, resisting with a stubbornness that mirrored Plankton's own spirit. The tension in the room grew, and Karen found herself leaning forward, her screen glued to the doctor's hands. The pliers twisted and pulled, and she could see a bead of sweat form on the doctor's brow. Finally the tooth gave way, and it was out. Karen couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. The nurse quickly moved in to clean and clamp the area, while Dr. McFinley turned to the final tooth. Plankton's snores grew more peaceful. With the same methodical care, Dr. McFinley began to loosen the last tooth. The pliers clamped down, and the chair's light cast eerie shadows across the room. Plankton's snores grew deeper, his body tensing slightly. Finally, the last tooth was free. The stitching process began. Karen had never seen someone so vulnerable, even though he was unconscious. Each stitch brought him one step closer to being whole again, and she felt a strange sense of pride watching the doctor's skilled hands. Dr. McFinley's fingers moved nimbly, weaving in and out of the gum line. The tiny sutures looked like black threads on a red canvas, a delicate art form in the steady hands of a master. The room was silent except for the occasional beep of the machines and the soft swish of the nurse's gloves. Plankton's face remained a picture of peaceful oblivion. The nurse handed over the sutures with a practiced ease, and Dr. McFinley went to tie them off, one by one. Karen watched the doctor's hands as they moved, the sutures forming neat little knots in Plankton's swollen gums. It was a dance of care and precision, a silent battle against pain that Plankton was blessed to not feel. His mouth, usually so expressive and full of life, was now a numb battlefield, his features slack and vulnerable. "It is done," said Dr. McFinley, his voice cutting through the taut silence. The chair was brought back to an upright position, and Plankton's head was gently cradled as they removed the mouth prop. His mouth was still open. The doctor stepped back, wiping his brow with the back of his gloved hand. "Your husband did very well. The extraction was successful." Plankton's chest rose and fell with deep, even breaths, his face pale and serene. The nurse began to clean him up, her movements efficient but gentle. She removed the bib, dabbed at the corners of his mouth. Plankton's eye remains closed. Karen studied his face, his features relaxed in sleep, his mouth slightly ajar. The sight was both peaceful and painfully vulnerable, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of protectiveness. As the minutes ticked by, his snores grew less frequent and his breathing grew more even. The nurse, noticing Karen's worried gaze, leaned over to whisper, "It's normal for patients to have some funny reactions when coming out of anesthesia. They might say things that don't make sense, or their body might do some funny things. It's the anesthesia wearing off, nothing to worry about. They might even act like they're a bit drunk, or just sleepy for today. It's all perfectly normal." Her words brought a hint of comfort to Karen, who nodded, wondering with excitement and fear what state Plankton would be in when he awoke. She had read about the disorientation that could accompany anesthesia but had never witnessed it firsthand. The first signs of movement from Plankton were subtle, a twitch of his antennae, and Karen leaned in closer in anticipation. "Plankton," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "It's over." His eye fluttered open, lid heavy with sleep and confusion. "It's ok," she soothed, stroking his arm. "You're all done." He blinked slowly, his eye unfocused, looking around the white-walled room as if trying to remember where he was. His mouth was still numb. "Karen?" he mumbled. "I'm here," she said, her voice calm and steady. "The surgery is over, sweetheart. You're going to be ok." Plankton's eye searched hers, his pupil dilated and unfocused. "Wha...what happen'd?" he slurred, his words coming out thick and slow. Karen chuckled softly, her heart swelling with love and relief. "You had your wisdom teeth removed, remember?" Plankton's eye widened, then narrowed as he tried to recall the events of the day. His mouth felt like a cotton field, and his tongue was a clumsy intruder, thick and unresponsive. "I... Don' member," he murmured, his voice still slurred and distant. The nurse chuckled under her mask, "It's the medication, dear. It'll wear off in a bit." Plankton tried to sit up, but his body felt like it had been filled with sand. Karen gently pushed him back down, laughing at his groggy protests. His eye searched the room. "Whewe am I?" he slurred, his antennae waving about. "You're at the dentist," Karen reminded him, her voice filled with amusement. "You had your wisdom teeth removed." Plankton's expression was that of a man who had just been told he had swum to the moon. "Dentist?" he repeated, his voice thick and uncertain. "Teef?" His hand flopped up to his mouth, his fingers probing the swollen gums. "My moufs gone!" he exclaimed, his words slurred and astonished. The nurse chuckled sympathetically. "The numbness will wear off, but for now, try to relax." Plankton's eye blinked slowly, and he looked at his hand as if it belonged to someone else. "My teef," he said again, his voice a mix of disbelief and confusion. He looked around the room, his gaze unfocused and glassy, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The nurse and Karen exchanged a knowing glance. "Yeah, you're missing a few now," Karen said, trying to keep her voice even. Plankton's eye grew wider, his antennae standing at full alert. "I'm not... I'm not drunk," he protested, his words slurring. The nurse laughed gently, "No, Mr. Plankton, you're just coming out of anesthesia."

ᵀʰᵉ ᴬᶜᶜⁱᵈᵉⁿᵗ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵐᵒˡᵈᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵉˡˡ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵍʳᵉʷ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ‧ ᴴᵒʷᵉᵛᵉʳ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒˡᵈᵉᵈ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵈⁱˢᶜᵒᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ᵇʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵍᵒᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱˢ ˡⁱᶠᵉˡᵉˢˢ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ᵒᵘᵗˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵇᵉ ˢʷᵉᵖᵗ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶜᵉᵃⁿ ᶜᵘʳʳᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ˢˡᵃᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ᵃ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᵉᶜᵉˢ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵐᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ⁱⁿ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵃᶜᵗ‧ "ᴵᶠ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵒᵒⁿᵉʳ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧‧‧" ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ᵃ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡᵇᵒʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ʲᵉᵃˡᵒᵘˢ ᵉⁿᵛʸ ʳᵘⁱⁿᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧ ᴺᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ⸴ ᵃ ˢᵉᵗᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵃᵈᵛᵃⁿᵗᵃᵍᵉ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ! ᵂʰᵃᵗ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ? ᴴᵉ ʰᵃˢ ᵃ ᶠᵃᵐⁱˡʸ; ʰⁱˢ ʷʰᵃˡᵉ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʳᵉᵛᵉⁿᵍᵉ!" ᔆᵒᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉˡᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵉˢʰ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ˢⁱᵍʰᵗ⸴ ˢᵃʷ ᵇⁱᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠʳᵃᵍᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵉᵃʳˢʰᵒᵗ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷᵉ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ‧‧‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ ᴿᵉᵗᵘʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵒᵐᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍˡᵃⁿᶜᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᵃᶜʳᵒˢˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᵃᵈ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵃᵈ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʳᵉᵃᵈʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉˢˢ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵖᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ˡᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ᵘᵖ ᵃˡˡ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ᶜʳᵃˢʰ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ‧ "ᴵᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐʸ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ? ᴾᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶜᶜᵘʳʳᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ʳᵉᵃˢᵒⁿ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵉʰᵃᵛⁱᵒᵘʳ‧‧‧ "ᴵ ᵐᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ˢʰᵉˡˡ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉᵉᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ʰᵉʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ʷⁱᵗⁿᵉˢˢᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵃᶜʰ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵍᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵍᵒᵒ ˡᵃᵍᵒᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵘᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶠˡᵒʷᵉʳˢ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᶜᵉᵃⁿ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵃˢʰ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴸᵃʳʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᴸᵒᵇˢᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵃʳʳⁱᵛᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ ᵃˢ ᵃ ˡⁱᶠᵉᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ‧ ᵂʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʷᵒ ᵍʳᵉᵉᵗᵉᵈ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ʰⁱᵗ ᵇʸ ᵃ ʷᵃᵛᵉ⸴ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢˡʸ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ‧ ᴸᵃʳʳʸ'ˢ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷᵃˢ ᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʳᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘʳʳᵉⁿᵗ ˢᵘʳᵖʳⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ᴸᵃʳʳʸ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᶜᵒⁿᶜᵉʳⁿ ᵗᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵃˡˡ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ‧ "ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᴸᵃʳʳʸ ᵈⁱᵛᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳ ˢᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ˡᵒˢᵗ ᵃᵗ ˢᵉᵃ‧ ᴴᵒʷᵉᵛᵉʳ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉˢᵖᵒⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ‧‧‧" ᴸᵃʳʳʸ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᶠᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵘᵐᵇᵉʳ‧‧‧ ᴵ'ˡˡ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵒˢˢⁱᵇˡʸ ʰᵉˡᵖ‧ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᶜᵃⁿⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳⁿᵃˡ ᵈᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉ ᵃˢ ˢᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵉᵍ ʰⁱᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ ᶠᵒʳᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳᵃᶜᵗᵘʳᵉ‧‧‧ ᴳᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃⁿᵈᵃᵍᵉˢ⸴ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵃˢᵉ‧‧‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃˢ ˢʰᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ˢⁱᵍⁿˢ ᵒᶠ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳʸ‧ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵒᵐᵇᵃʳᵈᵉᵈ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴴⁱ‧‧‧" ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᵂʰᵒ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵃˢʸ⸴ ᵖᵃˡ!" ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵈᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʰᵃᵈ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵉᵉ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ'ˢ⸴ ʰᵒʷ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵐᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ˢʰᵉˡˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ‧‧‧" "ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ ˡᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧ ᴿᵉᵃᵈʸ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒ ʰᵒᵐᵉ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ "ʸᵃ ˡᵘᶜᵏʸ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃˡⁱᵛᵉ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵃ ᵈⁱᵈ ᶠʳᵃᶜᵗᵘʳᵉ ˡᵉᵍ‧‧‧" ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᵂᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵇʸᵉ ᵗᵒ ᴸᵃʳʳʸ⸴ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵃˡˡ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗⁱᵛᵉ ʰᵒᵐᵉˢ ʳᵉˢᵖᵉᶜᵗⁱᵛᵉˡʸ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢᵉᵃᵗ‧ "ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵐᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵉˡˡ; ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁿ ʷᵃˢ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ˢʰᵉᵈᵈᵉᵈ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᴵˢ ʰᵉ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿʸ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ?" ᴬˢᵏᵉᵈ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ ʷᵉʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉʳᵉ⸴ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧ "ᔆᵒᵘⁿᵈˢ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᵈᵒᶻᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵒᵇˢᵉʳᵛᵉᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗˡʸ ˢᵒⁿᵒʳᵒᵘˢ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰˢ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃʳᵐ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒᵗ⸴ ˡᵉᵍ ᵉˡᵉᵛᵃᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃ ᵍⁱᶠᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵃ ᴷʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᴾᵃᵗᵗʸ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸ⸴ ˢᵃᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱᵗ‧

A JOURNEY TO AUTISM iii (Autistic author) Inside, she sets him down on their favorite couch, the one with the frayed edges and the squeaky spring that always reminded them of their first date. The room is cluttered with half-finished inventions and plans for Krabby Patty heists. She sits beside him. The silence stretches on, heavier than a net full of anchovies. Plankton's antennas twitch, his eye darting around the room, taking in the chaos. Karen's mind is racing, wondering if he recognizes any of it, if it brings back any memories of their life together. "Home," he murmurs, his voice filled with uncertainty. The room feels smaller, more cramped than she remembered, as if the walls are closing in on them. "Do you like it here?" she asks, trying to gauge his reaction. He looks around, his antennas moving slightly as he processes his surroundings. "Home," he says again, his voice a mix of curiosity and confusion. The room is a jumble of wires, gadgets, and half-eaten chum sticks. Karen's with tears as she realizes how much she's taken for granted their life together. She had always loved Plankton's quirks and his boundless energy, but now his mind seemed to be stuck in a loop, unable to move beyond the basic functions of acknowledgment. "Home," Plankton says again, his antennas drooping. "Home with Karen." The repetition of the words stirs something within Karen. Echolalia, the doctor had called it, a common trait in those with autism. It was Plankton's way of trying to understand the world around him, to find comfort in familiar words and phrases. "Yes," she whispers, her throat tight with emotion. "This is our home." The room seems to shrink around them as Plankton's echolalic chant of "home with Karen" repeats in a soothing loop. Each time he says it, Karen feels a pang of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he was finding comfort in the simplicity of their life together. "Home with Karen," he says again, his antennas slightly more animated. Karen nods, brimming with tears. "Yes, Plankton, we're home." But she sees a flicker of distress in his eye. "Sponge Bob," he whispers, his antennas quivering with urgency. "Where's Sponge Bob?" Karen's heart squeezes at the mention of him. "Sponge Bob's not here right now," she says, choosing her words carefully. "But he'll come to visit." Plankton's antennas shoot up, his eye wide. "Sponge Bob," he repeats, his voice gaining strength. "Friend. Need Sponge Bob." The desperation in his tone is heart-wrenching, and Karen knows she needs to act fast to soothe his anxiety. "Ok, ok," she says, her voice calm. "Let's call Sponge Bob." Karen picks up the phone, her hands shaking slightly as she dials the familiar number. The phone rings once, twice, before it's answered by a cheerful voice. "Karen?" Sponge Bob's voice sounds surprised but concerned. "Is everything ok?" Karen takes a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. "It's Plankton," she says. "He's asking for you to come over." There's a pause on the other end of the line. "Plankton? But we're... I mean?" Sponge Bob's voice is filled with confusion. Karen's with desperation as she watches Plankton rock back and forth on the couch, his chant growing louder. "Sponge Bob. Need Sponge Bob." "Please, Sponge Bob," she pleads, her voice cracking. Sponge Bob's voice on the other end of the line softens. "Of course, Karen. I'll be right over." The line goes dead, and Karen hangs up the phone, feeling a tiny spark of hope. Plankton's cries for Sponge Bob have become more insistent, his rocking more pronounced. She gently places a hand on his shoulder, trying to soothe him. "Sponge Bob's coming, Plankton," she says, her voice steady. "He'll be here soon." Plankton's rocking slows, his antennas drooping slightly. "Sponge Bob," he whispers, his eye searching hers. "Safe." The word hangs in the air, and Karen realizes that despite his confusion, he feels comfort in Sponge Bob's presence. A few moments later, they hear the telltale sound of bubbles popping against the glass, and a knock on the door. With a tremble, Karen stands and opens it to reveal Sponge Bob, looking slightly nervous but determined. "Hi, Plankton!" he exclaims. Plankton's antennas shoot up at the sound of his name, and he whips his head around to face the door. "Sponge Bob!" he shouts, his eye lighting up with an unmistakable joy. Sponge Bob steps into the room. "Sponge Bob!" he exclaims, his voice a mix of excitement and relief. He lunges forward, wrapping his tiny arms around the larger sponge in an embrace. Sponge Bob looks surprised but quickly returns the hug, his spongy form enveloping Plankton completely. "Plankton, what's going on?" he asks, his eyes wide with concern. He's never seen Plankton like this. Plankton pulls back, his expression a jumble of emotions. "Sponge Bob," he says again, his voice filled with affection. He grabs Sponge Bob's hand and tugs him closer. "Home with Karen. Need you." Sponge Bob looks to Karen, his eyes filled with uncertainty, but she nods encouragingly. "It's ok," she says. "He's just happy you're here." The sight of Plankton's excited state brings a smile to Sponge Bob's face, despite his confusion. He sits down next to him on the couch, his own excitement growing. "What do you want to do?" Sponge Bob asks, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. Plankton's antennas twitch as he thinks, his eye darting around the room. "Let's play a game," he suddenly exclaims, his voice filled with a child-like excitement that hadn't been there before. "What kind of game, Plankton?" Karen asks, eager to encourage his newfound energy. "Chess!" he exclaims, pointing to a dusty board in the corner of the room. Sponge Bob's eyes widen with surprise, but he doesn't hesitate. He leaps up from the couch and wipes the dust from the board with his spongy hand, setting up the pieces with surprising efficiency. Karen watches from the sidelines, her heart swelling with love and hope as Plankton's enthusiasm grows. He moves the pieces with a frenetic energy, his eye alight with a joy she hadn't seen since before the accident. Sponge Bob, ever the optimist, matches his excitement, even though he's clearly outmatched by Plankton's strategic mind. "Checkmate!" Plankton cries out, his antennas waving with each word. Sponge Bob's expression is a mix of surprise and admiration. "Wow, Plankton, you're really good at this!" The room echoes with Plankton's laughter, a sound that's both familiar and foreign to Karen's ears. The old Plankton would have gloated. "Checkmate," he says again, his antennas bobbing in excitement. "Checkmate, checkmate." Sponge Bob laughs, a wonderful, genuine laugh that fills the room. "You win, Plankton," he says, his hands clapping together. Plankton's antennas stop twitching for a moment, and he looks at Sponge Bob, his eye studying the sponge's reaction. "Win," he repeats, a hint of understanding in his voice. "Win at chess." He claps like SpongeBob. Sponge Bob's eyes light up, seeing the connection. "Yes, Plankton, you won the chess game," he says, his voice soothing. "You're really good at it." Plankton's antennas start to twitch again, his eye darting between the board and Sponge Bob. "Win," he murmurs, his voice filled with a newfound sense of pride. "Win with Sponge Bob." The phrase becomes a chant, his brain finding solace in the repetition. "Win with Sponge Bob, win with Sponge Bob." Sponge Bob smiles warmly, picking up the rhythm of Plankton's words. "Yes, Plankton," he says, his voice soothing. "You won the game. You're a great chess player." Plankton's antennas quiver, his eye locking onto Sponge Bob's. "Great chess player," he echoes, his voice a mix of pride and amazement. "Win with Sponge Bob." Karen watches from the sidelines with hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the breakthrough they needed. Sponge Bob's presence was calming him, bringing out a side of Plankton she hadn't seen since the accident.

2/2 THE MOOON Karen couldn't help but giggle at his befuddled state. His usual stoic demeanor was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a childlike wonder and confusion. He tried to sit up again, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated. "Stay still," she said, placing a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder. "How... how's it... it over?" he slurred, his mouth feeling like it was stuffed with cotton trying to form words around his thick tongue. The nurse, who had seen this reaction before, offered a reassuring pat on the arm. "You're all done, Mr. Plankton. The anesthesia is just taking its time to wear off. You're going to feel a bit funny for a while." Plankton's eye rolled back, his body lolling to the side like a ragdoll's. "I can't feel my face," he mumbled, his words barely coherent. "It's the anesthesia," she explained, her voice soft and soothing. "It'll wear off soon." Plankton's eye rolled back in his head, and his antennae flopped to the sides as if they had lost their will to stand tall. "I've been... I've been... to the mooon!" he exclaimed, his slurred words tripping over each other. The nurse and Karen couldn't help but laugh at his nonsensical rambling. "The moon?" Karen managed to get out between giggles. "You mean the dentist's chair?" Plankton's eye snapped back to hers, his antennae perking up slightly. "No, no... the moo... the cheesy moo!" he insisted, his speech still slurred and his gaze unfocused. His hand waved in the air, trying to describe something that clearly only existed in his anesthesia-induced haze. Karen's laughter grew louder as she watched him. "The cheesy moon?" she repeated, trying to make sense of his gibberish. The nurse's chuckles grew to a full-blown laugh, shaking her whole body. "It's ok Mr. Plankton," she said, wiping a tear from her eye. "You're safe here." Plankton's antennae waved erratically, his mouth forming another round of slurred syllables. "The... the... shmoobly wobble!" he exclaimed, his eye glazed over with a far-off look. "Whewe's shmoobly go?" Karen couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. "Oh, Plankton, you're so funny when you're like this!" she exclaimed, her voice full of mirth. "Fum-fum," Plankton slurred. "I'm not fum-fum," he protested, his voice a mix of indignation and the lingering effects of the anesthesia. His antennae wobbled. "Wha’ you do wiff Mx shmoobly?" "Your mouth is just numb," she explained, her voice shaking with laughter. "You had wisdom teeth removed." "Widom... teef?" Plankton repeated, his voice a mix of slurs and half-sounds. "The... the shmoobly wobble took them?" Karen's laughter grew. "No, Plankton, your wisdom teeth. They were removed." Plankton's eye searched hers, his expression one of utter perplexity. "But... but where's the shmoobly wobble?" he demanded, his mouth a mess of numbness and anesthesia. Karen couldn't contain her laughter any longer, bending over in her seat, her hand over her screen. The nurse was equally amused, her shoulders shaking with silent giggles. "Shmoobly wobble?" she managed to ask between gasps. "What's a shmoobly wobble?" Plankton's antennae waved with the vigor of a drunken sailor. "It's... it's a... a vnorbly snork!" he exclaimed, his words a delightful jumble that made no sense in the sober world. Karen's laughter was infectious, and even the nurse found it hard to maintain her professional demeanor. "A vnorbly snork?" she repeated, her smile growing wider. "What does that do?" Plankton's face scrunched up as he tried to gather his thoughts. "It... it makes... makes the teef... it makes the teef go bye-bye!" he exclaimed, his antennae waving wildly. The nurse covered her mouth, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, I see," she said, nodding as if she understood. "The shmoobly wobble is quite a character." Karen wiped a tear from her screen, her laughter subsiding. "I think we should get you home, sweetheart," she said, her voice still thick with mirth. "You need to rest." Plankton's antennae twitched, his gaze firmly locked on the nurse. "The... the... snibble-bobble?" he declared. "Take the snibble-bobble home, Karen..." The nurse's eyes twinkled with humor and she nodded. "Yes, Mr. Plankton. The snibble- bobble will take good care of you at home." Plankton's mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to form words that simply would not come out right. "Karen, did you... did you see the... the... the... floobly-doobly?" Karen's laughter bubbled up again. "The floobly- doobly?" she repeated, her voice wobbling with mirth. "What's a floobly-doobly?" Plankton looked at her with confusion. "Huh? The whath?" He asked her. Karen tried to calm her laughter. "The floobly-doobly, Plankton," she said, smiling broadly. "You mentioned it just now." Plankton's eye searched hers, his thoughts a jumble. "I... I don't know," he murmured, his voice trailing off. With the nurse's help, Karen managed to get him into a sitting position, his movements sluggish and clumsy. His legs felt like jellyfish, flailing about with no sense of direction. "Come on," she coaxed, helping him stand. Plankton's eye remained half-closed as he stumbled towards the door. The hallway looked like a twisted kelp forest, and his body felt like a ship adrift without a compass. The nurse provided a steady arm, guiding him down the corridor. "Keep walking," she instructed, but with each step, Plankton seemed to drift closer to sleep. His head bobbed, his eyelid fighting a losing battle against the siren's call of slumber. "Plankton, stay with me," Karen urged, her voice a gentle reminder of the world around him. But his body had other ideas, his legs giving out under him. The nurse caught him, her laugh now a warm chuckle at his plight. "It's the anesthesia," she explained. "It'll wear off soon. Just keep talking to him, it'll help keep him alert." Karen nodded. "Look, Plankton," she said. "Can you see the little fishy?" Plankton's eye snapped open, his antennae shooting up. "Fishy?" he repeated. He took a few wobbly steps before his legs gave out once more, and he leaned heavily on the nurse. "Whoa, there," she said, steadying him with a laugh. "We're almost to the car." Plankton's antennae drooped, his eye half-closed again. "So... so tiwed," he mumbled. "We're almost there," Karen assured. The nurse opened the door to the waiting area. Plankton blinked slowly, his eyelid drooping once again. The bright light from outside was like a siren's song, lulling him back into the depths of sleep. "Come on, Plankton, stay awake," Karen encouraged. But the world was spinning, and the siren's call of sleep was growing stronger. With each step closer to the car, his eyelid grew heavier, and his mind swam with a haze of disorientation. The floor beneath his feet felt like waves, and he stumbled again, his hand reaching out for support that wasn't there. "Keep talking," the nurse whispered to Karen, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Karen took a deep breath, forcing her own laughter down. "Remember the time we found the treasure?" she asked, hoping to keep him alert. Plankton's antennae perked up slightly, his sluggish eye focusing on hers. "Tweasure?" he murmured. The nurse nodded encouragingly, and Plankton took another step, his body swaying like a piece of kelp in the current. "Yeah," he mumbled, "the... the... goldy wobble." His words were slurred, his mind lost in the fog of the anesthesia. They made it to the car, and Karen gently guided him into the passenger seat. She buckled him in, his body already slack with the weight of exhaustion. "Tell me more," she said, trying to keep his thoughts on the treasure they had found together, anything to keep his mind engaged. But Plankton's eye weas closing again, his head lolling against the headrest. "Goldy... wobble... " he murmured, his words barely audible. "It's okay, sweetheart," Karen said, her voice soothing. "You can rest." With a contented sigh, Plankton gave in to the warm embrace of slumber, his body going limp. Karen started the engine and drove carefully, her mind racing with the events of the day. The thought of her stoic husband, reduced to a slurring mess, was too absurd to fully comprehend. Yet, there was a tenderness in his vulnerability that made her love him all the more.

AUTISM IN THE PLANKTON FAMILY v (Autistic author) Sandy had always known him as quick-witted and sharp-tongued, now he was a shell of his former self, retreating at the slightest touch. Plankton's antennae twitched. Karen stepped in, her voice firm but gentle. "It's ok, Sandy. We're all still learning." Sandy looked at the plate of cookies on the floor, regret flooding her features. She knew Plankton had liked her cookies before, but now... "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I had no idea." She reached for him again, but Karen stepped in, shaking her head gently. "It's okay," Karen said, her tone soothing. "But remember, he's not the same Plankton anymore." Sandy's hand hovered in the air, her eyes pleading with Karen for guidance. Plankton's antennae continued to twitch as he stared at the floor, his body a tightly coiled spring. Karen stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay," she whispered to him. Sandy looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of pity and confusion. "Come on, Plankton," she said, her voice softening. But Plankton's antennae remained still, his gaze fixed on the floor. Karen knew he was lost in his own world, unable to process Sandy's words through the sensory overload. Sandy tried again, her voice a soft coo. "Look at me, Plankton," she said, her hand reaching out once more. But Plankton flinched, his antennae flattening against his head. "No," he murmured, his voice trembling. "No." Sandy's face fell, her eyes wet with regret. "I didn't mean to scare him," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's ok, Sandy," Karen said, her hand still on Plankton's shoulder. "You just need to be patient with him." Karen took a deep breath, her thoughts racing. "It was a fight with Mr. Krabs," she said, her words measured. "It... changed how his brain works." Plankton's more sensitive to sounds, lights, and touch," she explained. "And his communication is different now." Sandy looked from Karen to Plankton, her eyes filled with understanding. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice gentle. "I didn't know." Hanna, who had been quietly observing from the corner, approached the trio, her gaze filled with empathy. "It's okay, Sandy," she said. "We're all still learning." The door burst open again, and SpongeBob bounded in, his usual cheerfulness a stark contrast to the solemn mood in the room. "Hi, everyone!" he exclaimed, his spongey body bouncing with energy. "What's all the hub..." "SpongeBob," Plankton exclaimed, his antennae perking up slightly. SpongeBob's eyes widened in surprise at the rare display of joy from Plankton. The sudden change in Plankton's demeanor was like a switch had been flipped. His antennae stopped twitching, his body uncoiled slightly. "Sponge Bob," he said again, his voice a little louder this time. Sponge Bob looked at him with wonder. "Hi, Plankton!" he said, his eyes wide. "How are you feeling?" Plankton's gaze locked onto Sponge Bob, and a tentative smile spread across his face. "Sponge Bob," he murmured, his voice filled with longing. Sponge Bob's eyes widened with surprise. "Plankton!" he exclaimed, his usual cheerfulness amplified. He moved closer to his friend, his body language open and welcoming. Plankton's antennae quivered slightly as he watched Sponge Bob give him a gentle pat on the back. But Plankton didn't flinch this time. Instead, his antennae curled forward slightly, as if reaching out for contact. Sponge Bob, noticing the subtle change in his friend, took a seat beside him. "You okay, buddy?" he asked, his voice a gentle whisper. Plankton nodded, his antennae quivering with the effort to stay still. "Sponge Bob good," he murmured, his eye focusing on the familiar figure. Sponge Bob's touch was comforting, a gentle reminder of times when the world wasn't so overwhelming. Plankton's body slowly relaxed under the warmth of the friendship. Sandy and Hanna watched in silence as Sponge Bob's gentle presence seemed to soothe Plankton. His antennae stilled, his body unfurling slightly from its tight coil of anxiety. Sponge Bob, ever the optimist, beamed at Plankton. "I brought you some jellyfishing nets," he offered, holding up a small sack. "Thought we could go for a catch, like old times!" Plankton's antennae shot straight up, his excitement palpable. "Jellyfishing?" he asked, his voice filled with hope. Sponge Bob's grin grew wider. "You bet, Plankton!" he exclaimed. "Just like the good old days!" Plankton's antennae quivered with excitement. "Good," he murmured, his eye lighting up. The mention of jellyfishing brought back memories of simpler times, before his world had been turned upside down. "Yes," he murmured, his voice eager. "Jellyfishing." Karen watched the interaction between Sponge Bob and Plankton, relief washing over her. She knew how much Sponge Bob had always meant to Plankton, and seeing his positive effect was a comforting balm. Sponge Bob's presence had calmed the storm of emotions and sensory overload that had been building within Plankton. He was now sitting up straight in his chair, his antennae waving slightly with excitement. Karen watched them, her heart swelling with gratitude for Sponge Bob. She knew that Plankton needed friends who understood him, who could navigate the choppy waters of his new reality. She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Sponge Bob's. "Sponge Bob," she began, her voice shaky. "There's something important I need to tell you." Sponge Bob looked at her with concern. "What's up, Karen?" Karen took a deep breath, preparing to share the news. "Plankton's been diagnosed with autism," she said softly. Sponge Bob's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "What's that, Karen?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity rather than fear. Karen took a deep breath, her eyes welling with tears. "It's a condition that makes his brain work differently," she explained. "It's like his senses are on overload, and sometimes, the world is just too much for him to handle." Sponge Bob's eyes grew wide with concern. "Too much?" he echoed. "But Plankton's always been so... so...spirited!" Karen nodded, her eyes moist with unshed tears. "It's not his spirit, Sponge Bob," she said. "It's just that now, his brain needs more time to process things. And some things that didn't bother him before are really hard for him now." Sponge Bob's gaze drifted to Plankton, who was now playing with a jellyfishing net, his antennae still quivering with excitement. "It was an accident," Karen continued, her voice thick with emotion. "A fight with Mr. Krabs." "A fight?" he echoed, his spongy body stiffening. Karen nodded, her gaze firm. "Mr. Krabs hit him really hard," she said. "And it changed his brain." Sponge Bob looked at Plankton, his eyes filled with a new understanding. He reached out his hand, and Plankton took it, his antennae relaxing slightly. "I'm here for you, buddy," he said, his voice gentle. "You can stay, but perhaps save jellyfishing for another day." Says Karen, as Sandy and Hanna left. Sponge Bob nodded, his grip on Plankton's hand firm. "Whatever you need, Plankton," he said.

