Chapter XIII: The Final Straw

"And 's grandson is really nice, and his name is Isaac, and he lives in Sacramento, and he collects gemstones! Ooh, and he offered to give me some of them! And he has a puppy and three cats, and a hamster, and..!"

I smile at her, though I've since drowned out Josie's rambling, as she tends to get more pumped and hyper than a hamster in its wheel when she gets on something she really likes. But it is adorable watching how bright eyed she is as she's explaining it to Paul, her fists clenched in excitement and her smile round and pink. I look at the time. Crap, it's already 7:10.

"Oh, looks like I have to get going," I say as I pick up my bag. It's feeling really heavy again. I would've taken some of the stuff out, but I lost track of time dozing in the shower and had to rush to get my clothes picked out, so I'll just have to get to school in time to relieve myself of the dead weight.

"Already?" Mom says, "You've barely touched your food."

I look down at my plate. Save for a few bites and sips, my apple juice is still pretty full and my toast is still there, my scrambled eggs only picked at.

"I'm not very hungry," I say quickly as I gather up my things.

I know that's another sign to Mom, but I really don't have time for her to dwell on it and try and get me to open up. I put my arms through the straps and hurry out the door before she tries to ask me if I want something to take to school, speedwalking through the neighborhood. On the way I think back to what happened a few nights ago.

There's not much serum left. And from what I observed, the puppets seem to need it for as much time as equates to how much they're given. The puppet with the metal head seems to have to be given it in a different way that I have yet to figure out, but even excluding him, that's still seven puppets relying on just one bottle. And Toulon sure as hell didn't explain how to make more of it- though you can't blame the guy. Writing down the secret to eternal life has a habit of turning up in the wrong places. But without knowing how to make more, there's only about six months worth of serum left.

The thought almost brings me to tears. My poor puppets. Who knows how long they were left in that trunk, who knows what kind of person they were left with before I found them? And then, right when they're just starting to get their lives back, they're back to gathering dust again.

I'm a bit out of breath and my legs are starting to hurt by the time I get through the front doors, but I try to focus only on switching out my books and papers before the warning bell rings, since it takes a few minutes to get from my locker to English. Yanking the door open, I I place my bag on the ledge and zip it open.

And out pops Blade's head.

For a moment, I'm so startled I almost drop the bag, but luckily I grab it before it falls to the ground, though I can feel people shooting me glares as they pass by. I open up the zipper a bit, staring in as Blade's hollow black ones look back. I blink, desperately hoping that it's nothing but a hallucination. But no, he's there, little white head and black hat looking up from the zipper like a nosy cat.

Then, to my horror, I see black painted hands grab the zipper, and out pops Six Shooter's ten gallon hat wearing face.

Are you shitting me right now?! I mentally scream, though I only glare at them with wide eyes. Six Shooter makes a move to start climbing out, but I shove their heads back in and zip up my bag fast, hoping nobody is staring at me for too long. I can see them start to fumble in it, but I tap the sides.

"Quit it," I hiss.

BRRRRRRNNNNG

Dammit, that was the bell.

Pushing the anxiety that instantly spills out from my mind at the thought that, yet again, two of the puppets are not in the room like they are supposed to be, and again, are at risk of getting lost or damaged, I pick up the pace, rushing to first period before I risk getting detention.

I can't focus. I try to focus on the board and listen in on whatever Mr. Petinsky is yapping about- something about Ray Bradbury and the death of science fiction as we know it- but my eyes keep betraying me, tearing away to look down at my bag. Little lumps are appearing in the sides, probably from Blade and Six Shooter trying to find a way out. I can't help but glance around the room, nervously wondering if anyone else can see or hear them.

Terror fills me when I start to see the zipper move by itself; the little band attached to it is being tugged on from the inside, and to my horror I start to see a tiny hook emerge from the mouth-

I grab the zipper band and harshly pull on it to close the bag again. Unfortunately, the zipper makes a loud ZZZRRRR that immediately draws attention to everyone in class. Instantly, everyone's looking at me like I've just declared the Four Horsemen are coming.

"Mr. Killough, is there something of concern that needs to be addressed?" Mr. Petinsky asks, annoyed.

