At the veterinary clinic, Ryan was sitting in the waiting room holding and trying to keep an anxious Marceline calm.
He sighed in annoyance. "For the last time, you're not gonna visit the vet, we`re just waiting." he whispered to her, the cat was squirming in his lap with her ears folded and pupils dilated.
"Just be happy that you can climb trees, otherwise you might have lost your tail, or a limb." he continued while stroking her back.
Though he honestly couldn't fault her for being jumpy. He too hated being in a hospital, any kind of hospital. Just standing in one made his skin crawl.
"What`s keeping Lynn so long? It's been almost an hour." he thought while watching the door of the operating room.
He also hated being stared at, which is exactly what some other kids comforting their pets were doing.
He rolled his eyes, almost being amused wondering what drew the most attention to him. His unique complexion? Or the fact that he was completely banged up and his shirt was torn? Or that he was holding what looked like a midget cheetah?
Either way, he didn't appreciate it and glowered at them, at least as much as his black eye, which was almost swollen shut, would allow. The other kids looked away fearfully.
Ryan smirked with satisfaction. He wasn't losing his aura of menace.
The door opened, and Lynn came out with Charles on the leash. His right leg was bandaged and he wore a cone around his neck.
"So, is he gonna be alright?" Ryan asked as Lynn kneeled down to pet her dog.
"He will." she sighed, her cheek aching as she spoke. "But mom and dad are gonna freak once they see the bill."
Marceline approached Charles and sniffed his cone. He was still quiet and inactive, though now he only seemed shaken rather than in pain.
As they exited the clinic Lynn sadly watched as Charles limped after them, trying not to yank his leash.
"I don't get why he has to wear this stupid funnel on his head." she lamented.
"That`s so he won't bite off his stitches." Ryan explained casually.
"And they can't do that without making him look foolish?"
Ryan shrugged. "Meh, all doctors are sadists."
Lynn exhaled dourly and looked at him. "Be honest, how bad does my face look?"
She too had a black eye and her left cheek was swollen.
Ryan winced. "Like you went boxing against a gorilla. And mine?"
"Like you took a rocket to the eye." Lynn snorted.
"I can see that. Or rather I can't." he replied jokingly before sighing.
"So what's the cover story gonna be for all the bruises?"
"Simple, I get hurt all the time on the field." Lynn responded nonchalantly. "You and me got into a football match, and it got a little rough."
"Plausible deniability, good thinking." Ryan complimented her.
"I`m sure saying that we fought a horde of bullies and were chased by a wolf wouldn't do us any favors if we want to fix your folks` marriage." he added sarcastically.
"You`re so observant." Lynn rolled her eyes snidely.
"C`mon, Lynn. I said I was sorry. How could I have known that thug or that cur would magnetically be attracted to us no matter where we go?"
"I`m not blaming you for that." Lynn`s voice softened before sighing. "Bad luck is just bad luck I suppose."
"I wouldn't call it bad luck per say." Ryan tried to brighten her up.
"Last time we tangled with ol`One Eye we all got mutilated. This time he didn't lay one paw on either of us, and Charlie there just suffered a few bites which will heel. Plus we kicked some serious ass."
"I guess that`s true." Lynn smiled slightly.
"But speaking of that..." Ryan smiled awkwardly "...I didn't get to thank you. You really saved my keister back in the gorge when I was knocked out."
Lynn smiled back. "Well, you sorta saved mine too. And I don't think I couldn't have handled all those numbskulls on my own." she admitted humbly.
"Yeah, we kinda went back and forth saving each other's keisters about a dozen times today." Ryan joked.
"Yeah, we do make quite a team. Those punks won't be asking for a rematch any time soon." Lynn smiled proudly, in spite of the moderate pain both her and Ryan felt with every step.
"Nope. They won't." Ryan agreed. "So, where off to now? I think we could all use some rest, and some ice packs."
Lynn was about to answer when she spotted the mall in the distance. She remembered Lincoln and got an uneasy feeling in her gut.
"My place, we have to bring Charles back." she answered before looking back at the mall. "But first... I think we should check on Lincoln."
Ryan`s eyes widened. "Oh c`mon." he moaned. "Didn't we suffer enough pain today? You want us to visit that gathering of geek now?"
"I don't wanna go there too, Ryan." Lynn groaned. "But I have this gut feeling that we should find him."
"Those are probably just the bruises." Ryan snarked.
"Oh boy, I`m gonna frame every single one of them." Clyde spouted exuberantly while looking through a stack of photos of him and Lincoln from the convention as they left the mall.
"Clyde, that was just some random guy dressed as Ace Savvy, not the real deal." Lincoln replied drooningly.
"Don`t be such a buzzkill, dude. He`s a fictional character, this is as close to the real deal as we can get." His friend retorted chipperly.