THE TOOTH OF A CHILD ii The nurse finished up the paperwork and handed it to Karen. "You're all set to go home once Mr. Plankton is ready. Just remember, he'll need to take it easy for a few days. No solid food, only soft things like soups and mashed potatoes." Karen nodded, her gaze still locked on Plankton's fascinated expression. "I've got it covered," she said. Plankton, seemingly oblivious to the instructions, was busy poking his cheeks with his fingers, his mouth still numb and frozen. He looked up at her, his eye twinkling. "Kay... Kahen... anotha... anotha teeth." The nurse had left the room, leaving them in a quiet solitude punctuated only by the rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the occasional swish of hospital curtains. Karen couldn't resist the urge to laugh. "You're already asking for more?" she teased. Plankton shrugged, his expression as goofy as a puppy's. "Ith... wothless... wifout... wisdom," he mumbled. Her amusement grew. "I'm not sure if that's a compliment to the teeth or an insult to me," she said playfully. Plankton's antennae shot up, his cheeks flushing a brighter shade of pink. "Mmph... no, no... gwed... wisdom..." he insisted, his speech still slurred. Karen couldn't help but smile at his earnestness. "Alright, I'll keep that in mind," she said, her voice filled with affectionate sarcasm. "So, what's the first thing you want to do when we get home?" Plankton's antennae twitched with excitement. "Mmph... mow... wock?" he slurred, his voice muffled by the anesthesia. Karen raised an eyebrow, surprised by his sudden interest in music. "You want to rock?" she repeated, amusement dancing in her eyes. Plankton nodded vigorously, his antennae bobbing. "Mmhmm," he managed, his mouth still refusing to cooperate. "Wock and wowl." Karen couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, okay. I'll make sure to have some rock music ready for when we get home." Plankton's eye lit up, his enthusiasm clear despite the numbness. "Gweat," he murmured, his antennae swaying to an unheard melody. Karen watched him, his normally stoic face now a canvas of comical expressions and muffled sounds. It was surreal to see him like this, but she found his vulnerability endearing. "But first, we need to get you home," she said, her voice a gentle reminder of reality. Plankton nodded, his eye closing in exhaustion. He leaned his head back on the pillow, his snoring resuming its soft crescendo. The nurse returned to check on them. "Looks like he's comfortable," she said with a smile. "You can take him home whenever you're ready." Karen nodded, still watching Plankton's peaceful face. "Mmph... Kahen?" Plankton's eye opened again, searching for her. "Ca-- we go now?" he slurred, his voice laced with hope. Karen couldn't resist the urge to lean over and kiss his forehead. "Soon, buddy," she whispered. He nodded, his antennae waving sluggishly. His hand found hers again, his grip firm despite his grogginess. Karen felt her heart melt at his determination. "Mmph... I teww you 'notha tink?" he mumbled, his smile hopeful. "Sure," she said, leaning closer. "Wheh, mmmph... the dentist made every ting awwright, yet firsh, they saith I woul’ be in surgery. Bu’ they didn’t even cuth me openth! They jus’ made every ting go woozy," Plankton slurred. "Then youw face wath theath wight bulb on top." Karen couldn't stop herself from laughing. "What are you talking about, Plankton?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth. He tried to enunciate, his lips moving awkwardly. "Mmph, Kahen, the dentist... they... they put me to sweep wi’out cutting me." His words were jumbled. Karen's curiosity piqued, she leaned in closer. "What do you mean, without cutting you?" she questioned, her voice filled with gentle amusement. Plankton's antennae waved wildly. "Mmph, they goth me all sleepy and then I woke up wifout getting cuth!" he exclaimed, his words still thick. Karen couldn't contain her laughter. "They didn't cut you because they already took your teeth out while you were asleep," she explained, her voice a blend of humor and affection. Plankton's antennae drooped, his eye looking disappointed. "Mmph, oh... I wath expehcting a magith trick." He slumped back into the pillow. Karen chuckled, stroking his hand. "It's like magic, isn't it?" she said, her voice light. "You went to sleep with four extra teeth and woke up with none." Plankton's antennae shot up again. "Ma... ma... magic?" he repeated, his voice filled with wonder. Karen nodded. "In a way, yes. They used sleepy medicine so you wouldn't feel a thing." He stared at her, his eye wide with fascination. "Wow, Kahen. They're wike wizawds!" he exclaimed, his speech still slurred but his enthusiasm unmistakable. Karen laughed again, her heart feeling lighter. "Mmph, can they make me fwee too?" Plankton asked, his voice filled with hope. Karen shook her head, her smile never leaving her lips. "Sorry, Plankton. Only in your dreams." He pouted, his cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk's. "Mmph, no fun." His eye grew heavy again, his body still feeling the weight of the anesthesia. Karen stood, gently squeezing his hand. "Let's get you up, okay?" With a groan, Plankton managed to push himself into a sitting position, his legs dangling over the side of the bed. Karen supported him, her arm wrapped around his shoulder. His head lolled to one side. "Mmph... wath... whath... whath's that?" Plankton's voice was a muffled mess, his words tripping over his still-numb tongue. Karen followed his gaze to the plastic cup of water. "Mmph... wath's in thef?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Karen laughed gently. "It's for rinsing, buddy. To keep your mouth clean." Plankton nodded, his antennae still waving with excitement. The nurse stepped in to help, handing him the cup filled with water. "Here, take a sip." Plankton's antennae waved nervously as he took the cup, his hand trembling. He took a tentative sip, his mouth filling with the cold liquid. "Ah, gwed," he slurred, his speech still affected by the anesthesia. Karen watched him with amusement. "You're doing great," she encouraged, her voice soothing. Plankton managed a wobbly nod. "Mmph... wath's nxt?" "Now, we just need to get you home," she said, her eyes sparkling with mirth. Plankton's antennae drooped slightly. "Mmph... dawes?" Karen nodded, her smile never fading. "Yes, darling, we're going home now." Plankton's eye lit up with excitement, his slurred speech a cute contrast to his usual sharp wit.

THE TOOTH OF A CHILD iii He took another sip of water, his cheeks puffing out as he swished it around his mouth. "Mmph, tath's betta," he said, handing the cup back to the nurse. Karen couldn't help but chuckle at his antics. "Okay, let's get you up," she said, her voice still filled with laughter. Plankton nodded, his antennae bobbing. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his movements slow and clumsy. Karen slipped her arm under his and helped him stand. His balance was wobbly, like a newborn foal taking its first steps. She had to stifle her giggles as he tried to navigate the unseen world with his numbed mouth. "Mmph... Kahen," he began, his voice a series of muffled sounds. "How long wi’ this lafs?" Karen chuckled at his question. "It'll wear off in a few hours. But until then, you're going to have to be careful." Plankton's antennae wiggled with determination. "Mmph, I'm a bih boy," he slurred. Karen couldn't help but laugh at his bravado. "Yes, you are," she said, her voice warm and supportive. "Let's get you to the car." With Plankton leaning heavily on her, they shuffled down the hallway." "Mmph... Kahen," Plankton slurred, his words still thick with the remnants of the anesthesia. "You know, I've alwaths wanthed to know... how youw wove me wath." Karen raised an eyebrow, her smile growing. "What do you mean, Plankton?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by his sudden sentimental turn. "Mmph, wike, how... how youw... feww in wove?" he managed, his tongue thick and clumsy. Karen's smile grew tender at his earnest question. "Well, it's complicated," she began, her voice soft. "But I guess it started when we met. Now, let's get in the car." Plankton nodded, his antennae waving with understanding. "Mmph, okay." Karen helped him shuffle his way out of the hospital, his feet dragging slightly. He was still groggy from the anesthesia, but his curiosity was in overdrive. "Mmph, Kahen," Plankton slurred, his voice barely above a whisper. "Wha's wove wike?" Karen glanced down at him, his expression earnest. "It's like when two people really, really like each other," she replied, her voice gentle. "Wike... I wove youw tho mush." He says. Karen couldn't help but laugh again. "Plankton, you're not making any sense," she said, her voice filled with affectionate exasperation. His antennae drooped slightly, his eye looking disappointed. "Mmph... I'm tawwy," he mumbled, his mouth still a mess of numbness. "It's just... I wove youw Kahen." Karen's heart skipped a beat, his words a sweet jumble of slurs. "I know, Plankton," she said, her voice thick with emotion. They reached the car, and Karen gently guided him into the passenger seat. "Mmph, Kahen, wath's that?" Plankton asked pointing to the dashboard. Karen chuckled. "It's the car's dashboard, Plankton. You're just seeing things differently because of the medicine." She buckled his seatbelt, his movements exaggerated. "Mmph, oh," he murmured, his interest shifting to the windshield wipers. "Mow, theath things, they'we like... like... arms," he said, his speech still a slurry mess. Karen laughed, shaking her head. "They're wipers, Plankton. For the rain," she corrected, starting the engine. He nodded, his antennae still waving with fascination. "Mmph, wath's theath wound?" he asked, pointing at the steering wheel. Karen couldn't help but laugh. "That's the steering wheel, buddy. It's what I use to drive the car," she said, her voice still filled with humor. Plankton stared at it for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Mmph, and theath wound?" he asked, his finger tracing the path of the windshield wipers. Karen couldn't help but laugh. "It's to keep the windshield clear, so we can see while driving." Plankton nodded, his antennae twitching with curiosity. "Mmph, so many tings in this big wowld." Karen couldn't help but laugh, his innocent wonder bringing a smile to her face. "Yes, Plankton, there are so many things to discover," she said, backing out of the parking spot. "Mmph, and wath's wath?" Plankton asked, pointing out the window at a passing scallop. "That's a scallop, Plankton. It flies in the sky," she explained, her voice still filled with amusement. He nodded, his antennae bobbing as he took it all in. "Wow, so-o beautiful," he slurred, his eye gazing out the window like a child seeing the world for the first time. Karen couldn't help but be captivated by his innocent wonder. "You know, Plankton, sometimes you say the sweetest things without even realizing it." His antennae perked up. "Mmph, do I?" he asked, his speech still a garbled mess. Karen nodded, her smile tender. "You do." "Mmph, gweat," he says with a slow nod of his head. Karen steers the car onto the road, the sun casting a warm glow over Plankton's sleepy face. His antennae wilt slightly as his eye struggles to stay open. "Mmph, Kahen, theath sun is so bright," he complains, his voice still slurred from the anesthesia. Karen chuckles, reaching over to adjust the visor. "Better?" He nods, his antennae drooping. "Mmph, yeth. Thanf you." He said, as drool began to form again in the corner of his mouth. Karen reached over with a tissue, carefully dabbing it away. Plankton flinched slightly, his mouth still too numb to feel the touch. "Mmph, I wathn't expehcting this," he mumbles, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. The world outside the car was a blur of colors and shapes, his mind still trying to make sense of it all. Karen navigated the road, her eyes flipping between the road and Plankton's amusing expressions. "Mmph, Kahen, wath's thaf?" he asks, his eye half-closed. Karen looks over at the traffic light, its red light a stark contrast to the bright sun. "It's a stoplight, Plankton. It tells me when to stop and go." Plankton nods, his antennae barely moving. "Mmph, wike a twail." His eye closes, and Karen can feel his weight shift slightly toward her as sleep begins to claim him again. "Mmph, Kahen?" Plankton's voice interrupts the quiet hum of the engine, his words a soft whisper. "Ith wike I'm swimmin' in molasses," he says, his mouth still not cooperating. Karen laughs, keeping one eye on the road and the other on his peaceful face. "You're just tired from the surgery," she assures him. "You'll be fine once you get some rest." Plankton's antennae twitch, his eye opening slightly. "But, Kahen, I don't wan' to sleep," he slurred. "I wan' to expehrience this wowld with you." His words were earnest, his gaze firm despite his grogginess. She watched him fight the tide of sleep, his eyelid drooping again. "Mmph, wath's theath wowndow?" he asked, pointing at the car's side mirror. Karen couldn't help but chuckle at his confusion. "It's a mirror, sweetheart," she said, her voice soothing. "So we can see what's behind us." Plankton nodded, his antennae barely moving. "Mmph, wike a... wike a... wookie," he mumbled, his speech still a garbled mess. Karen laughed, shaking her head. "It's okay, Plankton. You're just tired." His eyes grew heavier, his lid drooping. "Mmph, I am," he admitted, his voice a faint whisper. The car's gentle rocking and the hum of the engine began to lull him into a doze. Karen watched him, his snores growing louder as he succumbed to sleep. His hand still held hers, the connection warm and comforting. She felt his grip loosen slightly, his body relaxing into the seat. His breathing grew deep and even, his antennae quietly bobbing with each exhalation. Karen couldn't help but feel a swell of affection for this vulnerable side of Plankton she'd never seen before. The car ride home was quiet, punctuated only by Plankton's gentle snores and the rhythmic swish of the windshield wipers. Karen smiled to herself, her grip on his hand never loosening.

KAREN AND THE TEETHIES v Plankton's eye drifts closed again, his mouth still moving slightly as he makes an attempt at speech. "Buh my... my moufs..." The nurse nods. "It's normal to feel funny. Just let the anesthesia wear off." Plankton's hand flaps weakly in the air. "But... buth... my mouf... mouthie... mouthie not wooking," he mumbles, his fingers trying to feel his swollen cheeks. Karen and the nurse exchange a knowing smile. "It's okay, babe," Karen says, taking his hand in hers and guiding it back to his lap. "You're going to be fine." Plankton opens his eye. "Whath... whath youw... wooking ath?" The nurse chuckles. "We're just checking to make sure you're okay, Mr. Plankton," she says, her voice gentle. Plankton's head wobbles slightly. "Mmph... check... check... my mouthie," he slurs, his hands reaching up to his face. Karen can't help but laugh quietly, her nerves finally starting to ease. The nurse gently takes his hands away. "We've already checked, Mr. Plankton. Everything is fine." Plankton's eye rolls back slightly, his head lolling as he tries to process her words. "Mouf... mouthie," he slurs, his tongue thick in his mouth. "Thish... thish chair... comfortabwe?" Karen laughs softly, her anxiety dissipating with each slurred syllable. "It's supposed to be," she reassures him, adjusting his head so that it rests comfortably against the chair. Plankton's mouth opens and closes, his tongue lolling out like a tired puppy's. "Buth... buth... is not... not comfowtable," he mumbles, his cheeks bulging with the effort to speak. The nurse and Karen exchange glances, the humor of the situation not lost on them. "It's the anesthesia," the nurse explains gently. "It'll wear off soon. Just keep talking to him, Karen. It'll help him stay with us." Karen nods, stroking his antennae. "Remember, Plankton," she says, enunciating clearly, "you're in the dentist's office." Plankton's eye rolls to meet hers, his gaze still unfocused. "Dentish... office?" he repeats, his voice a slurred mess. "Whath... whath I do heaw?" Karen smiles warmly, her hands continuing to gently stroke his antennae. "You had your wisdom teeth taken out," she reminds him, her voice clear and calm. Plankton's eye rolls in his head, trying to comprehend the words. "Tish... teethies?" he repeats. "Yes, your wisdom teeth," Karen says with a gentle smile, her voice a beacon of clarity in the fog of his confusion. Plankton blinks heavily, his eye struggling to focus on her. "Windom teethies... takesh out... my... my... mouthie," he slurs, his hand moving to his swollen cheek. The nurse nods, her smile still in place. "That's right, Mr. Plankton. Dr. Finnegan took them out for you." But Plankton's not ready to concede. His hand moves to his mouth, his fingers probing the swollen gums. "Buth... buth... I can't... I can't feel them," he mumbles, his voice filled with skepticism. The nurse and Karen share a knowing look. This was part of the anesthesia's charm, the temporary loss of sensation that came with the territory. "They're gone," Karen says, her voice filled with love and patience. But Plankton isn't convinced. He opens his mouth again, his tongue sliding out like a slug. "Where'd they goeth?" he slurs, his voice a comical blend of sleepiness and bewilderment. Karen laughs softly, her heart swelling with affection. "They're gone, sweetie. Dr. Finnegan took them out and now your mouth will feel much better." Plankton's tongue lolls out of his mouth, his eye still half-closed. "But... but... mouthie feesh funmy," he murmurs, his words a drunken mess. Karen can't help but laugh. "It's just the anesthesia, babe," she says, her voice a soothing balm. "You're going to be okay." Plankton's tongue rolls around his mouth, his eye half-closed. "Fish... finny... fish... I'm not a fish," he mumbles. Karen's laughter fills the room, her heart warmed by his nonsensical ramblings. "No, Plankton, you're not a fish," she says, her voice laced with amusement. "You're just a little out of it." Plankton's head wobbles as he tries to form words. "Fishy... not... not fishy," he slurs, his tongue thick and uncooperative. The nurse can't help but giggle, finding his confusion endearing. "No, Plankton, you're not a fish," Karen repeats, her voice filled with affection. "You're just feeling a bit funny because of the medicine." Plankton blinks slowly, his eye focusing on her for a brief moment before it wanders again. "But... buth... I'm not a fish," he mumbles, his voice barely audible. Karen laughs, her nerves completely at ease now. "No, honey, you're not a fish," she reassures him, her voice gentle. "You're just groggy from the surgery." Plankton's eye blinks slowly. "Sur... surgery?" he repeats, his voice a mere whisper. He looks around the room, his gaze unfocused and bewildered. "Whath... whath was’at that... that sownd?" The nurse and Karen share a confused smile. "What so—" But Plankton cuts her off again, his mouth moving in slow motion. "Thish chair... fishy chair... not... not comfowt," he mumbles, his tongue slipping over his teeth. Karen can't contain her laughter. "It's not a fishy chair, Plankton," she says, her voice full of mirth. "It's just a chair." Plankton's eyelid flaps weakly, his gaze shifting to Karen. "Buth... buth... ith's... it's mooving," he insists, his voice slurred and sleepy. Karen wipes away the last of his drool with a tissue, trying not to laugh. "The chair isn't moving, babe," she says, her voice filled with humor. "It's just the anesthesia playing tricks on you." But Plankton's not buying it. "Fishy chair... mooving," he slurs, his hand flapping weakly at the chair. The nurse stifles a giggle, while Karen shakes her head, her smile widening. "It's not moving, Plankton," she says, her voice filled with affectionate amusement. "It's just the anesthesia. Remember, you're at the dentist." Plankton's head lolls to the side, his gaze unfocused. "Den... tish?" he repeats, his tongue fighting the thickness of his mouth. "Wha... wha for?" Karen's laughter is soft and warm. "For your mouth to feel better," she says, her voice patient. "So you can eat all the soft foods you like." Plankton's eye rolls back slightly. "Foo?" he mumbles, his mouth working around the word. "Can I... can I eated... fishies?" Karen laughs, her heart full. "You'll need to stick to soft foods for a few days."

KAREN AND THE TEETHIES vi Plankton's eye opens again. "Hey Karen guess whath.." "What, sweetie?" Plankton's mouth moves slowly, his tongue thick in his mouth. "Dentish... man... I heard him shay I'll feel rea-ea-eal sleeepy, and den he gabe me magic sweep juice," he slurs, his eye half-closed. "Den I fell asweep wight aweay." Karen laughs, her hand still stroking his antennae. "That's right, babe. He gave you something to make you sleep through the surgery." Plankton's eye opens wider, his voice gaining a hint of excitement. "Magic sweep juice," he repeats, his mouth forming a goofy grin. "And den... den... I'm habing a dweam whewe I woke up in teh fishy chair," he says, his speech still slurred. Karen chuckles, her eyes twinkling with affection. "It's not a dream, Plankton," she corrects gently. "You had surgery to take out your teethies, that really happened!" But Plankton's mind is still swirling with the anesthesia. "Tish... tish... took... took out... my teefs?" he repeats, his voice a mix of wonder and disbelief. "Buh I don’ eben fink I haz teefsies!" Karen's laughter fills the room, her eyes sparkling with love. "Yes, Plankton, they took out your big teefies," she says, using her fingers to mimic tiny teeth being removed. Plankton's eye widens, his expression a mix of awe and confusion. "Tish... tish... teefies," he repeats, his hand going to his mouth. "But... but... I don't... don't... don't 'member anyfing." The nurse laughs gently. "That's okay, Mr. Plankton. Sometimes the medicine makes it so you don't remember much." Plankton nods, his head bobbing slightly. "Buth... buth... whath... wait whewe's you come fwom, nurse? How youw jush now?" he slurs, his speech still a slow and unsteady stream. The nurse laughs kindly. "I've been here the whole time, Mr. Plankton, making sure you're okay." Plankton's gaze shifts to her, his mind still foggy. "Buth... buth... how youw got... got heaw?" The nurse's smile never fades. "You're just a bit sleepy, Mr. Plankton. I've been right here." Plankton's eye widen with realization, his voice a slurred whisper. "Oh... oh... sho... so-o it's wike... youw wike a magician?" The nurse nods, her smile broadening. "In a way, yes. We made sure everything went smoothly so you wouldn't feel anything." Plankton's eye lights up slightly, a childlike wonder filling his gaze. "Wike... wike a booboo kiss?" he mumbles, his hand still fumbling at his mouth. "Sort of, but for your teeth," Karen says, her voice gentle. "The doctor took out the ouchies." Plankton's eye widens. "Tish... tish... toofies," he mumbles, his hand moving to his mouth again. "Ouchies gone?" Karen nods, her smile warm. "Yes, the ouchies are gone. You were so brave," she says, her voice soothing. Plankton's hand falls to his lap, his head wobbling. "Brah... brave?" he repeats, his voice a slurred whisper. "I... I don't 'member bein brah-ave," he says, his mouth curving into a sleepy smile. "I ownwy 'member... ownly 'member... magic sweep juice." Karen's heart melts at his innocent expression. "You were very brave," she insists, her voice filled with love. "The doctor was like a superhero, and he took out your booboo teethies with his magic tools." Plankton's eye blinks slowly, his mind trying to grasp the concept. "Superhero... tooth faiwy?" he mumbles, his gaze drifted. "Did... did he weave me a penny?" Karen laughs softly, her hands still gently stroking his antennae. "No, honey, not a penny," she says, her voice filled with amusement. "But he did make your mouth all better." Plankton's gaze is somewhat unfocused as he tries to piece together the story. "Tooth faiwy... magic... magic juice," he murmurs, his thoughts jumbling together. "Dentish man... took... took out... my... my... tish... tish... teethies." The nurse nods encouragingly. "That's right, Mr. Plankton. Dr. Finnegan is like a superhero, and he took out your teethies while you were asleep. And now Karen can drive you home!" Plankton's head bobbles. "Dweam... dweam... I had a dweam," he slurs, his voice barely above a murmur. "Dentish... man... took out... tish... tish... teethies... wiff... wiff... magic wand?" Karen laughs softly, her heart brimming with love for his innocent confusion. "Yes, sweetie, he used special magic tools," she says, her voice a comforting lullaby. "Are you ready to go home?" Plankton's eye rolls back, his head nodding slightly. "Home... yesh... yesh," he mumbles, his mouth still not fully cooperating. "But... but... I want... I want my Karen." Karen leans in closer, her face soft. "I'm right here, Plankton," she says, her voice a whisper of reassurance. Plankton's gaze locks onto hers, his mouth moving in a sluggish imitation of speech. "But... buth... I... I had out my mouthy thingsies. Sho Karen nee to come," he says, his voice barely coherent. Karen chuckles, her heart swelling with affection. "I was here the whole time," she says, her voice a gentle reminder. "You were just sleeping while Dr. Finnegan fixed your mouth." Plankton's eye flutter closed again, his words slurred and dreamy. "Sleepy time... Karen was... was... dere. Toofy-woofy man... took out... took out... booboo tish." Karen giggles, her heart warm with love. "Yes, the toothy-woofy man took out your booboo teeth," she says, playing along with his nonsensical speech. "And now you get to go home to your comfy bed." Plankton nods, his eye half-closed. "Beddy-bye," he murmurs, his voice a slurred whisper. "But... buth... Karen... Karen wiww shupposht to come... to... to... tish... tish..." But before he can finish his sentence, his head lolls back and his eye slip shut, his body going slack against the chair. Karen laughs softly, her heart filled with affection. She kisses his forehead, her touch gentle and loving. His snores are gentle, his face relaxed in sleep. The nurse watches with a kind smile, used to the quirks of post-anesthesia patients. "He'll be out for a bit," she tells Karen. "It's normal. But let's get to the car." With gentle hands, they lift Plankton's slumbering form, his body boneless with sleep. His head lolls against Karen's shoulder. "Beddy-bye?" he mumbles, his voice a breathy whisper against her neck. She laughs softly, her arms cradling him. "Let's get you to the car," Karen murmurs. "Just a little more." But Plankton's eye is falling shut, his head drooping against her shoulder. "Buth... buth... Karen," he slurs, his voice fading into nothingness as sleep pulls him under. Karen laughs softly, adjusting his head. "Hold on, just a bit longer," she whispers, his words barely reaching her. But Plankton's fight against sleep is futile. His eyelid twitches as he mumbles incoherently, his breaths growing deeper. Karen's heart swells with love for his stubbornness. She leans in, kisses his forehead, and whispers, "You can sleep, Plankton." His response is a faint snore, his head heavy on her shoulder. The nurse nods with a knowing smile. "Let's set him in the chair in the waiting room area." They move him gently, his body going limp again as sleep takes over. His snores become more pronounced as he sits, his head bobbing slightly.

KAREN AND THE TEETHIES vii "Wake up, Plankton," Karen whispers, shaking him lightly. "We're not even to the parking lot yet!" Plankton's eye opens. "Tish... tish... Karen?" he mumbles, his voice a sleepy whine. "Why we not... not at home?" Karen laughs, her voice a gentle lullaby. "We will be soon," she says, her grip on him firm but caring. "Just stay with me a little longer. Let's make our way to the car; yea?" But Plankton's eye is already drooping. "Caw... car?" he mumbles. Karen nods, her smile soft. "Yes, the car. We're going home." But Plankton's eyelid flaps heavily, his gaze unfocused. "Home... home," he repeats, his voice a slurred echo. His head wobbles against her shoulder, his body slack. Karen sighs, her laughter mingling with the slight exasperation in her voice. "Just a bit more, Plankton," she whispers, patting his back. "Stay with me. Let's stand up now." But Plankton's body is already succumbing to the warm embrace of sleep. His eyelid flaps once, twice, before his eye closes completely. He slumps back into the chair, snoring gently. Karen chuckles, shaking her head. "Come on," she says, her voice a blend of humor and patience. With a sigh, she stands, his weight still leaning on her. "You need to wake up for just a little bit more," she insists, her voice a mix of playfulness and firmness. But Plankton's snores are already steady. "Wake up," she whispers, shaking him gently. "We have to go." His eyelid twitches, his mouth moving in a slight snore. "Home?" he mumbles. Karen laughs softly, her hand still on his shoulder. "Yes, home," she repeats, her voice a gentle prodding. "Let's go." But Plankton's snores are now a symphony of sleep. His body sags, his head lolling to the side, and Karen knows the battle is lost. She looks to the nurse, who nods in understanding. "Let's get him to the car," she says, her voice a whisper of amusement. They lift him again, his arms draped over their shoulders like a tiny, uncooperative ragdoll. "Wake up, Plankton," Karen whispers again, her voice filled with a mix of humor and exasperation. "We're almost there." But Plankton's snores are a testament to his deep slumber. His head tips to the side, his mouth hanging open. The nurse's smile widens, and she nods to Karen. "It's okay. He's comfortable. We'll get him to the car." They manage to stand him up, his legs wobbly as a newborn deer's. Karen's arm is wrapped around his waist. "Come on, babe," she coaxes, her voice laced with affection. "Walk with me to the car. Wake up.." But Plankton's snores are a constant background noise, his body swaying with the rhythm of sleep. He opens his eye with difficulty, his gaze unfocused. "Wha... wha..." Karen chuckles, her arm tightening around him. "Walk, Plankton," she whispers, guiding his unsteady steps. "You're doing so well." But Plankton's body has other ideas. His knees buckle, and he sags against her, his snores growing louder. "Wake up, babe," she whispers, her voice filled with affectionate frustration. "You can't sleep until we're in the car." Plankton's head wobbles, his eye half-opening. "But... buth... I'm tiwed," he mumbles, his speech still thick. "Tish... tish... chair is... is... is so comfowt." Karen laughs softly, her patience unwavering. "You need to wake up, sweetie," she says, her voice a gentle prod. But Plankton's snores are the only response, his head lolling to the side. His body sags heavily against her. "Wake up, Plankton," Karen whispers, a hint of a laugh in her voice. But Plankton's only response is a sleepy snore, his body relaxing further against hers. "Come on, Plankton," Karen whispers, her voice a blend of amusement and urgency. "You're gonna need to get in to our car." Plankton's eye opens with effort, his gaze unfocused. "Caw... caw?" he mumbles, his speech still a thick slur. Karen laughs softly, her arm supporting his wavering body. "Yes, car," she repeats, her voice a gentle nudge. "We're going home." But Plankton's eye droops closed once more, his snores a soft symphony of unconsciousness. "Buth... buth... Karen," he mumbles, his words barely audible. Karen's laugh is a soft whisper of affection. "You're so sleepy," she says, her voice a gentle reminder. She tightens her grip on him, her arm supporting his wavering frame. "Just a few more steps." But Plankton's snores are a sweet lullaby, his body heavy with slumber. His legs barely move, his feet dragging against the floor. Karen's arm tightens, her strength the only thing keeping his body upright. "Wake up," she whispers, her voice a soft caress. "Almost there." Yet Plankton's only response is a snort, his head rolling back. Karen looks to the nurse. "It's okay," the nurse whispers, her smile warm. "Let's get him to your car. He'll sleep it off." They shuffle towards the exit, Plankton's snores a soft accompaniment to their quiet steps. Karen's arms are tight around his waist, her strength the only thing keeping him from sliding to the floor. His head rolls back, mouth open, a soft snore escaping him. "Wake up, Plankton," Karen whispers, her voice a gentle plea. "We're almost at the car." The nurse holds the door open for them. Plankton's eyelid flaps weakly, his mouth dropping open with a snore. "Caw?" he mumbles, his gaze unfocused. "Almost, sweetie," Karen says, her voice a blend of humor and determination. She shifts his weight slightly, her arm still supporting his waist. "Just a few more steps." But Plankton's body is a deadweight, his snores a testament to his deep slumber. His head tips back, mouth open wide, and Karen can feel his body going slack again. "Wake up. We're so close." But his only response is another snore, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his sleep. Karen laughs softly, her arm tightening around him. "You're so funny when you're sleepy," she whispers. The nurse opens the door to the car, but Plankton remains deeply asleep. His snores echo through the empty space, his body a ragdoll in Karen's arms. Karen tries to rouse him once more. "Come on, Plankton," she whispers, her voice a soft coax. "Wake up." But Plankton's snores are a sweet symphony of exhaustion. His head tips back, his mouth open wide, and Karen feels his body go limp again. She sighs with affectionate exasperation. "You're so stubborn," she murmurs, his weight a testament to his deep sleep.

