016- [Action] Happy Halloween?

[friendly_ghosts]

[After the town returned to normal, Mindy has been getting back to life in Mayfield.  She gets up, goes to school, returns home and sits in her room until dinner. Eats dinner and then back upstairs to bed. Repeat the next day. The only way you can tell she isn't droned is because she's never smiling. Loosing Tad so soon after loosing her Daddy was

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[godisachild]

[Pokey's been watching you for a few days, kid. He had hoped that, whatever went wrong, it'd eventually resolve itself. When it doesn't? Pretty clear he may have to do something. So, eventually, he'll go and follow Mindy for a moment before daring to say something.]

....Hey.

[friendly_ghosts]

[she looks at him for a long moment. And just when it looks like she might say something, she changes her mind and instead steps toward him suddenly. She clings to his shirt with one hand and buries her face in his side, seeking comfort.]

[godisachild]

[Crap. Craaaaaaaap. Yeah, if there's something he doesn't really know how to do that well, it's comfort someone. For a moment, he thinks about just pushing the girl off of him and walking away. Hell, he could probably do it in one push. Maybe just kick her to the ground.

Instead, he just puts one arm around her and a hand on her head, patting a little.]

Hey. It's okay. They're gone.

[friendly_ghosts]

[Yeah, it would only take one push. Except now she's clinging tighter, with both hands. And those may be tears in her eyes. She knows the Hazmats are gone. She also knows that Lucy Smith can bring them back whenever she feels like it. But that isn't what's bothering Mindy, anyway.... So after a few shuddery breaths, a very quiet question will be asked.]

Pokey..... Do you think I'm a bad girl?

[godisachild]

...What?

[That just about floors him. She's a normal little girl. Why would she think that?]

No. Why?

[friendly_ghosts]

Because.....

[She pauses, hesitant to tell anyone what she's been thinking. Because what if they agree? And they don't like her anymore. Pokey is her favorite person in Mayfield. She doesn't know what she'd do if.... But she needs to tell someone.]

Because when the bad policeman came to our house, I made him mad. And then the scary monsters hurt Saki. And then I snuck out of Mr. Prussia's house to follow Tad and Mr. Prussia got real mad and then I broke my promise and I didn't wait. And now Tad's gone.

And even before that... When the bad people were here the first time that man said I was... was 'subvertive.' That's bad, right? It must be.... Or they wouldn't have shot me....

[She can't stop a tiny sob from escaping as she continues.]

And what if..... what if Daddy left because I was bad? Maybe I was too much trouble...

[godisachild]

[Silence. Just silence for a moment. And then he gets down on a knee and, awkwardly, hugs her.]

It isn't you, twerp. It's this place that's bad. And don't let anyone tell you that it's you, cause it isn't. You're a sweet kid almost insufferably so, so it isn't your fault.

This town sucks. I'm....I'm....I'm sorry you gotta be here, Mindy. I really, actually am. You shouldn't have to deal with this bull.

[friendly_ghosts]

[She clings to him, crying. It's like a dam has burst and now she sobbing out all that fear and frustration that she's been bottling up. This may take a few minutes and I hope he was too fond of that shirt she's crying into. But eventually the sobs taper off into small hiccoughs. And she tries valiantly to dry her eyes.]

Th- thanks... I'm sorry too. Nobody should have to be here...

[godisachild]

[He lets go of her after she starts drying her eyes. He doesn't really give a damn about the shirt he'd been wearing since it was Mayfield clothing, and he planned to throw a lot of that out once he got his old duds back.

He pauses a moment after she says that. He'd fight that sentiment but even he realizes right now wouldn't be the best time to do that.]

...Don't let it beat you down, twerp. Don't ever let anyone beat you down like they're trying to do, or tell you what to do, or feel you gotta do anything for them. Because the moment you even start thinking about giving up or doing what they want, they're going to jump on you, and they're going to eat you alive.

Don't let that happen. You're too nice of a little runt for that.

[friendly_ghosts]

[She nods, blinking away the rest of her tears. Because Pokey was right. If she gave up now, then the town and that mean policeman and that horrible Lucy Smith were winning anyway. There was no way she could lose without a fight. But she still feels a little lonely right now...]

Pokey.... Can I sleep over at your house tonight?

[godisachild]

[Well, he backs up a little at that. Not much, but a little, because damn if that didn't take him off guard. No one had ever asked to sleep over at his house before. And he wants to say no. Because it's his house. Because he doesn't need the company. Say no. Say no.]

....Yeah. If your mom says you can and all, why not?

[friendly_ghosts]

Really? Thank you...

[This improves her mood considerably and there is a small smile. She's also fairly sure that Mommy will say yes.]

[godisachild]

Yeah, yeah...

[Still, he can't help but smile back at the little twerp. He hates to admit it, but you're growing on him.]

[friendly_ghosts]

Will you walk back to my house with me? So I can tell Mommy where I'm going?

[Biiig pleading eyes. Really she just doesn't want to be alone.]

[godisachild]

[Oh for pete's sake. Just how much does he have to do for the kid? This is too big a bother by now. Just say n-]

Yeah, alright.

[And he will. Even if it's a pain? He can understand not wanting to be alone.]