I bite my lip in embarrassment, turning red under the feel of everyone looking at me. I lower my head, "N-no, sir."

"Good. Then I do suggest you pay attention. Unless you feel free to share whatever you're hiding with the class."

I sink into my seat, humiliated. My eyes trail back to the bag. They've gone still. Hopefully they've realized that I mean business. Still, it doesn't little to calm my nerves. Not even seeing Audrey once thir d period comes around helps the matter. She gives me a smile as she drops her purse down next to the chair, plopping in the seat next to me, "Hey, how are you doing?"

"Oh, good. A little tired."

"Yeah, me too. At least it's Friday, right?"

I smile a half smile, "Yeah."

"Aw, how sweet," A familiar raspy voice comes from the side like nails on a chalkboard.

I grit my teeth, looking to the side, and sure enough, Kailani is standing over us, gazing down with that same condescending shit-eating grin. Audrey and I glare at her, but she just brushes it off, walking over and wrapping her arms around my neck, resting her chin on top of my head. I bristle at the unwanted touching, but she only wraps tighter around me when I try to pull away, so I can't do anything else but grit my teeth and wait for her to get away.

"It's so romantic, you two working together, isn't it? I always knew you were a freaky boy, Gaelin, but to get to hook up with the Elvira reject? You must be creaming your jeans right as we speak!" Kailani continues to mock, my face going bright red at her comment.

I hear Audrey snarl beside me, "Why don't you just fuck off and leave us be for once?"

"And why should I, Ughdrey? Scared I'm going to run and tell the school of you two and your little loveboat?"

"It's 'Audrey'", she growls back, "And no I'm not, considering there's nothing going on between us."

Kailani only smiles, "Oh, I see, your scared I'm gonna run off with your sideshow boy toy. Don't worry, he's not my type."

"Oh, I know," Audrey says, "You only like the inbred donkeys with rotten teeth. Hey, in fact, I think I saw one when he was asking for change behind Wal-Mart. I'll be sure to give him your number if you're interested."

That actually makes me chuckle- damn, who knew Audrey had it in her- but it's cut off when Kailani pinches my ear and yanks on it. Shoving me forward, she and Audrey glare at each other, "Whatever, Ughdrey. By the way, you should ask Gaelin on his little diary of French sex secrets. You could be able to give him some practice."

My bite into my lip so hard I can taste blood. Just go away for once, Kailani. Go away and leave me alone.

"In fact, here, let show you-"

To my horror, I realize she's leaning down towards my bag, her hand already on the zipper. It's already starting to come undone, and I'm mortified to see a shock of white hair start to reveal itself in the bag. Every rational thought goes out the window as I snap and rip my bag away from her, shoving her hand away.

"Don't touch that!" I yell way too loudly.

I cradle my bag to my chest, glaring at her. Only then do I realize that all eyes are now on me. Everyone's silent, eyes wide. Audrey has her brows raised, her mouth open a little. Even Kailani is staring at me in shock, her hand to her chest like I've just burned it. I've never raised my voice to Kailani. As far as anyone knows, I've never raised my voice at all. However, the shock quickly comes replaced with disgust, and Kailani puts her palm to her collarbones like I'm a leper.

"Whatever, freak," she bites. She turns away, marching back to her seat. I can see Holden and Tony shaking their heads, mouths in grimace. I turn away.

They don't know me. They don't know anything.

I feel a soft hand on my arm, and turn to see Audrey still looking, her eyes now holding something else besides surprise.

"Are you all right?" she asks, but then adds to it like she realizes how dumb it sounds.

"I mean, why do you let them walk all over you like that?"

"It's not like I want them to," I try to defend, still holding my bag. I can feel Blade and Six Shooter moving around again, pressing against my hands.

"I just...I'm tired."

It's not a good answer, but Audrey seems to understand. She nods her head, looking back at their group in annoyance before squeezing my shoulder.

"Gaelin...if you ever need to talk to someone, you know, about..anything, you can come find me, okay? My phone's always on. Just call me and I'll be there, I promise."

I nod, though I have no intention of doing that. She means well, but she doesn't know what she's asking. Anyway, I have bigger problems to attend to than my own self loathing at the moment.

