"Look who it is. Lincoln Lame." Chandler said, smirking, "the dorkiest kid in school. The biggest loser there is. The biggest fan of those pathetic comics made for kindergarteners. And to top the list, his father is dead."

The irate expression on Lincoln faced died the second those words escaped Chandler's lips. Even the stings of 50 hornets wouldn't have hurt as much as those words. Lincoln stayed silent and looked down. He didn't want his tears to fall, not in front of Chandler, not in front of everyone there. And yet despite his resistance, the tears came, falling to the floor like rain. Chandler smiled from cheek to cheek, seeing his archnemesis cry before him. Chandler was ready to give the Loud another mouthful, until he heard the voice of a certain someone.

"Leave Lincoln alone!" exclaimed the African American boy in anger. Chandler turned to see Clyde staring directly at him, but the redhead simply smiled.

"Well, well, look who joined the party." Chandler snickered, approaching Clyde.

Soon Clyde's anger turned into fear. Unlike his best friend, he was very easily intimidated by Chandler. His teeth chattered in fear as Chandler spoke,

"Loud's got no dad and McBride has two." Chandler laughed. Clyde should've been used to comment that Chandler made. He'd gotten used to the teasing. Throughout the years, he'd heard an array of comments about his two dads. And yet, this one comment hurt much more. Perhaps it was the chill that Chandler's laugh sent down his spine. Maybe it was because he saw his best friend, the one person who never gave in to Chandler's taunting and mischief, shed tears before the bully. Maybe it was just the fact that it was Chandler who said it. Whatever the reason was, it didn't change Clyde's emotions. He was… upset? No, angry? No, fearful?

But before the boy could decide on an emotion, both he and the bully heard Lincoln's voice loud and clear.

"Leave him alone." The white-haired boy said coldly, giving Chandler a death stare that would even give the grim reaper chills.

The redhead however, remained unscathed, "Or what Loud? You going to tell your father?"

The words hit him again. The demon had had enough.

"Lincoln are you really going to let this guy hurt your feelings like that?" the demon asked, trying to lure out a tougher, rougher side of the 12-year-old, "Aren't you going to do something about it?"

Lincoln looked down, holding back the tears in his eyes,

"I-I-I can't. H-h-he's t-too strong." He murmured quietly to himself.

"What'd you say Loud?" Chandler questioned, evidently confused, but he quickly jumped to a conclusion, "Aww, little Linky is sad that his father's gone. He knows that he will never see him again. Unless he pays a visit to the cemetery." Chandler burst out in laughter, while the crowd around them just walked past, not wanting to get involved. Chandler, however, decided that he had more to say,

"Well, I guess, visiting a graveyard is something your freakish, emo sister would do. Or maybe your dumb older sister is clueless enough to wander into there."

Chandler went back to make jokes and remarks about his father, but all were ignored. He could only think about how Chandler had insulted two of his closest sisters. Sure Lucy may be obsessed with the gothic and dark mysteries of life, and Leni may be… naïve, but that didn't give this brainless idiot a right to insult them. Lincoln emotions suddenly went from sadness to… anger. In fact, more than anger. He was infuriated. He was incensed. And he was ready to give Chandler what he deserved.

"Enough!"

Chandler was taken by surprise by Lincoln's shout. And so, he wasn't prepared for the fist heading towards his face.

THWACK!

Lincoln kept his fist in the position where it met Chandler's face. The punch had caught everyone's attention, and every student in the hallway stared at the two. Chandler was on the floor clutching his mouth. Lincoln lowered his fist and glared at his archnemesis. The redhead finally got up and spat out one of his pearly whites.

"That. Was. My favorite tooth." he said through gritted teeth, "How dare you punch me? How. Dare. You?"

"How dare I? How dare I?!" Lincoln yelled.

"Yes! That's what I said! How. Dare Y-"

But before he could finish his sentence, Lincoln grabbed him by the collar, hoisted him up and slammed him against the locker, causing a big clang that silenced the entire hallway. Chandler struggled against him, but Lincoln kept a firm grip, and gave Chandler a look similar to a bull when it's about to charge at a matador.