KAREN AND THE TEETHIES viii With the nurse's help, they manage to get Plankton into the car. Karen buckles him in, his eye opening briefly before dropping shut again. His snores fill the car as she starts the engine. She glances at him, his mouth hanging open slightly, and laughs. "You can sleep when we get home, Plankton," she whispers, her voice filled with affectionate amusement. But Plankton's snores are a steady beat, his body swaying slightly with the car's movement. His head tips back. Karen smiles, reaching over to adjust his seatbelt, making sure it's snug but not too tight. She kisses his forehead, her laughter a soft sound in the quiet car. "You're such a goofball," she murmurs. But Plankton's eye won't open, his snores gentle. His head rolls against the headrest, his mouth hanging slightly open. Karen shakes him gently. "Wake up, babe," she whispers, her voice a soft laugh. "We're going home." She says as she drove out of the parking lot. But Plankton's only response is a snort, his snores continuing. His head lolls to the side, his mouth open, a thin line of drool connecting his lip to his chin. Karen's smile widens, a mixture of affection and exasperation. She reaches over with a napkin to wipe his mouth gently. "You're such a sleepyhead," she whispers, his snores the only reply. The car's engine purrs as they pull onto the street. Plankton's snores crescendo into a gentle snort, his body jolting slightly in the seat. But sleep wins again, his head drooping to the side. Karen's eyes dart between the road and Plankton's sleeping form. His snores are a soft comforting background noise. Plankton's head tips to the side, his mouth drooping open. A thin line of drool forms, and Karen quickly darts a napkin to catch it. She giggles softly to herself, his peacefulness a stark contrast to his usual frenetic energy. "You're going to wake up in a puddle of drool," she whispers, her voice filled with amusement. But Plankton's snores are a sweet lullaby, unchanged by her words. His body sags into the car seat, his chest rising and falling with each deep, sleepy breath. As they hit a bump in the road, his head jolts up, his eye half-open. "Wha... wha..." he mumbles, his voice a thick slur. But the moment passes, and his head lolls back again, snores picking up where they left off. Karen's laughter fills the car, her hand reaching over to stroke his antennae gently. "You're such a mess," she whispers, her voice a mix of love and amusement. "But you're my mess." Plankton's snores are the only reply, his head bobbing with the car's movement. Karen watches him sleep, his mouth slightly open, drool glistening in the soft light from the dashboard. Each time she looks over, his snores crescendo, and she can't help but smile. "Sleepy Plankton," she whispers, her voice filled with love. They arrive home, the car's engine silenced in the quiet neighborhood. Plankton's snores continue, unbothered by the change in scenery. Karen shifts into park, turning to look at him. His snores are a soft whisper in the quiet car, his body still. His head tips to the side, his mouth open slightly, drool pooling on his chin. "Home," she whispers, her voice a gentle wake-up call. But his snores are unbroken, his body remaining slack. With a sigh, she opens his door, her arm slipping under his to support his weight. "Wake up, Plankton," she says, her voice a soft nudge. "We're home." But Plankton's snores are the only answer, his body unmoving. Karen shakes her head, a smile tugging at her lips. She carefully lifts him, his legs swinging like a ragdoll's. "Wake up," she whispers, her laughter a soft caress. "We're inside." Plankton's snores pause briefly, his eye flickering open before shutting again. "Home," he mumbles, his voice barely audible. Karen chuckles, her strength carrying his weight. "You can sleep all you want in bed," she promises, his snores the only answer. They stumble into the hallway, Plankton's snores bouncing off the walls. She guides him to the couch, his legs giving out with a thump. "Come on," she whispers, laughing. "Bedtime." But Plankton's eye is closed, his snores a soft whisper. He slumps against the couch cushions, his body unyielding. Karen sighs, her smile filled with affection. "You're so stubborn," she says, her voice a gentle scold. With a grunt, she shifts his weight, his head rolling to the side. "Wake up," she whispers, a hint of laughter in her voice. But Plankton's snores are a sweet testament to his deep slumber. "We're almost there," she whispers, her voice a gentle reminder. But his body is a deadweight, his snores echoing through the quiet house. With a soft chuckle, Karen shifts him into a standing position, his snores hitching for a moment before resuming their steady rhythm. "Walk, Plankton," she whispers, guiding his sleepy steps. But his body sags again, his head rolling back with a snore. "Come on, sweetie," she says, her voice a blend of amusement and persistence. Karen's heart swells with love for his adorable state. She manages to carry him to their bedroom, his snores a gentle reminder of his deep sleep. She eases him onto his bed, his body falling into the soft embrace of the mattress with a final, heavy snort. Karen props his head with pillows, his mouth still open. She wipes the drool from his chin with the napkin, her touch gentle and loving. "You're home," she whispers, his snores the only response. Her eyes scan his face, his features relaxed in sleep. With a soft sigh, she tucks the blanket around him. "Rest well, my love," she says, kissing his forehead. Plankton wakes up the next morning, finding himself in his own bed after his appointment for wisdom teeth removal. The anesthesia worn off overnight. He looks around, his head feeling light and his mouth feeling... strange. He touches his cheeks gingerly with his fingers, feeling the absence of his teeth. "What happened?" he mumbles, his voice groggy with sleep. Last thing he remembers is the dentist's chair and Karen's soothing whispers. Karen walks in, her smile bright. "You're awake," she says, her voice a soft caress. "How do you feel?" Plankton's hand moves to his swollen mouth, his eyes wide with surprise. "What... how'd I get here?" he slurs, his speech still thick with sleep. Karen laughs, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "You fell asleep at the dentist's and I brought you home," she explains, her voice filled with humor. "Do you remember the surgery?" Plankton's eye widen, his brain foggy with recollection. "I... I think so," he mumbles, his hand still cupping his cheek. "I recall the chair... and your voice..." Karen nods, her smile warm. "You were pretty out of it," she says, her voice a gentle tease. "But you're all healed now."

THE TOOTH OF A CHILD i Karen had been pacing the waiting room. Finally, the doors swung open and Dr. Castellanos stepped out. Karen rushed over. "How's Plankton?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly. Dr. Castellanos offered a small, reassuring smile. "The surgery went well. We removed all four wisdom teeth without any complications. He's in recovery." Karen followed the dentist Dr. Castellanos down the hallway. They entered a small, curtained area. There lay Plankton, his snoring soft and even, surrounded by the beeping monitors. Karen felt a gentle wave of relief wash over her, seeing his usually furrowed brow now relaxed in sleep, his mouth slightly ajar. "We numbed his mouth even though he's slept under the anesthesia, so he might not feel that part of his face for today. The anesthesia can normally cause patients to act a bit peculiar when they first wake up," Dr. Castellanos explained as Karen studied Plankton's slack features, his antennae twitching with each snore. As if on cue, a string of drool slithered out of the corner of Plankton's mouth and dangled. Karen chuckled at the absurdity of it all. "Don't worry, it's perfectly normal," Dr. Castellanos assured her with a gentle pat on the shoulder. "The numbness can cause that. It'll wear off by tomorrow. He'll wake up anytime though." Karen nodded, her eyes never leaving Plankton's peaceful face. The surgery was a success, but she knew the real test would be when he came to. Would he be in pain? Would he be groggy or scared? The what-ifs swirled in her mind like a tornado of uncertainty. The room grew quiet, the only sounds the persistent rhythm of the heart monitor and Plankton's slight snores. Karen pulled up a chair and took his hand, her thumb gently stroking the back of his palm. As the minutes ticked by, the curtain around the bed parted and in stepped a nurse, her shoes squeaking softly on the clean, white floor. "Miss?" she said quietly. "When Mr. Plankton wakes up, he might be disoriented. We've prepared a cup of water if he's thirsty." Karen nodded her understanding, squeezing Plankton's hand slightly. The nurse checked the monitors and stayed with them. Karen leaned in, whispering to Plankton, "You're going to be okay." Eventually, Plankton's snoring grew less pronounced, and his eye began to flutter open. He looked around the unfamiliar space with a dazed expression, confused and unfocused. Karen leaned in closer, her eyes brimming with a mix of concern and relief. Plankton's eye settled on Karen's face. She offered a tentative smile, not wanting to startle him. "Hey, buddy," she whispered, her voice soothing. "You're all done. You're in recovery now." His eyes searched hers, slowly focusing. He tried to mouth a question, but the numbness took hold. All that came out was a muffled, "Mmmm?" Karen's smile grew wider. "You're okay," she assured him, her voice calm and soothing. "You had your wisdom teeth removed. Remember?" Plankton blinked a few times, his gaze flicking from Karen to the unfamiliar surroundings and back again. He attempted to speak again. "Mmph?" It was barely audible, his mouth refusing to cooperate. Karen nodded, her grip on his hand tightening slightly. "You're in the dentist, remember? You had surgery to remove your wisdom teeth." Plankton's eye grew wider, his mind trying to piece together the hazy fragments of memory. "Windom eet?" Karen chuckled despite herself. "Yes, all four," she confirmed, nodding. Plankton's eye grew even wider, and he managed to nod, a look of astonishment spreading across his face. The nurse came over. "Here, let's help you sit up," she said, placing a pillow behind his back. As Plankton sat up, his face contorted with confusion, his mouth feeling like it was filled with marshmallows. He tried to talk again. "Mmph... Kahen...?" he slurred, his tongue fumbling over the words. Karen laughed softly. "Yes, I'm here," she said. Plankton's eye lit up at the sound of her voice, and his cheeks puffed up as he tried to smile. "Mmph... gweat," he managed to say, the words a garbled mess. Karen couldn't help but laugh at his endearing attempt to speak, his numbness adding an unintentional comedic twist to the situation. He reached out a wobbly arm, his hand grasping for the cup of water the nurse had left on the tray. Karen carefully lifted it to his lips, supporting his head as he took a sip. The cool liquid trickled down his throat, a welcome reprieve from the dryness. "Mmph, gwood," he murmured. The nurse gave a knowing smile, accustomed to the peculiarities of waking patients. Karen couldn't help but be enchanted by Plankton's delirious state. His usual stern expression was replaced with one of pure joy, his eye twinkling like stars on a cloudless night. He began to flail his arms around, knocking over the surgical tray with a clatter. The nurse quickly intervened, stabilizing the situation with a laugh. "Whoa there, Mr. Plankton! Take it easy," she said, her voice filled with good humor. With great effort, Plankton managed to articulate a slurred sentence, his mouth feeling like cotton. "Kahen, teww me a stoy," he begged, his speech garbled by the anesthesia. Karen was surprised by the childlike innocence in his tone. Karen glanced at the nurse, who nodded with amusement. She took a deep breath, thinking of a simple tale that wouldn't cause any distress. "Once upon a time, there was Plankton, and he gets to go home from the dentist. The end!" Plankton's eye squinted, his antennae waving slightly. "Mmph... wow, a reawy gweat stoy," he slurred, satisfied with the storytelling for now. The nurse, unfazed by the unusual scene, began to prep his discharge papers. Karen couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her chest, watching his vulnerability. The fierce, cunning villain she knew from the cartoons had been replaced by a gentle soul, his words as jumbled as a bowl of alphabet soup. "Mmph, Kahen," Plankton slurred again, his hand reaching for her arm. "Whas' tha... tha...?" He pointed to the monitor, his curiosity piqued by the dancing lines and numbers. "That's your heart rate, buddy," Karen explained, her voice still tinged with amusement. "It's showing that you're okay." Plankton nodded, his antennae waving with excitement. "Mmph... mow...?" he managed, his mouth feeling like it had been stuffed with pillows. Karen leaned in, her laughter bubbling up. "It's okay, you're just talking funny because of the medicine." Plankton's eye grew more curious. He pointed at his mouth with a thumb, his antennae drooping. "I... hoth?" Karen nodded, her smile sympathetic. "No, buddy, you're just numb. It'll go away." Plankton's antennae perked up. "Whuh, wike dis?" he asked, his voice still slurred. He tried to stick out his tongue, only to find it thick and uncooperative. Karen nodded. "Exactly like that. But don't worry, you're doing fine," she said, her tone reassuring. Plankton's cheeks puffed up as he nodded, his eye glued to the monitor with childlike wonder.

☆ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ "You nervous?" Karen asked. Plankton was about to undergo the ordeal of getting wisdom teeth removed. Dr. McStingray entered the room with a gentle smile and a reassuring pat on Plankton's shoulder. "Just breathe in deeply," he instructed. Plankton's eye grew heavy by the time he felt the chair recline, the last sensation he recalled. The room grew quieter as anesthesia took hold and the steady beep of the monitor filled the space like a metronome. Karen remained fixed on her husband's face, a mask of serene oblivion. Now, watching Plankton's open mouth, she felt a strange mix of relief and anxiety. The surgical team moved with precision. Dr. McStingray donned his magnifying glasses, peering into the cavernous mouth. His assistant, a young woman with a gentle touch, prepared the instruments on a gleaming tray. Karen could see the muscles in his jaw twitch slightly, but otherwise, he remained still and silent, his breathing deep and even. The assistant passed Dr. McStingray the necessary instruments with swift, practiced motions. Each item was sterilized, each step carefully explained to Karen to ease her worries. She nodded, trying to focus on the technicalities rather than the reality of her husband's mouth being pried open and his teeth being forcibly extracted. The doctor's hand hovered over Plankton's mouth, his fingers poised like a pianist's. He took one final look at the x-ray before plunging into the surgery. The drill whirred to life once more, a high- pitched sound that seemed to echo in the small space. Karen closed her eyes, not wanting to see the actual extraction, but the sound was too much. She quickly opened them again, forcing herself to watch. The nurse handed Dr. McStingray the forceps. With a swift, confident movement, he clamped down on the first tooth. Plankton's face remained slack, but Karen could almost feel the pressure building in the air around them. The doctor's grip tightened, his knuckles white with focus. He applied gentle force, rocking the tooth back and forth. There was a faint crack, and Karen swallowed hard, her heart racing. The sound grew louder as the doctor worked, the forceps scraping against bone. The tension grew palpable, even though Plankton remained unconscious. Each tug was accompanied by a soft groan from the chair, as if it too sympathized with the struggle. The young assistant offered words of encouragement, her voice low and soothing. The first tooth gave way suddenly, and the doctor lifted it out with a flourish, like a magician pulling a coin from behind an ear. The nurse dabbed at Plankton's mouth with a cotton swab, the crimson stain stark against the white cloth. Karen felt a pang of nausea, but she couldn't look away. The surgical site was a bloody mess, but the doctor's steady hands were already moving on to the next tooth. The dance of instruments resumed, a symphony of clinking steel and suction whirring as they cleared the debris away. The second tooth was stubborn, embedded deeper than the first. Dr. McStingray paused, studying the x-ray once more before diving in. This time, the process was more intense, the chair's hydraulics hissing with each push and pull. Karen's knuckles were white as she gripped the chair, her eyes glued to the scene unfolding before her. The forceps clamped down, the doctor's face a mask of concentration. The room grew silent save for the steady beep of the monitor and the occasional slurp of saliva being suctioned away. Sweat beaded on Dr. McStingray's forehead, and his grip on the tools tightened. He applied more pressure, and Karen could see the muscles in his arms tense. The tooth resisted, rooted like an ancient tree in the rock of Plankton's jaw. The doctor's face grew stern, his brow furrowed in determination. He leaned in closer, his breath misting his mask as he whispered to the assistant, who nodded and passed him a different instrument. The new tool was a wrench-like contraption, designed to grip the tooth more securely. With a swift twist, the doctor applied torque to the wisdom tooth. Karen's heart thudded in her chest, mirroring the tooth's struggle for freedom. The chair's mechanisms groaned in sympathy as Plankton's mouth was opened wider. The young assistant's eyes met Karen's, and she offered a quick nod of reassurance. But the tension didn't abate. The tooth was a stubborn sentinel, refusing to be moved. The doctor's grip was firm, his knuckles bulging against the chrome handle of the tool. He pulled with a slow, steady force, his biceps flexing with the effort. The sound of bone and tooth grating against each other was muffled by the suction's constant whisper. Karen's eyes watered, not from pain but from the sheer intensity of the scene. Plankton's body remained still, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with each breath. With a final, decisive yank, the second tooth was freed from its prison. The doctor held it up to the light, inspecting the gnarled root before dropping it into a metal tray with a clink. The nurse swabbed the blood away with a gentle touch, and Karen let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The third tooth was the easiest, sliding out as if it had been waiting for its turn to escape. The room felt lighter, the tension dissipating like the evaporating mist of the antiseptic spray. The last tooth, however, was a different beast entirely. It was lodged in at an angle, trapped by the crowded jaws of its neighbors. Dr. McStingray paused, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He glanced at Karen, his eyes flickering with concern. "This one might take a bit longer," he said, his voice calm despite the gravity of his words. The nurse applied pressure to Plankton's cheek, pushing his mouth open wider to give the doctor a better angle. The young assistant readied herself, gripping a pair of retractors. The doctor inserted them carefully, spreading the gum tissue to expose the trapped tooth. Karen could see the tiny bead of sweat forming on Plankton's temple, even though he was unconscious. Dr. McStingray selected a slender, curved scalpel and began to cut the gum away from the final tooth. The scalpel was precise, a delicate instrument in the hands of a master. The tissue parted like the pages of an old book, revealing the wisdom tooth's crooked root in all its glory. The doctor's hand was a blur of motion, his scalpel carving a path through the swollen gum tissue. Blood flowed freely, and the assistant quickly placed a gauze pad to. With a flick of his wrist, Dr. McStingray severed the last connective tissue, freeing the final tooth. The nurse suctioned the area once more, the sound of the machine like a sigh of relief. The doctor then picked up a set of stitches, his hands moving with the precision of a seamstress on a tight deadline. He began to sew up the gum, his fingers moving in a quick, delicate dance. The needle glinted under the surgical lights as he pulled the thread through the tender flesh. Karen watched, but she knew this was a crucial part of the procedure. The stitches were tiny, almost invisible. Each one pulled the gum tissue together like the threads on a fine tapestry, weaving a pattern of recovery. The doctor's fingers moved with practiced ease, looping and tying off each suture with a gentle pull. As the final knot was tied, Dr. McStingray stood back, surveying his work with a critical eye. "We're all done," he announced, his voice soft and soothing. The assistant began to clean up the surgical field, the clinking of instruments a familiar symphony that signaled the end of the operation. The doctor turned to Karen, his smile warm. "He'll be waking up soon," he said, his gloved hands coming to rest on the chair's armrest. "The recovery will be a bit uncomfortable, but we've given him the best care possible." Karen nodded, her hands trembling slightly. The nurse began to clean Plankton's face, his breathing remained steady and deep. The anesthesia started to wear off, Plankton's eyes fluttered open. His gaze was hazy, trying to focus on the blurred shapes above him. The room was still, the only noise the faint beeping of the heart monitor. Karen reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "It's over," she whispered, her voice cracking with relief. The nurse applied pressure to the gauze in Plankton's mouth. He groaned softly, his voice muffled by the cotton wad. The nurse removed the cotton from his mouth, carefully checking the stitches. Dr. McStingray cleaned up the last of the blood, wiping Plankton's face with a cool cloth. His eye fluttered open, and Karen smiled down at him. "It's over," she murmured. "You did so well." Plankton groaned, his eye unfocused as the fog of sleep retreated. The pain was already setting in, a dull throb. "You're ok," she whispered, her hand shaking slightly as she stroked him.

"Honey, did you take out the trash?" Karen called out to the living room. The only reply was the distant sound of the TV playing a sitcom laugh track. She sighed. Going into the living room, Karen found her husband, Plankton, sprawled out on the couch, snoring lightly. The TV's blue light flickered over his face. She looked around the room, the piles of laundry, the dusty bookshelves, and the half-eaten sandwich on the coffee table. It was a mess, but she knew better than to wake him. Plankton had been working long hours at the chum factory lately, trying to make ends meet. His snoring grew louder, and she felt a wave of affection mixed with concern. Gently, she covered his legs with a blanket and bent to kiss his forehead. He stirred slightly but didn't wake up. In the kitchen, Karen grabbed a cup of coffee, the warmth and aroma grounding her for the evening ahead. The fridge hummed a low lullaby, reminding her of the chores left to do. The sink was full of dirty dishes, remnants of dinner. A pot with half-eaten chum congealed on the stovetop. Karen rolled up her sleeves, determined to tackle the chaos. She knew Plankton was exhausted from work. The clanking of pots and pans echoed through the tiny kitchen as she washed and sorted, her mind racing with thoughts of their future. A knock at the door startled her. She dried her hands on a towel, leaving wet spots like tears on the fabric. It was Hanna, her best friend since high school. Karen had not seen Hanna in weeks, and the sight of her brought a smile. Hanna was a burst of energy. "Hi, Karen! How's it going?" Hanna's voice was a mix of sweetness and the sharpness of someone who had seen too much of the world. She scanned the room, taking in the clutter, the stale smell of overworked air, and Plankton's snoring. "Hey, Hanna," Karen managed, her voice soft to not disturb his sleep. "It's been a bit hectic, but we're making do." Hanna stepped in, eyeing the mess sympathetically. "Looks like you could use a hand," she said, already grabbing a dish towel. Karen's smile grew. "You read my mind. Thanks." Hanna tossed the towel over her shoulder, ready to jump into the fray. "You know me," she said with a wink. "I've never been one to shy away from a mess." The two of them worked side by side, the rhythm of their movements harmonizing as they cleared the kitchen. Karen felt the tension in her shoulders begin to ease as Hanna filled the room with stories of her latest adventures, a welcome distraction from the monotony of chores. As the last plate was put away, the fridge closed with a satisfying click, Karen leaned against the counter. Hanna looked at her. "You've been carrying a lot, haven't you?" she asked, her voice gentle. Karen nodded, her eyes welling up. "It's just that with Plankton's job, and the bills..." Hanna pulled her into a tight hug. "I know, sweetie. You're doing the best you can." They sat down in the living room, the clean kitchen a testament to their friendship's strength. Hanna's screen searched Karen's for a sign of the spark that used to be there. "I can't remember the last time we went out together," Hanna said. "You two deserve a break." Karen's screen lit up at the suggestion, but quickly dimmed. "We can't afford it," she said, sighing. "Not with the overtime Plankton's been doing." Hanna leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well, I might have a little surprise for you," she said. Karen looked up, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?" Hanna pulled out a small envelope from her pocket and handed it to her friend. "A gift," she said with a sly smile. "A check from my winning lottery ticket." Karen's eyes widened as she opened the envelope. "Hanna, no!" she protested. "You can't just give us your winnings!" Hanna's smile didn't waver. "I can, and I want to. You've been there for me through everything. It's about time I returned the favor. Besides," she said with a wink, "what's a little chum between friends?" Karen's hands trembled as she read the check. It was more than enough to cover their rent and bills for several months. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she hugged Hanna tightly. "Thank you," she whispered. The weight of financial stress lifted slightly from her shoulders, replaced by a warmth that spread through her chest. For a moment, the world didn't seem so overwhelming. Hanna pulled back, her own eyes shining with unshed tears. "Now, don't spend it all in one place," she teased. Karen laughed, the sound small but genuine. "I won't," she promised, the check clutched in her hand. "We'll use it wisely." The two of them sat quietly for a while, enjoying the rare moment of peace. The TV had switched to the news, and the low murmur of the anchor's voice filled the room. Plankton's snoring had become a comforting white noise. Hanna looked at Plankton, her expression thoughtful. "You know, I've always admired the way you take care of him," she said. "It can't be easy." Karen nodded, her thumb tracing the edges of the check. "It's not," she admitted. "But he's my Plankton. I love him, even when he's exhausting." Her gaze drifted to the sleeping form of her husband. Plankton's snores grew more even, his face finally relaxed. The lines of stress that usually pinched his features had smoothed out in sleep. Karen knew that Plankton had always dreamed of more than his life at the chum factory could offer. He was a man of ambition, his spirit too large for the cramped quarters they called home. Her thoughts turned to the gift from Hanna. The check represented more than just money; it was a beacon of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could finally start working towards those dreams.

ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ pt. 4 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁿᵉⁱᵗʰᵉʳ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ “ᴮᵒⁱ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵘʳ ᵐᵉ ᵐᵒⁿᵉʸ! ᴺᵒ ʷᵃˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵐⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ, ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰ‧ “ʸᵉ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵘˢⁱⁿᵉˢˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏ…” ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ‧ “ᴮᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵉ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ “ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵒᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ…” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵃⁿᵍʳⁱˡʸ‧ ᵀʰᵉⁱʳ ᶜʰᵘᶜᵏˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵈⁱᵉᵈ ᵈᵒʷⁿ, ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ, ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ…” “ᴵ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ⁱᵗ, ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ; ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ!” ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗ’ˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ʰᵉˡᵈ, ˢᵉᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ ᵃᵗ ᵃ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ “ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᴵ ᵃᵐ ˢᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ…” “ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ, ᵉⁿᵒᵘᵍʰ‧” ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ‧ to be cont. pt. 5

NONE OF THE WISER 1/3 The doctor, noticing Plankton's discontent, injected a painkiller into his IV. Plankton's eye glazed over as the medication took hold. "I feel...floaty," he murmured, his usually sharp gaze clouded with sedation. SpongeBob nodded understandingly. "It's ok, Plankton. The medicine is helping you feel better." Plankton giggled, his tiny body swaying slightly with the effort. "Sponge Bob...you know what?" His speech was slurred, his thoughts scattered by the painkillers. "You're...so...spongy," Plankton giggled, his arm flailing in a lazy arc to poke at Sponge Bob's side. His finger bounced off the soft yellow like a spring. Sponge Bob chuckled. "I've always been spongy, Plankton. It's what makes me, me!" He gently took hold of Plankton's waving hand and held it still. "But, remember, you’re going under for wisdom teeth removal." The giggles grew more frequent, turning into hysteric laughter. "Wisdom teeth," he chuckled, "Why do they call them that? They don't make you smarter, they just make you...oh!" His laughter trailed off as he winced, the pain briefly piercing through the fog of the painkillers. Sponge Bob's smile never wavered. "They're called wisdom teeth because they come in when you're older and wiser, Plankton," he explained patiently. "But don't worry, you'll be fine. The dentist is the best in Bikini Bottom." Plankton's giggles turned into a low, throaty chuckle. "Best...in Bikini Bottom?" He squinted, eyelid drooping. "That's like being the smartest kid in a school for jellyfish." Sponge Bob couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the statement. Plankton's usual sharp wit was dulled by the medication, leaving room for unexpected silliness. "Well, you know what they say, Plankton. In the ocean, even a sea cucumber can shine if it tries hard enough." Plankton's chuckles grew quieter as the sedative began to fully take effect. His eyelid drooped further, and a little drool escaped from the corner of his mouth. "Plankton, you're gonna be fine," Sponge Bob reassured, patting him on the shoulder. "Just close your eye and think happy thoughts." "Happy...thoughts," Plankton mumbled, his voice trailing off as he drifted closer to sleep. Sponge Bob watched with a mix of amusement and concern. The usually devious and scheming Plankton looked so vulnerable, lying there giggling about sea cucumbers and wisdom teeth. It was a rare sight, one that made Sponge Bob feel a pang of something unfamiliar. The doctor and nurse returned, their expressions professional but with a hint of a smile at the sight of the odd couple. "It's time to up the dosage," the doctor announced. Plankton's eye snapped open. "Dosage?" he slurred. "But, but, I'm already floating!" He tried to sit up, his body moving in slow, wobbly motions. Sponge Bob chuckled, gently pushing him back down. "It's ok, Plankton. You just need to relax. The more you fight it, the less fun it'll be." The nurse adjusted the IV, increasing the flow of. Plankton's body went slack again, his eye rolling back into his head. "Wooo...I'm going on a magic carpet ride," he mumbled, his voice faint and distant. Sponge Bob couldn't help but smirk at Plankton's dopey state. He'd never seen the tiny villain so out of sorts, and it was almost endearing. "Just keep floating, Plankton," he said, patting his hand. "You're going to the land of nod." Plankton's eye rolled back into his head, and he started to mumble incoherently. "Land of...nod...sounds...like a...a...pirate's treasure map," he babbled. Sponge Bob watched him, a smile playing on his lips. "Just think happy thoughts, buddy," he said, his tone gentle. Plankton's voice grew faint as the sedative deepened. "Happy thoughts...like...like...Karen's secret Krabby Patty recipe," he mumbled, his mind wandering into a cloud of oblivion. Sponge Bob's smile widened. "Well, if that's what floats your boat, Plankton," he said, patting the sea creature's hand again. Plankton's words grew softer, turning into a series of slurred mumbles. "Mm, Krabby Patties...so...so...scrumptious." His eye remained closed, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. The doctor and nurse exchanged a knowing look. "Looks like he's almost ready for the procedure," the doctor said, nodding to the nurse who began preparing the surgical equipment. Sponge Bob's smile grew. He leaned in closer to hear the last of his friend's delirious words. "And...and...the secret ingredient...is...wuv.." Plankton's mumbles turned into snores, and Sponge Bob had to stifle a laugh. The doctor and nurse moved around the bed, setting up the instruments for the surgery. The doctor, a stern-looking fish with a white lab coat and a stethoscope around his neck, checked Plankton's vitals. "He's ready," he said, nodding to the nurse who had administered the anesthesia. As Plankton drifted off into sleep Sponge Bob squeezed his hand. "You're just going to sleep for a little while, Plankton. It's time for your wisdom teeth to come out." Plankton's hand went limp in Sponge Bob's. Sponge Bob watched the doctor and nurse with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. He'd never seen a surgery before, not even on TV. The doctor nodded to him. "You can stay if you want." Sponge Bob nodded bravely, gripping the railing of the bed. He didn't want to leave Plankton's side. The doctor and nurse began to work, their movements swift and precise. The room was filled with the clanking of instruments and the occasional beep from the heart monitor. The doctor leaned over with a scalpel, and Sponge Bob had to look away. The thought of someone poking around in Plankton's mouth was too much, even if it was to make him feel better. He focused on the wallpaper, a pattern of cheerful fish and bubbles, trying to block out the sounds of the surgery. He heard the doctor's voice. "Everything's going smoothly, Sponge Bob. Nothing to worry about." Sponge Bob nodded. He peeked over at Plankton, whose mouth was now open wide, filled with a series of metal instruments that gleamed under the harsh surgical lights. The nurse was busy suctioning out who knows what, keeping the area clear for the doctor to work, all while Plankton’s fully under anesthesia. "Almost done," he announced. Sponge Bob looked back at the bed to see the doctor carefully sewing up the small incisions in Plankton's gums. The nurse was already preparing the recovery room, laying out soft gauze and a cup of water. When the surgery was over, the doctor stepped back with a nod of satisfaction. "It went well," he said, turning to Sponge Bob. "He'll be out for a while, but he'll be good as new when he wakes up." Sponge Bob let out a sigh of relief, his grip on the bed rail easing. "Thank you, doctor," he said, his voice sincere. The nurse moved to the bedside, checking Plankton's vital signs. "You can stay with him if you'd like," she offered. "He'll be waking up soon." Sponge Bob nodded gratefully, taking a seat beside the bed. He picked up Plankton's hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze. The doctor and nurse began to clean up, their movements swift and efficient. The doctor and nurse finished up their work, the room now a symphony of orderliness and cleanliness. The doctor turned to Sponge Bob with a kind smile. "He'll be out for about an hour. You can even talk to him while you wait if you'd like." Sponge Bob nodded, even if Plankton couldn't understand him at the moment. The nurse dimmed the lights, leaving Sponge Bob alone with his thoughts and the gentle sounds of Plankton's snoring. A soft beep from the heart monitor brought him back to reality. Plankton's chest was moving faster, and his eyelid began to twitch. Sponge Bob sat up straight, gripping his friend's hand tightly. "Plankton, wake up," he said gently. The snores grew less frequent, and his body began to stir. His eye fluttered open, focusing on Sponge Bob with a confused gaze. "Wh...where...what happened?" Plankton slurred, his mouth feeling thick and uncooperative. Sponge Bob offered a warm smile. "You had your wisdom teeth removed, buddy. You're all done," he said, his voice gentle.

A LIFE OF DIVERSITY ii (Autistic author) The drive back to the Chum Bucket was quiet, the only sound the hum of the car engine and the occasional splash of a jellyfish passing by. Karen gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white with tension. She glanced over at Plankton in the passenger seat, his eye glazed over and staring out the window. "You ok?" she asked tentatively. Plankton nodded, his gaze still fixed outside the car window. "Everything looks the same, but feeling... different." "You're going to be ok," she said. "We'll get through this." By the time Karen pulls up in the driveway, Plankton had fallen asleep, his head lolling against the car window. She gently lifts him out of the car and carries him into their bedroom, laying him down with care. As she watches him sleep, she whispers, "We'll get through this." The next day dawns with the promise of a new challenge. Karen wakes up to the sight of Plankton, obsessing with the pattern of the floor tiles. "You ok?" Karen asked, voice soft. Plankton looked up, his gaze slightly unfocused. "The floor," he said, his voice still quiet. "What, the floor?" Karen asked. "The floor," Plankton repeated. "What about it?" Karen asked. Plankton's gaze remained fixed on the tiles. "Plankton not same, Plankton different," he murmured. Karen sat down beside him. "How are you feeling?" "Plankton feel... weird," he said, antennae drooping slightly. "Things to loud. Things to bright." He paused, looking at her with a flicker of his old mischief. "But Plankton still love Krabby Patty." Karen couldn't help but chuckle through tears. "I know you do, sweetie," she said, her voice warm with love. "But maybe it's time we focus on something else for a while." Plankton nodded slowly, gaze still on the floor. "Plankton... try," he murmured, fidgeting nervously. "Do you want for breakfast, Plankton?" Plankton's eye didn't leave the floor. Karen tries asking again. "Does Plankton wanna eat?" Plankton nods, his gaze finally shifting from the floor to meet hers. "Hungry," he said, his voice monotone and detached. Karen sighs and heads to the kitchen. She could feel the weight of the new reality settling on her shoulders, but she was determined to make things work. As she flipped through the recipe book, Plankton's voice, distant yet clear, floated through the air. "Plankton... Plankton different," he said to himself, gaze still locked onto the floor. Karen knew he was trying to process his new sense of self. "Plankton still smart," he murmured, as if reassuring himself. "But Plankton... not same." He paused, tiny body trembling slightly. "Plankton think to loud. Plankton hear to much." The world had become a symphony of overwhelming stimuli, each sound and light a crescendo that pounded against his newfound sensitivity. Karen looked up from her cooking with empathy. "It's ok Plankton," she said gently. "We'll learn to adapt. Maybe we can make some changes around here to help you feel more comfortable." Plankton nodded, but doubt remained. "Plankton... not know," he said, his voice filled with uncertainty. "What if Plankton mess up?" Karen set the frying pan aside and knelt down beside him, taking his hands in hers. "You won't," she said firmly. "We'll face this together. I'll always be here to help you, no matter what." Plankton nodded, his gaze finally shifting from the floor to meet hers. "Thank Karen," he said, voice a little clearer. "The chumbalaya is ready." She says, serving him his favorite chum dish. Plankton looks up from the floor, his gaze lingering on the plate before him. "Plankton eat now?" he asks, his voice still distant. "Yes, sweetie," Karen says with a smile, pushing the plate closer to him. "Eat your breakfast." "Eat breakfast," Plankton parrots back, his tone flat. He picks up a spoon and stares at it, his hand shaking slightly. The simple task of bringing it to his mouth seems daunting under the weight of his new reality. Karen's smile falters a little but she keeps the conversation going. "It's a beautiful day out side, Plankton. Would you like to go for a walk?" "Walk outside," Plankton repeats echoing the monotone rhythm of hers. He stands up, his movements stiff and deliberate as if he's not quite sure of his body's new limitations. "Oh I meant after finishing breakfast," Karen says. "Walk after breakfast," Plankton echoes. Karen nods encouragingly. "Yes, after you eat." She watches as he carefully brings the spoon to his mouth, his movements tentative and slow. Each bite is a victory, a declaration of normalcy in a world that had suddenly become any thing but. "Good boy," she says, voice filled with pride. Plankton looks up, his eye searching hers. "Good boy," he repeats, his voice a mirror of hers, but the words don't quite fit. Karen noticed how he just repeated the phrase she's said. It's called echolalia, a trait often seen in those with autism, and it's something they're going to have to navigate together. She decides to keep her words positive and encouraging, hoping it'll help him feel more at ease. "Yes, let's go for a walk," she confirms. They step outside into the vibrant world of Bikini Bottom, and they start their slow stroll down the boardwalk. The sun was shining, casting a warm glow over the coral reefs and the colorful fish swimming by. The smell of the ocean was a soothing balm to Karen's frayed nerves, and she hoped it would have the same effect on Plankton. He walked beside her, his steps halting and unsure, his antennae twitching at every new sound. As they approached the boardwalk, they saw a familiar figure in the distance. "Look, Plankton," Karen said, her voice a mix of excitement and trepidation, "it's SpongeBob." Plankton's antennae shot up, and his eye widened. "Sponge... Bob," he murmured, recognizing him. Karen took a deep breath and tightened her grip on Plankton's hand. She knew SpongeBob had a heart of gold, but she also knew he could be potentially overwhelming. As they approached, Sponge Bob spotted them and waved enthusiastically. "Hi, Karen! Hi, Plankton!" His voice was a welcome sound in the quiet morning and Karen braced herself for whatever would come next. "Hi, Sponge Bob," she says. Sponge Bob's face lit up. "Oh boy, Plankton! What's shakin'?" Plankton stiffened, antennae quivering as he tried to process the sudden influx of sensory input. "Sponge Bob," he said slowly, his voice measured and careful. "Plankton... walk." Sponge Bob looked from Karen to Plankton, his expression growing concerned. "Is everything ok, Plankton?" he asked, eyes full of genuine care. "You seem a bit... off your game to day." Plankton stared at him, composing response. "Walk," Plankton repeated. "Plankton walk." Sponge Bob looked confused but nodded, his eyes filled with concern. "Ok Plankton," he said gently. "Would you like to walk with me?" Plankton's antennae twitched and he nodded. "Walk with Sponge Bob," he agreed, his voice still monotone. Sponge Bob took Plankton's other hand, and together, the three of them began their leisurely stroll along the boardwalk.

ᴸᵒᵒᵏˢ ᴸⁱᵏᵉ ᵂᵉ ᴴᵃᵛᵉ ᴬ ᵂⁱⁿⁿᵉʳ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ Part 3 "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵘᵖˢᵉᵗ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵇˡᵘᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷʰⁱᵐᵖᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ ˢⁱˡᵉⁿᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᵀᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ; ʸᵉˡˡ ᵃᵗ ᵐᵉ; ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ! ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁱᵈ‧ ᴵᵗ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ˢʰᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂᵃⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿˢᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧ ᴷⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ 'ᴵ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿ ᵃᵗᵗᵃᶜᵏ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧' "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˢᵒʳʳʸ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰ⸴ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ‧ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ᶠᵃˡˡ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵃʳᵃᵖʰʳᵃˢᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵃʸ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗʰᵉʸ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵐʸ ᵇˡᵘᵉ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏⁱᵉ?" "ᴺᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐʸ ᵏⁿᵒʷˡᵉᵈᵍᵉ‧ ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵒʳ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ?" "ᴵᶠ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵃʸ ᵘˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵉᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃˢ ˢᵘᶜʰ‧ ᴵᶠ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴵ'ᵈ ˢᵃʸ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵃᵗˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃʷᵏʷᵃʳᵈˡʸ‧ ᴺᵉˣᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵖ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵉⁿᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵒᶠ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒᵍʳᵃᵖʰˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳⁱᵖ‧ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃˡᵇᵘᵐ ᵒᶠ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒˢ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵗʳⁱᵖ!" ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˢᵉⁿᵗ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳ! ᴮᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃᵛᵒᵘʳⁱᵗᵉ!" 'ᴺᵒᵗ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ' ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳⁱⁿᵍᵉ‧ "ᴰʳᵒᵒˡ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‽ ᵂʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ʳᵃᵐᵖᵃᵍᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ ᴵ ᵉⁿʲᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵒ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ ˢˡⁱᵈᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ?" "ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵖᵘˢʰ ⁱᵗ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵒˡˡˢ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉ‧ End Finale

TEETHIES ii The nurse dimmed lights and adjusted the bed, giving Plankton's body a chance to recover from the wisdom tooth surgery. Gently, Karen began to hum a tune she knew Plankton loved. The melody filled the room, wrapping around them like a warm blanket. His breathing grew a little easier, the tension in his hand loosening slightly. Plankton stirred, eye fluttering open to reveal a world still blurred by the fog of anesthesia. "Where... what...?" Plankton slurred. "Who... who are you?" "The dentist had to get your wisdom teeth out in surgery." Karen told him. "Wis...dommm...surgery? I don't...I don't remembe--- much." Plankton says. "Had to take them out. You've been asleep for a while." The nurse said. The door to the room creaked open to SpongeBob, his face a picture of concern. "Plankton!" he exclaimed. "How are ya?" Plankton, still groggy from the surgery, tried to form a coherent sentence. "S-SpongeBob," he slurred. "M-more wike... 'Arrr, matey' than usual, I s'pose." Karen rolled her pixel eyes. "It's the anesthesia." Plankton chuckled. "Ahoy ther- Spongey! Aye, it's awh’ 'cause of tweasare... I mean, surgery," he corrected, his speech still swaying. "You two are always so... " Karen trailed off, searching for the right word. "Inseparabubble?" Plankton suggested. Sponge Bob's laughter bubbled up again. "You mean, no Krabby Patty stealing schemes?" "Thath's righ'. No mow... Krabby... Patties... fow awhile." The words came out in a drawn-out slur, his head lolling slightly on the pillow. "Thath's... wath I wath thhinking," his speech still slurred but fading as his eyelid growing heavy. "Arr, thith... thith way, me... hearty," Plankton mumbled, as the nurse helped 'em into the car. "Arr, me... tweasuwe... home,". Sponge Bob watched his eyelid grew heavier. Plankton's head lolled back against the seat and his mouth fell open slightly, emitting a soft snore. "He's gonna be out for a bit," Karen said, glancing in the rearview mirror. "The anesthesia usually takes a few hours to wear off completely. He'll be fine." He reached out and gently patted Plankton's arm, whispering, "Don't worry, buddy. We're almost there." "We're home, Plankton," Karen said, her voice a gentle nudge. Sponge Bob turned to see Plankton's chest rising and falling in deep, even breaths, his mouth open in snore's. His usually scheming eye were shut tight. Karen carefully opened the door. Sponge Bob looked at Plankton, who was still out cold. Sponge Bob leaned over the seat, his arms wrapping around Plankton's frail body. Plankton's head lolled back, his mouth still open in snore's. "Should we... should we wake him?" "Let him rest, Sponge Bob. He's had a rough day." Karen puts him on the couch. "Do you think he'll... you know, remember any of this?" Sponge Bob asked, his voice low and tentative. Karen's smile was a gentle wave. "I doubt it. The anesthesia usually wipes out memories for a bit." "Rest well, honey," she whispered, kissing his forehead. "You've had a long day." Suddenly Plankton stirs in his sleep, his snores morphing into a groan as he shifts beneath the blanket. "Is he okay?" SpongeBob asks. "He's okay," she nods, her voice a gentle lullaby in the stillness. "Just anesthesia wearing off." She stood by him. "Easy, Plankton," Karen cooed, gently rubbing Plankton's back. "You're okay." The little villain's body twitched, and his eye fluttered open. For a brief moment, confusion clouded his gaze before he spotted Sponge Bob and Karen. "W-wha... whass happening?" Plankton's words were slurred, his lisp more pronounced than ever. "You're home, Plankton. You had wisdom teeth removed." "W-what? Did I miss... somefink?" He tried to sit up, his body moving as if through syrup. "You've been out for a bit," Karen said. "But you're home now." Plankton blinked. "Home?" he mumbled. "Yes, sweetie," Karen said, her voice a gentle caress. "You had your wisdom teeth out. You're going to be fine." "Oww... wha’ happened to my mouf?" "Your wisdom teeth were out." "Oh... wight," he murmured. "Need anything?" "Could... could I have some... ice... cweam?" His voice was a whispered plea. They get him some. "Thath's... thoothing. So, how'd I get home?" "Karen and I brought you back," Sponge Bob said. "You were out cold. Didn't even wake up when we carried you in." "Did... did you two... take care of me?" His voice was a mix of surprise and vulnerability. "Of course, Plankton!" He turned to Plankton. "Want me to pick something to watch?" "Mm-hmm," Plankton mumbled, eye already closing again. Sponge Bob flicked through the tv channels, finally settling on a rerun of their favorite show, "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy." The familiar theme song filled the room, and Karen took a seat next to Plankton on the couch, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. As the adventure unfolded on the screen, Plankton's breathing grew deeper and more regular, his body gradually relaxing into the cushions. "Looks like he's out again," Karen said softly. Sponge Bob nodded, watching Plankton's chest rise and fall rhythmically. "Guess the surgery really took it out of him." The room grew quiet, save for the distant laugh track of their favorite show and the occasional snore from Plankton. Karen's hand remained on his shoulder, her thumb tracing small circles. At night, turning the tv off, Spongebob picked Plankton up, cradling him. His friend's head lolled back, his mouth slightly open in a peaceful snore. Sponge Bob carefully made his way to his bed, setting him down. He pulled the blanket up to Plankton and gave him a soft pat. They both settled into the makeshift beds they had set up next to Plankton's. The next morning, both woke up before Plankton. Karen chuckled. "We should take a picture." Spongebob snapped a picture of Plankton, still asleep with his mouth slightly open, a trail of drool escaping onto the pillow. "Morning, Captain Snores-a-lot," Sponge Bob whispered with a smirk, rousing Plankton. Plankton's eye opened, only to wince. "Oww... wath... what's happening?" "It's morning, Plankton," Karen said, her tone still gentle. "Look your post-surgery glamour shot," Spongebob teased, holding the phone out of reach. "You were out cold last night." Plankton's eye widened as he took in the image. "You... you took a picture of me?!" He was half horrified, half amused. "Couldn't resist," Karen said, grinning. Plankton rolled his eye and wiped his mouth, then winced. "How wong hav- I been out?" "Overnight," Sponge Bob said, unable to hold back a chuckle. "You had quite the ride home yesterday." Plankton groaned, his hand reaching up to gingerly touch his swollen cheek. "Whath happened?" "You had your wisdom teeth out," Karen reminded him, her voice filled with a touch of amusement. "It's normal to be a bit out of it after surgery." "Wisdom teeth?" Plankton echoed, his voice still groggy. "Oh, wight. The dentist." Karen chuckled. "Yeah, you don't remember much, do you?" Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You talked like a pirate all the way home, matey." Plankton's eye widened in horror. "I did what?" Sponge Bob nodded. "Yeah, you kept calling me 'Spongey' and said we were 'inseparabubble'." Plankton blushed. "Oh, come on," he mumbled, trying to hide his face in the pillow. Sponge Bob and Karen shared a knowing look, their laughter subsiding into a comfortable silence. They could both tell that despite his tough exterior, Plankton was a bit embarrassed. Plankton sighed, his small body sinking deeper into the pillows. "Okay, okay," he conceded. "But if I don't get to do anything, can I at leash wash TV?" "Of course," Karen said, handing him the remote. "But take it easy today, okay?" With a groan, Plankton managed to sit up, his hand still tentatively exploring his tender cheeks. He squinted at the TV, searching for something to watch. His eye lit up when he found a science fiction marathon. "Jackpot," he murmured.

KAREN AND THE AUTISTIC JOURNEY v (Autistic author) The room falls into a tense silence, the air thick with the unspoken words of regret and uncertainty. Plankton's humming becomes the only sound in the room. Sandy's eyes are glued to Plankton, watching his hands move in a mesmerizing pattern. His humming grows slightly louder, filling the space around them with a comforting buzz. Despite the simplicity of the act, it's a powerful declaration of his new reality. "Plankton are you ok?" Sandy asks him. Plankton's humming stops abruptly, his gaze snaps to her. "Book," he says with longing. "Want book." Sandy nods, her eyes glistening with newfound understanding. "Of course," she says, standing up. She and Karen move to the shelf where she had placed the book earlier. Karen reaches up, her hand carefully retrieving it. "Here," she says, her voice calm, handing the science book to him. He opens it, his gaze immediately drawn to the index table in the back. His eye scans the rows, his brain finding comfort in the predictability of the page numbers. He starts to read the index aloud, his voice a monotone that fills the room with a strange rhythm. "Quantum Mechanics... 134," he reads, his finger tracing the line. "Relativity, Special and General... 212." Karen and Sandy listen, their expressions a mix of wonder and concern. They've never seen Plankton so engrossed in anything other than his own schemes before. Sandy's gaze follows the movement of his finger as it traces the numbers, her mind trying to grasp the significance of his actions. "Why does he read the index like that?" she whispers to Karen. Karen's smile is filled with both love and pride. "It's his way of finding order," she concurs. "The numbers, the patterns, it brings him comfort." Sandy nods, her eyes never leaving Plankton. His focus on the book is intense, his voice a steady rhythm as he reads off the page numbers. "Biology... 37. Chemistry... 101," he drones. Karen sits beside him, her hand on his back, providing the gentle pressure he craves. The sound of his voice, the comfort of the book's familiar weight, it's all part of his new routine. Sandy sits opposite, her paws clasped in her lap, watching intently. Her gaze flickers from Plankton to Karen and back again. She's learning, trying to understand. Plankton's voice rises in excitement as he reaches the physics section. "Quantum Entanglement... 543!" he exclaims, his hands flapping. His eye lit up, a rare smile spreading across his face. Karen's smiles. This was the Plankton she knew, the one who found delight in the complexity of the universe. He reads on, his voice picking up speed. "String Theory... 621! Gravity Waves... 784!" His stimming becomes more animated, his hands fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, each flap a silent declaration of his newfound obsession with order. Sandy's curiosity is piqued, but she's careful not to interrupt, instead watching him with a newfound respect. Karen smiles, her hand still on his back, feeling the warmth of his excitement through her metal shell. "Plankton, why do you like the index so much?" Sandy asks, keeping her voice soft, when the doorbell rings. Karen's head snaps up, the interrupted moment forgotten. "I'll get it," she says, standing quickly. SpongeBob's face appears in the doorway. "Hi, Karen!" he says, his voice bright and cheerful. "Hi, Sandy!" Sandy's eyes dart to the closed bedroom door, then back to Karen. "I should go," she says, standing up. "Let you guys have some space." Karen nods, her gaze following Sandy's. "Thank you," she whispers. "Bye Sandy. Sponge Bob, come on in; Plankton's in the bedroom.." SpongeBob's now going in, his eyes wide with excitement. "What's up, Plankton?" he says, his voice a bubbly burst of enthusiasm. Plankton's head snaps up, his eye wide. "SpongeBob," he says, his voice excitedly affectionate. Sponge Bob's eyes widen at the sight of Plankton's intense focus on the book. "Wow, Plankton, you're really into that, huh?" Plankton's hands stop moving, his gaze shifting from the index to Sponge Bob's smiling face. "Sponge Bob," he says, his voice filled with glee. He jumps up from the bed, the book forgotten as he rushes to embrace his friend. Sponge Bob stumbles backward, surprise etched on his features as Plankton's arms wrap around his waist. "Whoa, buddy," he says, his eyes wide. "What's gotten into you?" Plankton's grip tightens, his body vibrating with joy. "Sponge Bob," he repeats, his voice a high-pitched squeak. Sponge Bob's smile falters, his hands awkwardly patting Plankton's back. "It's ok, Plankton," he says, his voice gentle. "I'm just here to visit." Plankton pulls away, his eye shining with joy with a warmth Sponge Bob isn't used to seeing from him. "Come, sit," he says, his voice eager. He pats the spot on the bed next to him. Sponge Bob's expression is a mix of happiness and concern. Sponge Bob sits down, his body tense. "Plankton, you ok?" he asks, his eyes searching Plankton's. Plankton nods, his hands still flapping in excitement. "Good," he says, his voice monotone yet earnest.

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢs: ┃ ┃ ɴᴇᴇᴅʟᴇs, ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ "You okay?" Karen's voice was a gentle caress in the cold antiseptic room. Plankton nodded, his eye tightly shut. The nurse had told him it would be quick, that he'd be under before he knew it, but that didn't stop his heart from thudding like a bass drum. He took a deep breath, trying to ignore the cold hands fussing over him, the tightening of the blood pressure cuff around his arm. "Count backward from ten," the anesthesiologist's voice was calm and steady, as if he did this a thousand times a day. Plankton obliged, his voice quivering on each number. "Ten... nine... eight..." The world grew fuzzy around the edges, the cold metal of the bed beneath him feeling like it was sinking. "Seven... six... five..." His body grew heavier, each breath more difficult to draw in. Karen squeezed his hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears she refused to let fall. The doctor's face grew distant, his voice a distant echo. With a final exhale, the room faded to black. Plankton was now adrift in a sea of oblivion, his bødy relaxed and weightless. 🦷🦷🦷🦷 The surgical team waited a moment, watching the monitors. The anesthesiologist then nodded to the surgeon, who carefully lifted Plankton's eyelid, revealing a sti̕ll, unseeing eye, then shining a light to his pupil before closing his eyelid again. He then took a reflex hammer and tapped gently on Plankton's knee. No reaction. The nurse noted the time. "He's under," she murmured. They went through the checklist, ensuring his bødy was completely relaxed, his reflexes gone. The surgeon smiled at Karen, who had been watching anxiously from her seat. "Everything's going to be okay," he assured her. She nodded. Karen watched, as Plankton's fac͘e remained peaceful, his breathing steady under the influence of the anesthesia. The surgery began with a whir of instruments. Plankton's mouth was propped open, a rubber dam holding back his tóngue. The surgeon leaned in, peering into the cavern of his møuth, a flashlight illuminating the pearly white teeth and the troublesome wisdom teeth that had been causing him so much pain. He selected a tool, a kind of plier-like instrument, and with a gentle but firm touch, began to probe at the first tooth. Karen's stߋmach clenched as she saw the surgeon's hand move with precision, applying just enough pressure to loosen the tooth. She tried to focus on her breathing, willing her heart to slow down. The room was filled with the faint smell of antiseptic and the metallic scent of dental instruments. Plankton's face remained serene, his chest rising and falling steadily as he lay unaware of the work being performed on him. The first tooth came out with a sudden pop, making Karen flinch. The nurse quickly handed over a small metal tray, catching the tooth as it was extracted. The surgeon worked with a methodical calm, moving on to the next one without pause. Karen squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, only to open them again as she heard the sound of Plankton's snoring, the kind that only came when he was in a deep sleep. It was strange, comforting even, to know that his bødy was oblivious to the paın that had been plaguing him for weeks. The second wisdom tooth proved to be more stubborn. The surgeon muttered something to his assistant, who nodded and handed him a different tool. Karen's grip on Plankton's hand tightened, her knucklєѕ white with tension. She could feel the sweat beading on his palm despite the coolness of the room. The surgeon's expression grew more focused, his movements more deliberate as he worked to free the tooth from its bony prıson. The tension in the room was almost palpable. The only sounds were the muffled beeps of the heart monitor and the slight sucking noıse as the surgeon worked in Plankton's møuth. Karen's eyes darted around the surgery, taking in the gleaming tools, the blue-green light of the overhead lamp, the masked faces of the medical staff. The nurse noticed her distress and offered a reassuring smile, but it did little to ease her mind. She wanted to scream, to tell them to be careful, but she knew better than to disturb the surgery. With a grunt of effort, the surgeon finally managed to loosen the second tooth. Karen could feel Plankton's hand spasm in hers, a reflexive response that had her heart racing. But his face remained serene, his snores unchanged. She watched as the tooth was lifted out, a tiny drop of b!ood escaping from the gum. It was placed on the tray with its twin, two small, sharp reminders of the paın he had endured. The surgeon moved to the third tooth, his movements now more practiced, more confident. The extraction of the third tooth was swift, almost anticlimactic. The fourth, however, was a different story. It was impacted, buried deep in the bone, and the surgeon's expression grew taut as he attempted to coax it out. Karen could feel the tension in the room, the air thick with it. The whirring of the drill was a steady background noise, punctuated by the occasional spurt of water and the smell of bone dust. Plankton's chest continued to rise and fall evenly. The surgeon leaned in closer, his brow furrowed with concentration. Karen watched as beads of sweat formed on his forehead, despite the coolness of the surgıcal suite. The nurse stood by, ready with gauze and more tools. Plankton's face was a mask of peace, his møuth a dısturbıng contrast of serenity and the tug of war taking place within. With a final, firm pull, the fourth tooth gave way, accompanied by a sound that made Karen's stߋmach churn. It was a wet, final release, and the nurse swiftly handed over the tray to catch the tooth. The surgeon wiped the b!ood with a quick, efficient motion, revealing the gaping hole where the tooth once had been. The surgical assistant suctioned the b!ood, the sound echoing in the quiet room. Plankton's bødy jerked slightly, but he remained asleep, lost in the depths of the anesthesia. Karen couldn't help but think about the paın Plankton must have felt before this moment. The constant, throbbing ache that had kept him up at night, the swollen jaw that had made eating a chore. Now, it was over, or at least the worst part was. The surgeon nodded to the nurse, who began to prepare the stitches that would close the wounds. The needle glinted in the harsh light, a stark contrast to Plankton's slack, unfeeling features. The surgical team moved efficiently, their movements choreographed by years of experience. They stitched and cleaned, ensuring that everything was perfect before they allowed him to wake. Karen felt a strange mix of relief and fear. Relief that the ordeal was almost over, fear of the paın that would come once the anesthesia wore off. As the surgeon finished his work, he nodded to the anesthesiologist. "He's all set. We're going to start bringing him out of it now." Karen watched as the anesthetic was turned down. The nurse wiped his face with a damp cloth, gently cleaning the b!ood and saliva. Karen spoke to him in a soothing voice, "Plankton, you're almost done. Time to wake up." Plankton's eyelid fluttered, his hand still in Karen's tight grasp. His eye opened slowly, unfocused at first, then gradually finding her face. He blinked several times, his gaze uncomprehending. The nurse smiled at him, "You did great."