The minute the bell rings for lunch, I run out of the classroom to the nearest bathroom. Trying to not run into anyone, I mutter quick apologies when I bump shoulders, racing to the one at the end of the hall. This one is known for the toilets always clogging, and the never ending smell of ammonia- the janitors have scrubbed the floor dozens of times, but rumor has it someone with really good aim was able to get piss on the ceilings, also hence their strange discoloration- so not many people use it. Flinging the door open, I rush over the handicapped stall, taking extra precaution and locking the stall door. Dropping my bag from my shoulder, I plop it on the seat and tear both zippers, and once again, Blade and Six Shooter pop out like little weasels, just looking at me.

I stare at both of them. I can feel my nostrils flare.

"What," I just say, "Do you. Think. You're doing?!"

Before they open their mouths to say something- or hiss their noises- there's a bit rumbling around, and Blade suddenly falls back into the bag, only to reemerge a second later with a third person in tow. Pinhead.

"Oh, great, now he's here too!" I exclaim, "Blade, Six, Pin, what are you three doing here?"

Blade hisses, his long mouth opening as he gestures with his hands.

"You know, I would've expected this from Torch, but you three, I must say, I am surprised," I hammer away, "I specifically told you guys to stay in the room. That going outside is dangerous if I'm not there. And what do you do? You do the complete opposite and sneak out! Twice!"

Pinhead grumbles.

"Oh, no! I don't even want to hear it! Yesterday, okay, yesterday was understandable because you guys were sick. I get that, that was important. Risks had to be taken. But there's no excuse now! And to make it worse, you almost exposed yourselves twice! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?!"

Six Shooter moans, his six arms waving around as he gestures to Pinhead and Blade, the two looking back at him before looking back at me, heads shaking in protest.

"Oh, what, you tried to stop them?!" He nods, "Oh, bullshit! You wanted to come along just as much as they did! What do you have to say for yourselves?!"

They all look down, presumably on what they're standing on.

"What, what is it?" I ask as I reach into the bag, feeling around to see what the big deal is.

I feel limbs. And fabric. And some sort of fibers. Curly fibers. I feel my eyes scrunch up in confusion, before it dawns on me, and let's just say my mood isn't lessened when I yank out the mysterious object, which turns out to be Goselyn, who's looking a little more than rattled with her now messy hair and wrinkled dress.

"What is... what is she doing in here?!" I ask, holding her out in front of me.

"Are you three kidding me right now? First, you disobey me, again, and now you took her with you?! Now you're gonna try and damage the others?!"

Pinhead holds his hands out in front of him, gesturing to Goselyn, before putting the tips of his left fingers on the palm of his right, tilting them to the left, indicating a falling gesture.

"What, you're saying you fell in and she just went in with you? Get real! Like I'd believe that!"

Blade holds up his hook, looking like he's looking over my shoulder, but I hold out a hand before he can say...erm, hiss, anything.

"No, I don't want to hear anymore. You guys broke the rules and now, you even took Goselyn and put her in as much danger as getting damaged as yourselves. You are all going to stay in there, and you will not, and I mean, WILL NOT make a sound until I give the all clear. Which," I scold as I look at my watch, "isn't going to be for another four hours. What happens when we get home, I don't know."

I push on their heads until they simmer back down in the bag, where they won't be seen. I try to fix Goselyn's pigtails as much as I can, but it's not much good; she's going to need a good long brushing from a nice horsehair brush. I smooth her hair down and place her on top of the boys. Hopefully with her weight, they won't fidget as much. I zip up the bag, putting it back over my shoulder.

Lunch is halfway over when I finally exit the bathroom, so I have to rely on the vending machines, fishing a bottle of Cherry Coke and a bag of cookies for myself before trying to find a place in the cafeteria where I can snack in peace.

"Oi, Killough, over here."

I look to the source. Everyone at the goth table is looking at me. Virgil Berringwood is the source of the calling, his dark hand nonchalantly waving me over. Audrey is sitting next to him, and she flashes me a smile as she waves her hand to try and further convince me. Looking around and deciding I don't have anything to lose, I plop down next to them.

