It was the strike of noon as the clock chimed, indicating another day. Hearing the clock, the homeless middle-child eyes were faintly open as most of his body was still asleep. Not only the clock, but he also heard human voices calling out to him. In addition, there was also something poking at him. The first thought was it was all in his head, yet the taps on his shoulder kept repeating. From the way it was going, Lincoln started to clue in that it was not a dream as the voices got louder.
Lincoln sat up to see an unhappy officer, tapping her foot. Was Lincoln under arrest, because he really did not need himself in jail again? Lincoln took a yawn as his eyes begin to flicker. The officer folded her arms and held her nightstick tightly.
"Hey move it along sir!" The female officer ordered continuing to poke him. "There is no sleeping on park benches; get going!"
"Oh sorry, I just I must have dozed off." Lincoln yawned. Getting impatient, the officer poked at Lincoln again. "Okay, okay, I'm going geez." Lincoln replied walking away.
It had been two days ever since Lincoln's reunion with his rockstar sister. As he was back on the streets, Lincoln checked his watch. It was as the tower clock said; it was middle of the day. Lincoln and Luna were separated for the day. Even if Luna was out on bail, she still had to do her share of community service. Much as Luna hated to leave her poor brother in his time of need, community service was unavoidable. She did not need any more jail time now that her brother was back into her life.
With nothing to do, Lincoln lied in the dark alley. The hard surface ground became his bed, while the old newspaper became his covers. However, as he discovered, it was the same newspaper containing the same article of Lola and her all-star beauty success. It seems like Lola was still getting all the glory. She must have been so proud. Too bad Lincoln did not see that the date on the newspaper was today's date. Besides Luna, he thought the rest of his sister's most have been living-it-up right now.
"Hello sir, do you have any spare change." Lincoln begged the random person, walking beside him.
"Why bother? So you can waste your life on more beer and drugs?" The man disgustedly replied. "I don't think so." He walked away from Lincoln.
"Daddy, who's that man sitting in the alley?"A little girl observed Lincoln.
The father pulled the little girl away from homeless Lincoln. He gave a look of utter disgust towards Lincoln. "Stay away from him sweetie; it's just one of those filthy hobos, probably here because of his stupid addiction for unhealthy stuff. Beings like that should be a shame for themselves."
Lincoln was offended as he scowled back at the man. "Hey most of us are not here because we want to be you know!" Lincoln coughed again as the sickness was showing on the outside. He could feel more blood pushing its way through his mouth.
"I'm so sorry sir, but it seems like your homeless friends left a few days ago." The nun informed Lincoln.
Feeling his stomach grumble, Lincoln looked at his loose change. Once again, the money he had was not even close to a dollar. "Dang it; I should have ask Luna for some money when she left." He said to himself.
Again, Lincoln was on his merry way from the shelter. Now Lincoln wishes he could have been there. This left him officially puzzled on where they could be. They could be just about anywhere, but he did not have time for that now. As he turned his back to walk away, he felt the busy lonely streets were calling out to him. He was about to look for whatever that may benefit him. From his condition, he needed plenty of benefits as well as a health adjustment. Now that he was out of cough medicine, the blood coughing kept coming to him. Though he would have thought it was minor at first, it became recurring after many weeks. Still, at least he was still alive for now.
Pulling at the nun's heartstrings, she stopped the homeless middle-child. "You know there is still from leftover pasta and fruits." The nun offered Lincoln. "It would be a shame to let the food go to waste."
"Thank you."
Lincoln's stomach was practically demanding food, so he had to be a fool not to pass up a free opportunity. Anything was better than starving himself for another day.
To feed such an unfortunate soul was always the nun's great pleasure to preserve life. With a whole plate in front of him, Lincoln spared no expense stuffing his face. He consumed the pasta, mash potatoes, and corn bread. Both Lincoln and his stomach were overjoyed to have something in them. At this rate, he did not even care if he choked. The nun stood dumbfounded if not happy for the man. Nevertheless, she did advise him to paste himself with eating even if it looked like he was dying, which he was not.
