Lockedown

The Family

Mal lay in her bed and contemplated what she had seen the day prior. The images of that caterpie's suffering were burned into her mind. She rolled around trying to find a better sleeping position when she heard a knock on her door. "Oh! Um..come in." Her elder son walked into her room, "hey mom." He hesitantly walked in, "have you been sleeping?" She got up and rubbed her eye, "y-yes I have!" She sat up on her bed, "is something wrong?" He looked down, "well, when you came back from work earlier...it's like something happened. You seemed...off. And I don't believe that you've slept, either." She froze up. "Did something happen at work?" She looked at him, "okay, I'll put it this way, I saw something...worrying at work and I'm trying to think of how to respond." He rubbed his chin, "was it another lunatic?" She looked away from him and tapped her paw on the floor. "Called it. I know you've dealt with criminals before, but I don't know why this one is bothering you so much." She sighed, "well you're right, I have dealt with some thieves...but it seems like as of late all of these lunatics are just popping up. It's like no one's safe anymore! It's unfair." She walked over to her son and hugged him, "when I was your age the worst thing I had to worry about was a random creep spying on me while I was at school. But now you have all these arsonists and child abductors and these weird gameshow hosts." She pat his head, "I want to make this world as safe as I can...for you and everyone else. But it's discouraging having these lunatics showing up everywhere." Her son nodded his head, "you're right, but I might as well carry some of these worrys. I already have to watch Mary a lot. So it's better that I help you even if it isn't by fighting these criminals." She smiled at him, "I always appreciate the help. Now go back to bed, it's still a school night, after all." He nodded his head and walked out of her room. Mal lay back in her bed only to here small, quick footsteps coming closer. She looked back at her door only to see her daughter sprinting towards her. She jumped on her bed and hugged Mal tightly. "Mary! What are you doing here?" Mary just looked up at her, "Morris said that you needed a hug!" She looked back at her door and saw her son walking back in. "I told her that you'd be fine with her sleeping with you tonight." Mal smiled and hugged her two children tightly, "I guess you can both stay in here for the night." "Yess!" "I'm down." She kissed both of their heads, "good night you two." "Good night mommy!" "Good night." They all slept soundly that night.