It's weird talking with them. Audrey's obviously the one to convince them to invite me over, so she's really the only one to try and engage me in conversation; the others just kind of acknowledge my presence, but carry on like I'm not there. I feel bad for making it so awkward, but I've never been good at small talk. Though they actually talk quite a lot among themselves. And contrary to the films, they don't talk about death and how much they hate the world and all that spiel. All of them are actually quite upbeat.

But then I get this feeling. Like I'm being watched.

Peeking over my shoulder, I scan the cafeteria. Everyone's minding their own business, no one giving a care in the world about the ragtag group of kids dressed in black.

Then I see Kailani staring right at me.

I hold her gaze. Holden's whispering something to her, he's also looking at me. Kailani's eyes widen before she scoffs, and gives me the most bone chilling smile I've ever seen. Unease ripens in my stomach, blooming across my body as my palms start to sweat. What are they up to now?

"Is something wrong, Gaelin?" Audrey asks beside me.

I look to her, before peeking back over to Kailani and Holden. They're talking to Tony and Sadie now, the four of them cackling like a bunch of hyenas. My gut tells me they're planning something, but the last thing I want is to cause a scene.

"Yeah...just fine."

The final bell rings right as Mrs. Dwight's in the middle of explaining Pythagorean identities, and like I, most of the kids are not hesitant in throwing their things together and trying to make it out at the door as fast as they can. Mrs. Dwight tries to hold the class together by shouting the same old 'the bell doesn't dismiss you, I do' speech, but the hype of the incoming weekend and the anxiety of school getting done for the day proves much more powerful, and before she can even get the third word out, three fourths of the class is already in the hallway.

Shoving my textbooks in, I blow out a breath. The boys have so far obeyed me in staying still through the rest of class, but I won't feel relaxed until I'm yards away from the building. I adjust the straps on my backpack; you'd think they wouldn't weigh much, but the three of them plus Goselyn makes it feel like I put three bricks in back.

"Heeeeeey, Gaelin!"

Kailani. Fuck.

Dropping my head, I slam my locker shut and turn around to face her. Her and Holden are standing right in front of me. Kailani has her hands behind her back, feigning innocence, but Holden has one hand in his pocket, looking at me like he wants to shove me in the locker.

I'm definitely not in the mood for this, so I just ask, "What do you want?"

"Aw, don't be so cold, Gaeley," Kailani coos as she strolls up to me, walking around me like a hungry orca circling a stranded sea lion, "We just want to talk."

That's code for give me a harder time.

"You see, I've thought about what happened in third period earlier. And I just want to apologize," she stops in front of me, jutting in lip out in a small pout, "I know that you're a very private person, but I simply assumed you needed a little help spicing things up."

I stare at her. I don't have time for this.

Her smile grows slyly, and she looks like she wants to eat me up, "Holden told me he heard you in the bathroom."

Tony and Sadie walk up to us, and the three of them stand behind her like typical cronies. My throat goes dry.

"I-I-I wasn't doing a-anything..."

"Oh, sure. Probably just talking to your dick. It gets pretty lonely not functioning probably, doesn't it?" Kailani says, and they all erupt into cruel laughter.

I need to get out of here. Need to get home. There's an open spot to the right. Just push them and run. Run until you're home.

I start to move forward, mumbling, "I don't need this-"

"Don't need what?! To show us how much of a freak you are?!" Holden suddenly pipes.

Someone yanks on the top strap, and I almost fall right on my back. My bag falls away from my shoulders, and I'm suddenly pushed forward away from it, whipping back to see Holden's got a hold of it. Panic spreads across my entire being like some sort of rash and I reach forward to try and yank it out of his grip.

"Hey, give that back!"

Holden holds it over his head, tossing it to Tony. I run to him before his tosses it to Sadie. For a small girl, she's really fast and she hurls it over to Kailani. It dimly registers to me that this has now grabbed the attention of the rest of the student body, who are now watching this exchange eagerly.

"Aw, calm down what could be so bad?" Kailani says, and I grow terrified as she starts to unzip the bag. I lunge for her, but I feel Holden and Tony grab my arms and hold me back. She digs around, and dread blooms like a flower when I see her eyes go wide and her arm retract to reveal Goselyn in her hands.

She scoffs, "Boy, what is this?"

