Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino

Note: Now that the history is out there, the real story can begin.

Demons and Angels

By Lola Presents

Chapter 4

Within twenty minutes, the police arrived at the Loud residence and took statements from everyone, including the parents and the children. As the oldest and common thread between the children, Lincoln got arrested on the spot. However, it took nearly three months for the psychologists to weed through the stories the girls told to get to the truth, unfortunately delaying the trial.

There were many fights and arguments during that time, and it left the family in tatters. Between claims of undying love, which few came close to understanding, declarations of hatred, and proclamations of guilt, things fell apart quickly. And despite how much time or therapy the parents invested into recovery, things never fully resolved themselves.

When the older siblings heard of the events, they immediately wrote their little brother out of their lives, especially those with children. For those that didn't, like Lynn, he became a lost cause, never to get mentioned again. Even Mr. and Mrs. Loud could never see eye to eye on the subject. While both parents loathed what he did and supported his incarceration, Lynn wrote him out of the family will, while Rita maintained hope that Lincoln would find peace one day.

Despite their feelings toward their brother, the entire family was present for Lincoln's trial and sentencing, and their reactions toward each other were palpable. Whether they displayed love or hatred, those around them could feel the emotion in the air. As one might expect, the two factions sat in different court sections, leering at each other until the judge read the verdicts and handed down the sentence.

"On the count of aggravated rape, how does the jury find?" asked the judge.

"On the count of aggravated rape, the jury finds the defendant guilty," the spokeswoman said.

"On the five counts of incest with a minor, how does the jury find?" asked the judge.

"On the five counts of incest with a minor, the jury finds the defendant guilty," the spokeswoman said.

"Thank you," said the judge. "You may now be seated."

Those few short sentences were all it took for the courtroom to erupt into chaos, and it took several minutes and quite a few bailiffs to calm everyone back down. Friends and family alike had different views of what happened and how it should've gotten handled. Even their desired outcomes differed. But in the end, none of them mattered. The only thing that mattered was the letter of the law and how the jury and judge interpreted them.

"Lincoln Albert Loud," the judge eventually said, after a mournful dialog regarding the young man's actions, "I understand you are not yet eighteen. But due to the proximity to your birthday, this court tried you as an adult. However, I am inclined to believe your remorse in court and to show leniency on the state's behalf. I hereby sentence you to no less than twelve years in the state penitentiary. May God have mercy on your soul. Bailiff, take the prisoner into custody."

And with that, Lincoln's immediate future was written, while the family's had yet to be determined. And whether a given family member loved or hated Lincoln, the one thing they could all agree on was the wish for someone to step in and decide for them, just as they had with their brother. Nobody had any clue how to navigate the complicated feelings they shared.

Things deteriorated even faster once Lincoln's fate was sealed, especially for Lynn and Rita. While the older adult children no longer lived in their home, they got stuck with those who pined for their older brother. How did one cope with such a thing? How could they come to you for advice when they didn't trust you or think you loved them?

However, the passage of time changed things, which was as valid for the Loud family as it ever was. As the months and years passed by, hardened hearts began to wilt, and the softest among them grew bitter. Though their feelings were as clear as they always had been, they no longer fought amongst themselves, deciding they would much rather forget and move on with their lives.

Al except one.

Lincoln was still lying on his bunk when the warden, two guards, and his lawyer, Felix Caldwell, came into view. He'd heard the footsteps but didn't dare get his hopes up, too often resolved into another fresh prisoner getting escorted to their cell. Yet, his heart still pounded harder the closer they came.

Perhaps it was the nearly undetectable slowing of the footfalls. Maybe it was hope after all. Either way, he stifled his emotions, waiting for Mr. Caldwell to say something. Too many of his cellmates got paid similar visits, only to have their desires for freedom dashed by one delay after another.

Smiling, Felix stood there with his briefcase in one hand and a manila folder in the other. "Mr. Loud?" he addressed Lincoln. "Are you ready to get out of here?"

"You bet!" chirped Lincoln, finally standing. "I've been ready."

A moment later, Lincoln and Mr. Caldwell were getting escorted by the warden and the two guards to the discharge area, where he would be processed, his belongings returned to him, and finally released from prison.

"So, what are your plans now?" asked Felix. "Do you have someplace to go?"

"Well," sighed Lincoln, "family is picking me up. As for my plans, the first thing I need to take care of is amends."

"Considering the nature of your crimes, I wouldn't put too much hope in amends," the lawyer replied. "But, it's worth a try, I suppose. Of course, you're now a registered sex offender, so your options are limited. And you'll need to maintain your therapy if you have any hope for a productive life."

"Yeah, I know," griped Lincoln. "Right now, all I want is to get out of here and go to Burpin' Burger for a patty melt and some cheese fries."

"I'm not surprised," said Felix. "A lot of prisoners do the same thing. Who did you say was coming to pick you up?"

"My little sister, Lily," responded Lincoln, knowing the implications.

"Wait, isn't Lily your youngest sibling?" inquired Mr. Caldwell, a look of concern on his face.