It was a peaceful morning, as the middle-child lied asleep in his room. It was only place of comfort even if most of his stuff was gone. Still, he tried to make the best of his situation, no matter how much it got under his skin. As Lincoln tried to enjoy his alone time let alone his dreams, it came interrupted by a loud noise, and not by his sisters. The sound echoed through his small room waking him up, thus numbing his ears. He could not even drain out the noise in his sleep. Lincoln's vision was faint, but he was able to see his mother stood, as she was arm with a Chinese Gong borrowed from Luna.
"Up and Adam Lincoln, you have a full day of school ahead of you." Rita called to Lincoln.
Lincoln rubbed the sand from his eyes. "Mom, it's an hour before school."
"No excuses, you know what they say about early to bed and early to rise." Rita responded. "Besides this way, you get front pass to the bathroom before your sister's wake up." Lincoln gave a replied scoff pulling the blankets over his face. That did not stop Rita from yanking them off. "Let's go Lincoln, your burning daylight over here! On your feet right now!"
"Can I at least have some privacy to change first?" Lincoln replied getting out of bed. "I don't believe this." Lincoln mumbled in his head.
It had been a few weeks as Rita was still on Lincoln's case. She kept watch on the boy like a hawk. Not one moment did she let her only son out of sight? She made sure she kept him occupied with either schoolwork and kept him away from any potential dangers. Within the Loud House, the list of possible hazards was all there.
"Mom, I'm not done with my breakfast yet." Lincoln felt Rita pulling ion his arm, while Lincoln was still eating his cereal.
"You can eat in the car." Rita shot back.
"Are you serious?" Lincoln inquired to her as if he was challenging her.
Rita gave an unamused glare as she pointed to the front door indicating that she was. With the look of utter defeat and misery, it was clear that Lincoln was having anything but a good day. Lincoln was always the positive thinker of the family, but this time nativity surrounded his face like a virus. Not even the bright smile of the youngest sibling was enough to cheer up the middle-child. In fact, Lincoln's miserable frown almost scared Lily. The matriarch Lincoln gave a silent groan as he walked out of the door holding his bowl of cereal.
Little did Rita know that the Loud sisters were watch Lincoln all this time.
"Dudes do you see that?" Luna inquired to the rest.
"Yeah, looks like mom is really helping Lincoln throughout the day. Why don't we ever receive that help?" Leni guessed from the top of her head.
Knowing that she was really off, all nine sisters slapped their foreheads in reply.
"No Leni: mom has been on Lincoln's case lately, from banning him from knives, to taking away his stuff, now she is on Lincoln like she's his parole officer."
"Yeah, I can't even make a joke about this." Luan added.
As they arrived on school grounds, Lincoln barely finished his cereal. However, it was difficult for him to the car moving therefore spilling milk and cereal all over Vanzilla, but she would worry about it later. That was minor compared to other things in Vanzilla. Turning his face the other direction, Lincoln silently exit the car. He did not even bother to respond back to the way Rita was waving him goodbye.
"Don't forget to take your pills Lincoln!" Rita shouted. "It will help you prevent any more accidents down there."
This outburst caught the attention of the other students as it led in laugher. Once again, Lincoln was the center of embarrassment for his school. Hiding his face of displeasure, he stomped back to his mother snatching his sack lunch, not caring if this would get her notice. At this rate, anything certainly beat being around his mother right now. He would even take detention if he had to. Whether or not he showed resentment, Rita tried to endure, as she knew that Lincoln would thank her someday.
"Don't forget to give her a kiss momma's boy." One student teased Lincoln.
"Yeah did you forget to bring your pacifier." Another student teased.
Lincoln was already in no mood for this teasing. Heaven knows he gets it enough from his sisters at home. As it continued it only brought annoyances and a little angry to Lincoln. Lincoln was normally not the violent type, but he felt like he wanted to hit something right now. As he had his back turned, the teasing still went on. When Lincoln grinded his teeth, twitched his eye, and tighten his bandage hand, he was set to give those kids a piece of their mind.