"Leave that alone! Put her down!" I yell, trying to kick and get the guys off of me.

Everyone's gathering at a circle by this point. Why don't they help me? Why do they let me suffer? Like I'm sort of a show at the circus. Like I'm nothing more than sort of spectacle to ogle at.

"Why, you afraid I'm gonna hurt your dolly?" Kailani mocks, holding her up for everyone to see, "Look everyone! He brought his toys to school!"

They all laugh. Vultures; they're all goddamn vultures. Just waiting for the worst to come so they can feast on my pain, my humiliation. Kailani just shakes her head at me, keeping Goselyn in her grip as she turns my bag upside down and lets everything spill out. Including Blade, Six Shooter, and Pinhead. My breath catches in my throat.

"There's more?! My god, you really are a loser!" she laughs so hard she holds her sides.

I want to punch her until her face is bleeding. I want to shove her against the wall. I want to grab her by the hair and drag her around the school, until it rips out by the roots. I want her to suffer.

Whatever it is, I want her to die.

Die and finally leave me alone.

"Just look at these! Is that what you were doing in the bathroom, Gaelin? Jacking off to your little dollies? That's pathetic, even for you," Kailani continues to taunt, holding up Pinhead by one of his fingers.

To their credit, they all stay still, but it brings me no comfort in the fact that they are now in the hands of the she devil. Everyone's laughing, some of them having their phones out and taking pictures of me. My hands are stinging from where my nails are digging into them.

"Give them back, Kailani! Or I'll-"

"Or you'll what?" Kailani asks, "You'll tell your Daddy on me? Oh, that's right! Your dad's dead! It's too bad he didn't take you with him. You're nothing but a freak, Gaelin. A spineless little freak wasting everyone's time and creeping everyone out with your weird little dreams and your faggy hobbies! And this dumb little doll-"

She holds Goselyn by the body while another hand grabs some of her curls, and I gasp in terror.

"Stop, leave her alone!"

"Is just like you!"

"STOP!"

She pulls, and in seconds Goselyn's hair is torn from her scalp. She pulls out random strands, orange fibers falling to the floor like feathers.

"Weak!"

She yanks her shoes off with her feet, throwing them away.

"Ugly!"

She pulls at her dress and I hear fabric tear.

"And nothing more than a piece of shit!"

She raises Goselyn above her head and throws her to the floor.

And she smashes her.

She steps on her, smashing her eyes until they're just cracks, crushing her limbs until they snap off, caving her head in.

"NO!" I scream, but it's too late.

Kailani pounds on her a few more times, rubbing them against the floor like she's smearing an insect off the bottom of her shoe, until she kicks the remains, scattering them.

Holden and Tony finally let me go, and I fall to my knees, focusing on Goselyn.

Or, what remains of her.

My arms hover over her, like I'm afraid to touch her. My breath is catching in my throat. My Goselyn, my dear Goselyn, my precious little girl that I worked so hard on- after all those hours Dad and I spent on her...

Gone. Just like he is.

Nothing more than a pile of rubbish.

My vision goes blurry, and I feel tears leaking down my cheeks.

"Aw, is the wittle baby gonna start cwying?" Tony mocks, patting my head as he bursts out laughing.

"Dumbass!"

"Wimp!"

"What a pussy!"

Most of the kids in the hallway are laughing, like it's the most hilarious thing in the world.

My fists clench again, but I feel no pain. I feel no sadness.

All I feel is raw, black hatred, building like a spreading wildfire.

I glare at her, feeling like I could just bash her face into the locker. I'm boiling alive. Saliva's gathering at the corners of my mouth, I'm literally foaming. My throat has this tight feeling and I can't say anything. My vision's blurry with tears, but I don't care to wipe them away. I can only focus on Kailani and how much I want to hit her, beat her until she bleeds. Until she stops moving.

Kailani simply scoffs and gives me the finger, "What's that look, for Killough? What, you hate me? Join the club. You think I give a damn of what some sad little low life thinks of me? Look at you, you're here sobbing and shit over a stupid doll! That's really pathetic. You angry? You want to hit me? Go ahead, it won't change anything. Especially not the fact that everyone here hates you! You're a screw up, an outcast, a piece of shit loser who should just do us all a favor and end it already! Not like anyone will miss you around here! You're just a waste of breath! Always was and always will be!"