"Yes. What of it?" responded Lincoln as he reached the door to the discharge office and looked at his lawyer while the warden unlocked the door. "At twenty years old, she's an adult and the only thing I have left in my life. So, yes. She's picking me up."

"They're ready for you, Mr. Loud," interjected the warden a moment later, ushering him into the small room. And after signing some papers and receiving his possessions, which only amounted to his wallet and old clothes, Mr. Caldwell escorted him to the door.

The sun was high and bright in the sky, and Lincoln shielded his eyes as he scanned the horizon beyond the fence. Spotting his sister was easy. Aside from only two cars outside the wall, one of which was an old light blue Honda Civic with a single maroon door and a bent antenna, her short shaggy blonde hair gave her away.

Soon, the officer escorting them unlocked the gate and allowed Lincoln and Felix to pass. "Well," said Felix, offering Lincoln his hand. "I guess this is where we part ways. Please, keep your nose clean, huh? You don't know what I endured to secure this release."

Lincoln stared at the man's hand. Although he'd lost the trial, Lincoln had to give the man credit. Mr. Caldwell had stuck with him for twelve years, which meant something to Lincoln. Taking his hand, he shook it vigorously. "Thanks for everything."

While Felix headed toward his car, Lincoln turned and faced his sister, who stood about fifteen feet away beside her car. Lincoln couldn't make out her expression from that distance and hoped for the best as he began closing the space between them. As they grew closer, he began to make out more details and was thrilled to see her beaming back at him with her hands clasped by her waist.

The reality of her being there only took a moment to register, and Lincoln broke out in a run, quickly standing before her, smiling back, and lightly touching her shoulders with his hands. Her hair reminded him of Luna's, somewhere between short and medium length, a little curly and bouncing slightly in the wind.

The next thing he noted was her height. Lily was unusually short. The top of her head didn't even reach his chin. And he gazed into her eyes as she stared up at him, squinting at the sun. Lincoln had never noticed when she was younger, but Lily had a very faint array of freckles on her cheeks, probably darkened over time, and he thought it made her look even cuter.

As he slid his hands down her arms, taking hold of her hands, he took a step back and looked her over. She was thin, but not unsightly so, and had no breasts to mention. Her hips weren't much wider than her belly, which still seemed to retain some adolescent pudginess. She was perfect, and she was here. What more could he want?

"God, I missed you," Lincoln sighed as a single tear trekked down his cheek. "You have no idea."

"Oh, I think I do," cooed Lily, squinting the other eye in the face of the sun. "Now, about your hair and beard..." she added, chuckling despite her distaste.

"Heh," laughed Lincoln, stroking his beard. "You don't think it makes me look wise?"

"Get your butt in the car," giggled Lily, opening her door and getting in. "Let's get out of here before they change their mind."

Lincoln looked up at Mr. Caldwell's car disappearing in the distance, hoping he'd never see the man again, then walked around Lily's car, opened the mismatched maroon door, and got it.

"Where to, cutie?" Lily chirped.

"First, I need to see the barber," Lincoln replied, scratching the underside of his beard. "This shit itches."

"And after that?" asked Lily, her eyes sparkling.

"Burpin' Burger, if that's alright," he told her, placing his old clothes on the floor, no longer able to fit them. "I'm starving!"

Lily nodded despite not being the answer she wanted. Then again, when she did get him home, she'd much rather he be clean-shaven. And so, she started her engine and pulled onto the road, driving toward town while Lincoln stared out the window, taking in everything that had changed since his incarceration.

There was a new strip mall he'd never seen before, and the old mall showed signs of age. The park had become nearly overrun with weeds, and the old elementary school where he'd seen so many good times had been demolished, making way for a new one. The most devastating of all was the absence of the little gas station on the corner where Flip used to run multiple businesses.

"What happened to Flip?" Lincoln muttered as they passed the empty lot.

"He had a heart attack and died about eight years ago," sighed Lily. "I miss him too. He always treated me nicely, giving me free stuff and patting me on the head."

"That's weird," muttered Lincoln, not having similar memories. "He always treated the rest of us like crap. That man would pinch a penny until it screamed."

"Yeah, that's what everyone else says, too," responded Lily, shrugging as she handled the wheel. "I guess he felt sorry for me or something."

Lincoln fell silent for a few minutes, reflecting on how much had changed. While it was still Royal Woods, it no longer seemed like home to him. He then looked at his little sister, sitting in the driver seat, barely able to see over the dashboard, and his heart swelled.

"Listen," sighed Lincoln, not knowing where Lily's thoughts were. "Lily, about what happened. I want you to know that I'm sincerely sorry. I have no excuse, and any explanation probably wouldn't mean much. I'm only glad you saw fit to keep me in your life."

"What are you talking about, Lincoln?" quipped Lily, flashing her darling brown eyes at him. "Why are you apologizing for the happiest times of my life?"

Lincoln looked at his lap, and the bright orange of the jumpsuit he still wore screamed back at him. "Because it was wrong, and I know that now," he told her. "Look what it did to our family. I suppose you have your own now, a husband and at least one kid?"

