Sorry for the delay! Here's chapter 9!

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Chapter 9

Visiting Phineas

Phineas lay on his lumpy bed, glaring up at the ceiling. His nose throbbed painfully and both eyes were bruised and swollen, he was grinding his teeth. He still wore his blood-stained hoodie from the night before, crusted blood still lay around his nostrils illustrating where the splatters had come from. His mobile lay in his limp hand, he had just gotten off the phone with his irate boss. He had been furious he messed up so badly, told him to get SpongeBob before the friends could work any details out.

Problem was, he didn't know what happened to the boy. Had he made it home? Was he dead in a ditch? He couldn't find the energy to care at the moment, he was too bitter over his failure.

How could he have messed up so severely? The boy was smaller, weaker and far less intelligent than him, he should have been easy to grab and drag away! Not only that, but the kid was intoxicated – barely able to stand on his own two feet.

He growled deep in his throat as his thoughts continued to berate him. He was in big trouble if the kid somehow got himself killed after he ran, both with his boss and the friends.

It was then he heard wheels pull up outside, not a common noise for his deserted neighbourhood. He sat up warily, he listened for any indication of who was outside. His mind started reeling, what if it was the police? What if they'd found the kid's body? Or worse, what if the kid remembered everything and had now reported him to the authorities? What if it was the friends coming for revenge?

He leapt out of bed in panic, he peeked through the slats in his bedroom door and peered out the front window beyond. He watched as Mr Krabs and Squidward exited the dark red car, they didn't look happy – not furious – but definitely not happy.

Phineas briefly wondered if he should pretend he's not in.

There was a solid knock, one that meant business. He cursed, not knowing what was waiting for him.

He strolled over to the door, trying to look innocent.

He opened the door and was taken aback by the gasps of shock he received, the two men pushed their way into the house. Their eyes were focused on his injury and bloody shirt.

"It's true then. You two were attacked!?" Mr Krabs gasped in surprise. Phineas almost smiled at his free pass.

"Yeah, I was trying to get SpongeBob somewhere safe but the kid ran!" He insisted worriedly, "I don't know what happened to him!"

"He's at my place." Mr Krabs informed him stiffly, "He called us and we picked him up, he was in a state."

"I think he had a hurt wrist?" Phineas asked in concern, "Was it broken?"

"No, just bruised." Mr Krabs nodded, still not revealing too much. "Why were you attacked?"

"I honestly have no idea!" Phineas shook his head numbly, "One minute we were having fun, the next… the kid was grabbed from behind… It was pretty scary."

"Let's just pretend we believe you for a second." Squidward finally spoke up, "Why the hell was SpongeBob so drunk!? He never gets drunk, maybe a little tipsy but that's it!"

"The drink he tried was stronger than we thought it was." Phineas explained guiltily, "We both ended up pretty wasted to be honest, we should have been more responsible."

The two men seemed to share a look, one that communicated something between the two that Phin couldn't decipher. He was counting himself lucky, maybe they didn't suspect him. They clearly didn't trust him but they didn't seem to truly believe he was behind all this either.

"Listen." Mr Krabs sighed, "Last night was unacceptable, that never should have happened."

"I agree!" Phin nodded hurriedly.

"We trusted you to look after him and he ended up drunk, alone and hurt at the side of the road." The older man continued sternly, Phineas could hear the anger behind his words. "Anything could have happened to him, you're lucky he's ok and safe – otherwise this would have been a very different visit."

"We don't want you seeing him anymore." Squidward cut to the chase, glaring down the outsider. "You're not good for him, stay away."

"What? No offence but you can't just decide that, we're adults and we can do what we want!" Phineas insisted in frustration, this was going to make things far more difficult.

"We'll tell SpongeBob to stay away from you. I mean, look at you! You're not even sorry!" Squidward snapped, stepping threateningly towards the other man.

"Sorry!?" Phineas growled, "He left me for dead! He's the one that ran off like an idiot!"

"That's coz he is an idiot!" Squidward bellowed, "You've been hanging out with him for ages and you still haven't figured that out!?"

"That's enough!" Mr Krabs stepped between the two, his hands out in a placating manner. "We're going but, you have to understand, that boy is family. Stay away from him, I mean it."

Phineas clenched his jaw as he watched the two men leave, he glared at the car as it drove away. He had to think of someway to get close to SpongeBob again, he knew the kid wouldn't betray his friends. SpongeBob wouldn't see or talk to him if the others told him not to, he was far too loyal to them.

But he also knew the kid was a fool who believed in second chances, that someone was redeemable no matter how many times they screwed up. If he could just convince the boy to meet him so he could apologise… No, he would just bring his back up with him.

He snarled in frustration, how was he supposed to get him now!?

He decided he'd need to visit his boss in person, find out if he had any suggestions – he knew the kid better than Phineas did.

But first, he was going to rest. He was still in pain and exhausted from the whole disaster.

Meanwhile, in Mr Krabs' kitchen. SpongeBob was perched on the counter, he was licking a spoon coated in cookie dough. Patrick was sitting at his feet with the bowl in his lap, he was using his finger to get the tasty treat but his eyes were locked on the oven door. Sandy had just made cookies and now the house was filled with the sweet scent, she was cleaning up her dishes and smirking at Patrick's behaviour.

"If you watch them they'll never bake." She stated humourously.

"That's not true, it just feels longer." He murmured, transfixed on the little saucers of chocolate chip delights. "I'm so hungry!"

"This cookie batter tastes so good!" SpongeBob hummed happily, Sandy collected the spoon and bowl so she could wash them. "Thanks for this Sandy."

"It's no problem! Cookies make everything better!" She beamed, Patrick and SpongeBob couldn't help but agree.

"I just feel so embarrassed over last night." SpongeBob admitted, bowing his head in shame. "I was stupid and careless, I should've known better! And worst of all, I let all of you down… I feel terrible."

Sandy sighed as she dried her hands, she slipped over and pulled her friend into a small hug.

"We're not mad at you. Yeah, we were scared last night but everything's ok now!" She soothed gently. Patrick stood up and looked between the two sadly.

"I wonder if they found your phone." Patrick tilted his head as he looked at the freckled boy, he just shrugged in response.

"Doubt it." He admitted, "Even if they did, it's probably damaged anyway."

The others hummed in agreement.

"C'mon boys." She nodded softly, "Those cookies won't be ready for a while yet, let's do something while we wait."

"Board game!" Patrick cheered and ran through to the living room, SpongeBob jumped down from the counter and followed him through.

Sandy hesitated, she had a feeling that everything wasn't ok. She wished Mr Krabs and Squidward would hurry back, she was anxious for an update. She took a deep, steadying breath and put a carefree smile on her face. She was going to take care of her boys, she wouldn't let them fret over this. She walked into the living room demanding to go first.

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