Before he could react, someone had already stopped it for him. The Hispanic paid the boys a ruthless scowl, nearly making them freeze in place. "Don't you jerks have anything better to do?" Ronnie Anne said in a threatening tone.
"You think we are scared of you Santiago?" The boy shot back.
"If you are then take your shot. I dare you!" Ronnie Anne challenged turning her hand into a fist, awaiting the first move.
Begrudgingly, the boys walked away from the toughest girl in school, knowing that they did not want to start trouble with her. "Whatever this is lame anyway. We got other things to do then mess with your boyfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend alright…geez…" Ronnie Anne countered, almost blushing. When she reached up to Lincoln with a slight ouch of the shoulder, Lincoln shoved it off as if he was about to hit her. If it was a few inches closer, Lincoln may have scratched her. Moreover, witnessing the bitter frown on his face, he was anything but glad.
Lincoln exhale trying to calm down. "Sorry; a lot has been on my mind lately."
"Is that your book bag Lincoln?" Ronnie Anne noticed Lincoln's backpack carried by his hand.
"Yeah, mom has been all over my case lately. She cut the straps from my backpack to avoid me from 'getting ideas' in her words." Lincoln mumbled, while walking as Ronnie Anne tried to catch up.
Ronnie Anne could easily read between the lines, as she knew what Lincoln was referring to by "certain ideas". The irony and ridiculousness from that statement made her laugh at Lincoln. The more she laughed, the more displeased Lincoln had got. He was already not having a good day. Ronnie Anne seized her laughing only to find out Lincoln was clearly not laughing. "Oh wait your serious. Isn't she overreacting?"
"Yeah tell it to her."
The young loud scientist monitored the activity that went on within the big screen. She watched as the homeless middle-child wondered through the endless streets without a care. Like a rat, he savaged through the trashcans in search of food. Even if she did not show it from the outside, the future Lincoln clearly pulled at her heartstrings. It was beginning to explain a whole lot of how Lincoln's depression was manifesting itself into real life depression. Lisa had to be either blind or stupid not to see the true cause herself and the damage it was doing to her brother.
"Hey Lisa, I need your help with something." Lola and Lana interrupted the genius. The two of them caught the screen of the homeless person. "Wow Lisa, so who is that deadbeat loser?" Lola crackled at the person's misery.
"That deadbeat loser you are referring to is our brother, approximately fifteen years into the future." Lisa explained.
The twins were applaud by the answer. Then again, the white hair on the homeless man was clearly a dead giveaway.
Lisa titled her glasses as she began to explain. "Throughout the weeks as I discovered elder brother's depression, I have been doing research on what's been dwelling in his mind. While he was in deep slumber, I have been monitoring his every dream with my new invention, the Dream Camera." Lisa presented her device in the shape of a helmet. "With the wireless connection, I am able to view brother's dreams straight out of my laptop when the helmet is attached."
"Well Lincoln seems to be doing well; after all he has the trashcans at his disposal." Lana pointed out.
Lola gave Lana a jab on the shoulder. "That is not the point you philistine!"
"Indeed, while our unique capabilities are pretty much spoken for, Lincoln feels that this is his fate for the future and so on. He's been struggling with this thought all this time."
"So because Lincoln thinks he does not have many accomplishments like we do, this is how he feels his future will be?" Lola felt shame.
"That is correct." Lisa answered, tapping her fingers on her chin. "Mind you that this is only a glimpse into the future. Even I have to admit being out there in that cruel world with little to nothing is quite frightening, kid or adult. I think it's only fair that we notify our parental units at once." Lisa suggested.
"I don't know about that. Mom has been acting harsh to Lincoln lately. Just yesterday, I heard her yelling at Lincoln just for using a knife, and it was a plastic one." Lana advised.
All three little siblings' heart sank as they watched their homeless brother survive on the streets. The video started to attract the older sisters as they sadly watched their brother. It was like watching a sad movie. With one hand on the wall, homeless Lincoln struggled to keep himself on his feet. However, in his current condition, it was a mighty big if. Lincoln raggedy appearance and frail health did not exactly spell A-Okay.