"No one bad mouths, ANY member of my family, you understand." Lincoln said through gritted teeth, "make fun of me all you want, but lay a single finger on and of my family, or even say a single word, and you're dead. You hear me? DEAD."

Lincoln squeezed his collar, not loosening his grip, not planning on either, looking Chandler in the eye. Chandler was fearful; he knew his taunting and nasty comments annoyed, saddened or angered anyone. But he never expected anyone to retaliate as fiercely as Lincoln had. Despite the terror that Lincoln saw in his eyes, he still didn't release his grip on Chandler. If anything, he probably tightened it. However, Lincoln though to himself, and smiled. He was ready to teach Chandler a final lesson. Lincoln took one of his hands off Chandler, but tightened his grip with his other hand, to the point where Chandler could barely breathe. He balled his free hand into a fist, and got it into a position where it could deliver a powerful punch.

Lincoln whispered into Chandler's ear, "Hey, ever wanted to know what a broken nose feels like?"

Chandler gulped, and closing his eyes, waiting for it to come. Lincoln raised his fist, ready to strike, until…

"Loud! McCann!"

Lincoln loosened his grip on Chandler collar, and both boys looked in the direction of the voice.

"Principal's office! NOW!" yelled Mr Bolhofner. Lincoln let go of his bully, and both boys followed the teacher to the principal's office.

2 hours later, and they were sitting outside Principal Ramirez's office, waiting to be picked up by their parents. Ramirez forced the truth out of the two. Lincoln explained to her the situation, and the vile comments made by Chandler. Chandler admitted to these, knowing he had no other choice. Lincoln also admitted to punching him and slamming him against a locker. So, both boys were suspended, Lincoln for 5 days, and Chandler for two weeks (Since the principal knew the situation Lincoln was going through, so she saw Chandler's comments as unnecessary and cruel).

Both remained silent while they awaited their parents, occasionally throwing scowls at each other.

Finally, Chandler's dad came. He was about the same height as Lincoln's dad, but had a beard, was more muscular and had a faint smell of beer. The man was also holding a small bag.

Chandler slowly stood up, and broke the silence, "Hey da-"

"Don't you 'hey dad' me." His father interrupted in a rough tone, "I can't even relax at home, because my pathetic excuse for a son can't behave at school."

Mr McCann grabbed his son by his ear, ignoring the boy's yelp of pain, "Now you listen hear. When we go home, I will lock you in your room, for the entire week. You shall stay in there and not come out. Not for food, not for the toilet, not for anything." he growled, "and if you decide to get testy and come out…" Mr McCann took out the item in the small bag; a dark brown, leather belt, "you know what will happen. The bruises on your back from last week, should've made the message clear.

Lincoln stared in horror. Mr McCann let go of his son's ear, only to smack him on the head, and pull him along back home.

Lincoln had always thought that Chandler's behavior occurred because he was a spoiled brat. Only now did he learn that that was not the case. Somewhere in his soul, Lincoln felt bad for Chandler. But then he remembered the comments he made, and his anger was replenished.

The demon was overjoyed. This was the most anger he'd ever consumed in one go. He just had to take advantage of the boy's love for his family. Only when he taken the necessary amount of negative emotion with him, would he return to hell. And he would take his host along with him. He would be an idol for others. He would be rewarded by Satan. For centuries, he'd been living on this sad excuse of a planet, and he would finally return home, taking the pathetic human with him, where all the demons could feed on these emotions.

Rita finally arrived; her eyes red from crying. Lincoln felt a twang of guilt. His mother had been struggling in the past few days, and all he could do was get suspended and give her more troubles. Did he really have to punch Chandler? He never dealt with things physically, instead verbally.

He finally found the courage to speak up, "Hey mo-"

"Let's go." She interrupted. It wasn't strict. It wasn't angry. It sounded more like… disappointment. Lincoln looked down in shame. His mother had been struggling with devastating amounts of depression ever since she lost her husband. And all he could do to help was pick a fight with someone whom he usually ignores.

