Forever Sinners:

Chapter II—Discoveries

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A/N: Sorry this took so long.  I didn't have any real idea what I wanted to do.  Yeah I thought I did…but it suddenly felt wrong.  This chapter is what happens when you listen to "Time's Scar" for too long. Mainly I'm not in the mood to do POVs lately, I hope you don't mind.  So, a lot of this fic is going to be 3rd Person. Anyways please enjoy.

Disclaimer: *shadow looms* Gomen nasai Jhonen-sama! PUT DOWN THAT MALLET! Ezek! (Btw, "ezek" is a real word. O.O)

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            Todd tapped his fingers against the keys of the cash register.  Schmee lay underneath the counter by a newly bought gun.  It wasn't Todd's gun.  No, it was the shop's manager's gun.  The manager was a paranoid, balding man.  Todd had asked if he could get rid of it; this cost him a loud and long speech on how evil robbers could attack the shop at any times.  He had finally given up talking to his boss, seeing everything he did was wrong. 

            Breaking out of his musing, Todd went to look at the total cost of the items bought.

            "That comes to $16, sir."

            "$16, eh?" Reaching into his pocket, the elderly man handed Todd the crumpled dollar bills.

            "Thank you so much for stopping by," Came the automatic response. "Please come again."

            The old man gave a short nod before exiting the 24/7[1].

            Todd truly wasn't sure how he got the job, but he was grateful for it.  Going by only an elementary school education had hardly gotten him even closed to be qualified.  But, thankfully, he had always been good at math—as well as writing—so it wasn't as hard as he thought to get settled in.

            He suspected maybe Johnny had a hand at getting him the job.  In fact, he was almost absolutely certain Johnny was.

Few weeks earlier…

            Tears rolled down the young teen's cheeks as he ran into the broken down shack.

            "Hey, Squeeg—what's wrong?!" Johnny stared at the crying Todd with great surprise and concern.

            "N-Nothing." Todd held Schmee close to his chest as he moved to go to his room.

            "Did something happen at the job interview?"  Johnny wasn't used to sympathetic conversations, seeing as he had never had one for a long, long time, and was extremely blunt with many things.

            "They told me I couldn't work there."

            "Well that's too bad…why?" Johnny replied, not fully comprehending.

            "Because I'm stupid and I have Schmee." Todd hugged the bear that he had brought with him. "My outward appearance is horrible, they said.  I look more like I belong in some jail cell and not a-a store.  They wouldn't hire me if one had a gun to their head."

            The managers' cruel laughter filled Todd's memory.  It was the summed up version at what they had said.  The thrashing at Todd's mental psyche had lasted for nearly one-half hour.  They would not let him leave 'til he felt so small that he had started to cry.

            He had never cried before, at least not in front of those who hurt him.  Schmee had always told him never to do that.  But being yelled at people at all sides, it was enough to break into the tiny shell he created for himself.

            Johnny had gone completely calm. "Don't worry, Squeegee."

            "Huh?"

            "I'll go talk to them."

            "Oh Nny! You don't have to do that!" Todd knew very well what Johnny meant by "talk." "It's alright!  I'll just find another job…really…it's okay."

            "But they hurt your feelings."

            "That's alright.  It isn't the first time." Todd gave a sad smile before leaving the room.

            A few weeks had passed since the incident.  Todd had to build up his self-confidence enough to handle going to a few more interviews.

            RING!

            Blinking in surprise, Todd picked up the phone.

            "…………Hello?"

            "Is this Squeegee?" Came the frightened reply.

            Shock etched into Todd's features. "Yes…how do you know—"

            "You got the job!"

            "…job…?"

            "At 24/7.  We're giving it to you!  Please, please come to work."

            "But I thought…"

            "Crossed wires!! Just please!"

            "…okay…thank you."

            "No thank you. Thank you so much! PLEASE SIR PUT THAT KNIFE DOWN!! We gave him…" The phone was suddenly disconnected.

            Todd could only sweatdrop at what he knew had probably occur.

            "Oh, Johnny." Todd laughed a little as he shook his head.

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TBC?

C&C are welcome!

I'm surprised I put nearly all the chapter in the past.  I really hate how this came out.  Hopefully you don't!! ;-;  Squeek.

[1] It just seems the perfect job for Todd.  He gets to work! Plus. Get to see Johnny who loves Cherry Brainfreezies! Plus!  And be a victim to…druggies…oh boy.