It was not until an hour later as the patriarch had arrived home. The siblings overheard the sounds of the opening front door. The father made his way through the house as they could tell by the rumbles of groceries and the whistling.
"Dad, we need to talk you." Lori was the first to say, meeting the father by the front door.
The father of the Loud family studied the worried-guilty expressions on his kids faces. He could only guess what was on their mind. The last time they came forward like this was when Lynn broke an expensive vase. Lynn Sr. and Rita were proud she came fourth, but upset breaking the rule, thus she got grounded for two weeks. Lynn awaited the response thinking whatever punishment to dish out on the girls.
"It's about Lincoln." Lori stated.
"Your mother is handling that matter." Lynn Sr. quickly answered.
"That's kind of the thing we want to talk to you about."
"Father while it viewed mother's intentions is a cause for worry; we feel that her methods on Lincoln have been really unorthodox lately." Lisa further explained.
"Mom has been on Lincoln's case lately and not in a good way." Luan added.
Lynn Sr. did not want to believe it. "Now girls, I'm sure your mother does not really mean it."
"Might I remind you that these methods have even led to her raising her voice at elder brother for unfair justification?" Lisa clarified. To further explain, please gather into my room."
While Lincoln was on the harsh streets, there was a list of things Lynn Sr. can think of that Lincoln would be vulnerable to? Just thinking of those list of things made Lynn quiver inside. He wanted to cry. As he watched the video, Lynn Sr. felt Lincoln's depression was stemming from more than Lincoln's inferiority. He made the mistake of shoving out their only son before and it was mistake that he did not care repeat, especially if the son ended up in this miserable predicament.
"I think it's about time I have a talk with your mother." Lynn Sr. announced.
"Aw bogus dude; you can't come to the beach with us?" Luna saddened after hearing the news.
"Sorry Luna; mom's orders and apparently to her I have a lot of work to catch up on." Lincoln replied.
It was afternoon as Lincoln helped his sister's pack for the beach. Since summer was in session, the beach was open season for the Louds. Just like Dairyland, the sisters carried joy in their eyes. Too bad Lincoln did not carry the same happiness, as his face remains uncaring. It was neither happy nor sad. The loud sisters did not see it on the outside, but knew Lincoln was still sad on the inside. Sympathy was still express to their soaking brother for Lincoln missing the fun.
"Come on honey, I know he's grounded but does he really have to miss out? Isn't this a bit much? Lynn Sr. spoke feeling sorry for Lincoln.
"I'm sorry, but this is for the best. He can't afford to waste anymore time then he already has." Rita stood firm in her decision. She had not intention of changing her mind.
"It's not going to be fun without you big brother." Lola said embracing Lincoln from the side.
"Yeah, who's going to help us build sandcastles?" Lana added also hugging Lincoln from the side.
"Don't worry I'll be fine. Besides it's not the first time you guys left me by myself." Lincoln said.
"We know that son. We just want to make sure you are safe and sound." Lynn assured with a hand on Lincoln's shoulder.
"I'll be fine really; you guys have a good time." Lincoln assured with a false smile, but they could already see behind it. Deep down, they knew he had to be disappointed.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay Lincoln?" Leni asked like everyone else holding concerns for her little brother.
Even if he insured that everything was fine, Lynn Sr. and the girls still were not convinced behind that fake jester. As the pulled out of the driveway, neither eyes were taken off Lincoln. They felt like they were leaving a child behind for the slaughter. Nevertheless, the beach was calling to them so there was not any time to waste. Rita still stood with her choice even if the others were not that confident.
Lynn Sr. and Rita relax on their beach chairs as they watch their daughters have fun. Just like Dairyland, it was just the parents and their ten daughters. While Lincoln missing the theme park did not bother him that much, it still bothered the family a bit. Lola and Lana focus on their sandcastles, Lori and Leni sunbathe, and the rest of the siblings had a friendly game of Volleyball. Knowing Lynn Jr. the game was anything but a friendly competition.