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.

NONE OF THE WISER 2/3 Plankton blinked a few times, his mind foggy with the remnants of the anesthesia. "Wisdom... teeth?" he mumbled, his voice groggy. "Oh...right." He tried to sit up, but the nurse had anticipated his movement and gently pushed him back down. "Take it easy, Mr. Plankton," she said, her voice soothing. "You need to rest. The surgery went well, yet your body is still recovering." Plankton looked up at the nurse with a dazed expression, his eye struggling to focus. The world felt wobbly, like jelly. "But, but, I... I don't remember anything," he mumbled, his voice thick with confusion. Sponge Bob chuckled softly. "That's because you were asleep, Plankton," he said, his tone still filled with the gentle patience from earlier. Plankton's eye searched the room, looking for something familiar. "Sponge...Bob?" he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Right here, buddy," Sponge Bob said, patting his hand reassuringly. Plankton's gaze finally found him, and a goofy smile spread across his face. "You...you're...so...spongy," he giggled, his words still slurred from the medication. Sponge Bob couldn't help but laugh at his friend's loopy state. "You're pretty funny when you're all doped up," he said, his heart swelling with affection. Plankton's usual sharp tongue was now a jumble of nonsensical giggles and random thoughts. "Everything's...so...so...shiny," Plankton mumbled, his eye half-open and unfocused. He tried to lift his head to look around the room, but the effort was too much, and he flopped back down onto the pillow with a contented sigh. Sponge Bob chuckled, watching his friend's antics with amusement. "It's the medicine, Plankton," he said, patting his hand. "It's making everything seem a bit... different." Plankton's eye grew wide as he stared at the ceiling. "Look at those lights! I…" he exclaimed, pointing upwards with a wobbly finger. "They're just lights, Plankton," Sponge Bob said, his voice filled with amusement. Plankton's eye rolled around in his head like a marble in a pinball machine. "No, no, they're not just lights," he insisted, his voice taking on a dreamy quality. "They're... they're the stars of the sea... twinkling... twinkling... for me." Sponge Bob couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. The sight of his usually cunning adversary reduced to a babbling, star-gazing patient was to much. "You're definitely feeling the effects of that medicine," he said, shaking his head. Plankton's smile grew even wider, if that was possible. "I... I feel like I'm swimming in a sea of marshmallows," he slurred, his limbs moving in a slow, dream like fashion. "Everything's so...so... squishy!" Sponge Bob couldn't help but laugh at his friend's silliness. "Marshmallows, huh?" he said, gently poking Plankton's arm. "You're definitely feeling the love from those meds." Plankton's smile grew even goofier as he nodded. "Yeah, I... I think I'm in love with this pillow," he mumbled, hugging it tightly to his chest. The nurse chuckled as she checked his chart. "The effects of the anesthesia can be quite entertaining," she said with a wink. Sponge Bob watched as Plankton began to drift off again, his chuckles turning into snores. "Rest up, buddy," he whispered, still holding onto his hand. "You're going to need all the energy you can get for when you wake up." As Plankton slept, Sponge Bob's thoughts turned to the Krabby Patty secret recipe. It had always been a source of contention between them, but in that moment, it didn't seem as important as it once did. He knew Plankton would be back to his old tricks soon enough, but for now, he was just happy to see his friend safe and sound. The nurse returned to the room, her smile just as bright as before. "Alright, Mr. Plankton, it's time for you to go to your recovery room," she said, her voice cheerful. Plankton's eye shot open, and he looked around, his gaze still a bit hazy. "Recovery...room?" he mumbled. "But...but I'm already in a room!" His giggles bubbled up again, and Sponge Bob couldn't help but join in. The nurse, unfazed by Plankton's state, carefully lifted him onto the gurney. "You're going to a special room where you can rest and let the medication wear off," she explained, her voice soothing. "It's like a VIP lounge for post-surgery patients." Plankton's smile grew even dopier as he took in her words. "VIP...lounge...sounds...sounds like...like...a secret lair!" he exclaimed, his imagination clearly still running wild despite the sedatives. Sponge Bob helped the nurse maneuver the gurney out of the surgical room, the wheels squeaking slightly on the linoleum floor. The recovery room was dimly lit, with soft blue lights that reminded him of the ocean at night. Plankton was laid down on a comfortable chair, surrounded by pillows and blankets. "Now, you just stay here and rest," she said, patting him on the shoulder. "Your friend Sponge Bob can keep you company." Plankton nodded, his smile never leaving his face. "Friend...Sponge Bob," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His thoughts were a whirlpool of jellyfish-shaped clouds, each one filled with a different, nonsensical idea. The recovery room was quiet, the only sounds the occasional beep of the heart monitor and the gentle lapping of the waves outside. Plankton's eye, usually sharp and calculating, now glazed over with contentment. "He'll be like this for a while," she said, her voice low so as not to disturb Plankton. "The medication can make people say some pretty out there things." Sponge Bob nodded, his gaze still on Plankton's peaceful face. "It's like he's in his own little world," he said, his voice filled with wonder. The nurse chuckled. "It's the anesthesia. It can do funny things to people," she said, jotting down notes on Plankton's chart. "But don't worry, he'll be back to his usual self in no time." Plankton's face was a picture of pure bliss, his mouth hanging open slightly as he drooled onto the pillow. "Sponge Bob," he mumbled, his voice thick with the aftermath of the anesthesia. "You... you're... so...so...fluffy." Sponge Bob couldn't help but laugh at Plankton's loopy antics. "Fluffy?" he echoed, gently wiping the drool away with a tissue. "I think you're still a little out of it, buddy." Plankton giggled, his eye half-closed. "Yeah, I... I am," he admitted, his voice a slur. "But, but you're so...so...comfortable!" He leaned into the sponge, his head lolling against Sponge Bob's shoulder. Sponge Bob couldn't help but laugh, feeling the warmth of Plankton's body against his own. "Well, I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice filled with affectionate amusement. "So, go ahead, get comfortable." Plankton's giggles grew softer, his eye finally closing all the way. His breathing evened out, and Sponge Bob knew he was asleep. He gently placed the pillow under Plankton's head, making sure he was comfortable. The nurse returned to the room, her eyes twinkling with amusement at the sight of them. "He'll be out for a bit," she said. "You can stay here as long as you like." Sponge Bob nodded, not wanting to leave Plankton's side. He had never seen him so... peaceful. The doctor's words echoed in his mind: "Take it easy, Mr. Plankton. You need to rest." It was strange to hear those words directed at someone who was usually so full of energy and schemes. The nurse dimmed the lights, leaving the room in a gentle glow. The soft hum of the hospital machinery and the distant sound of waves outside the window filled the space. Sponge Bob watched as Plankton's chest rose and fell, his breathing slow and steady. It was like watching a tiny, harmless sea creature, rather than the usual plotting nemesis. Plankton's head lolled to the side, his mouth hanging open slightly. Sponge Bob couldn't help but chuckle. He'd never seen Plankton so relaxed, so utterly carefree. It was as if all the tension between them had been washed away with the waves of anesthesia. The nurse returned with a cup of ice chips, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the quiet room. "Here you go, Mr. Plankton," she said, her voice gentle as she offered the cup. "These will help with the swelling." Plankton's eye slowly opened, his pupil dilated and unfocused. "Wha... what's that?" he mumbled, his voice still thick with the medication. Sponge Bob looked down at the ice chips in the cup. "It's just some ice to help with swelling," he said, holding it up for Plankton to see. "You're supposed to put in your mouth." Plankton's eye grew wide with excitement, his pupil dilating even further. "Oooh, ice," he murmured, his voice still slurred. He reached for the cup with a wobbly arm, his hand barely missing it several times before finally making contact. Sponge Bob couldn't help but laugh as he took the cup from the nurse and held it to Plankton's lips. "Here you go, buddy," he said, his voice filled with kindness. "Just a little bit." Plankton's tongue flicked out, tasting the cold ice. His eye rolled back in his head as he let out a contented sigh. "Ahh... heaven," he mumbled, his speech still thick with the sedatives. He took a few more chips, his chewing slow and methodical. Sponge Bob watched him, his smile never faltering. It was strange, seeing the usually crafty Plankton so doped up and docile. The nurse had warned him that the medication could cause some people to become overly affectionate, but he didn't expect him to be quite this intense.

NONE OF THE WISER 3/3 As Plankton chewed on his ice chips, his grip on reality grew looser and looser. The nurse looked over at them, her smile never faltering. "It's the medication," she assured Sponge Bob, shaking her head. "He'll be fine." Plankton's giggles grew even louder, his eye watering with joy. "You... you're the best... best... best Sponge Bob ever!" he exclaimed, his arm shooting up to give Sponge Bob a high-five. It was a gesture that was met with air, as his coordination was still compromised by the anesthesia. Sponge Bob couldn't help but laugh, his heart swelling with warmth. He had never seen Plankton so... so utterly ridiculous. "Thanks, Plankton," he said, his voice filled with affection. "But maybe save the high- fives for when you're not so... wobbly ." Plankton's arm flopped back onto the chair, his smile still plastered on his face. "Wob... wobbly," he repeated, his eye crossing slightly as he tried to focus on Sponge Bob. "You know, I've always... always wondered what it's like to be... to be a jellyfish." He began to sway slightly, his body mimicking the graceful movements of the jellyfish in the sea. Sponge Bob couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. "You're definitely not a jellyfish," he said, his voice filled with mirth. "But I’m afraid I saw you’d bitten your cheek or tongue in your numbed state.." Plankton's grin grew even wider, his cheeks reddening with the effort. "I'm... I'm a sea worm," he said, his voice a drunken slur. "But in my heart, I'm a... a... jellyfish!" He began to wobble his body back and forth, his movements exaggerated and clumsy. Sponge Bob couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "You're definitely not a jellyfish," he said, his voice filled with affectionate teasing. "But you're definitely something special Plankton." The nurse checked Plankton's vitals one last time before leaving them to rest. "Remember, Mr. Plankton, don't bite your cheeks," she said, a knowing smile on her face. Plankton nodded solemnly, his eye still half- closed. "I'll... I'll be... careful," he murmured, his voice a slow, lazy drawl. Sponge Bob couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for his well-being. It was a strange feeling, but one that felt oddly right in that moment. Karen standing there, her robotic eyes blinking in surprise at the sight of him. "Karen?" Plankton mumbled, his voice groggy. "You came?" "Of course, I did, you little meatball," Karen said, her voice filled with the usual sass. "I'm your ride home." She looked at Sponge Bob with gratitude. Sponge Bob helped Plankton sit up, who was still groggy from the anesthesia. "Thanks for taking care of him," Karen said, her tone softer than Sponge Bob had ever heard. "No problem, Karen," he replied, his smile genuine. "He's... well, he's not all bad." Karen's expression softened, something Sponge Bob had rarely seen. "Thank you, Sponge Bob," she said, her robotic voice sounding almost warm. "You've always had a way of seeing the best in him." With Karen's help, they managed to get Plankton into the car. The drive to the Chum Bucket was a blur of twinkling streetlights and the soothing hum of the engine. Plankton leaned his head against the window, eye half-closed, mumbling to himself about jellyfish ballet and the beauty of Krabby Patties. Karen chuckled, shaking her head at his nonsensical ramblings. Sponge Bob sat in the back, feeling a strange mix of amusement and concern. He'd never seen Plankton like this before— so vulnerable, so open. It was as if the surgery had peeled back a layer of his tough exterior, revealing the softer core beneath. Karen navigated the streets of Bikini Bottom with ease, the neon lights of the underwater city reflecting off her metallic exterior. Plankton's mumbling grew quieter, his breaths deepening as the painkillers and exhaustion pulled him into a sleep. Sponge Bob watched him, his thoughts swirling with a newfound understanding of the tiny villain. As they approached the Chum Bucket, the garish sign loomed over them, its neon lights flickering like a beacon in the murky water. The car came to a gentle stop outside the grimy building, and Sponge Bob helped Karen unbuckle Plankton from his seat. "Careful," Karen warned, her robotic arm steadying him as they made their way to the door. The inside of the Chum bucket was a stark contrast to the hospital—messy and cluttered with contraptions and half-eaten food. Plankton's eye lit up with a mix of pain and nostalgia as he took in his surroundings. "Home sweet home," he slurred, his smile genuine despite the chaos. Sponge Bob and Karen managed to get him into his bed, the springs groaning under his weight. Plankton looked up at them with a dazed expression. "Than...thank you," he mumbled, his eye already drooping again. Karen turned to Sponge Bob, her robotic eyes gleaming in the dim light of the room. "Thank you for being here," she said, her voice filled with a rare sincerity. "I know we haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but you're a true friend to him." Sponge Bob felt a warmth spread through his pores, his eyes misting over slightly. "It's... it's no problem, Karen," he stuttered, feeling a lump in his throat. "He's... well, he's Plankton." Karen's robotic hand patted his shoulder in a rare gesture of camaraderie. "You're a good sport, Sponge Bob," she said, a hint of affection in her voice. "Now, let him get some rest. He's going to need it." With a nod, Sponge Bob retreated to the living room, his mind racing with thoughts of the day's events. He couldn't shake the image of Plankton's sincere smile, nor the gentle warmth that had filled his heart when he heard the words 'best friend'. It was a side of Plankton he had never seen before— a vulnerable, endearing side. He glanced around the cluttered room, noticing the faded family photos and half-built inventions scattered across the surfaces. There was more to the villain than met the eye. As the hours ticked by, Plankton's snores grew quieter, the anesthesia's grip on him loosening. Sponge Bob sat on the floor, surrounded by a pile of Plankton's favorite comic books and a half-eaten bag of jellyfish jellies. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of belonging in the enemy's lair. It was peaceful, in a chaotic sort of way. The room was a testament to Plankton's life: a mishmash of inventions, half-finished plans, and the ever-present scent of chum. Yet, amidst the clutter, there was a comforting familiarity. The walls were lined with shelves of dusty tomes titled "1001 Ways to Steal a Recipe" and "The Art of the Scheme." Above the bed, a poster of the Krabby Patty looked down, a silent judge of Plankton's many failed attempts to crack its secret. Sponge Bob sat by the bedside, his spongy form hunched over with concern. The light from the hallway cast an eerie glow across the room, illuminating Plankton's sleeping form. The snores were soft and rhythmic, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of his machinations. As the hours passed, Plankton's snores grew quieter, and his eyelid began to flutter open. His pupil were still hazy, but there was a spark of recognition in them as they focused on the yellow sponge hovering over him. "S...Sponge Bob?" he mumbled, his voice hoarse. Sponge Bob jolted to attention, his eyes widening. "You're awake!" he exclaimed, a relieved smile spreading across his face. Plankton squinted, his eye slowly focusing on the sponge above him. "What...what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice groggy and confused. "I brought you home from the hospital," Sponge Bob said, his smile gentle. "You had your wisdom teeth out, remember?" Plankton's eye grew wide as the events of the day flooded back to him. "H-hospital?" he stuttered, his hand flying to his mouth. His cheeks felt puffy and tender, a stark reminder of the surgery he had just undergone. Sponge Bob nodded, his eyes filled with empathy. "Yeah, buddy," he said, his voice soothing. "You had a bit of a tough day, but you're okay now." Plankton's gaze darted around the room, his brain slowly piecing together the puzzle of the day. "How... how did we get here?" he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep. Sponge Bob chuckled, his smile gentle. "Karen picked us up and brought us here," he explained, his voice a soothing lullaby in the quiet room. "You were out of it pretty much the whole time." Plankton's hand fell to the bed with a soft thump. "Karen...right," he murmured, his eye drooping again. The painkillers were still working their magic, but the fog in his head was starting to lift. He vaguely remembered the car ride, the neon lights of Bikini Bottom's streets blurring together in a kaleidoscope of color. Sponge Bob watched with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with a warmth that Plankton hadn't seen in a long time. "Do you need anything?" he offered, his hand hovering over the bedside table, ready to fetch a glass of water or a fresh pillow. Plankton's eye searched Sponge Bob's face, looking for a sign of the usual sarcasm or competitive edge. But all he found was genuine concern. "No, I'm ok," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just... stay for a bit?" Sponge Bob's smile grew, and nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Plankton," he said, settling beside the bed. "I'm not going anywhere."

WISDOMS i Plankton had an appointment at the dentist and Karen promised to take him. SpongeBob, an ever-cheerful neighbor, had offered to come along. The trio stepped out of the car, the door of dentist's office chiming a tune that seemed like the 'Jolly Roger' theme. Sponge Bob bounced in place. The door to the room opened, and in waddled Dr. Bubblefish. "Ah, Mr. Plankton, right on time for x-rays!" The room was a stark contrast to the playful tune. It smelled faintly of mint and antiseptic, with the metallic instruments glinting in bright lights. Dr. Bubblefish waddled over, his flippers moving swiftly as he gestured to the chair. Plankton's eye darts around. "Now, Mr. Plankton if you could just open wide," Dr. Bubblefish instructed holding up a contraption. Karen gave a gentle pat on his shoulder. "It's ok, Plankton. It'll be over before you know it," she assured with a comforting smile. Plankton took a deep breath and opened his mouth. Sponge Bob stood by his side. Dr. Bubblefish slid the x-ray plate in to place and positioned the contraption. "Here we go," he announced, as he stepped back and pressed the button. Sponge Bob watched in fascination. "Alright, all done!" The plate was removed, and Dr. Bubblefish took a moment to examine the results. "Hmm," he murmured, holding the film up to the light. "It seems we have a situation with your wisdom teeth." Plankton's eye bulged with alarm. "Wisdom teeth?" he squeaked. "But I'm a microscopic creature! I don't have room for those!" Dr. Bubblefish nodded solemnly. "Which is why we need to remove now them to prevent any issues." Karen's grip tightened on Plankton's shoulder. "Removal?" Dr. Bubblefish nodded. "It's the best course of action, a common procedure." The doctor led them into his office, walls lined with diplomas. Dr. Bubblefish noticed apprehension and offered a smile. "Now, Mr. Plankton, I know this might be a bit daunting, but I assure you, I'm quite skilled at working. Let's go over details of the procedure, shall we?" Karen's grip tightened more. "You're going to be ok," she whispered. Sponge Bob, the optimist, patted Plankton's arm. "Don't worry, buddy!" Plankton swallowed hard as he sat down in the chair. It was like sitting in a moon crater compared to his usual chair at the Chum Bucket. He gripped the chair's armrests. "But how does it work?" Plankton's voice tight with anxiety. "It's quite simple really. We use anesthesia," he explained, "which will drift off to sleep. You won't feel a thing." "It's like a little nap," Karen offered trying to ease his fears. Dr. Bubblefish nodded. "The anesthesia will make you unconscious for duration of the procedure. It's safe painless way to ensure you don't experience discomfort during extraction." The doctor began preparing. Sponge Bob looks through the window, mix of curiosity and concern. He had never seen anything like this. Plankton's eye pleaded with him for assurance, and Sponge Bob gave him a thumbs up. The chair reclined, and Karen held Plankton's hand tightly. "Ready?" Dr. Bubblefish asked, voice a gentle rumble. Plankton nodded, though his eye shut. Karen squeezed his hand. "You can do this, Plankton," she whispered. The doctor approached with what looked like a pair of tiny tongs. "This will help keep your mouth open," he said, inserting the device into Plankton's mouth. The nurse came over. "This is the anesthesia," she said cheerfully, tentacles flicking the air. "It'll make every thing nice and relaxing." Plankton nodded, his grip tightening. He felt the room spin. "Just breathe," Karen said, the only steady thing in the spinning room. "You're great." Sponge Bob watched as Plankton's eye lid grew heavy, his grip on chair armrests loosening. Dr. Bubblefish nods to the nurse. Plankton took a deep breath, eye shut, body went slack. His grip on the chair arm rests loosened and his breaths grew even. Karen felt a mix of relief and anxiety as the doctor nodded in satisfaction. "And he's out," he murmured. The room was silent except for the occasional blip of medical equipment and sound of Dr. Bubblefish preparing for the extraction. Karen's gaze fixed on Plankton, watching his chest rise and fall with each breath. Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. Plankton remained still, lost in his anesthesia-induced slumber. "Sponge Bob, you can wait out side now," Karen said gently never leaving her husband. After surgery, Karen calls Sponge Bob from the waiting room. "He's in recovery now," she says. "You can come see him." Sponge Bob bounces in, eyes wide with excitement. He goes in the room, his curiosity piqued by the sight of Plankton lying peacefully on the chair, his mouth slightly open but without the prop anymore. Plankton's hand lies limp on his own lap. The room remained silent except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and occasional snore from Plankton. "The surgery went well. He'll wake in a bit." Sponge Bob peers closer at Plankton, noticing drool formed at the corner of his mouth. He reaches out and gently strokes Plankton's forehead. "You're ok," he whispers. But Plankton was deep in the abyss of sleep, breathing even and calm. "What's that?" he pointed to a beeping machine. Karen looked over. "That's a monitor," she said softly. "It makes sure everything's ok with Plankton while he's out." The nurse comes in checking vitals. "He's doing great," she says with a nod. "He'll wake up soon." "Wakey, wakey, Plankton," Sponge Bob whispers, a hint of excitement in his voice. He reaches out a finger, gently poking Plankton's arm. No response. Plankton's chest continues to rise and fall rhythmically. Plankton didn't react. "Wow, he's really out," Sponge Bob murmured. "Just don't startle him. He'll wake up groggy." The nurse gently wiped Plankton's mouth with a damp cloth, cleaning away the drool. Plankton's head lolled to the side. "Alright, let's get some gauze," Dr. Bubblefish said, voice interrupting the quiet. Sponge Bob's eyes grew even wider as he watched the nurse carefully fold a piece of white gauze in to a minuscule square. It looked like a tiny cloud in her tentacle. She approached Plankton with the utmost care, as if handling some thing incredibly delicate. With a gentle touch, she inserted gauze into Plankton's mouth, pressing it against his gums. Plankton didn't flinch or stir, his breathing deep and even. The nurse stepped back and gave a satisfied nod. "Alright, he's all set," Dr. Bubblefish said, his voice a comforting rumble. "The gauze will help with any bleeding and keep the area clean." Karen nodded. "Thank you, doctor," she murmured. The room remained silent, except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and the occasional snore from Plankton. "Let's get you sitting up, Mr. Plankton," Dr. Bubblefish instructed as he lifted Plankton's head back up. The chair whirred in to an upright position. After a few moments, Plankton's eye lid began to flutter. He blinked, his vision blurry from anesthesia. He groaned, mouth feeling strange and full. "You're all done!" "Plankton," Karen says, voice soft and warm. Sponge Bob nods eagerly, his eyes never leaving Plankton's face. "How do you feel?" he asks. "Wha..." Plankton mumbles, voice muffled by the gauze. "Wh-where am I?" Karen chuckles. "You're in the dentist's office, Plankton. You had wisdom teeth removed." Sponge Bob's face lights up. "Yeah, buddy, you're all fixed up!" Karen gently helps Plankton sit up, supporting him with an arm around his back. "You're going to feel a bit woozy," she warns. Plankton spots Sponge Bob's grinning face. "Hey, Spongey," he says, his voice still slurred. "Hey, Planky!" Sponge Bob says, smile growing wide. "You're done! No more teeth woes for you!" "W-who's Planky?" Plankton mumbles, voice thick from anesthesia. Sponge Bob laughs, his laugh echoing. "That's you, buddy! Planky, Plankton!" "I survived the tooth monster.." Sponge Bob nods. "Yep, the pesky things in your mouth supposed to make smarter were just causing trouble!" "Troub...troub...tweef?" "Yes, Plankton. Your wisdom teeth are gone." "Miwwow, miwwow, on the wawl," he slurred, wobbly. "Do I wook smarter wi’out my tweef?" Patrick Star was waiting outside the dentist office, his large, star-shaped body leaning against the wall. Patrick Star was waiting outside the dentist's office, his large, star-shaped body leaning against the wall. He had heard that Sponge Bob was escorting Plankton and Karen to the appointment. Once Plankton was discharged, the four crammed into the car. Plankton sat in between Sponge Bob and Patrick, but was too groggy to care. Karen took the wheel, her grip firm. "Alright, let's get you home," she said, starting the engine.

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ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰʸ ⁿᵉⁱᵍʰᵇᵒᵘʳ pt. 3 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʸˢ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "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‧ end Pt. 3 final section THE END of the fanfic story

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."