Both of them got in Vanzilla, and Rita started the drive home. The journey was quieter than a graveyard. No words were exchanged at all. And that's when the demon spoke up.

"Damn, that was quite the punch you delivered." remarked the demon. Lincoln gave a small smile. The demon knew exactly what he was thinking,

"Oh don't worry. With what he did, he had it coming. Plus, it's good that you stood up for yourself."

"Yeah, but…" Lincoln paused and thought, "that isn't really me. I'm not a fighter, I talk things out, I use reasoning."
"Not a fighter?" the demon question, acting like he was confused, "That punch was brilliant! Unfortunately, he wasn't able to keep up, otherwise it would have been a better fight."

Lincoln thought, while the demon continued, "I think you have that potential to be a fighter. We might need that tough guy more often."

Lincoln continued to ponder about what his 'angel' said; Was he really meant to be a tough guy?"

They finally reached home. Rita and Lincoln entered the household, but were only greeted by Charles, Cliff, Geo and Walt. All the other sisters (apart from Lori, who was in the living room, and Leni who was in hospital) were at school.

Lori looked up from her phone and greeted her younger sibling and mother. Lincoln simply forced a smile, while Rita trudged towards her room.

Once, their mother was gone, Lori looked at her younger brother with a concerned expression,

"Lincoln-"

"I don't want to talk about it." He interrupted looking down

"I know you didn't do anything wrong. You simply got mad and-"

"I punched him." He quietly said.

"Well, yes you did, but that's not what I was going to say."

Lincoln face went from sad to sadder, and Lori immediately noticed, so decided to change the topic.

"You know what, let's talk about something else." She said quickly, "so how've you been doing?"
She was fully aware that everyone was dealing with the situation differently. She herself had also been dealing with it, more anonymously. She, much like Lincoln, would cry herself to sleep. However, she pretended to be a bit more cheerful when with her siblings and mother. Being the oldest, it was her responsibility to keep the family from falling apart. And so far, she felt she was doing a horrible job.

Lincoln remained silent. What would he say? If he tells her that he cries himself to sleep, has been skipping meals and has nightmares every night, his older sister would be worried sick, and that was the last thing he wanted.

"Lincoln?" Lori called out softly, concern painted over her face.

Lincoln remained silent, but Lori was adamant on knowing how he was doing.

"So, have you been hanging out with Ronnie-Anne? She, Bobby and their mom are staying at a friend's house, and they've been helping me out a lot. Maybe you can spend some time with her before she goes back to the city." Lori suggested, her tone filled with kindness and patience.

Lincoln remained silent. Lori looked down. She felt like a failure: she couldn't even help her brother; how would she keep her entire family from falling apart?

An awkward silence took place for what felt like eternity. Both siblings wanted to say something but couldn't figure out what. So Lincoln decided to let his heart take the lead. Slowly, he walked up to Lori, and gently embraced her. His older sister was slightly surprised, but almost immediately returned the hug. For at least 5 minutes, they stayed in this position. No words were exchanged, yet this still remained as one of Lincoln's top moments with his siters. The warmth of her skin, the comfort he felt. He could've stayed there longer, but he knew that it would have to end soon. The siblings slowly broke the hug, and Lori stood up.

"If you need anything, I'll be in my room." She said, and Lincoln nodded as she proceeded to climb the stairs. Lincoln went and made himself comfortable on the couch. However, just as he had sat down, the doorbell rang.

Lincoln, a bit annoyed, walked towards the door to see who it was. But as soon as he opened the front door, his eyes widened in shock. He was speechless.

"Hi." he said in surprise.

"Hey Lame-o."

Author's note: Hello all, I hope you've been enjoying the story so far. I might take a little break from this story so I can write a Christmas fanfic as well, but that depends on how quickly I get it done. But, as soon as I've finished it, I'll go back to working on Death of a Loud. See ya!