"Rita, isn't this a bit much, not letting Lincoln go with us, punishment or not? I feel bad for not taking him." Lynn said breaking silence as him and the girls were concern by inclusion of their only son.
"He will be fine Lynn, he has a lot of school work to catch up on, so he can't afford fun activities."
"It's more than that isn't it?" Lynn suspected as the subject as been bugging him for a while. "So the girls tell me that you have been playing favorites?" Lynn spoke.
"Aren't you worried about Lincoln?" Rita exclaimed at Lynn.
"Off course I am; but I don't think keeping watch on him twenty-four seven is an option."
"I'm only doing what's best for him as his mother!" Rita replied with half anger in her voice.
Lynn Sr. tried to be as calm as possible. "Rita; Lincoln will not end up like him."
"And just how can you be sure!" Rita argued. "He is an eleven-year-old boy Lynn!"
"Because Lincoln is better than that, he may be a kid but he has enough common sense to know that. You really think this making it better?"
Rita was already reaching her patients with this conversation. She did not want to get into an argument. "I'd soon rather see Lincoln resent me then see him in his grave Lynn!" Rita angrily shot back.
As she walked away, it was clear Rita's mind was made up. She thought Lynn was just overreacting, but she knew she doing was right. To prove him wrong, Rita tried to call her son. After a few tones, the call went to voicemail. Rita's first is that Lincoln may have been indisposed, so nothing to worry about. After waiting a few minutes, she called again only to get no response. Probably was sleeping peacefully, she hope it was not permanently. Concern started to form after the third failed call. This was not like Lincoln to miss his family calls.
When a scary thought came to mind, it made Rita tremble. It brought a very painful memory of that someone she loved. Right in from of her eyes, he lied unconscious with a rope around his neck. Shocked was not the proper word to describe the scene. Horrified was more like it that it made her screen from the top of her lungs.
As Lincoln came up at that same picture, it started to make her uneasy. Depression or not, Lincoln would the last person to be in that trap. The further she thought about it, the sicker she felt inside. Maybe she was thinking too much. Rita got her phone and called the house again. The wait made mother shake inside as the call was sent to voicemail, Rita's worries increased tenfold.
"No! Not this time!" Rita said loudly. "Everyone get in the car, we're leaving!" Rita ordered.
Racing through traffic, panic was on overdrive to the mother. Rita did not care how many traffic laws she was breaking, so long as it helped her get to the destination. Honking cars and traffic signs were not her concern. With the way she was driving, the family was more scared of her reckless driving; wondering what was going through that intense mind. At this rate, they wonder if Rita would be daring to evade a cop.
Tires slash through the surface as they arrive home. Rita wasted no time rushing through the front door. She kicked the door open as if she was a police officer raiding a house. From the front glance, to the left and right, she checked for possible signs of her confirm fears. After a mid glance in the left direction, Rita caught sight of a rope, and already it made her sick inside.
Lincoln came into the living room. Rita was quick to grab her son by the arm. "Lincoln, what did you do?" Rita questioned her son, not knowing if it was anger or worry she felt.
"I was putting up Walt's birdcage." Lincoln replied, feeling his mother's intense grip. The grip was enough to hurt his hand
"Don't lie to me!" Rita yelled. "You think I don't know what this is?"
"What are you talking about?" Lincoln was confused.
"Enough Lincoln; go to your room right now!" Rita commanded in a booming tone. "And I'll be confiscating your comics to avoid anymore distractions."
"You're kidding right?" Lincoln venomously shot back. Lincoln went on second glance as his mother's face indicated she was not joking. "Fine! Then why don't take my soul while you're at it...Rita!" Lincoln talked back to his mother not caring if it would get him in more trouble. Nevertheless, Lincoln obeyed marching to his room.
This had to be a breaking point as Lincoln had just addressed his mother by her first name. Only cases as a child would call parents by their first were moments of mistrust or negative treatment. It was like an arrow shooting through her heart, yet she remains confident that she was doing the right thing.
