(part eleven by Smiles)
Andrew glanced over at Todd. There had been nothing but silence on the ride over, except for soft, strangled noises Todd made when he breathed.
“We’re here, Todd,” Andrew said quietly. Todd continued to take small gulps of air. Andrew slowly reached over and touched Todd lightly on the shoulder. “Are you OK, Todd? Should I call a doctor?”
Andrew was beginning to worry. Something was definitely wrong here. Even at his worst, Andrew had never seen Todd behave in this way. Todd seemed, well, almost afraid. In all his experiences with Todd, he had never seen Todd act afraid of anything. Todd was mean; Todd was angry; but Todd was never afraid.
Andrew was unsure how to handle this side of Todd. “Do you need a doctor, Todd?” Andrew posed the question again. This time he saw the small, almost imperceptible shake of Todd’s head. “What do you need? Is there anything I can do?” Andrew asked.
Slowly Todd raised his head, staring straight ahead and whispered, “Andrew, do you remember when I asked you if you believed in divine retribution?” Todd’s voice was thin and hollow.
Andrew nodded in the darkness of the car. “I remember.”
Todd turned his head almost painfully and looked at Andrew. “You must be happy. Divine retribution is real. You must be glad to see me like this.”
“Todd, my personal feelings for you aside, I am never happy to see any human being in this sort of pain,” Andrew spoke calmly. “I would really like to help you. Tell me what to do to help you, Todd,” Andrew said.
“There are two things you can do for me, Rev.” Todd said. “One, you can pray for me. Then, two, you can call Viki for me. Give her this message: Tell her I love her, even though I know she doesn’t believe it, I do love her. I came back here to make everything right. But now I know I can’t do that. I’ve hurt too many people. Humpty-dumpty is broken and can’t be put back together again,” Todd laughed derisively. “And tell her that I know what I must do. She will never be bothered with me again.”
And suddenly, with lightning speed, Todd opened the car door and began to run into the woods next to the church. He could hear Andrew shouting for him. He could hear him calling his name over and over.
Todd ran with every last bit of strength he had left. When he thought his lungs would burst, he slowed. He continued his trek into with woods without really looking at anything around him. His body seemed to be on autopilot.
Suddenly, he stopped, and his eyes finally focused on the house in front of him. It was the Buchanan’s lodge; he smiled to himself sadly. This is where the pain in his head had begun. He thought it ironic that this should be where he would make the pain end.
(part twelve by Missinrog)
Todd looked around the cabin. The last time he was here there was such a disaster.
“Everything I ever do or touch is ruined,” Todd says. “No one ever believes in me.”
*What is the point?* he thinks. *I'm a complete loser. I turn everyone against me.*
He thinks of all the people he has hurt and disappointed through the years-Marty, Rebecca, Blair, Téa, Viki, and most of all Starr. *How could I ever be a father to her?* he thinks. *I will only hurt her, and I can't do that! Not to her!!*
Todd looks around the cabin and finds Asa's gun. He downs some whiskey while twirling the gun between his fingers.
*Who would care?* he thinks. *The world would be a better place without me.*
(part 13 by Doorsgrl)
Todd sat at the table. He had a whiskey bottle in one hand and the gun in the other. He slammed back a good half of the bottle. The gun looked so inviting. Todd set down the bottle and held the gun to his head. He imitated the sound of a bullet.
"Go ahead and do it," a voice said.
Todd jumped. He looked around, and no one was there. He set the gun down on the table.
"I knew you couldn't do it, you coward," the voice said.
Todd recognized the voice as Peter Manning. "You're not here. I'm imagining you," Todd said out loud.
Peter laughed and then his image appeared. Todd looked scared, remembering all his father had done to him. The gun was calling out to him. He turned the safety off and pointed it at Peter. Peter laughed.
A shot rang out…
(part 14 by Em)
As he shot at the image, Peter disappeared, leaving Todd shaking uncontrollably. Tears trickled down his cheeks. He was certain he had just seen his adoptive father, but there was only a small hole in the wall where he had just been. Where did he go?
He stood frozen in place, afraid to move for fear Peter was standing behind him. He heard the door to the cabin open and close and was convinced it was his own personal monster coming to punish him once again for the crime of being born.
“Todd?”
He recognized the voice but was convinced it was another of Peter Manning’s tricks. He kept the gun leveled at the wall.
“Todd, put the gun down.”
“No, you’re not really here. It’s a trick. I’m not falling for it, Dad,” Todd said through his tears.
He felt a hand on his arm and one under his chin turning his head.
“Look at me. It’s no trick. I’m here.”
He realized she really was there, and he dropped the gun and collapsed in her arms. Viki caught him and held him as he sobbed.
“What’s going on, Todd? What’s this about your father?” she asked as she stroked his hair soothingly.
“He was here. I saw him. Don’t let him hurt me anymore, Viki. Please.”
He shook with fear. Viki held him tighter. She was angry with herself for turning her back on him once again. The call she had gotten from Andrew had disturbed her greatly. From his description, Todd sounded suicidal. She felt partly responsible.
“Shhh. It’s okay, Sweetie. Peter can never hurt you again. I promise.”
She held him and rocked him for almost an hour as he wept uncontrollably. He was finally starting to quiet down, and Viki thought he may even drift off to sleep.
Suddenly, the door swung open forcefully, startling both Viki and Todd. He grabbed the gun that was lying beside him as Bo entered with his weapon drawn.
(part 15 by Smiles)
Viki stepped in front of him. “No, Bo, you can’t take him in. He’s not done anything wrong,” she said with quiet desperation.
Bo glanced at the gun lying on the table. “If he’s done nothing wrong, what's the gun doing here?”
“Bo, please, just trust me. The gun is not going to be used to hurt anyone. In fact, I’m sure Todd wouldn’t care if we got rid of the gun, right, Todd?”
Viki lifted Todd’s chin and stared into vacant eyes. Bo picked up the gun, and turned to Viki. “I don’t know, Viki, I think we should take Todd down to the station…”
“NO!” Viki almost screamed the word. “I’m sorry, Bo, I don’t mean to yell, but I think I should take Todd home with me tonight. He’s not doing well. I think he needs to be with someone who will take care of him. He needs me.”
Bo looked skeptical, then shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you say, Viki, but make sure he doesn’t disappear again. I’ve still got a lot of questions that need answers. Good night, Viki, and good luck.”
Bo took one last look at Todd’s blank expression. He shook his head again. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said and walked out the door into the night.
Viki put her hand on Todd’s arm. “Todd, let’s go home.”
“I don’t have a home. I’m all alone, all alone, all alone.” Todd began to singsong the words to himself.
“You’ll always have a home with me, Todd. No matter what happens, you’ll always have a home with me.” Viki said as she led Todd to her car.
Viki opened the door to Llanfair. “Come on, Todd,” she said. “You need to get some sleep. Come on, and I’ll take you up to your room.”
She led Todd to the long staircase, and started to ascend the stairs. Suddenly, she felt Todd’s body stiffen. She glanced up at the top of the stairs. There stood Jessica.