"Fair point..." Lincoln muttered, his mind clearly elsewhere.
"Lincoln, why so glum? We had a great time today! Plus look at all the cool souvenirs we got to take. Ace Savvy t-shirts, Ace Savvy action figures, Ace Savvy posters, Ace Savvy cups, Ace Savvy snowglobes, Ace Savvy thermometers, Ace Savvy underwear..." he listed all the items while pulling them and showcasing them from the bag he was carrying.
"It`s just stuff..." Lincoln replied absentmindedly.
Clyde went silent before grabbing Lincoln`s shoulder, prompting him to stop.
"Alright, Linc. What the heck has been bothering you so much?" Clyde asked him, turning dead serious.
"Wut? Nothing`s been bothering me...it`s just..."
"Lincoln, I might wear glasses but I'm not that blind." Clyde retorted.
"You`ve been a total shut-in for days and now that we finally went to the greatest comic convention of all time and you acted like you were waiting to visit the dentist or something. Just what's up at your place that made you so miserable?"
Lincoln didn't know what to say. He had failed to keep a facade and Clyde figured that something was wrong. He couldn't fool him now.
"C`mon, Linc, you know you can tell me anything. What's wrong? Did one of your sisters do something stupid again and you're all getting punished for it by having to visit your aunt Ruth or something?"
"No, it's not that..." Lincoln rubbed his neck "...it's just..."
"What?" Clyde pressed on.
He sighed. "Look, Clyde. I had a lot of fun at the convention, really. But I have some chores to do at home now, I`ll see you some other time..." he tried to part ways, but Clyde knew something was up and followed.
"Lincoln! Wait!"
"Agh! Stop poking it! It hurts!" Lyle complained while sitting on a bench. The girl inspecting the back of his head wasn't fazed by his outburst.
"You asked me to check your injuries." she replied without much emotion.
"Don`t get mouthy with me, Margaret!" Lyle warned her. "Just tell me how bad it is!"
Maggie mused. "I`m no doctor, but I think you're going to need stitching."
"I don't need any freaking stitching!" Lyle jerked back and faced her.
"Lyle, those aren't little scratches, those gashes could get infected." Maggie told him monotonously.
"No, they won't!" he dismissed her. "The river cleaned them up and I'm gonna pour some alcohol on them. That`ll be enough, and I ain't visiting no stinking doctor!"
"I don't think that`ll be enough." Maggie disagreed.
"What do you know about treating wounds?" Lyle retorted curtly as he stood up. "Nothing! So shut your trap!"
Suddenly, he felt a throbbing pain in his side and had to sit down.
"I think you should rest somewhere." Maggie suggested, still astounded about the state her cousin was in.
His face was covered in bruises, both of his eyes were black and one was swollen shut. Usually he was the one dishing out such beatdowns, not the other way around.
"I don't need rest. I can suck up a little pain!" Lyle hissed defiantly.
"I wouldn't call that a little pain when your face looks like you smacked headfirst into a wall." Maggie replied stoically.
"Yes it is! I can't be hurt by the pussy punches of some freckle-faced bitch and her loudmouthed, pasty-faced boyfriend!" Lyle growled completely missing how two of his insults described his cousin as well.
"If you say so." she replied monotonously.
"Speaking of those two, do you think they were killed?" she asked with a healthy and very literal dose of morbid curiosity.
The previously pissed off boy brightened up a bit.
"Of course they were. You didn't see that thing. He was as big as a horse and had teeth the size of railroad spikes! Of course, I wasn`t scared of him." Lyle pointed at himself smugly.
"I grabbed a board and beat the shit of that overgrown pooch! Then I grabbed my firecrackers and blew one of his eyes out. I distracted that beast so my boys could get away, and then I dove into the river and left that monster to devour the poor couple and their mangy, little dog too!" Lyle giggled gleefully.
Maggie knew he was embellishing his story, but she didn't want to browbeat him after his near-death experience.
"Talk about karma being a bitch." she mused.
Lyle started snickering uncontrollably. "That's a good one! And they say you have no sense of-Ow! Ow!" he stopped as he felt a pain in his side. After it stopped he breathed out in relaxation.
"You know what, Margaret. I feel much better now, I`m glad I talked to you." he commented in a brighter tone.
Maggie blinked. "Okay...now about your headwound-"
"Hold on!" Lyle shushed her. "I hear something!"
"What do you mean I wouldn't understand?" they saw Clyde following Lincoln on the other side of the road.
"Clyde, please I have stuff to do. We`ll talk some other time." Lincoln rebutted, trying to leave.
"Look at that, cosplaying dweebs in the open." Lyle smirked with interest.
"Want to beat them up, huh?" Maggie figured monotonously.