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NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH vi "I... I just want to make sure he's ok," Krabs said. "He's not in a good place right now," Karen admitted. "Tell him... I didn't mean to embarrass him, that I'm sorry for... everything." "I'll let him know," she said. Heading into the bedroom she found Plankton fast asleep, his face a picture of peace amidst the chaos of his mind, a stark contrast to the turmoil she knew was churning within him. She knew waking him would only stir up more pain and anger, so she decided to let him rest. Karen sat on the edge of the bed, watching him sleep. His chest rose and fell with each breath, the gentle snores a soothing soundtrack to the quiet room. She reached out to brush his antennae, with love and concern. Karen knew this wisdom teeth extraction had taken a toll on him, but she had no idea the depth of his embarrassment til she saw the photo. The next morning, Plankton woke to Karen's gentle humming. The stiffness in his jaw had subsided to a dull throb. As he sat up, the events of the previous day crashed down on him like a tidal wave. Karen turned, her smile fading as she took in his expression. "You're up," she said tentatively. Plankton nodded, jaw still aching. "Krabs called," Karen said, breaking the silence. Plankton's eye snapped to hers, his body tensing. "What." Karen took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm. "He said he's sorry for everything," she replied, her voice measured. "And that he didn't mean to embarrass you." Plankton stared at her, his jaw clenched. Karen understood the depth of his pain. "Maybe it wasn't about embarrassment," she suggested gently. "Maybe he was just trying to help." Plankton snorted, but the anger in his eye was fading, replaced by something closer to defeat. "Help." he repeated. "From Krabs!" Karen nodded. "He seemed genuinely concerned," she said. "And he did bring over those jellyfish for you." Plankton's skeptical, but didn't argue. Mr. Krabs wasn't exactly known for warm and fuzzy moments. But the idea that he had shown any care was unsettling. He always seen Krabs as the epitome of greed and self-interest, this newer side as unwelcome as the pain in his mouth. But as the day wore on, Plankton couldn't shake the feeling there's more to the story. Despite pride, he was curious about what happened between them. He knew he had to confront Krabs to set things straight, to regain some semblance of control over. So, when Mr. Krabs appeared at the chum bucket door, unannounced and looking unusually nervous, Plankton's curiosity won over. He begrudgingly let him in, posture stiff. Mr. Krabs fidgeted, his claws twitching as he looked around the cluttered room. "Plankton," he began, his voice tentative. "I know I've not always been the... the most sensitive crab in the sea, but I never meant to cause ye distress." Plankton's eye narrowed. "What do you want?" he demanded, his voice gruff. Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his claws fidgeting. "I just... I wanted to apologize," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "For the photo. For... everything." Plankton's eye never left Mr. Krabs' face. "You had no right," he said, his voice cold. Mr. Krabs swallowed. "I know," he admits. "But I didn't mean for it to go viral. Pearl... she's young, she doesn't understand the implications." Mr. Krabs shifted uncomfortably. "I don't expect anything," he said. "But I want to explain. You were in a lot of pain, and I just... I just wanted to help." Plankton's expression unyielding. "And what exactly?" Mr. Krabs took a step back, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Well, you were delirious," he began. "You talked a bit, but it was mostly nonsense." Plankton wasn't satisfied. "I want details?" Mr. Krabs sighed heavily, his shoulders dropping. "You talked about the good ol' days," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And how, despite our rivalry, we've always had a... a sort of respect for each other." Plankton felt a flicker of something in his chest, but pushed it aside. "Respect?" he sneered. "You expect me to believe that?" Mr. Krabs nodded, his eyes earnest. "It's the truth," he said. "You talked about how we've been through a lot together, even though we're enemies." Plankton felt his anger dissipate with a strange curiosity. "Why?" he asked, his voice softer. "Why would I?" Mr. Krabs shrugged uncomfortably. "I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe anesthesia brought out some hidden feelings?" Plankton's antennae quivered with irritation. "Hidden feelings!" he echoed. "You're telling me I have feelings for you?" Mr. Krabs' face flushed a deep red. "No, no, no!" he sputtered, holding up his claws defensively. "It's just... you were out of it, Plankton, unable to know what you were saying." But Plankton wasn't letting it go. "I need to know," he insisted, his voice low and intense. "What did I say to you?" Mr. Krabs squirmed, his eyes darting around the room. "It's... it's nothing, really," he stammered. "Just random, incoherent babble." But Plankton's gaze was unyielding. "Tell me," he demanded. Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, eyes downcast. "You called me your... your best friend," he murmured. "And you said you admire me." Plankton's eye bulged, his antennae standing straight up. "Admired you?" he echoed, his voice incredulous. Mr. Krabs nodded, his cheeks burning. "Yes," he said, his voice barely audible. "But it was just the medication, I'm sure." Plankton's mind reeled at the revelation. Best friend? Admired? Inconceivable. He had spent his life plotting against Mr. Krabs, trying to steal the Krabby Patty secret, and here he was, confessing his admiration and friendship? A nightmare. "Why would I?" he croaked, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger. Mr. Krabs shuffled his feet. "I told ya," he repeated. "You were out of it, babbling about all sorts of things." But Plankton's mind was racing, trying to piece together the puzzle of his subconscious. "What else did I do?" he pressed, his voice tight. Mr. Krabs fidgeted, his eyes darting around the room. "You... you also thanked me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "For being here." Plankton's jaw dropped, his arms flailing. "Thanked you?" he echoed, his voice filled with disbelief. "What, exactly?" Mr. Krabs squirmed, his eyes darting around the room. "You said I was a... friend," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "And that you were grateful for my help." Plankton quivered with rage. "Grateful?" he spat, his voice filled with revulsion. "To you?" Mr. Krabs looked down at his claws, his eyes pleading. "I know it's hard to believe," he said. "But you were in a lot of pain, and the medication can do funny things." Plankton's mind raced, trying to process this new information. He had always seen Mr. Krabs as the epitome of everything he despised: greedy, selfish, and always one step ahead in their eternal dance for the Krabby Patty secret. But here he was, describing a moment Plankton couldn't even remember. "What else?" Plankton demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What other humiliating things?" Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his eyes flicking up to meet Plankton's. "Well, you dozed off during my story," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "You leaned against me, and before I knew it, you were out cold." Plankton's tentacles stilled, his mind racing with the absurdity of the situation. "Story time?" he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief. "I fell asleep on your shoulder?" Mr. Krabs nodded, his face a picture of awkwardness. "It was quite... unexpected," he said, his eyes darting around the room. "But you seemed to enjoy it." Plankton stared at him, his mind reeling. "What was the story?" he asked, his voice a hoarse whisper. Mr. Krabs' cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. "It was about... You, per your request." Plankton's eye widened. Mr. Krabs nodded, turning a shade of red that matched his shell. "Yeah," he said, his voice small. "You said you liked the sound of my voice. It's the anesthesia," he said, his voice gentle. "It can do funny things to a body, make 'em say and do things they wouldn't normally." Plankton tightened around the ice pack, his mind racing. He had always seen Mr. Krabs as his sworn enemy, the one who stood between him and the Krabby Patty secret. But here was Krabs, describing a moment of intimacy that was as far from their usual interactions as the moon was from the ocean floor. Mr. Krabs cleared his throat, in discomfort. "It's alright, Plankton," he said, his voice gruff. "It's not something anyone needs to know about." But Plankton was insistent, his curiosity piqued. "I need to know," he said, his voice a mix of anger and desperation. "How did it happen?" Mr. Krabs sighed, eyes dropping to the floor. "Well," he began, his voice halting. "You seemed to get tired," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Your eye closed, and your head just... kind of fell onto my shoulder." Plankton's antennae twitched with discomfort, his cheeks burning. "And?" "Well, you were in pain," he said, his voice gruff. "I didn't want to disturb you ." Karen watched the exchange from the doorway. She knew Plankton was tough, but this was a side of him she had never seen before. Vulnerable and exposed. "Mr. Krabs," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Thank you for coming over." Mr. Krabs looked up, his eyes darting to her before returning to Plankton. "It's no trouble, Karen," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I just wanted to make sure he's okay." Karen nodded, her gaze never leaving Plankton's face. "I think we can handle it from here," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. Mr. Krabs' eyes darted between the two of them, fidgeting. "If... if there's anything I can do," he offered, his voice trailing off. Karen gave a small smile filled with gratitude. "I think we got it from here," she said. "But thank you for caring."

ᵀⁱᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵘʳⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ᵈ ᴵ ᵗʳᵃᵈᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵛⁱ́ᵃ ᵇˡᵃᶜᵏᵐᵃⁱˡ?" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵐʸ ˢᵒᵘʳᶜᵉˢ ⁱⁿᵈⁱᶜᵃᵗᵉ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵖʳⁱᶻᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵈᵒˡˡᵃʳ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵉᵃʳⁿᵉᵈ ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵃˢ ᴵ'ᵐ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐʸ ˢˡᵘᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵖᵃʳᵗʸ ᵃᵗ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ'ˢ‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ 'ᴴⁱˢ ᵈᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵗ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ʷᵒʳᵏ ʰᵒᵘʳˢ ˢᵒ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢⁿᵉᵃᵏ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ!' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒˡˡᵃʳ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ'ˢ ᵉⁿᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᶜˡᵉᵃʳ ᶜᵃˢᵉ! ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ˢᵉᶜᵘʳⁱᵗʸ ᶜᵃᵐᵉʳᵃˢ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ 'ᵀᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᵈᵒˡˡᵃʳ ᵃˢ ʳᵃⁿˢᵒᵐ⸴ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃʳ‧‧‧' ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵒᵗᵃᵍᵉ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ʸᵉˢ⸴ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ‽" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ ʰᵒᵘʳˢ ᵈᵃʸ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒˡˡᵃʳ ˡᵃᵈ! ᔆᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵉ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵗ ʰᵉʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ ˢᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧‧‧" 'ᵂʰᵉʳᵉ ⁱˢ ⁱᵗ‽' ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵛᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵇᵉᵗ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗⁱᵖ ᵗᵒᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵈᵒᵒʳ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵉᵗ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵒʸ‧ ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵖᵉᵉᵏᵉᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱᵗ‧ "ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʰᵒˡᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ!" "ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵒʷ ᵈᵒ ᴵ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ? ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᵈᵉᶜᵒʸ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢʰᵒʷᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃ ˢⁱᵐⁱˡᵃʳ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵉˣᶜᵉᵖᵗ ⁱᵗ ʰᵃᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵃᶜᵏʸ ᵇᵘᶜᵏˢ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵃʸ ʰⁱˢ ʷᵒʳᵏᵉʳˢ ʷⁱᵗʰ‧ "ᴺᵒʷ ᵍᵒ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢʷⁱᵗᶜʰ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ! ᴴᵉ'ᵈ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ˡᵃᵗᵉ ⁱᵗ ˢᵃʸˢ 'ʷᵃᶜᵏʸ ᵇᵘᶜᵏˢ' ᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧‧‧" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵖᵘˢʰᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁱⁿ‧ ᔆˡⁱᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ⸴ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵈᵒ ⁱᵗ ˢʷⁱᶠᵗˡʸ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᶜʰᵃⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ'ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜʳᵃʷˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᶜᵒʸ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵍʳⁱᵐᵃᶜᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˢⁱᵗᵃᵗᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵍʳⁱᵖ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˢ ᵗⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ˢʰʳᵘᵍᵍᵉᵈ⸴ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳⁿᵃˡˡʸ ᵖᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵉⁿᶜᵒᵘʳᵃᵍᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒⁿᵗⁱⁿᵘᵉ‧ 'ᴶᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ʰᵘʳʳʸ ˢᵒ ʷᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʷⁱᵗⁿᵉˢˢ ᵐᵉ ᵉⁿᵉᵐʸ ˢⁿᵒʳᵉ' ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᵖˡᵃᶜⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵃᵏᵉ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ⁱⁿ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉᵐᵇʳᵃᶜᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡ ᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ʷⁱⁿᶜᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ "ᴱᵘʰ–" "ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉᵗ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵉᶜᵗⁱᵛᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒᶠᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳᵒᵖᵉʳᵗʸ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ʲᵒᵇ! ᴬˡˢᵒ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ⁿᵉʷ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵉˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖᵃʸᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ˢᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ⁱᵗ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒˡˡᵃʳ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵒᵗ ˡᵉᵛᵉʳᵃᵍᵉ‧ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ˢᵉᶜᵘʳⁱᵗʸ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳⁱᶻᵉᵈ ᵖᵒˢˢᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᴱᵘᵍᵉⁿᵉ‽" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᶠᶠⁱᶜᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁱⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵘᵖᵖᵒˢᵉ ᴵ ᵇʳⁱᵇᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉˡᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵃˢᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵃ ᶠᵃᵏᵉ‧ "ᴳⁱᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵒʳ ᶜʰᵒᵒˢᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵒˡˡᵃʳ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵃᵗᵗᵉʳ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ᶜʰᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᴵ'ˡˡ ʳᵘˡᵉ!" "ᑫᵘⁱᵗᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵃʳʸ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴵ ʳᵘˡᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵉᵈ ᵃᵗ‧ "ᴺᵒʷ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵂᵃᶜᵏʸ ᴮᵘᶜᵏˢ ᵗᵒ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ ᶠᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ‧

ᴵⁿ ᴬ ᵀᵃⁿᵍˡᵉ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ᶠᵃⁱˡᵘʳᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᶜᵒˡˡᵃᵖˢᵉᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵃ ᵖᵉʳˢᵒⁿ ᵈʳᵒᵛᵉ ⁱⁿᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵇˡⁱᵗᵉʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵃⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵉⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᵏᵉˡᵖ ᶠᵒʳᵉˢᵗ⸴ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒᵒᵈˢ ᵃᵈʲᵃᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱᵉˡᵈˢ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵘⁿⁿⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ʰᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵗʳᵃⁿᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ˢᵉᵃ ʷᵉᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵘⁿˢᵘᶜᶜᵉˢˢᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈˡʸ‧ 'ᴹᵘˢᵗ⸴ ᵍᵒ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ⸴ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ʰᵉ ˢˡᵒʷˡʸ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵈᵃⁿᵍᵉʳ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵃ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰ‧ ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵗ⸴ ʷʰⁱᶜʰ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿⁿᵒᵗ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃⁿʸ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ‧ ᴬˢ ⁱᵗ ᵗⁱᵍʰᵗᵉⁿᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍⁿᵉˢˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢˡⁱᵖˢ ᵃʷᵃʸ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵘⁿᶜᵒⁿˢᶜⁱᵒᵘˢⁿᵉˢˢ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵉˡˡʸᶠⁱˢʰ ᶠⁱᵉˡᵈˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ʰᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵉʰⁱⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ⁿᵒⁱˢᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵒᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ‧ ᴬ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ʰᵉ ˢᵃʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢⁱⁿᵍ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴴᵉ ʳᵃⁿ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏᵉˡᵖ‧ ᴸᵘᶜᵏⁱˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ʳⁱᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵘⁿᵗᵃⁿᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖʳⁱᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠʳᵉᵉ‧ ᴮᵒᵈʸ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ˡⁱᵐᵖ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉᵈ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵃˡⁱᵛᵉ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ‧ ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧" ᶜᵘᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʳʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ⸴ ʷᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵃᵈ‧ ᔆᵒ ʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃˢˢᵉˢˢᵉᵈ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᵐᵖᵃᶜᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᵒʷ ᵇᵃᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏᵉˡᵖ ᵍᵒᵗ⸴ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵉʰᵉᵃᵈ‧ "ᔆᵒ ˢᵒʳʳʸ‧‧" 'ᴹᵉᵒʷ‧‧' "ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢⁿᵃⁱˡ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵖˡᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ‧ "ᴹʸ ʰᵒᵐᵉ⸴ ᵐʸ ʳᵘˡᵉˢ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴳᵃʳʸ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒᵒᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᵘʳᵍᵉⁿᶜʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ 'ᵉᵐ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵒᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵒʳ ᵃʷᵃʳᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵘⁿᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘʳʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᵐᵒʳᵉ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʰᵒʷ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵗᵉᵃʳˢ ˢʰᵉᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ˢᵗʳᵒⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃˡᵐ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴱᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʰᵉ ʲᵘᵐᵖᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ‧ ᴼʳ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵘᵈᵍᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃⁿ ᵉˡᵇᵒʷ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵒᵛᵉʳʷʰᵉˡᵐᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵘˢ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵃˢᵏ ᶠᵒʳ‧ ᔆᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵃ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁱᵗˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉ ᵒʳ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ʰᵉ'ˢ ᵃᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʳᵘᵇᵇᵉᵈ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵇʸ ᵃ ᵗʰᵘᵐᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵍᵃⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵉⁿˢᵉˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʷᵃᵏᵉˢ ᵘᵖ⸴ ᵉʸᵉ ᶠˡᵘᵗᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ‧ "ᵁᵍʰʰʰʰʰ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵃ⁻" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‽" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ‧ "ᵂʰ⁻ʷʰᵃ⸴ ʷʰ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵒⁿ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵍⁿⁱˢᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠˡᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐᵒˢᵗˡʸ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʷᵒʳˢᵉ‧ "ᴳᵃʰ⸴ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ʰ⁻ʰᵘʳᵗ⸴ ʰᵘʳᵗˢ‧" ᴴᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵖᵘᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵍᵒ‧ "ᵁʳᵍʰ⸴ ᵒʷ! ᵂʰ⁻ʷʰ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʰʸ'ˢ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ⸴ ᵒ⁻ᵒʰ ᵒᵘᶜʰ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵗʳᵘᵍᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉ ˢᵒʳᵉ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ˢᵗᵘᶜᵏ‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ ᵛᵃᵍᵘᵉˡʸ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ˡᵒˢⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗʳᵉⁿᵍᵗʰ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴵ ʳᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵒʷ'ᵈ ᴵ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ?" "ᴵ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ'ᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵈᵉˢᵗʳᵒʸᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ'ˢ ᵗᵒ! ʸᵃᵍ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃˢ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ "ᴼᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ʰᵒʷ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ?" "ᵁʰᵐ ᴵ⸴ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵗᵒ ʷᵉᵃᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵐᵘᶜʰ‧" "ᴵ ˢᵉᵉ‧ ᵂᵉˡˡ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵒʳ ᵉᵃᵗ? ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ʸ⁻ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵗᵃʸ? ᴾˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᴵ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ‧" "ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ! ᴶᵘˢᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ʰᵘⁿᵍʳʸ ᵒʳ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ⁱⁿᵛⁱᵗᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵐᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗᵉᵈ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᶠʳᵉᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ⁱᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ‧" "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧" "ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉˢ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵐᵒᵛᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵇᵇᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ ʳᵘᵇᵇⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵗʰᵘᵐᵇ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧

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.

WISDOMS ii The car pulled out of the dental office's lot, tires humming against the asphalt. "Hang in there buddy," Patrick said. Plankton's head lolled to the side, a stream of drool escaping the corner of his mouth. "Hey, Plankton, you ok?" Sponge Bob asked nudging him gently. Plankton's only response was a faint, "Mmph," as his head grew heavier and his body leaned in to Sponge Bob's side. Sponge Bob, ever the gentle soul, adjusted his position to accommodate his tiny friend, offering his shoulder as a makeshift pillow. The car's gentle sway and the comforting hum of the engine soon lulled Plankton into sleep. His breathing grew rhythmic as he snored lightly. Patrick leaned over to whisper, "Aw, isn't that cute?" Sponge Bob nodded, a soft smile spreading across his face. He knew Plankton had been nervous about the appointment. They had all been through a lot together but this was the first time Plankton had allowed himself to be this vulnerable. Patrick, ever the opportunist, decided to take advantage of the situation. He leaned over snapping a photo with his phone. "Look at this," he whispered to Karen, showing her the picture with a wide grin. Karen rolled her eyes, keeping her focus on the road. "You do know he's going to get you when he sees that, right?" Patrick just shrugged, his grin unwavering. "It's just a little joke, Karen. Besides, he's out cold." The car ride back to the Chum Bucket was quiet, only interrupted by the occasional snort from Plankton's snores and the soft murmur of the radio. Karen's eyes darted to the rearview mirror, watching the unlikely companions. Sponge Bob felt a strange sense of peace, his arm around his arch-nemesis-turned-friend providing comfort and support. As the car approached the Chum Bucket, Plankton's snores grew louder, echoing in the small enclosed space. Sponge Bob couldn't help but chuckle quietly, feeling the warmth and weight of his friend against him. It was a peculiar sight, the villainous Plankton, usually so full of energy and cunning schemes, now reduced to a sleeping, drooling mess. But in this moment, all animosity was forgotten. They were just friends sharing a car ride home after a long day. Karen pulled into the Chum Bucket's dilapidated parking lot, the headlights casting eerie shadows across the rusted metal exterior. She turned off the engine and the silence grew thick. Plankton's snores seemed to fill the void, a gentle reminder of the peacefulness that had descended upon them. Sponge Bob carefully lifted Plankton's head off his shoulder. "Hey, Plankton, we're home," he whispered. Plankton's eye fluttered open, and he looked around, momentarily confused. Then, he groaned and rubbed his jaw. "Oh," he mumbled, his voice thick. Sponge Bob and Patrick helped him out of the car, each taking an arm to support him as he swayed on his tiny legs. The anesthesia still had a firm grip on him, making his movements clumsy and awkward. "Careful," Karen warned. The two friends carefully maneuvered Plankton door of the Chum Bucket, his feet barely touching the ground as they shuffled along. Plankton's usual meticulousness had been replaced by post-surgical disarray. Sponge Bob and Patrick gently set him down on the couch. "I got you some new fresh gauze," Sponge Bob offered. "Open up!" Plankton, still groggy, opened his mouth allowed Sponge Bob to place the gauze. "Tanks," he murmured, his voice muffled by the material. He leaned back into the couch cushions, his eye drifting shut again. Patrick and Sponge Bob exchanged a look. "Do you need anything else?" Sponge Bob asked, his voice gentle and concerned. "N-no," Plankton stuttered. "Jush nee... tiwweeddd." "Alright, we'll be right here," Patrick assured him, plopping down onto an armchair. Sponge Bob took a seat on the floor beside the couch. Patrick, ever the one for a good laugh, couldn't resist teasing Plankton. "You know what they say, Plankton," he quipped. "A picture's worth a thousand words!" Sponge Bob shot him a warning look but Plankton was already snoring again, oblivious to the potential embarrassment that awaited him when he woke up. The two friends settled in for an unexpected night at the Chum Bucket. The next morning Plankton's the last to wake up, any trace of anesthesia now gone. He stirred slowly, his single eye blinking open to the harsh reality of daylight filtering through the grimy windows. His mouth felt like it was filled with cotton, and his jaw ached. He tried to sit up. "Whoa, easy," SpongeBob said, placing a comforting hand on Plankton's shoulder. "You had quite the nap." Plankton's eye widened as he took in his surroundings. He was in his own living room, but Sponge Bob and Patrick were sitting there, too. His mind raced as he tried to piece together what had happened. He touched his mouth gingerly, feeling the gauze. "Wh...what?" he croaked. Plankton's confusion grew as the fog of anesthesia lifted. "You had a little dental work done," Sponge Bob said with a smile. "Remember?" Plankton's eye narrowed as his only memories of yesterday began to flood back. The dentist's chair, the bright lights, and his mouth open for wisdom teeth? "You mean, I actually went through wivv it?" he whispered to himself, hand shooting to his mouth. "Yeah, you did," Patrick said, his grin spreading wider. "And you slept like a baby all the way home." Plankton looked down, his mind racing. "How did I get here?" he asked, his voice still thick with grogginess. "Well, you don't remember?" Patrick said with a smirk. "We had to practically carry you out of the dentist's office and into the car." "What? You... you carried me?" he sputtered, indignation rising in his tone. Sponge Bob nodded trying to keep his laughter at bay. "You were pretty out of it, Plankton." Plankton's eyes grew as realization sank in. "Wait, you thaw me wike that?" He sat up to quickly, wincing as pain shot through his jaw. "What did I do?" Sponge Bob handed him a glass of water. "Don't worry, you just fell asleep." Plankton took the water with a trembling hand, his mind racing. "But... what abou- my... my dignity?" Sponge Bob chuckled. "Don't worry Plankton. You've still got plenty of that. You just needed a little help, is all." Patrick couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire. "Yeah, you were so out of it, you didn't even notice when I took a selfie of us all in the car. Sponge Bob was being such a good nurse!" Plankton glowered at the starfish. "You what!" Patrick held up his phone, showing the incriminating photo. Plankton, mouth wide open and drooling, was sandwiched between the two friends. Sponge Bob looked concerned and slightly amused, while Patrick was grinning like he'd just won the Krabby Patty secret formula. "I sent it to ourselves!" "You... you..." he sputtered, unable to form a coherent sentence. The sight of himself drooling and vulnerable was so much. His pride had always been his armor, and it had been dented. Patrick chuckled, enjoying the moment. "Don't worry, Plankton. It'll be our little secret." "You're lucky I don't remember thish," he grumbled. Sponge Bob got fresh gauze for Plankton. "Open up," he instructed. With a begrudging sigh, Plankton complied. His mouth was a cavern of pain. Sponge Bob gently placed the gauze in, and Plankton couldn't help but wince. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice sounding even smaller than usual. The room was quiet for a moment, then, the silence was broken by a notification from Patrick's phone. He picked it up and looked at the screen, his grin growing even wider. "What?" Plankton asked suspiciously, his pride still bruised. Patrick couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst in to laughter, holding out his phone to show the latest meme he'd created from the photo. It was the picture of Plankton drooling onto Sponge Bob's shoulder, with the caption: "When you realize you're too small to get your own wisdom teeth out without snoring through it." Sponge Bob's cheeks turned pink with laughter, despite his efforts to remain serious. "Patrick, that's not nice," he managed to say between chuckles. "What? He did," Patrick exclaimed. Plankton's embarrassed. "I... I did not," he protested weakly. "Oh, but you did," Sponge Bob said, his laughter bubbling up. He couldn't help himself; the sight of Plankton all loopy from anesthesia was to much. "It was kind of adorable." Plankton huffed, but despite his embarrassment, he couldn't stay to mad at them. They had been there for him, and that was worth something. He took a sip of water. "You two are never to speak of this again." Sponge Bob and Patrick nodded solemnly. Eventually, Plankton's eye grew heavy again, and he drifted off into a nap. "Looks like he's out," Patrick said. Sponge Bob nodded, still smiling at the thought of Plankton's uncharacteristic vulnerability. "We should let him rest." Patrick stood up, stretching his arms. "Yeah, I guess we've had our fun for the day. Time to let you get back to your schemes, Plankton." Sponge Bob gently placed a pillow under Plankton's head. "Rest up, buddy. We can check on you later."

NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH i "Why do we have to go so early?" he grumbled. "I know, sweetie," Karen said, patting his hand reassuringly. "But it's for the best. You'll be out like a light during the surgery, and you won't feel a thing." The nurse noticed his distress and offered a kind smile. "Don't worry, Mr. Plankton. We're going to make this as comfortable for you as possible. First things first, let's get you in and then we'll start with some anesthesia." Karen watched as Plankton reluctantly climbed into the chair. The nurse dimmed the lights and adjusted the chair's recline. She placed a warm blanket over him, and the softness enveloped him like a comforting embrace, the nurse preparing Plankton for the surgery. She chatted away, "So, any plans for the weekend?" "Not really," he said, "Just recovery." The nurse nodded. She began to insert the IV, talked him through each step, her voice a comforting lullaby guiding him into a state of relaxation. She continued to engage in light conversation, told about her weekend plans, a lifeline to the outside world that seemed so far away in the cold, clinical environment. As the anesthesia began to work, Plankton felt his body grow heavier, his eyelid drooping. "You're doing great," she said softly. "Just keep breathing, ok?" Plankton's thoughts began to blur together. The doctor's voice grew distant, his words melding into a comforting murmur as Plankton felt himself slipping away. The last thing he heard was Karen's voice, a gentle whisper in his ear. "I'm here," she said, her hand holding onto his with a fierce tenderness. "I love you." And then there was nothing, the last sensation he felt before everything went quiet. The anesthetist monitored Plankton's vitals, ensuring he remained safely asleep throughout the procedure. Plankton was a picture of peace, mouth agape as the anesthesia kept him blissfully unaware of the world around him. The nurse's eyes flick from the monitors to Plankton's serene face. Plankton's body didn't even flinch. Plankton's face remained relaxed, his breathing even, as the anesthetic kept him in a state of blissful unconsciousness, ensuring that his comfort remained top priority. Plankton's body remained still, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence that soothed the room. The nurse gently swabbed his mouth, keeping the area clean and clear. The doctor stitched up the small incisions with a gentle touch, while the nurse cleaned Plankton's mouth. The anesthetist monitored the levels, ensuring a smooth and safe emergence from the depths of unconsciousness. The doctor looked at Karen, his eyes weary but his smile reassuring. "It's all done," he said. "Everything went smoothly. He's still sleeping it off, but you can go in and see him." Karen rushed in, her screen searching for Plankton. He was there, lying back in the chair, his mouth slightly open, a line of drool escaping the corner of his mouth. He looked so peaceful, vulnerable. She reached out and touched his hand, for the surgery was over. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm as he slept. "He's doing great," she assured her. "The surgery went well." Karen leaned over Plankton, as she brushed his antennae with her hand. She took in the sight of him, the gentle rise and fall of his chest, the soft snorish sounds escaping his mouth. His face was a portrait of peace, a stark contrast to the chaos of the surgery that had just taken place. The nurse finished her work and dimmed the lights, leaving the room in a soft glow that cast shadows across the floor. Karen pulled up a chair and sat down, her hand finding Plankton's again. "You're ok," she murmured, willing him to hear her voice, to feel her presence. "You're going to be ok." Karen's entire world was contained in reassuring her that he was still there. The nurse approached with a wad of gauze. "We need to put this in his mouth to help with bleeding," she explained gently. Karen nodded. The nurse placed the gauze with the same care she had shown throughout the entire ordeal, pressing it gently against the raw, tender spots where Plankton's teeth had once been. The nurse finished her cleanup and checked Plankton's vitals one last time. "He'll come around soon," she assured. "The anesthesia takes a bit to wear off." His breathing was still deep and steady, the gentle rumble of his snores filling the room. She found comfort in the mundane sounds of his slumber. His chest rose and fell in a rhythm that seemed to match the beeping of the heart monitor. The anesthesia had done its job well, leaving him in a deep, dreamless sleep. His face was serene. His antennae lay limp on the chair's headrest, and his mouth was open slightly, revealing the gauze the nurse had placed to stem the bleeding. The drool that had pooled at the corners of his mouth began to seep out onto the chair. The nurse noticed and nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "It's normal," she said. Plankton's snores grew louder, the drool now a small river that trickled down. Karen reached out with a trembling hand, her thumb catching the droplets before they could stain the fabric. The drool was a stark reminder of the reality of the situation. Her screen focused on the slow, steady flow of dribble, forming and breaking away, each one a little more substantial than the last. The nurse had said it was normal, but to Karen, it was a sign of his vulnerability, a tangible proof of the surgery's aftermath. As the drool grew into a small puddle on the chair, Karen's resolve to be strong for him grew stronger. She grabbed a tissue from the box on the side table and gently wiped. The nurse looked at her with understanding. "It's alright," she said softly. "He'll wake un his own time." Karen nodded, her screen never leaving Plankton's face. She felt a strange mix of love and pity. Here he was, reduced to a drooling mess in a chair, and yet she had never felt more connected to him. It was a strange intimacy, this moment of vulnerability, a silent pact between them that she would always be there to wipe away his fears, both literal and figurative. The nurse moved around the room, her movements efficient and silent. She checked the machines one last time before turning to Karen. "Why don't you sit down?" she suggested, patting the chair beside Plankton's. "It'll be a bit before he wakes up. Might as well get comfortable." Karen nodded, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She pulled up a chair and held his hand tightly, her thumb brushing back and forth across his knuckles. "Plankton," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "You did it, sweetie." She leaned closer. "The teeth are out. You're okay." She waited, watching the rise and fall of his chest, listening to the steady beep of the heart monitor, and willing him to open his eye. "Remember what I said about ice cream?" she asked, her voice a little louder this time. "You can have as much as you want when we get home." She tried to keep her tone light, despite the gravity of the situation. The thought of his favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream was supposed to make him smile, but his face remained slack. But she knew he was strong, and he would bounce back. He always did. "I just want you to know how much I love you. How much I need you. We've been through so much together, and I can't imagine my life without you. You're going to wake up soon, and it'll all be over. And then we can go home, and I'll take care of you, just like you always take care of me. Remember when we said 'in sickness and in health'?" she whispered. "Well, this is definitely a 'sickness' moment, but I'm right here. And I'll be here through all the healthy moments too." The nurse quietly left them a moment of privacy. Karen leaned in closer. "You're going to feel a bit funny when you wake up," she said with a soft laugh. "Your mouth will be sore, and your face will be puffy. But I'll be there. And maybe I'll let you win at Scrabble for once." She chuckles. "Just don't let it go to your head." Plankton's eyelid fluttered, and a low moan escaped his throat. She squeezed his hand. "That's it, baby," she encouraged. "You're waking up." His eye opened slowly dilated and unfocused. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the harsh lights of the recovery room. He turned his head to the side, and she knew he was searching for her. "Hi," she said, her voice a warm whisper. "It's me, Karen. You're ok." His gaze found hers, and she saw the flicker of recognition. "Where am I?" he slurred, his voice thick and groggy. "You're in the recovery room, sweetheart," Karen said, her voice steady and soothing. "You just had your wisdom teeth out." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he nodded, trying to sit up. Karen gently pushed him back down. "Easy," she said. "You need to rest." "But I'm so tired," he mumbled, his voice weak. "I know," Karen said, stroking his forehead with her cool hand. "But you're doing great. Just stay still for a little while longer. They got all four teeth out without any complications." He nodded, his eye still closed. "Good," he mumbled.