I could kill her. I could strangle her and nobody could pry me off. I could bite her and rip her throat out, sock her until every facial bone is shattered. Take my backpack and hit her over the head and break her neck. I certainly feel like doing it.

But I don't.

Of course I don't.

I'm such a fucking coward.

Instead I just sit there for a second while Kailani continues to taunt. Now other kids are speaking up, putting in their two cents. Others are chanting 'fight, fight, fight!' in hopes one will happen. It's getting too loud, I can't take it. My fists are on fire from my nails, and my jaw aches from gritting my teeth so hard. It's too noisy, I can't take it. A little thought registers that Holden and Kailani have grabbed a hold of the puppets, holding them in front of my face in further mocking, daring me to do something so they have another excuse to rip them apart. Just like my self esteem. Just like my heart.

Instead, I dive in and grab Goselyn's limbs and run out the school, grabbing my bag, not bothering to pick up anything that fell out. I shove past everyone and almost crash into the doorways, but I'm too furious to care about the pain in my arms from forcing them open. I run home, out of breath, but I don't care. I get through the door, slamming it from behind me.

"Gaelin, what's going on?" Mom says as she comes from the living room. Today is not my fucking day. Paul's trailing behind her.

I don't say anything, just hold out Goselyn's parts in front of her. She looks down and then back up at me, and it dawns on her. She comes to hug me.

"What..what happened?" she asks.

"Kailani and them...got a hold of her...don't even know how she..." I can't talk straight. I feel like I'm hyperventilating. I whimper. I try not to cry, but it devours me.

"The kids at school did this?" Mom asks, holding my face and making me look at her.

"They...they tore her up..." I whisper, unable to hold it in.

"Is that what you're upset about? A doll?" Paul says, like I said I just saw pigs fly, "Goodness gracious, Gaelin, it's not that big of a deal."

"Paul."

"Maxine, come on, it's just a doll, it can be fixed-"

Something in me snaps. Maybe it's just the complete brushing off on the fact that I just admitted that I was being picked on. Maybe it's the arrogant gait in his voice when he realizes why I'm upset, maybe it's just the fact that once again, I feel like Paul's cornering me, interrogating me for nothing. Ridiculing me again for not being the stepson he planned on getting. Maybe it's just because I'm at my wit's end and need to take it out on someone, anyone. Whatever it may be, I'm pissed. Like the whipped dog just got off it's leash and is ready to bite back.

"SHE'S NOT JUST A DOLL!" I scream at him, pulling away from Mom to glare at him.

They both wear looks of surprises, but the heat boils over, and before I know it, I'm at it.

"IT'S SO EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! YOU HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE WHAT THEY DID TO HER, WHAT IS WAS LIKE TO WATCH THEM LAUGH AT ME AND PICK ON ME! TO WATCH EVERYONE ENJOY IT AND DO NOTHING! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHE MEANT TO ME! ALL YOU EVER DO IS TREAT ME LIKE SHIT AND TALK TO ME LIKE I'M STUPID! YOU'RE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THEM! YOU CAN NEVER JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! I...I HATE YOU!" I yell.

To whom am I saying this to? Paul? Kailani? The vice principal? My mind is blurred in the haze of red. It all just comes out like a massive tidal wave. And when it comes out, my mouth just opens, and I can do nothing to prevent the casualties that come in my path.

I race up to my room and slam the door to that to. It doesn't even register to me that the puppets are all watching this unfold.

Finally, I scream, unable to hold it in anymore.

"FUCKING HELL!" I roar, not caring who or what hears me. My lips are pulled back and I can feel veins bulging in my throat, like a volume knob turned to maximum, like it's impossible now for me to talk at the moment without yelling. I'm furious, full of liquid fire running through my veins, the blazing hate a full fledged inferno.