"You bet your life." Lyle chuckled. "Such kids are just begging for a good pounding dressed like that."
"Alright, look, Clyde. For the last time, nothing is up. I just have some chores to do, and then me and Lynn have to do something." Lincoln tried to explain.
Clyde only looked even less convinced. "Lynn? Since when was she your confidant? You don't even like spending time with her?"
Lincoln facepalmed inwardly. It was impossible to constantly sort out the things from the past versus the things from the future.
"I know, but that's in the past. She has changed and...she`s trying to make up for pushing me around and be a better sister."
"She seemed no different to me today?" Clyde pointed out. "That guy she was hanging out with didn't seem any nicer either."
Lincoln sighed. "Clyde, I`m sorry but I have to go." he said apologetically. "I`ll talk to you later! I promise!"
Lincoln tried to walk away quickly only to be grabbed by his cape. He grew irritated.
"Clyde, this is getting ridiculous! I really have to go!" he looked over his shoulder only find Clyde on the ground.
"What`s your rush, super nerd?" Lincoln was pulled closer.
Lincoln`s eyes shot wide open and he felt his blood freeze upon seeing the face of the one who was holding his cape.
"Lyle?!" he blurted. Not him! Not now! How did he find them?
And what was wrong with his face? It looked like he took a serious beating. Lincoln gulped, fearing that this only put him in a fowl mood.
The bully smiled. "I`m more famous than even I thought!" he beamed gleefully. Maggie came to his side.
"Ace Savvy?" she observed indifferently. "I didn't think anyone but preschoolers would actually attend that dumb convention."
"Wow! Easy now!" Clyde whimpered on his back. "We don't have any lunch money. Someone else took mine this morning while I was looking for Lincoln."
"This is just pathetic." Maggie rolled her eyes.
"Meh, I don't care for lunch money." Lyle shrugged. "I just wanted to chat."
Lincoln was sweating and his heart was skipping beats.
He knew he was in trouble. He knew Lyle was much too strong for him to take on, but also that Lyle would do much worse to him and Clyde than a simple beating if he got really ticked off.
And there was no reasoning with this guy.
Feeling petrified, he knew all he could do was take the beating and hope Lyle wouldn't break any bones in their bodies. He knew not to act brave, that would only encourage the bully to hit harder.
"Please don't hurt us, we`ll do anything you say!" Lincoln tried begging like a coward. However, Lyle wasn't paying attention, he was focused on Lincoln`s head.
"What`s this? Are you wearing a wig?" he snickered and pulled out some of Lincoln`s hair. The latter screamed in pain.
"Holy shit? Is this for real?" Lyle laughed incredulously. "What`s with the grampa hair? Are you some kind of albino?"
Lincoln felt enraged but kept his composer.
"Hello!" Lyle grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. "You know how to speak, dorko? Answer!"
Scared, Lincoln didn't answer and looked terrified. Lyle glared at him and grew irritated.
He threw Lincoln against the wall of a building, Lincoln yelped and collapsed to the ground.
"Lincoln!" Clyde screamed.
Lyle turned towards him and stepped on his hand, causing him to scream, before grabbing by the collar and pulling him up.
"What`s with the mustache and the eye-patch? Are you trying to look like a French pirate, chimp-face?" Lyle laughed as he forcibly peeled the stache off, making Clyde squeak in pain.
"Let him go." Lincoln demanded in a strained voice as he struggled to stand up. Lyle turned to look at him and laughed.
"And what if I don't?" he asked mockingly.
Putting on a brave face, Lincoln stepped closer. "Why don't you take me on first? If you have the guts for it!" he challenged. He knew he would deeply regret this.
"You made a stupid mistake." Maggie commented apathetically while shaking her head.
Lyle released Clyde and faced Lincoln. "Oh, now you wanna play the superhero?" he laughed.
Lincoln bit his lip as he tried to stand his ground.
Lyle smiled maliciously. "As you wish!"
With zero hesitation he punched Lincoln in the eye. The white-haired boy dropped like a boulder.
Clyde gasped.
"Run Clyde! Now!" Lincoln yelled while pressing his hand against his eye. Lyle looked at the trembling Clyde.
"Don`t stare at him you zit-faced coward! You're not done with me!" Lincoln yelled at the bully.
Enraged by the comment, Lyle growled and kicked Lincoln in the gut with enough force to shove him several feet away.
Lincoln gasped and clutched his stomach.
"What`s wrong? A little stomach ache?" Lyle laughed and kicked him again.
Clyde watched, frozen with fear, as Lincoln lied on the concrete in pain.
Maggie watched indifferently with her arms crossed.
"Pathetic." she commented.
"Margaret, grab that dweeb and follow me." Lyle ordered her as he forcibly pulled Lincoln up.
"No, please..." Clyde cried as the emo grabbed his arm and dragged him along.
