Family Time #3: Jeremy

Chapter 3

Scout quietly pulled into the garage, surprised to find no one to greet the 3 of them there, "Hello?! Anybody in here?" Scout left the driver's seat and helped Melissa and Ms. Pauling out of the van. They first spotted Engie's abandoned work table, "Well that ain't good."

"They could just be upstairs, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Ms. Pauling led the charge into the common room, "Scout, can you unlock the door?"

"Unlock the- We don't lock the common room," Scout moved beside her and pounded on the door, "Hey assholes! What gives?! Let us in!"

"Scout! Language!" Ms. Pauling

"Shh!!" A voice came from beyond the door.

"Demo? What's going on?" Scout pulled on the door handle angrily.

"It's Soldier... He's gone mad!"

"You act like this is unusual, he's always like that-"

"Dummpkoff, open the door for them!" Medic interjected from behind him.

The door swung open, seven out of nine mercs were there just sitting in the dark. As Melissa finally entered, it slammed shut again. Scout felt around the room trying to find the couch, "The hell are you boneheads doing just lettin' him run free if he's causing such a ruckus?"

"Because with the power out, the respawn machine is down too." Engineer clarified, sitting somewhere near the back of the room.

Scout could feel Ms. Pauling's eyes meet his as they realized what that meant, "... oh." They both paused to think.

Melissa, having finally reached the couch, taking a seat on a firm yet comfortable couch cushion. "Oof!" Said the couch cushion before quietly sitting up.

"Oh!" Mel looked up at the sentient pillow, "Sorry, Pyro..." she squeaked before scooting to a free spot.

Ms. Pauling spoke first, "Do we know why he's acting out?"

A gloved hand was raised in the darkness, "It was my fault, Ms. Pauling."

The puzzle started to complete itself, "... I see."

"I cannot see! What is object wedged in couch??" Heavy interjected.

"That would be me..." Mel stiffly moved her arm to indicate her position.

"No I mean-" Ms. Pauling sighed, "Someone please just find me some bug spray."

"I have some!" Medic stood triumphant, "It's back in the med bay..." he started to trail off.

"Honestly! Do I have to do everything every time I come here?" Ms. Pauling pushed past the men in front of her and did her best to navigate the room in the dark. They all stood beside themselves awkwardly shuffling as Ms. Pauling errantly tossed socks and used beer bottles through the air. She finally stopped after hearing a wooden object hit the flooring. Without missing a beat, she took said mystery object and went in to the hall, much to everyone's concern and dismay.

"Mein Gott, she's going to get herself killed!" Medic rushed towards the door after her, stopping short upon hearing the sound of wood and metal clanking followed by a pronounced -THUD!-

Scout gasped quietly, taking a position to protect Melissa from the incoming danger. This was it; this was the only time he was ever going to have with his child ever again and it was after hearing his dear friend Ms. Pauling get beaten to a bloody pulp at the hands of his comrade. He didn't even know her-

"Are you guys going to help me find the generator or do I have to do that by myself too?!"

Or not, I guess.