I punch the door. That's not enough. I punch it again. And again. Over and over, until my knuckles are numb with pain. All the while I'm yelling. I bang on it several times before pounding my fists on my bed. I grab my pencil case and fling it across the room. I brush everything off my desk, not caring about the little tubes of paint that spill across the wall and carpet. I throw my books on the floor, I take papers and shred them, unable to contain anything. I scream and yell profanities, cursing at Kailani and God and anyone else that I feel is responsible for this at the moment. I throw several things at the wall- my shoes, my little figurines of cartoon characters, my notebooks. I rip the sheets off my bed throw my chair. I roar incoherently, whatever feels good to let it all out.

"FUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

After it all, I'm just standing there, brewing in anger. I'm panting, out of breath, and my fists are clenched to the point they're starting to hurt. I look around my destroyed room. I don't care that it's in disarray for the moment, all I care about is looking around. I don't know, I can't explain it.

Then I realize the puppets are all staring at me. Tunneler and Leech Woman are cowering behind Torch, who has his flamethrower hand raised in warning. Jester's face is spun into a look of surprise, holding a hand to his mouth.

Then the flame is all drenched in cold realization.

I left them behind.

Blade, Six, and Pinhead. They're still at school.

No, worse. They're in Kailani's hands. Who the hell knows what she plans on doing to them.

The hate is gone. Instead, dread and pain fills its spot.

I look down at what remains of Goselyn- her caved in head with only a few strands of messy hair left in her scalp, her broken and flattened limbs, the little torn fabric that remains of her dress, a cracked eye left in one socket.

And just like that, I lose all the fight.

Something, a sob or a whimper- something that sounds akin to a wounded dog rips from my throat, and I sink to the floor. The tears return, wetting the carpet as I cradle her remains, curling into a little ball. I softly hit the floor with my fists as I bawl.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I just say.

I couldn't protect them. Blade, Six Shooter, and Pinhead are now gone. Gone at the mercy of that...that bitch. And the last thing I said to them...I was mad. I was angry. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. I told them I'd protect them and I let them down.

I just keep repeating "I'm sorry" as it all comes out in a different form: Large, giant blubbers that take so much air out of me, that make my ribcage ache like I can't breathe. Harsh coughing fits that scratch my throat raw.

I hear a slight knock at the doorway.

"Gael', could I come in?"

I wipe at my tears, "Go away."

The door opens anyway, and Mom strolls in.

"Honey, no, enough is enough. Stop shutting me out. Please, talk to me."

I just look at her. She's not angry, though her voice is stern. She's looking at me with pity, her eyes looking sad. I can't take it. I try to say something, but I only end up breaking down, curling deeper into myself. I feel her kneel down and gather me into her arms, pulling me into her chest. All the way I just cry, not knowing what else to do.

I just keep repeating myself.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

A/N: Fun fact, there actually is a few installments of a Puppet Master comic; done by Eternity comics, and then by Action Lab. The original comic was pretty much a sequel before the sequel (it came out before PM 2, though Torch does appear). Ironically, this comic makes Leech Woman and Blade the first two puppets Toulon created, instead of like the third film where they're the last two. The comic also carried elements similar to the later films- Toulon does die and is resurrected by the puppets, but instead of a villain, in the Eternity comics he's more of a protagonist, helping his cousin Paul defeat the German spies who were originally after him before he dies a second time; the puppets end up being 'adopted' by Paul. The second part of the Eternity comics takes place after the sequel, where Megan looks after the puppets (it is comically revealed Gallagher was resurrected in the body of the taxidermic dog), before they turn on her and she eventually leads them to burn to death when the hotel catches fire.

The Action Lab comics, which involve everyone including Torch and Decapitron, actually dwell deeper into the humanity of the puppets in a later story arc (the first arc I can't remember all that well), where at one point they all gain human bodies (this take reveals that Torch was originally a Nazi youth who Blade killed when he tried attacking Andre) and try to live again. The puppet bodies, however, take minds of their own, and everyone is killed and find themselves trapped in Hell at the mercy of Sutekh's son, Anapa, where they make a deal to take down each of their puppet forms in exchange for getting out of Hell (as far as I know this series was either discontinued or is on hiatus). This installment also features a story arc around them stopping Camille- the lady who ends up in Elsa's mannequin body- who has since become a serial killer, killing several children at the mental hospital that was mentioned at the end of Puppet Master II.

And just a warning, the next chapter's about to get really dark.