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NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH ii "You're in the recovery room, sweetheart," Karen said, her voice steady and soothing. "You just had wisdom teeth out." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he nodded, trying to sit up. Karen gently pushed him back down. "Easy," she said. "You need to rest." "But I'm so tired," he mumbled, his voice weak. "I know," Karen said, stroking his forehead with her hand. "But you're doing great. Just stay still for a little while longer. They got all four teeth out without any complications." He nodded, his eye still closed. "Good," he mumbled. "I don't... I don't member any ting." His words were slurred. The anesthesia was definitely still working its magic on him. "It's ok," she said, her voice soothing. "You don't need to.." Plankton's head lolled to the side, and his eyelid grew heavy again. "Karen?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. "I'm right here," she assured him, her voice steady and calm. She watched as he tried to lift his hand to wipe at his mouth, but it flopped back down onto the chair's armrest, his fingers brushing against hers. Plankton's eye grew heavy again, and his head lolled to the side. The anesthesia was working its way out of his system, but it was taking its time. She chuckled as she watched him struggle to keep his eye open. "I'm... I'm," Plankton mumbled, his words coming out slurred and sloppy. His eye rolled back in his head, and he let out a snore. "You're a mess," she laughs, her voice filled with love. "But you're my mess." She watched as his chest rose and fell with each snore. It was clear that the anesthesia was still holding him in its grasp, and she knew it would be a while before he was fully awake. Karen couldn't help but laugh at his antics. Plankton's snores grew louder. Karen reached out and gently wiped the line of drool from his mouth with a tissue. He stirred, his eye blinking open again. "You're drooling," she whispered, smiling at him. "What's happening?" he asked, his words slurred. "You're coming out of the anesthesia," Karen said, her voice a lifeline in the haze. "Everything went fine." Plankton's eye searched hers, his thoughts racing. "Mmmy...nesia?" he mumbled. Karen's smile grew, understanding his attempt to ask about his sleep during surgery. "You mean the anesthesia?" Karen couldn't help but chuckle at his endeavor. "You're just a little out of it," she said, her voice gentle. "The anesthesia is wearing off." "Thish...thish ish...shomefinny," Plankton tried to say. "What?" Karen asked, her curiosity piqued by his attempt at speech. "Nothin'." Plankton's words were slurred into a single syllable. He looked utterly lost in the haze. Karen leaned closer. "You sure?" Plankton nodded, his smile lopsided. "Jush...jush glad." Karen couldn't help but laugh at his adorable incoherence. "You're so loopy," she said, her voice filled with affection. She squeezed his hand gently. "I love you." "Ish love...love you too, Karen," he slurred. "I know," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and affection. "Tish...tish hard," Plankton mumbled, his cheeks dimpling with his own private joke. The nurse entered the room, checking his vitals with a knowing smile. "It's normal for patients to be a bit out of it after surgery," she said, scribbling notes on her clipboard. "I'm shorry," he said, words still a jumble. Karen couldn't help but lean in closer, her own smile growing wider. "It's ok," she assured him, her voice gentle. The nurse nodded in agreement, her own smile playing at the corners of her lips. "It's quite common," she said, her voice professional but kind. "Ish...Ish...it...over?" he managed to ask, his tongue thick in his mouth. "Yes, sweetheart," Karen said, her voice still filled with love and amusement. "You're all done. They got all your wisdom teeth out." "Thish...thish allll over now-ow." "Almost," Karen said, her voice a gentle melody. "We just need to wait for the anesthesia to wear off a bit more, and then we can go home." Plankton nodded, his eye already drifting shut again. His mouth moved as he attempted to speak, but only slurred sounds came out. Karen leaned in closer, her smile never wavering. "You know, you're pretty chatty for someone who's had their wisdom teeth out." "Ish...Ish always had...shomeshin' to shay," Plankton managed, his speech a series of lisped and elongated sounds. Plankton's eye began to drift closed again, his breathing growing deep and even. The nurse finished her checks and gave Karen instructions for his aftercare. "Make sure he takes it easy," she said. "I will," Karen promised, her screen never leaving Plankton's face. The quiet was filled with the sound of Plankton's snores, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm beneath the blanket. His mouth was still slightly open, and she could see the drool forming at the corner of his lips. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see a text from Mr. Krabs, Plankton's rival at the Krabby Patty. "How's he doing?" it read. "Loopy," she replied with a smiley face. She had told Mr. Krabs about the surgery the day before, and despite their rivalry, he had offered to come visit when they get back home. The nurse poked her head back in, checking the clock on the wall. "Alright, he's ready to go," she said, her smile warm. Karen nodded, standing up and gently shaking Plankton's shoulder. "Come on," she whispered. "Let's get you home." Plankton's eye blinked open slowly, and he looked around the room with confusion. "Home?" he mumbled, his voice still thick. "Yes, we're going home," Karen said, her voice the balm to his disorientation. She helped him to his feet, supporting his weight as he swayed slightly. The drive back home was a blur of sleep. Plankton's head lolled against the car window, the vibration of the engine lulling him to a doze. "You okay?" Karen asked, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. "Yeah," Plankton mumbled, his voice a sleepy rumble. "Just...tiwed." The drive home was quiet, with only the occasional snore piercing the silence. Karen drove carefully, her eyes flicking between the road and the mirror to check on Plankton. She knew he would be out for the count for a while, and his face was still swollen. As they pulled into their driveway, Plankton stirred. "We're home," Karen said, her voice gentle. He nodded, his eye still half-closed. "Home," he murmured. Karen helped him out of the car, his legs wobbly as he tried to find his balance. She wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting him as they made their way, and he leaned into her, his body heavy with fatigue. The house was quiet as they entered, the only sound the occasional tick of the grandfather clock in the hallway. Karen guided him to the couch, carefully helping him sit down. "Rest here," she said, her voice a gentle command. Plankton nodded, eye closing again. She disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a glass of water and a pillow. "Here," she said, placing the pillow behind his head. He took the glass with a nod, his hand shaking slightly. He took a sip. "Thish...thish ish...good," he managed to say. She knew he was in pain, and the anesthesia was only adding to his confusion. "I'll be right back," she said, her voice a soft whisper. Karen grabbed the pet amoeba puppy, Spot. She carried him back to the living room, where Plankton was slowly coming around. "Look who's here," she said, holding Spot out to him. Spot's blob-like body stretched out in excitement, his little legs waving in the air. Plankton's eye widened at the sight, and a smile spread across his swollen face. "Spot," he murmured, his voice still thick with anesthesia. Karen set Spot on his lap, and the amoeba immediately began to cover him in wet, loving kisses. Plankton chuckled, his hand rising to pet the creature's gelatinous head. "Hey, bubby," he slurred, his speech still compromised. The simple act of touch brought a spark of life to Plankton's eye. "You're good boyth," he said, his voice a mix of affection and pain. Spot's response was a happy wiggle. Karen couldn't help but smile at the sight, Plankton's love for their little amoeba was unwavering. She took a seat beside him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "Just rest," she said, her voice a soft command. Plankton nodded, his eyes closing again. Spot continued to shower him with affection, his slimy kisses landing on Plankton. Karen watched them for a moment, her heart swelling with warmth. Then she stood up, knowing there was still more to do to ensure Plankton's recovery went smoothly. In the kitchen, she put together a soft meal for him, something that wouldn't irritate his sensitive mouth. She chopped up some fruit into a small bowl and warmed up a cup of soup. The smells of chicken broth and sweet berries filled the air, a comforting aroma that she hoped would ease his pain. When she returned to the living room, Plankton was asleep, Spot curled up with him. She set the food down on the table, the spoon clinking gently against the porcelain bowl. She took a moment to appreciate the peaceful scene before her, the two of them nestled together, the TV playing a low murmur of background noise. Karen decided to let him sleep for a bit longer. Gently, she lifted Spot off Plankton's lap and placed him on the floor. The amoeba pup quickly scuttled back by the couch, but still on the floor. Karen then turned off the TV, not wanting the noise to disturb Plankton's rest. Just as she was about to leave the room to let him sleep, the doorbell rang. It was Mr. Krabs, his beady eyes looking concerned. She opened the door, whispering, "Shh, he's asleep." Mr. Krabs nodded, his usual gruffness replaced with a rare display of compassion. He held a bag of ice. "Thought he might need these," he said, handing them to her. Karen took the bag gratefully. "Thank you," she whispered. "He's in the living room."

NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH iii Just as Karen's about to leave the room to let him sleep, the doorbell rang. It was Mr. Krabs, eyes looking concerned. She opened the door, whispering, "Shh, he's asleep." Mr. Krabs nodded, his usual gruffness replaced with a rare display of compassion. He held a bag of ice. "Thought he might need these," he said. Karen took the bag gratefully. "Thank you," she whispered. "He's in the living room." Mr. Krabs nodded again and followed her into the room. He took in the sight of Plankton, sprawled out on the couch with his mouth slightly open, snoring softly. "Tough day, eh?" he murmured. "You have no idea," Karen replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion. She took the gauze out of Plankton's swollen cheeks. He stirred but didn't wake. Mr. Krabs took a seat in the chair opposite the couch, fidgeting nervously. "How's he been?" he asked. "In and out," Karen replied, watching as Plankton shifted slightly. Mr. Krabs leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "And what'd they say?" Karen sighed, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders. "It went well, the doctor said. They had to remove all four of his wisdom teeth. It wasn't easy, but he was pretty out of it. They had to give him extra sedative." Mr. Krabs' eyebrows shot up. "Plankton, out of it?" Karen nodded, a small smile playing on her lips despite the situation. "Just sleeping, drooling a bit.." Mr. Krabs chuckled quietly. "I think this really knocked him out." Karen nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, he's been pretty out of it since he went under," she whispered. "But it's ok, it's just til the anesthesia wears off." Mr. Krabs leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Plankton's sleeping form. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but...he looks peaceful." Karen chuckled softly. "He's not one to sit still, so it's definitely a rare sight." She took the bag of ice from Mr. Krabs and placed it gently on Plankton's swollen cheek. He didn't even flinch, lost in a world of drug-induced slumber. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, the only sound being Plankton's rhythmic snores. Eventually, Plankton's eye opens. "K-Krabs?" he slurred, his voice groggy. Mr. Krabs jolted upright, his claws clutching the chair's armrests. "Yes, yes, it's me," he said, his voice a mix of surprise and awkwardness. Plankton's eye searched the room, his gaze landing on the bag of ice on his cheek. He reached up to touch it, his hand wobbly. "What...happened?" "You had your wisdom teeth out, honey," Karen said, her voice soothing. "Remember?" Plankton's expression grew comically confused. "Wish-dish...teef?" Mr. Krabs coughed, clearing his throat. "Ah, yes, your wisdom teeth," he said. "Yes, those pesky things," he said. "But don't worry, they're gone now." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he tried to sit up, only to wince in pain. "Oh, wight," he murmured, his hand moving to his mouth. Karen quickly leaned over and pushed him back down gently. "Easy, you need to rest," she said. Plankton's eye searched the room again before focusing on Mr. Krabs. "K-Krabs?" he slurred, a hint of a smile forming. "Youw here?" Mr. Krabs nodded, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Yes, I am. Thought I'd check on my favorite...uh, rival." Karen couldn't help but chuckle at the awkwardness, but Plankton's face lit up. "You're my best fwiend," he slurred, his arm reaching out to pat Mr. Krabs' hand. Mr. Krabs looked down at the small, tentacle-like hand on his arm, and for a brief moment, his usual stern expression softened. "Plankton, I...I'm just here to check on you," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. Plankton's smile grew wider, his one eye shining with what could only be described as affection. "Mr. Kwabs, you're the best," he slurred, his voice thick with the remnants of the anesthesia. Mr. Krabs looked at Karen, his beady eyes wide with surprise. "Is he...is he okay?" he whispered. Karen nodded, her own smile growing. "It's just the anesthesia. He'll be back to his usual self in no time." Plankton's hand remained on Mr. Krabs' arm, his grip tightening slightly. Mr. Krabs' shell flushed, unused to such affection from his nemesis. "Th-thank you, Plankton," he stuttered. "Just get some rest now." Just something endearing about Plankton's vulnerability in this state. She knew Mr. Krabs felt it too, his gruff exterior melting away like the ice on Plankton's cheek. "Mr. Kwabs," Plankton mumbled again. Mr. Krabs cleared his throat, his pinchers fidgeting with the chair's armrest. "Yes, Plankton?" "Can you...tell me a stowwy?" Plankton's voice was barely audible, his one eye pleading. Mr. Krabs' eyebrows shot up. "A story?" he repeated, surprised. "It'd help him relax," Karen shrugs. "Just something simple." Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his mind racing for a suitable tale. "Once upon a time," he began, his voice softer than usual, "there was a tiny plankton named... Sheldon." Plankton's eye fluttered open, a smile spreading across his swollen face. "Thath's me!" he exclaimed, his voice still slurred. Mr. Krabs chuckled, his usual stern expression replaced with a warm smile. "Indeed it is," he said, his eyes crinkling at the edges. He took a deep breath and continued, "Sheldon Plankton lived in a big, blue sea. And he had the most amazing plan." Plankton's eye remained open, focusing on Mr. Krabs as best he could. "Whath's the plan?" he mumbled. Mr. Krabs paused, surprised by Plankton's interest. "Well, Plankton had the most ingenious plan to become the best chef in the sea," he said, his voice taking on a storytelling lilt. Plankton's eye fluttered, his gaze fixed on Mr. Krabs. "Chef?" he repeated, his voice a hopeful murmur. Mr. Krabs nodded, his smile growing. "Yes, a chef," he said. "And every day, Sheldon would try new recipes, searching for the perfect Krabby Patty secret." Plankton's grip on Mr. Krabs' tightened. "Mr. Kwabs," he slurred again, his voice thick with emotion. "You're...you're the besht...the beth...chef." Mr. Krabs blinked, his eyes misting over. It was the closest thing to a compliment he had ever received from Plankton, and it was enough to make his heart swell. "Why, thank you, Plankton," he said, his voice cracking slightly. Karen watched the scene unfold with a warm smile. It was clear that despite their rivalry, Plankton looked up to Mr. Krabs in some way. It anesthetic loopiness was a side of him she had never seen before. "You...you're wike a fath-ther to me," he mumbled, his grip on Mr. Krabs' arm tightening. Mr. Krabs was taken aback, his claws patting Plankton's awkwardly. "Plankton," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're like...a...a...uh, a...uh, a...challenge," he finished lamely, not quite able to express the feelings that Plankton's words had stirred in him. Plankton's smile grew, his one eye gleaming with happiness. "I wike you." Mr. Krabs nodded, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "So, Sheldon Plankton," he began, his voice soothing. "He worked tirelessly, trying to outdo the Krabby Patty with his own secret recipe." Plankton's head lolled back against Mr. Krabs' arm, his breathing growing shallower. His grip on Mr. Krabs' hand loosened, and his eyelid began to droop again. Mr. Krabs noticed the change and paused his story, watching him carefully. "Don't stop," Karen whispered, brimming with tears. "It's helping him relax." Mr. Krabs nodded, understanding the unspoken request. He took a deep breath and resumed the tale. "But no matter how hard Sheldon Plankton tried, he just couldn't crack the code. One day, he stumbled upon an ancient scroll..." Mr. Krabs' voice droned on. Plankton's breathing grew more rhythmic, his grip on Mr. Krabs' arm loosening. His head slowly sank against Mr. Krabs' chest, and his eye closed completely. Mr. Krabs felt the weight of his rival, his own heart beating a little faster. He'd never had Plankton this close, this...trusting. The room grew quiet, only the occasional snore from Plankton piercing the silence. Mr. Krabs paused in his storytelling, his pinchers hovering over the bowl of soup. He looked down at Plankton, his expression a mix of confusion and something else. Something he couldn't quite put his claw on. "Should we get him to bed?" he whispered to Karen. "Yes," she said, pixelated eyes shining with unshed tears. "Let's get him comfortable." They carefully lifted Plankton from the couch. Karen picked up Spot, cradling him in her arms as they moved to the bedroom. Mr. Krabs took the lead. Plankton's snores grew louder as they climbed the stairs, each step a test of their coordination. Karen followed closely behind, her eyes never leaving Plankton's peaceful face. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen him so at ease, so vulnerable. It was a side of him she had rarely glimpsed, and it filled her with a warmth she hadn't expected. They laid Plankton down gently, his body sinking into the mattress with a sigh. Spot squirmed in Karen's arms, sensing the shift in his owner's condition. She placed the amoeba pup on the bed beside Plankton, who automatically curled into the warm blob, his snores growing quieter. Mr. Krabs hovered over the bed, his claws twitching as he surveyed the scene. "Is he...is he okay?" he asked, his voice a whisper. Karen nodded, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "He's just sleeping," she assured him. "Thanks for staying." Mr. Krabs nodded, his eyes lingering on the sleeping Plankton. "Of course," he said gruffly. "Can't have you two dealing with this alone." Karen tucked the blankets around him, smoothing out the wrinkles with a gentle hand.

NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH iv "Thanks for staying." Mr. Krabs nodded, his eyes lingering on the sleeping Plankton. "Of course," he said gruffly. "Can't have you two dealing it alone." Karen tucked the blankets around him, smoothing out the wrinkles with a gentle hand. The next day, Plankton woke, all traces of anesthesia worn off, cheeks tender to the touch. He vaguely remembered surgery, but everything after was a blur. "Morning," Karen said. She sat beside the bed, her screen warm with concern. "How are you feeling?" Plankton blinked. "K-Karen?" he asked. "Whath's...what happened?" "You had wisdom teeth removed, darling," she said softly. "You're going to be fine." The memory of surgery rushed back to Plankton in fragments—the operating room, machines, and then Karen holding his hand as he woke up. Wincing, he reached to tentatively touch his swollen face, the pain a reminder of his ordeal. Karen noticed his discomfort and handed him water. "Take it slow," she advised, watching him intently. Plankton took a sip, the cool liquid soothing. He leaned back into the pillows with a sigh. "Do you remember surgery?" she asked, stroking his arm. "It's all a bit fuzzy," he admitted. "Just going in, waking up. Going in the car to drive home? But nothing else.." The surgery had gone well. Karen knew Plankton and Krabs had a frenemy relationship, at best; but she had never considered the possibility that Plankton could harbor any genuine feelings for the crab, delirious or not. Now, as she watched him suffer, she debated whether to tell him. Would it help? Would it hurt? She didn't know. But Plankton's curiosity was piqued. "What's going on?" he asked, trying to read her expression. "Did I do something weird?" "It's nothing," she said, forcing a laugh. "Just the usual post-surgery confusion." Plankton's eye wandered around the room, and his gaze landed on a bouquet of jellyfish on the nightstand. "Who sent those?" he asked, his voice still hoarse. Karen looked at the jellyfish, then back at him. "Mr. Krabs," she said. Plankton's eyebrow shot up. "Krabs? Why would he send me jellyfish?" Plankton's eye narrowed slightly. "Does he know about the surgery?" he asked, a hint of concerned horror in his voice. Karen nodded, "I didn't know who else to turn to," she said, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and trepidation, her voice wavering slightly, "after you were admitted, I called him. I didn't know who else to call for help. You know, with the recovery necessities." Plankton felt his stomach drop. He had hoped that his arch-nemesis, Mr. Krabs, had been blissfully unaware of his weakened state. The thought of Krabs even knowing he was laid up and helpless was more than he could bear. "You called Krabs?" he croaked, disbelief etched into his features. Karen nodded again, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "He was the only one I could think of who could help us. And he was so kind, Plankton. He didn't even make fun of you." Plankton's mind raced. The mere thought of Krabs seeing him in such a vulnerable condition was almost too much to handle. He had always prided himself on being the smarter, more cunning one, the one who could outwit Krabs at every turn. Now, here he was, unable to chew, looking like a balloon with legs, and being witnessed by the very crab he had spent his life trying to outdo. "What did he see?" Plankton managed to ask, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. Karen looked surprised. "What do you mean?" "I mean, what did he see me?" Plankton's voice grew more urgent, the fear of humiliation coloring his words. "He saw you sleeping," she said gently. "But you were out of it. You don't have to worry about him." Plankton felt a wave of embarrassment. "How did I look?" "Looked like you were sleeping peacefully," Karen said, trying to reassure him. But she knew that wasn't what he wanted to hear. He wanted to hear that he looked strong, in control, not like the blubbering mess he actually was. Plankton sighed, the sound a sad, defeated hiss. "I can't believe you called him," he said, his voice filled with a mix of pain and annoyance. Karen's hand tightened on his shoulder. "I had to," she said firmly. "You needed someone, and he was the only one I could think of who would help." Plankton's gaze fell to the bouquet of jellyfish. "I hope I didn't budge or talk?" he asked, his voice tight. Karen squeezed his hand. "You were completely out of it," she assured him. "He said you looked tired." Plankton's eye searched hers for any hint of mockery, but all he found was sincerity. He took a deep breath, the pain in his cheeks flaring up, and nodded. He knew he had to accept help, but the thought of Krabs knowing he was down, even for a moment, was maddening. He shifted, trying to find a position that didn't make his mouth throb. "What else happened, with Krabs?" he asked, his voice strained. "He just dropped off the jellyfish and said to tell you to get better soon," Karen said, not giving answers. "I've said all I can say." The silence grew tense as Plankton's mind whirled with scenarios of what Krabs might have seen or heard. He knew his rival had a knack exploiting weakness, and he couldn't let his guard down, even in a state like this. He had to recover quickly, be sharp, to ensure that Krabs didn't use this moment of vulnerability against him. He also knew Karen's not gonna tell him whatever went down. Karen, noticing his discomfort, decided to change the subject. "I'll go grab some ice cream for you," she offered, standing up. "It'll help with the swelling, but don't do anything foolish while I'm gone." Plankton nodded, his thoughts racing. As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, he began to formulate a plan. He had to speak to Krabs, to make sure there were no misunderstandings, no ammo for future taunts. Wincing, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, using the momentum to stand up. He wobbled for a moment, his head spinning, but steadied himself against the wall. In his office at the krusty krab, Mr. Krabs sat at the table, sipping a cup of tea and staring at the floor. He had hoped Plankton's odd behavior was just the drugs talking, but deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. He had felt a strange warmth when Plankton had called him 'my dearest friend' in his delirious state. But friends? That was a concept that seemed as foreign to him as a day without the Krabby Patty. He sighed, setting the cup down. It was nonsense, of course. Plankton was just confused. He had to be. After all, they had spent years in a cutthroat competition, stealing ideals, customers, the occasional secret ingredient. The thought of Plankton actually caring for him was absurd. But as he sat, Krabs couldn't help but feel a twinge of something he hadn't felt in a long time—awkward. But Plankton wasn't one to let things go easily. After a few moments of gathering his strength, he shuffled out of the bedroom, the pain in his mouth a distant second to the urgency of his mission. He goes to the Krusty Krab. He pushed open the door to the restaurant, the bell jingling overhead. Mr. Krabs looked up from his ledger, his heart skipping a beat as he saw Plankton stumble in. "What are you doing here?" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "You should be resting!" Plankton's eye narrowed, his jaw clenched in pain. "I need to talk to you," he ground out, each word a challenge. Mr. Krabs' claws clutched the edge of the table, twitching nervously. "Sure, sure," he said, trying to sound casual. "What's on your mind?" "Not here," Plankton hissed, gesturing to the open restaurant. The last thing he wanted was for their conversation to be overheard by prying ears, especially not by customers. Mr. Krabs, visibly confused, nodded and led him out back. The tension in the air was palpable. "Alright, what's so important?" he asked, trying to keep his cool. Plankton took a deep breath, his cheeks flushing with pain. "What did I say to you after the surgery?" he demanded, his voice gruff. "What do you mean?" he stalled, heart racing. Plankton's voice was low and intense. "You know what I mean," he said. "What happened at the house?" Mr. Krabs' eyes searched Plankton's for any hint of a bluff, but found only pain and determination. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his secret lift slightly. "You don't remember?" he asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Plankton's gaze was unwavering. "I remember enough," he said, voice tight. "I just know you were there. Don't gloat. Spill." Mr. Krabs looked at him, realization sinking in. He met Plankton's gaze. "You were in a bit of pain," he said, his voice carefully measured. "You were talking nonsense." "What kind of nonsense?" he demanded. Mr. Krabs took a step back, his eyes darting around the alleyway. "Oh, you know, the usual post-surgery babble," he said, trying to play it off. "Nothing important." But Plankton wasn't buying it. He could see relief in Krabs' eyes, and it made him more nervous. "I need to know," he insisted, his voice hoarse. "What did I say?" Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his claws drumming on the counter. "Said something about how we've been through a lot together?" But Pearl, Mr. Krabs' daughter, interrupted, wandering in, phone in hand, scrolling through images. "Daddy!" she exclaimed. "Look what I found on the phone!" Mr. Krabs' heart sank as he realized what's happening. He turned to see Pearl holding up a phone showing a photo of Plankton, post-surgery, asleep with his head resting on Krabs' elbow.

NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH v "I need to know," he insisted, his voice hoarse. "What did I say?" Mr. Krabs took a deep breath, his claws drumming on the counter. "Something about how we've been through a lot?" But Pearl, Mr. Krabs' daughter, interrupted, wandering in, phone in hand, scrolling through images. "Daddy!" she exclaimed. "Look what I found on the phone!" Mr. Krabs' heart sank as he realized what's happening. He turned to see Pearl holding up a phone showing a photo of Plankton, post-surgery, asleep with his head resting on Krabs' elbow as Plankton's arm was slung around him. The expression on Plankton's face was one of complete peace, with his mouth hanging open slightly, a stark contrast to the fiery look in his eye now. "Oh, Plankton!" Pearl exclaimed, spotting him standing there. "You look so cute sleeping all snuggled up to Daddy! You even drooled a bit on Dad's shirt! It's gone viral, and it got me more views!" The whale's innocent revelation hit the two like a ton of bricks. Mr. Krabs' eyes bulged, and his claws shot up to cover his mouth. "Pearl, what in Neptune's name are you doing with me phone?" he spluttered, his voice tight with panic. Pearl looked up, her cheery demeanor unchanged. "Oh, I just borrowed it to send myself, which I forwarded to post. Didn't you know you had this adorable selfie with Plankton?" She giggled, unaware of the tension in the air. Plankton's shocked mind was a blur, trying to piece together the reality of the moment. He looked from the photo to Mr. Krabs and back again, utterly speechless. The sight of himself in such a compromising position with his enemy was surreal. His mind raced, trying to remember any semblance of a conversation that could have led to this bizarre scenario. Mr. Krabs' face was a mask of horror, his claws fumbling for words. "It's not what it looks like," he stammered. But Plankton was beyond speech. The image of himself, in such a vulnerable state, nestled against Mr. Krabs was burned into his retina. His mind reeled, trying to grasp the reality of the situation. All the bravado, all the plotting and scheming, reduced to this: a mushy, love-struck expression shared with his mortal enemy. "You... you..." Plankton sputtered, his voice failing him. Mr. Krabs reached for the phone, his claws trembling. "It's just... a... a... I don't know what it is!" But Pearl was already skipping away, chuckling to herself. "You guys are so cute together!" she called over her shoulder, oblivious to the storm brewing between them. Mr. Krabs looked at Plankton, his expression a mix of horror and pleading. "It's not what it looks like," he repeated, his voice cracking. But Plankton was too far gone. The embarrassment and anger were a red haze in front of his eye. Neither of them knew how to navigate this sudden shift in their dynamic. The air was thick with tension and confusion, punctuated only by the distant sound of the ocean. Plankton's burning with a mix of anger and embarrassment. He could feel the swelling in his mouth and the weight of Mr. Krabs' secret pressing down on him like a lead balloon. Mr. Krabs, on the other hand, was frozen, his eyes darting from the phone to Plankton's face and back again. He knew he had to say something, do something, to fix this mess before it spun out of control. But what? Plankton's thoughts were racing, a tornado of rage and humiliation swirling in his head. He had to get out of there, to think, to figure out what this all meant. With a snarl, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the Krusty Krab, slamming. His footsteps echoed off the cobblestone as he made his way back to the chum bucket, his mind racing with questions. Karen arrived home with a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream, humming to herself, oblivious to the drama just unfolded. "Honey, I'm home!" she called out cheerfully, finding Plankton in bed. Karen stepped into the bedroom, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Plankton. "Look what I got you," she sang, holding up the ice cream. But Plankton's eye were glued to the door, his mind a maelstrom of emotions. He couldn't look at her, not without giving away the turmoil inside. "You're supposed to be resting," Karen chided gently, setting the ice cream on the nightstand. "I thought you'd be resting." Plankton's gaze remained fixed on the door, his thoughts a tangled mess. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, not yet. Karen's smile faltered as she noticed his distant gaze. "What's wrong, dear?" she asked, setting the ice cream on the nightstand. Plankton took a deep breath, his thoughts racing. He didn't know how to tell her about the photo, about the way Mr. Krabs had looked at him. He couldn't bear the thought of her pity, or worse, her laughter. "Nothing," he said, his voice tight. "Just tired." Karen's smile returned, and she leaned over to kiss his forehead. "You've had a long day yesterday," she said. But Plankton's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the image of himself with Mr. Krabs from his head. The photo was like a taunting specter, a constant reminder of his vulnerability. "You oughtta eat," Karen said, her voice filled with concern. She picked up the spoon and began to scoop out a small bite of the mint chocolate chip. Plankton turned to face her, his expression unreadable. But the words stuck in his throat like a mouthful of dry chum. He swallowed hard, then opened his mouth, letting her gently guide the spoon inside. The cold ice cream soothed his sore gums, but the bitter taste of his situation lingered. As Karen fed him, Plankton couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for not confiding in her immediately. But what could he say? That he apparently must've had a moment of weakness, and Mr. Krabs had seen it all? That his arch-nemesis had cradled him like a baby and whispered sweet nothings? No, he already figured out how she didn't take her life later eyes off him at all yesterday, knowing she must've seen. He took the spoon, his hand shaking slightly. "I can do it," he murmured, trying to regain some semblance of control. Karen watched him with a worried gaze as he took a tentative bite, his cheeks still red from the encounter. She could sense something was amiss, but she didn't push it. She knew Plankton well enough to know that he can tell her if or when he was ready. The silence in the room was thick, punctuated only by the soft clink of the spoon against the plastic tub. Karen's mind was racing, trying to piece together what could have happened since she left to get ice cream. "Plankton," she began, her voice soft. "Is there something you want to tell me?" He looked up, his eye a swirl of emotions. But the words remained lodged in his throat. He couldn't tell her about the photo, about Mr. Krabs' kindness, about the way it made him feel. It was too much, too raw. Instead, he just shook his head. "Just... processing." Karen studied Plankton's face, her aching for her husband. She knew he wasn't one to easily admit defeat, and the surgery had clearly taken a toll. "Well," she said gently. "If you need anything, I'm here." Plankton nodded, his gaze dropping to the half-eaten tub of ice cream. His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and anger. He had to figure out what to do with this newfound information about Mr. Krabs. The very idea that he might have acted up in front of his enemy, even in a drugged state, was unbearable, let alone not knowing or remembering anything. A few hours later, Karen decided to check her phone, which had been buzzing with notifications. She saw that she had missed several messages from Pearl, Mr. Krabs' daughter, and clicked open the chat with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. But what she found? The photo of Plankton, post-surgery and vulnerable, with Mr. Krabs' arm around him was plastered all over her social media feeds. It had gone viral, with captions ranging from "Plankton's new BFF" to "When your enemy becomes your nurse." Plankton had seen the photo, and it was eating away at him. She knew her husband's pride and competitive nature; this was a blow he wouldn't take lightly. She set the phone down, her mind racing with ways to help him. She needed to comfort him, to make him see that this moment of weakness didn't define him. Taking a deep breath, she approached the bedroom door, the smell of mint chocolate chip ice cream wafting from within. She gently pushed the door open, her eyes immediately finding Plankton's hunched form in the bed. His gaze was fixed on the wall, his expression a storm of emotions. "Plankton," she said again, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I saw the photo." He flinched, his eye snapping to hers with accusation. Karen sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Pearl sent it," she admitted. "It's everywhere. I'm sorry." Karen took his hand, her touch gentle but firm. "You're more than a photo, Plankton," she said. "You're a brilliant scientist, a loving husband, and a formidable adversary. This doesn't change that." But Plankton couldn't see it. All he could see was mockery and humiliation that awaited him outside the safety of their chum bucket. "I can't let him think he's won," he murmured, his voice laced with pain. Mr. Krabs picked up the phone and dialed Karen's number, his heart racing with every ring. When she finally answered, he took a deep breath. "It's Krabs," he said, his voice gruff but earnest. "I need to talk to Plankton." Karen's tone was wary. "What for?" Mr. Krabs swallowed his pride. "I... I just want to make sure he's okay," he said. Karen's voice softened. "He's not in a good place right now," she admitted. "But I'll pass the message along." "Tell him... tell him I didn't mean to embarrass him," he said, with regret. "And that I'm sorry for... everything." Karen's expression softened. "I'll let him know," she said before hanging up.

