This story is at the suggestion of xXAwesomeSauceXx: Nico orders from McDonald's during Battle of the Labyrinth.

"So, Zach, how's night school? My goodness, you look tired."

Just keep taking orders, Zach thought to himself. He refused to look at the other cashier—Martha, Marshmallow, something like that.

"You're never going to get a girlfriend if you don't get some sleep and take care of your appearance . . ."

Sometimes it's just not worth it.

"May I take your order?" he asked, staring blearily out across the counter. Then he looked down. His next customer was about a foot below his view.

A grim-faced little boy, maybe twelve years old at most, glared up at him. His hair stuck up in dirty spikes and there was dirt smeared over his face, as if he'd been digging all day. He looked like he'd been sleeping on the streets.

Zach felt like he'd been sleeping on the streets. He was beginning to reconsider night school . . . a few weeks, and already he felt like the walking dead.

Martha kept shooting the little boy worried glances, like she was afraid that either he was going to whip out a gun and rob the place, or Social Services were about to descend upon everyone . . .

"Four Happy Meals," said the little boy, eyes narrowed.

Zach was in the midst of getting the Happy Meals together when he heard Martha-Marshmallow talking to the boy in a sickly-sweet, nosy voice:

"Are your parents here, sweetie?"

Zach literally felt the little boy's burning gaze leave the back of his sweater and move towards Marshmallow Woman.

She said, "Urk!"

Zach turned around and slid the Happy Meals onto the counter one by one. The little boy laid a handful of money on the counter and Zach gave him back his change.

"Have a nice day," Zach muttered. He glanced over at Marthamallow, who was taking orders at warp speed and refusing to look over towards the little boy.

Without answering, the boy turned and strode out of the building. The door dinged shut behind him.

Zach wasn't sure what made him look out the window after the little boy, but . . .

The little boy walked out into the parking lot. He never paused as the ground opened up beneath him, and he walked straight down into it. The pavement closed over his head.

Zach's mouth dropped open.

But Martha was silent for the rest of the day. Zach decided that the kid with the Happy Meals had a gift.

Thank you xXAwesomeSauceXx. Everyone else: review!

Okay, I've put this off for a long time.

I cannot continue to work on this story. I have other things I need to attend to (getting a job, getting a real, non-fanfic story published) and I have run out of ideas. I might write more chapters sometime in the future, but if I do, it won't be in the near future.

I'd like to thank everyone for reading this story. I hope you enjoyed it.