Anywhere But Burbank

Chapter 19: Asylum Star Sweeper

Carrie was taking a break before the gala for her spinoff series "Anywhere But Burbank" was getting ready to release. She walked out of the boundaries and ended up near a broken asylum. "Huh.. Looks abandoned.." She grabs a flashlight and walked inside, turning it on and looking around. "Hello? Hello? Is anyone in here?" She called out and then she heard some crying coming from the way back. Carrie ran towards the crying and there she sees a toon in a straight jacket. The poor little thing was crying. Carrie turned into her human guardian form and approached the sad toon.

"Hello there little toon." Carrie held out her hands and broke him free of his restraints. The toon looked scared and hid his face. "Don't be scared. I'm an angel.. I won't harm you." She takes him into her arms and then heard more footsteps and an angry voice yelling. "Subject #168!!" Carrie gasped lightly and holds onto the boy. "I will protect you from the harm.." The mad doctor saw them and looked confused. "Ma'am.. who are you and why are you trespassing on private property?" Carrie stares him down and gave off a short glare. "Who I am is none of your concern.. I'm an angel."

"This.. This is impossible. You can't be an angel.. Well, I mean I like them.." He crossed his arms as Carrie began to read the scribbles on the wall. "'Letmeout..' 'Why here?' This was all torture isn't it? And why do you like angels?" "B-because they don't help the evil.." The doctor laughs nervously and went extremely pale when Carrie turned into the shadow queen for a moment. "Well those angels can be bad!" She snaps her fingers and some of the shadow demons take him away. Carrie turned back to her toon form, still holding onto the boy toon in her arms. "Come on, little one. I'm taking you home with me."

(Later)

Carrie peeks her head through the door and Cassidy ran up to her. "Momma!" She giggles and then backed up. "Hey Carrie, how was the walk?" Dot asked. "Hey guys, I have something to say. Lauren, You know how you said you always wanted a little brother?" Lauren nodded. "Did you draw him while underneath a tree?" "Well, not exactly. I found him in an abandoned asylum. Say hello to your new brother." Carrie steps inside, holding onto the toon. Yakko walked over and looks at the kid. "Hey there young one. Darling, did you decide on a name for him?" He asked and Carrie shook his head. Wakko notices his cracked expression. "Look at the expression. It looks cracked and broken."

"Cracked.. Crakko! That's it." Carrie looked at the toon they named Crakko. "Crakko, welcome to the family." Crakko opens his eyes and looked at his new family, then his face buried into Carrie's shoulder. "Aww, he's just a little shy. Hi there Crakko, We're your sisters. I'm Lauren, and this is Cassidy." Lauren introduces themselves and Cassidy waves, giving him a small little treat. "Here you go big brother." Crakko takes the brownie she gave him and took a bite. Yakko pets Cassidy. "Aw, you're such a good sister." He praised her for her good little deed and Dot gave him a blue little shirt and tan overalls like Yakko. "Here. Just like daddy." Carrie spins him out of his straight jacket and into the breathable new clothing.

(Later that night.)

Crakko woke up from another nightmare and was crying softly. Carrie came in to see him upset. "Aw, Crakko, don't cry. It was just a bad dream. It's not real." She shushes him, and he calmed down a little bit. Carrie then began to sing a lullaby for him. "La la lu, la la lu. Oh my little star sweeper. I'll sweep the stardust for you." She takes him into her arms and cradled him, rocking him gently. "La la lu, la la lu. Little soft fluffy sleeper. Here comes a pink cloud for you..." Crakko stopped crying and gave a smile at her lullaby. "La la lu, la la lu. Little wandering angel, fold up your wings, close.. your eyes.. La la lu, la la lu. And may love be your keeper. La la lu, la la lu... La la lu.."

Crakko fell asleep again and Carrie tucked him in. Cassidy made a bed for him in her room so he wouldn't be lonely. "There now, little star sleeper. Dream on.." She turned on the night light and closed the door behind her. It was nice now knowing they had a son to call their own.. Even if meeting him wasn't what they expected.

(The character of Crakko is not mine. He belongs to the great Garcelette and her content is remarkable.)