Family Time #1: Scout

Scout: Chapter 5

The commons room was quiet, but surely not for long. Spy, Scout and Mel stood frozen in the doorway, unsure how to confront the situation.

Spy nudged/shoved the Scout forward, “Go on, now.” he sniggered, lighting up a cigarette.

Scout glared at the Spy, holding back the stampede of insults forming in his head. He looked to Mel, hoping that maybe she had something to say, but with no such luck. He sighed heavily, swallowing his pride as he stepped forth, “U-uh, hey guys?”

For once, it seemed, he had everyone’s attention.

“I-I’d like you all to meet Mel here… she’s the one I’ve been talking a-about this past week.”

It was slightly discerning to hear Scout nervous; a boisterous, confident personality such as his rarely ever waivered. The present men looked at eachother, then at the girl, confused yet understanding.

The Medic stepped around the couch and stared at Mel in wide-eyed fascination, “I cannot believe it…” he put his hand on the girl’s shoulder, Scout sweating bullets, “I did not think it was possible! The Scout’s DNA is actually capable of producing a flawless result!”

“Excuse me?!” he growled.

“Yes! Every time I have tried to use your DNA for testing, the whole experiment produces disastrous results! It is amazing to see something that came from you do so well!” Medic danced gleefully around the young girl, “Heavy, you must come see this!”

“I see from here, Doktor,” Heavy stated, face full of sandwich.

“Remind me to take tests before she leaves.”

From the table where the Heavy sat, three birds were perched on the arm of the chair beside him, two of which came fluttering over to Mel.

“I see my birds seem to like you as well!” Medic smiled.

“Whoa whoa, HEY! Get your disease-ridden pigeons away from her!” Scout shooed the doves away. “And there will be no testing on my kid either!”

The Medic scoffed, “I was only going to take some blood samples… and some hair… maybe a kidney…”

“Yeah, not gonna happen.” he ushered her away from the psychotic so-called medical professional. Scout’s glare turned to the Spy, “You are gonna pay for this.”

“I just might, but not before you do.” he gestured to the girl who had wandered across the room, holding Soldier’s beloved shovel.

“Oh shit- NONONONONO PUT THAT BACK-

The east door came off its hinges and fell to the floor with a mighty stomp, “ALRIGHT, YOU FILTHY MAGGOTS, WHO TOUCHED MY SHOVEL?!?!” The Soldier had arrived.

Scout stiffened, “Melissa… put down the shovel slowly…”

Confused, she did not obey.

“Mel, don’t question it, just-”

She carried the shovel around the couch and faced the angry warmonger face to face.

Oh no… Scout couldn’t bear to look.

“... Are you a treasure hunter?” Melissa asked sweetly.

“What?” The Soldier fell out of his attack position.

“You have a shovel and a funny hat… I figured it was for treasure hunting.”

Scout’s face fell into his hands, this couldn’t end well-

“Well of course it is!”

-what?

“This here shove has dug up loads of treasure!!”

“Really?” Mel’s eyes widened, “What kind of treasure??”

“Mostly bones, even whole skeletons!”

“Dinosaur skeletons??”

Scout stepped in, clearing his throat, “I-it’s a secret! RIGHT, SOLDIER?”

“No it’s not. I was just about to tell her about the time I dug for treasure in Spy’s chest-”

“NO, you weren’t. End of questions. Come on, Mel, we should get you back before-”

“Scout! You can’t tell me you will be taking her home before she’s been given the grand tour?” The Spy spoke in a tantalizing voice, as if he were mocking Scout’s new-found parental instinct. Before he could refuse, Spy had already taken Mel’s hand and headed down the hallway, “I’ll take care of this one so you can relax.”

There wasn’t anything relaxing about that filthy backstabber being left alone with a 7-year-old girl. Scout charged after them, but not before the door had been slammed in his face.