LEGGY i Plankton had an accident and needed surgery on his leg. SpongeBob and Patrick decided to pay him a visit. Their friend lay in the hospital bed, anesthetized, snoring softly. "Thank you," Karen said. "We appreciate it. They had to reset the bone and sew it back together. He won't feel anything now, but once the anesthesia wears off, he'll be in some pain. Your support means a lot to us.” "How long does he have to stay asleep?" he asked. "Awhile," she said. "It's important for him to rest and recover. Plankton might be a bit...overwhelmed when he wakes up. He might not be able to respond right now." "What's that?" he pointed at the intravenous drip attached to Plankton's arm. "That's the anesthesia, what keeps him asleep during the surgery so he doesn't feel any pain." Patrick's eyes grew wide with wonder. "What's that like?" "Well, it's like being in a deep sleep," she began, "you don't feel anything, and when you wake up, it's like you never left your bed." His chest rises and falls with each gentle snore, a sound that echoes faintly in the quiet room. "Karen, why’s he snoring?" "It's his body's way of breathing while asleep. He’s in a deep sleep." The lead doctor came. "We're going to start bringing him out of it now. He'll be coming out of anesthesia soon." Eventually Plankton's eye fluttered open, looking up at them with a glazed expression before his pupil focused. "Wha...where...what happened?" he stuttered, his voice groggy. "Why does everything feel...so...floaty?" he asked, his voice trailing off as he tried to lift his head, and it flopped back down onto the pillow. "Whoa, ship's a-rockin'!" he exclaimed. "Weeeee!" he giggled. "A Krabby Patty...no, a Krabby Patty...no, wait, a Krabby...a Krabby...a Krabby..." His words trailed off to nonsense, and he started to giggle uncontrollably. "He'll be fine, just let him talk it out." "I need...I need...a...a...Krabby...P...P...Patty!" He giggled again, his mind still a bit foggy. "Look, friends! Look at me go!" The doctor and nurse entered the room, checking Plankton's vitals and smiling at his slurred words. "He's coming out of it normally," the doctor assured them. "You can keep talking to him, it'll help him come back to reality." SpongeBob and Patrick exchanged glances. "Krabby Patty, huh?" Sponge Bob said. "Well, I'm sure we can find you one once you're feeling better." Plankton giggled again, eye drifted to the side. "But for now, let's just focus on getting you well, okay?" The doctor nodded. "He'll be in and out of consciousness for a bit. It's perfectly normal." Patrick leaned in closer to Plankton. "You hear that, Plankton? We're here for you, buddy.” He hands him some water. "Ahh," he sighed, eye fluttering shut again. "Krabby...Patty...water...good." “You just rest up, and we'll grab you a Krabby Patty when you're all fixed." Plankton's giggles turned into snores again, his eyelid drooping closed. The doctor chuckled. "It's the medication. He'll be in and out like this for a little while. Just keep talking to him, it'll help keep him grounded." The door to the hospital room creaked open, and Mr. Krabs poked his head in. "Sponge Bob! Patrick!" he bellowed. Mr. Krabs' eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of Plankton in the hospital bed. "Heard about the accident," he said gruffly. "Thought I'd check on the little scram." Plankton's eye snapped open again, his expression shifting. "Krabs!" he hissed. "What are you doing?" Mr. Krabs waved a dismissive claw. "Just makin' sure my number one competitor is out of commission," he said with a smirk. "But it seems you're in good company." "Mr. Krabs, we're here to support Plankton. He's had a rough day." Mr. Krabs' smirk grew. "Ah, yes, the great Plankton, laid low by his own incompetence. Couldn't even steal a Krabby Patty without breaking a leg." The room grew tense as Plankton's face reddened, his tiny fists balling up the hospital sheets. "It wasn't like that, Krabs," he protested, his voice strained. "It was an accident!" But Mr. Krabs was relentless. "Always an accident with you, isn't it?" He chuckled, his tone mocking. "You're as clumsy as you are small." Sponge Bob took a deep breath, his heart swelling with hope. "Mr. Krabs, now's not the best time to tease him. Plankton's really hurting." The tension grew thicker than a Kelp Shake. Plankton's tiny frame quivered with indignation. The anesthesia, however, was playing tricks on his emotions. He could feel the tears welling up in his eye, and before he knew it, they were spilling over, down his cheeks. "Ah, don't listen to him, Plankton," Sponge Bob whispered, his own eyes growing misty. "You're not incompetent. It was just an accident." Karen's screen flickered. "Mr. Krabs, please. He's not well." "I don't need pity, Krabs!" he spat out, his voice filled with embarrassment. Karen's screen flickered again. "Mr. Krabs, he needs space. He'll be in and out of it for a bit longer, but perhaps he'd appreciate the visit when fully conscious." Mr. Krabs then left. Plankton's breathing grew even, and his eye began to droop. "I think he's falling asleep," Patrick whispers. "Alright, he's all set to go home.." They nodded solemnly, eager to get their friend back to his safe haven, the Chum Bucket. Carefully, they helped him into a wheelchair, his sleepy head lolling onto Sponge Bob's shoulder. "Mmm, Krabby Patty," he murmured, his mumbled voice trailing off into a snore. Patrick held the car door open as Sponge Bob gently maneuvered Plankton, trying not to jostle him much. He snored quietly, his body still feeling the effects of anesthesia. They buckled him into the back seat, his head lolling to the side as SpongeBob sat by him. The car's gentle vibrations and the soft hum of the engine lulled Plankton further into his slumber. His snores grew louder, echoing through the car. Sponge Bob watched him, his heart aching at the sight of his friend. He reached over and patted his arm reassuringly. "It's okay, Plankton," he whispered. "You're going to be ok." The drive to the Chum Bucket was quiet, punctuated only by Plankton's intermittent snoring and the occasional burst of slurred words. "Karen...chum...water... Krabby Patty...friend," he would murmur, his voice a gentle reminder of the person behind the villain. "Chum...Karen...Krabs...Sponge...Bob...Patrick...Krabby Patty...Karen...chum...chum...chum..." Sponge Bob and Patrick shared a look in the rearview mirror, their expressions a mix of concern and amusement. "It's like he's having a conversation with himself," Patrick whispered. "Must be anesthesia," Sponge Bob said, his voice low so as not to disturb Plankton. "He'd probably remember none of it when he wakes up." Once they arrived at the Chum Bucket, they carefully transferred Plankton to his bed, snores becoming less frequent and more rhythmic as he slipped into a deeper sleep. They left him with a glass of water and a bowl of chum for when he awoke, feeling a bit of relief knowing he was home and safe. Hours later, Plankton's snoring finally ceased, and he blinked his eye open, feeling a dull ache in his leg, Sponge Bob and Patrick sitting by his bed in his bedroom. "What’s...what happened?" he asked. "You had surgery, Plankton. Remember? You hurt your leg pretty badly." "Surgery?" he repeated, his voice still thick with sleep. "I had surgery?" He glanced down at his bandaged leg, the memory of the accident slowly coming back to him. "Oh, right." Patrick's eyes lit up. "Oh, you were out of it, buddy!“ Plankton's smile faded as he took in his surroundings. "How long?" "A few hours," Sponge Bob said. "But don't worry, Karen's in the lab, just in case you need anything." Patrick leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You should've seen it, Plankton! You were snoring!" Sponge Bob playfully elbowed him. "Pat.." Patrick couldn't contain himself. "And when Mr. Krabs came in, oh boy!" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You started crying!" Plankton's embarrassment morphing into anger. "That's not funny, Patrick." he snapped, his voice sharp. Patrick nodded, with mirth. “Oh yeah, you were talking in your sleep, Plankton; you’re like, 'Krabby Patty...Chum...Karen...Patrick...Sponge Bob...'!" Plankton's frown deepened as he tried to sit up, only to wince in pain. "Krabby Patties?" "You'd get all excited about your latest plan, and then—just like that," SpongeBob said, snapping his fingers, as Patrick pretended to snore loudly. Plankton's eye widened. "No?" But Patrick had to prove Plankton's sleep-talking escapade. Patrick's laughter was contagious, and even Sponge Bob couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Plankton's dazed expression. Plankton's sleep-addled face, his mouth moving in a slurred chant and the occasional snort that punctuated his words. Patrick tried to mimic Plankton's slurred speech, which only made him giggle more. "You're even drooling!" he exclaimed. Sponge Bob's laughter grew quiet, feeling a twinge of pity for Plankton's embarrassment. "Patrick, maybe we should calm down," he suggested gently. "Come on, Plankton," he said. "You've got to admit, this is gold!" "Could you two at least get me something to eat?" he asked, his voice a mix of annoyance and defeat. Sponge Bob nodded, eager to change the subject. "Of course, Plankton. What would you like?" "Just...chum," Plankton mumbled, his face still flushed with embarrassment. Patrick's laughter grew louder. "Oh, come on, Plankton. You can't be serious right now!" He pretended to snore loudly, then added in a pitched voice, "Krabby Patty! Krabby Patty!" Sponge Bob couldn't help but chuckle. "Patrick, maybe we should—" But Patrick was in full jesting mode, his voice rising in pitch to mimic Plankton's. "Krabby Patty...chum...Krabby Patty...chum..."

ᵀᵒ ᴴᵉᵃˡˢ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ: ɪɴᴊᴜʀɪᴇꜱ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵗʳᵃᵖ ⁿᵉᵃʳ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ʰᵒˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶜʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ᵃⁿᵗᵉⁿⁿᵃᵉ ⁿᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᶜᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰᵃˡᶠ⸴ ᵃˢᵏᵉʷ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵒᵗ ʳⁱᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵛⁱᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵒ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉˡᵖ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ˡᵒᶜᵃˡ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ‧‧" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᵃ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵖᵃⁱⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵉ'ˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ ᵀʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉᵗⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉˡᵈ ʰᵃⁿᵈˢ‧ ᴮᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁱᵗ⸴ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ˡᵒⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵒⁿˡʸ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘᵃˡˡʸ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵃ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷⁱˡˡ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ⸴ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱˢᵉᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶜᵒˡᵈ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉᵗⁱˢᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴᵉ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉᵈⁱᶜⁱⁿᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡⁱⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ᵃᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ ᵘᵖ ᵒⁿ ʳᵒᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢᵉᵈ‧" ᔆᵃʸˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃᵗ ᵈᵒʷⁿ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜⁱᵃⁿ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᶜʰᵃᵐᵖ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵗᵒ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ‧ ᴺᵒᵗ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵉⁿᵉʳᵍʸ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉ ˢⁱᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᶠⁱᵍᵘʳᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ʷʰʸ‧‧ "ᵂʰ⁻ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ⸴ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉ— ʰᵃᵖ⁻ᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ʳᵘᵇ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ'ᵛᵉ ᵃⁿ ᵒᵘᶜʰⁱᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵍᵒᵗ ᶠⁱˣᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵉᵗ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵖᵖᵉᵃʳ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ʰᵉˡᵖˡᵉˢˢ ᵇᵃᵇʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡˡʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵉʳᵐ 'ᵒᵘᶜʰⁱᵉ' ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠʳᵘˢᵗʳᵃᵗᵉᵈ/ᵃⁿᵍʳʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ ʰᵉ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉˡᵖⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵛᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ᵖⁱᶜᵏ ᶠⁱᵍʰᵗˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ‧ ᴮᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ʰᵉ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵗʳⁱᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵃᵗʳᵒⁿⁱˢᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵇᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃʳᵐˡᵉˢˢ; ᵃⁿᵈ ʸᵉᵗ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ʳᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵃᵈᵐⁱᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ ᴵᶠ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ 'ᵒᵘᶜʰⁱᵉ' ʷʰᵉⁿᶜᵉ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ ʰᵉ'ᵈ ᵇᵉ ᶠᵘʳⁱᵒᵘˢ⸴ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ⁱⁿ ᵃ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜ‧ "ᔆᵒ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉⁿ'ᵗ ᵃ ᵐᵒᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʳᵃⁿˢᵖᵒʳᵗᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵐʸ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ'ˢ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵖʳᵒˣⁱᵐⁱᵗʸ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ⸴ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˢᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵖⁱⁿᵉᵃᵖᵖˡᵉ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵒ⸴ ˢᵒ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵉⁿᵈ!" "ʸ⁻ʸᵒᵘ ᵈᵒ?" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈ⁻ᵈⁱᵈ ʲ⁻ʲᵘˢᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ᵇˡᵃⁿᵏᵉᵗ‧ "ᴸᵉᵗ'ˢ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵉᵃˢʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗ⁻ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵉⁿᵈ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵇʸ ʸᵒᵘ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ?" ᔆᵃⁱᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵃᶜʰᵉᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᶜⁱᵖʳᵒᶜᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵘᵍᵍⁱⁿᵍ ᵍᵉˢᵗᵘʳᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍⁱᵛᵉ ⁿⁱᶜᵉ ʰᵘᵍˢ‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵛᵉʳˢ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ?" "ᶠᵘⁿⁿʸ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ‧‧‧ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖʸ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ʳᵉˢᵗ‧" "ᴵ ᵈ⁻ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ⸴ ᵇ⁻ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ⸴ ʷ⁻ʷ⁻ʷʰʸ?" "ᵂᵉˡˡ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᴵ ʷᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢⁱᵈᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ‧ ᶜᵒᵒˡ?" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉᵈ⸴ ᶠˡᵘᶠᶠⁱⁿᵍ ᵖⁱˡˡᵒʷˢ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍʳᵃᵇˢ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵈʳᵒʷˢⁱˡʸ⸴ ᵈᵒᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ‧‧‧ 'ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵇʳᵘᵖᵗˡʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ⁱˢ ᵗᵒ ᑫᵘⁱᵉᵗ‧‧' ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗ⸴ ⁿᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ˡᵃʷⁿ‧ ᴵᶠ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᵘⁿˢᵉᵗᵗˡⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᵃ ⁿᵃᵖ ʷʰᵉⁿ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵃʷᵒᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ⸴ ᵗᵉˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶠʳʸ ᶜᵒᵒᵏ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᔆᴾᴼᴺᴳᴱᴮᴼᴮ ᔆᑫᵁᴬᴿᴱᴾᴬᴺᵀᔆ ᵂᴴ‧‧‧" ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰⁱˢ ᵃᵇʳᵘᵖᵗ ᵉⁿᵗʳʸ ⁿᵒʷ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧ ᴮᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ˢⁿᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ᵃʷᵃᵏᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ʲᵒˡᵗ‧ "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ‽" ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰᵉˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳⁱˡˡ‧‧" "ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵃ⁻ᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ʷ⁻ʷᵉˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʳ ᵐᵘˢᵗ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ⸴ ᵖ⁻ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ‧‧" "ᔆ⁻ᔆᵀᴼᴾ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉᵐ‧ ᔆᑫᵘⁱᵈʷᵃʳᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᴵ⸴ ʷᵉˡˡ ʰᵉ'ˢ⸴ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵉ ᵃ ᵗᵃᵈ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃʳᵉ‧ ᵂᵃⁱᵗ ʰᵒʷ'ᵈ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵖˡᵃᶜᵉ? ᴼʰ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ⸴ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ; ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ⸴ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿ⁻ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ˢⁱⁿᶜᵉ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ‧" "ᴵ⸴ ʰ⁻ʰᵘʰ? ᴰⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵉⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃʳʳʸ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ ᵈᵒᶻⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ʰᵉʳ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶜᶜᵘʳʳᵉᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ᵗᵃᵖᵖᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗⁱᵉ! ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ᵈ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ ⁱⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵖᵘᵗ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵐᵒᵉᵇᵃ ᵖᵘᵖᵖʸ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈ⁻ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ᵍᵒ!" ᴴᵉ ᶜʳⁱᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ᵐⁱˢˢ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ!" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒᵐᵒʳʳᵒʷ‧‧" "ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ʷʰⁱˡˢᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ʰᵉᵃˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˡˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ⸴ ᵐʸ ˢʷᵉᵉᵗˢ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴼʰ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵍ⁻ᵍᵒᵒᵈᵇʸᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵇˡᵉʷ ᵃ ᵏⁱˢˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˢᵐⁱˡᵉᵈ⸴ ˡᵉᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵒʳ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵃ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ᵃⁿʸ ˡⁱⁿᵍᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵃᵉˢᵗʰᵉᵗⁱˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ʷᵒʳⁿ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵇʸ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒᵗ?" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ʷᵃᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵗᵃⁱˡ ʰᵃᵖᵖⁱˡʸ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰᵘʳᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜˡⁱⁿⁱᶜ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘʳᵍᵉʳʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᶜᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᵇʳᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ‧ 'ᴴᵒᵖᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢ ᵐʸ ˢᵉˡᶠ ᵇᵃᵈˡʸ' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡˡʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ 'ᴺᵒᵗ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴵ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᵒʳ ʰᵒʷ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ‧‧‧' ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗˢ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵉᵉˢ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᶜˡᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵇˡᵉˢ‧ ᴷⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ⸴ ˢʰᵉ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠˡᵘˢᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ/ᵉᵐᵇᵃʳʳᵃˢˢᵉᵈ‧ "ᴴⁱ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴳᵒᵒᵈ ˢᵒ ᶠᵃʳ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧‧" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵘᵖᵉʳᵛⁱˢᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵗᵒᵈᵃʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵗʳʸ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ⁿᵒʳ ᵖʳᵉᵖᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃˢ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵘᵖᵉʳᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ‧‧" ᔆʰᵉ ᵐᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵈᵈᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ˡⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ᵏⁱˢˢᵉˢ‧ ᵀʰᵉʸ ˡᵒᵒᵏᵉᵈ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ʷⁱⁿᵈᵒʷ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵏʳᵘˢᵗʸ ᵏʳᵃᵇ ʳᵉˢᵗᵃᵘʳᵃⁿᵗ‧ "ᴵᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˢ ᵘᵖ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ˢᵉᵉ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ᵃᵗ ᵃˡˡ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉⁿᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᵃˢ ˢᵖᵒᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵗᵘʳⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵇᵉᵈ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒᵍᵉᵗʰᵉʳ‧ "ᴴᵒʷ'ˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ⁱᶠ ʰᵉ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳˢ ᵒᶠ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᴴᵉˡˡᵒ‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ‽ ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈⁿ'ᵗ ʲᵉᵒᵖᵃʳᵈⁱˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʲᵒᵇ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵉᶜᵏ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵖʳᵒᵐⁱˢᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᴵ'ᵈ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ᵒᶠᶠ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵖᵃᵗᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵖᵒᵗ‧ "ᴸⁱˢᵗᵉⁿ ᵏⁱᵈ ᴵ⸴ ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵗᵉᵃˡ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿᵍʳᵉᵈⁱᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃˡˡ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵐᵉᵐᵒʳʸ ᵒᶠ ʸᵉˢᵗᵉʳᵈᵃʸ⸴ ˢᵒ‧ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿ⁻ⁿᵗ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵘʳᵉ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵘⁿᶜᵒᵐᶠᵒʳᵗᵃᵇˡᵉ ᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ‧ ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ⁱᵗ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵗᵒˡˡ ᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʷᵉ⸴ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᶠʳ⁻ⁱᵉ⁻ᶠ⁻ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᵀᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵃ ᶠ⁻ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵒʳ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ˢᵉᵉⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ; ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ‧‧"

NOTHING BUT THE WISDOM TRUTH vii Krabs' eyes darted between the two of them, fidgeting. "If... if there's anything I can do," he offered, his voice trailing off. Karen gave him a small smile, filled with gratitude. "I think we've got it from here," she said. "But thank you for caring." Krabs nodded, his gaze lingering on Plankton's form before he turned to leave. As the door clicked shut behind him, the weight of the conversation settled heavily on the room. Plankton's eye remained on the spot where Mr. Krabs had stood, thoughts racing. Karen approached the bed, her movements deliberate and calm. She picked up the discarded ice pack and handed it to him. "Here," she said, her voice soothing. "Your face is still a bit swollen." Plankton took the ice pack and presses it against his cheek. "I can't believe this," he murmured, his voice muffled by the cold compress. "How could I have said those things?" Karen sat down beside him, her eyes filled with understanding. "You were in pain," she said gently. "And under the influence of medication. It's not like you." Plankton's hand curled around the ice pack, his gaze distant. "But why would I say those things?" he murmured. "Why would I thank him?" Karen took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "Pain and medication can bring out the truth," she said. "Maybe, deep down, you do appreciate his help, even if you can't admit it." Plankton scoffed, but there was a hint of doubt in his eye. "Appreciate him?" he snapped. "He's the reason I'm in this mess!" Karen squeezed his hand, her voice calm. "But he's also the one who brought you jellyfish for your pain," she reminded him. "And who checked on you after the surgery." Plankton looked at her. "What?" "Mr. Krabs brought jellyfish for your recovery," Karen repeated, her voice steady. "And he was genuinely concerned about you, when you were in pain." Plankton couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Why?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion. Karen squeezed his hand again. "Because maybe, just maybe, there's more to Mr. Krabs than you give him credit for," she said softly. "Maybe he's not just your enemy. Maybe he's also someone who cares." Plankton's hands tightened around the ice pack, his mind racing with the implications. Could it be true? Did Mr. Krabs actually care for him? The thought was as foreign as a pineapple under the sea. Karen stood, her screen never leaving Plankton's face. "I'll give you some space," she said gently. "But know that I'm here if you need to talk." Plankton nodded, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Mr. Krabs had been standing. Karen left the room, closing the door behind her. Alone with his thoughts, Plankton felt a strange mix of anger, confusion, and a peculiar warmth he hadn't expected. He'd never thought of Mr. Krabs as anything more than a cunning adversary, always one step ahead in their endless pursuit of the Krabby Patty secret. Yet, here he was, with a bouquet of jellyfish and a heartfelt apology. The room was silent, save for the distant sounds of Bikini Bottom's hustle and bustle filtering through the chum bucket's walls. Plankton's mind was a whirlwind of questions and doubt. He had always prided himself on his sharp intellect and strategic thinking, but this turn of events had left him utterly blindsided. "Maybe," he murmured to himself, the word echoing in the quiet space. "Maybe there's more to this crusty old crab than I ever thought." The next few days passed in a blur of painkillers and awkward silence. Plankton couldn't bring himself to visit the Krusty Krab again, and Mr. Krabs made no further attempts to contact him. The photo remained a sore subject, a viral joke that seemed to follow him wherever he went. Yet, amidst the embarrassment, Plankton found himself contemplating Karen's words. One evening, as the sun set over the Bikini Bottom horizon, casting a warm orange glow through the chum bucket's windows, Plankton decided to take a walk. He needed to clear his head, to think things through without the constant pressure of his swollen jaw. The boardwalk was quieter than usual, the distant laughter and clinking of dishes from the nearby restaurants a gentle background to his racing thoughts. As he strolled, he couldn't help but notice the way the jellyfish in Mr. Krabs' bouquet had brightened the dullness of their home. They glowed with a warmth that was strangely comforting. He found himself at the edge of the pier, staring out at the sea, lost in thought. "Hey, Plankton.." The sudden shout snapped Plankton out of his thoughts, and he turned to find Mr. Krabs standing a few feet away, his expression a mix of trepidation and determination. "Krabs," Plankton said, his voice tight. Mr. Krabs approached slowly, his eyes on the jellyfish in Plankton's hand. "How's the mouth?" he asked, his tone cautious. Plankton's tentacles tightened around the glowing creature. "Better," he murmured, his voice still a bit slurred. Mr. Krabs nodded, his eyes on the jellyfish. "They do have a way of... making things feel better, don't they?" he ventured, his voice tentative. Plankton studied the jellyfish, its mesmerizing glow illuminating his face. "They do," he conceded. Mr. Krabs took a step closer, his claws clasped nervously in front of him. "Look, Plankton," he began. "I know things have been... strained between us lately. But I just wanted to say that I don't hold any ill will over what happened." Plankton's grip loosened slightly, his gaze still on the jellyfish. "I don't know what happened," he admitted, his voice tight. Mr. Krabs took a deep breath. "I know it's not easy for you to accept help, especially from me," he said, his voice earnest. "But maybe, just maybe, we could find some common ground." Plankton remained silent, his tentacles twitching with the effort of holding back his words. The jellyfish in his hand pulsed with light, casting an eerie glow on the plankton's furrowed brow. Finally, with a deep sigh, he looked up at Mr. Krabs. "You know, Krabs," he began, his voice a mix of anger and something else, something softer. Mr. Krabs' eyes widened, hope flickering in them like the glow of the jellyfish. "Yes?" Plankton took a deep breath, the anger and embarrassment of the past few days weighing heavily on his shoulders. "I don't remember what I said or did," he began, his voice gruff. "But if it's true that you were just trying to help..." Mr. Krabs' hope grew, his claws unclenching slightly. "I was," he said, his voice earnest. "You were in a lot of pain, and I just wanted to be there for you." Plankton relaxed, the ice pack forgotten in his other hand. "I don't know how to feel about that," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "But I do know that I can't keep letting this... this embarrassment fester." Mr. Krabs nodded. "I understand," he said, his voice gentle. "But I promise, it was just a misunderstanding." Plankton quivered, the weight of his decision clear. "I... I forgive you," he said, the words feeling strange on his lips. Mr. Krabs' eyes widened, the hope in them blossoming into relief. "Thank you, Plankton," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I know we're not exactly... friends. But I do care about you, in my own crusty way." Plankton snorted, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Don't let it get around," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "I have a reputation to maintain." Mr. Krabs chuckled, the tension between them dissipating like a bubble in the ocean. "Your secret's safe with me," he said, his eyes crinkling at the edges. "We frenemies?" Plankton rolled his eye but couldn't help the slight smirk that pulled at his lips. "Frenemies," he said, his voice a mix of irritation and amusement.