Unfortunately, however, the family did not share the same thoughts as they witnessed everything. Both sides were clearly at a loss for words. They stared at the mother as if she was some sort of abuser. The father and the daughters were both aghast with not terrified by the behavior Rita just demonstrated. Even when pushed to her limit, Rita would never act hostile towards her children. Now Lynn Sr. was beginning to pain the big picture.
Sticking to his punishment, Lincoln hit the books. Ms. Johnson wasted no time updating the substitute teacher on Lincoln's failed works. It really showed from the large stacks of paper. At least he was able to get some privacy, which made it much easier to concentrate. Not that it made much difference since Rita still had him on restriction. Even if he were sneak his way into doing stuff, Rita would know right away as if she was tracking his every move.
As the skies darken, Lincoln spent his day secluded in his room. He spared no effort in skipping out on dinner, much to his family's thoughts. Most of his day spent consuming more antidepressants going against Rita's words of only taking two a day. He hoped to bring down his stress level. Unfortunately, the pills only help Lincoln a little in his situation. It proved to be a mistake as the drugs started to have an usual effect on the boy.
Lincoln's body felt like lead weights. Moreover, Lincoln's vision was getting blurry and stomach tied into a knot. Lincoln barely had control of his own body as he grasped a piece of model plane. He could find the pointy part object while his stuff was not all taken. Lincoln did not pay attention to the damage what he was doing to his palm or the amount of blood begging to come out.
Even if Lincoln had denied it, all the dark thoughts in his mind were echoing to him to "end it." Was he going crazy? This was truly all the self-doubts of temptation. With the way felt, Lincoln felt the need to obey. The dark abyss was calling out to him. Under the grip, he caught a glimpse of homeless Lincoln, looking at the same sadden expression. The glance as they counted the days when this outcome will truly come into fruition.
It was as if an invisible force took control of his hand as he tried to fight the grip. Inner forces were trying to convince him to do it. He even went as far as hurting his hand to break the grip. After a few bangs, he the sharp piece left his palm, but not his hand in pain. Luckily, there was little blood while most of the pain was just bruising. The bruising took place from his hand to his wrist. He did not even bother to moan or say ouch over this painful display.
He tried to concentrate and purge his mind of all sinful thoughts. Even if he was stoic on the outside, he was feeling something else inside. The tears were beginning to show. Deep exhales at a time, Lincoln tried to calm himself after feeling that negative feeling. So this was the dark temptation he felt. For a moment, Lincoln had no control of himself. Perhaps he just needed rest as he lied down. He could already feel his body going on immediate shutdown. All of Lincoln's senses were unresponsive that he did not even hear his bedroom door open.
"Hey Linky, sorry you could not come to the beach with us, so I got you this as a souvenir." Leni gave Lincoln a special Ace Savvy cup. Lincoln quickly tossed it away as it barely matter to him. Knowing Lincoln's love for Ace Savvy, this was unlike him to turn out the gesture. Leni did not know too much about depression, but she could see Lincoln was literally not himself. The catatonic blank teary-eyed expression was an obvious sign on his depression. "Lincoln, what happened, are you sad because mom yelled at you?"
Lincoln wiped the tears from his eyelids. "No Leni, just the side effect of the pills mom gave me." He murmur, as his voice was not sobbing.
Lincoln's display of misery was enough to pull the second eldest forward. He was actually making Lucy look happy-go-lucky. Leni took a seat next to Lincoln's bed and embraced the middle-child. Leni did not care if he resisted or denied; because deep down she knew that Lincoln was suffering inside. No matter how Lincoln tried to fight it, he knew he was defeated at this point. "It's okay to be sad." Leni whispered to her brother.
Through the embrace, Lynn Sr. and Rita peeked into Lincoln's room. Seeing that the second eldest beat them to it, it saved the parents the trouble. From what was Lincoln going through, Lynn Sr. felt like crying himself as if he was not already crying on the inside. Lynn Sr. came to an important decision. "Starting tomorrow, we are going to have Lincoln see a therapist."