Lily remained silent as she pulled into the barber shop's lot and parked the car. She then turned on Lincoln with one brow raised. "Let me tell you something, Lincoln," she began, with seriousness in her tone. "What you did was illegal, and I understand there are consequences to one's actions. But don't let me ever hear you say it was wrong again. Do you understand?"

"What we did to Lucy was inexcusable, regardless of how she felt afterward," Lincoln argued. "Can't you see that? And you were only five when I manipulated you into sex. How can you be so calm about this?"

"Lincoln..." Lily sighed, pushing herself back in her seat a little. "I remember everything like it happened yesterday, and you didn't trick me into anything. I don't care what people might say. I had older sisters, remember? I'd heard the word, and even though I didn't exactly know what it meant, I knew it was for adults. But I fell in love with you anyway. The kiss and the sex that followed were my decisions. Not yours. But, yes, what we did to Lucy was unfair and wrong, even though she ended up enjoying it."

"Wait..." responded Lincoln after a moment's silence. "What are you saying? I mean, are you still..."

"In love with you?" interrupted Lily. "Yes, I am. And I've gone without anyone by my side for twelve years. No boyfriends. Not even a single date. And worst of all, no parents. I had to live with them, but I never once said a bad word against you, and they hated me for it."

"Oh, Lily..." cooed Lincoln, holding her hand as tears began rolling down her face. "I'm still in love with you, too, and I'm sure they don't hate you. Only they don't understand, and sometimes anger is the only way people have to express that frustration. Me, on the other hand, I'm sure they hate."

Lily nodded as she sniffled and wiped her nose with the handkerchief that hung around her rear view mirror. "I don't know," she whispered. "Maybe you're right. However, I haven't spoken to them since I left home at sixteen, so I wouldn't know."

"Well," announced Lincoln, finally divulging his plans. "One of the things I need to do, now that I'm a free man, is to visit our parents and siblings and try to make amends. But not right away. I need time to enjoy being free with you by my side. Maybe later on, though, we should see them together one at a time?"

Sniffling, Lily nodded again. "I'd like that," she cooed, smiling at Lincoln.

Then, with only a look, they leaned in and kissed each other vigorously, the passion lost to the past twelve years pouring out of them. And it wasn't until a patron whistled at them enthusiastically as they walked past that they parted. Lily blushed as they separated, lightly touching her lips with her fingers.

"Now, let's get your hair cut, and your beard shaved before someone calls the cops again," she giggled. "You look like a grandpa!"

Laughing, knowing she was right, Lincoln exited the car and followed Lily into the little shop with the spinning red, white, and blue pole. Sitting nervously in the chair, he had no idea how his anxiety compared to the man cutting his hair. After all, he'd only arrived from prison and still wore the orange outfit they issued him.

Typically, they make the prisoners change into their old clothes before discharging them. However, since his arrest, Lincoln had grown a lot and could no longer wear his old clothes. He was much taller than he used to be, standing at five feet, eight inches, and he'd filled out nicely, leaving the barber wondering what heinous crime the ragged man had committed.

"What'll it be?" the man asked in a jittery voice.

Lincoln peered up at him and winked. "The usual, Fred. It's me, Lincoln."

"What?" the man gasped, looking closer. "Well, I'll be damned if you aren't! So, they finally let you out of prison, eh?" he said as he wrapped the bib around Lincoln's neck.

"Uh, yeah..." sighed Lincoln. "That's not going to be a problem, is it?" he asked nervously as the man sharpened his blade.

"I don't know," said the man quickly, placing his blade near Lincoln's neck. "How about you give me one good reason why I shouldn't rid the world of you right now?"

Lily rushed up to their side and interjected on Lincoln's behalf. "No, you don't have to do that, sir!" pleaded the girl. "I'm Lily, his little sister. And we're good, alright? He made a youthful mistake! Please, don't hurt him!"

"Rape ain't a mistake, lady," the man said, growing agitated. "Especially when it's girls as young as you were. How can you defend him?"

"Because he's my brother, and I love him!" Lily screeched. "Please, put down the knife, mister. Everyone deserves another chance. Besides, you'll only get arrested for murder. Is that what you want?"

The man considered Lily's argument and heartfelt plea, then stepped away from Lincoln. "Go on!" he yelled. "Get out of here before I change my mind. But don't you ever come back! Do you hear me?"

Lincoln nodded and quickly left the shop with Lily in tow. Slamming the doors and starting the engine, Lily pulled back into traffic. "Oh, my, God!" Lily exclaimed, breathing heavily. "I thought he was going to kill you!"

"He probably would have if it hadn't been for you," sighed Lincoln, unconsciously rubbing his neck. "But you're going to have to get used to that. I'm sure he's not the only one who feels that way."

"Maybe we should run, Lincoln," Lily managed to get out through her shaking. "Run so far away that nobody will ever find us!"

"No," sighed Lincoln again. "Lily, I know it's scary, and I have no clue what might happen. But I have to face my past. It's the only way I'll ever move forward."