"Stop whining." she told him coldly. "The sooner you accept your pain the sooner it will be over."
His leash tied to a palm tree in front of the mall, Charles was lying down, still feeling weak and drowsy from the anesthetic.
A couple of stray dogs approached him when Marceline jumped between them and hissed like an angry cobra, scaring the strays away. She walked back to the bull terrier to watch over him.
The automatic door of the mall opened and Lynn and Ryan, who was sipping a coke, walked out.
"Ah, see. Told you Marceline was a natural bodyguard."
Lynn untied and took Charles' leash. "That's swell, but where's Lincoln? We searched everywhere at that damn convention." the jock asked worryingly.
They headed towards the Louds home.
"What did you expect? That place was packed with masked geeks in tights and capes, and with overbites." Ryan pointed out jokingly.
"And how many 10-year olds have white hair, smartass?" Lynn retorted sardonically.
Suddenly they heard the faint sound of a kid screaming. This got Charles riled up, he started barking and pulling his leash.
"Lincoln!" Lynn realized in horror.
Dragged into an alley corner, Lincoln and Clyde were thrown into a bunch of trash cans, knocking them over.
Lyle loomed over them, sneering and cracking his knuckles. "Any last words?" he mocked them while raising his fist.
Lincoln was still stunned with sharp pain coursing through his torso when Clyde hugged him, trembling.
"Lincoln, I just want you to know that you were the best friend a guy could ever ask for!" he declared in a shaky voice with his eyes closed.
"Oh cut the sentimentality, you're making me hurl!" Lyle laughed, ready to deliver a beatdown.
Lincoln closed his eyes, awaiting the inevitable when Maggie`s voice interrupted.
"Look out-AGH!"
Before he could proceed that, Lyle was struck from behind and slammed into a dumpster. He grunted and contorted in pain from his many bruises.
Lincoln opened his eyes and saw his sister standing in the alley. A smile crept into his face.
"Lynn!" he blurted in surprise and relief.
Looking up from a sitting position, the battered Lyle was likewise surprised.
"You two!" his face dropped in horror.
Ryan joined Lynn`s side. "Oh phooey. I bet ten bugs to Lynn that you drowned or bled to death." he snarked.
Looking at her brother with concern, Lynn`s face twisted with rage as she grabbed Lyle by the shirt and hoisted him up to his knees.
"What did you do to him!" she growled viciously, staring him in the eye.
"Wow, chill! I didn't do nothing!" a scared Lyle responded while raising his hands.
Unconvinced, Lynn snarled and slammed her knee into his gut, and let him drop.
"Keep an eye on him!" she ordered Ryan before rushing to her brother`s side.
Moaning, Lyle rolled onto his back when Marceline jumped on his chest.
"What the?" Lyle blurted before screaming as the cat hissed and bore her fangs just inches away from his face.
"Relax, Lyle." Ryan spoke nonchalantly as he loomed over the terrified bully. "Marceline`s harmless...unless I ordered her not to be." he said jovially.
"Can`t speak for the pooch though." he added as Charles came to Lyle`s side growling.
"Lincoln? Are you alright?" Lynn asked worriedly as she helped him to his feet and hugged him.
Panting, Lincoln was still in shock before eventually forcing a smile. "I`m fine, I just took three hits before you came, luckily." he tried to sound like it was no big deal.
"Fine?!" Clyde blurted as he stood up. "That loon slammed you into the wall, punched you and kicked you around!"
"What?!" Lynn went wide-eyed and pulled Lincoln`s mask up to see that his left eye had already developed a red ring around it. Lincoln pulled it back down, feeling embarrassed.
Lynn narrowed her eyes and glared back at Lyle.
Lincoln quickly grabbed her shoulder. "Lynn I know you're mad, but stay calm!" he told her urgently. "Don't make this situation any worse than it is-wait?"
Lincoln noticed how his sister`s face was battered, as was Ryan`s. The latter`s shirt was also torn.
Seeing that Lincoln was up, Charles scurried towards him and the boy saw the state his dog was in. He was stunned into silence.
"What happened to him?" Clyde spoke up before looking at Lynn. "And what happened to you?"
"Lyle happened, that's what." the jock spat hatefully.
"Well to be fair, he didn't do anything to the dog, but...that`s another story." Ryan interjected.
"Please get this thing off me!" Lyle was almost crying as Marceline continued hissing at him.
Ryan rolled his eyes. "Alright Marcy, you had your fun." he droned and pulled her off him.
Lynn told her brother to stay behind her, as Lyle clumsily scampered away and towards Maggie who had picked herself up and was rubbing her side.
Now finally taking a good look at her, both Ryan and Lynn recognized her as their classmate from middle school.
"Maggie Morgan?" Lynn raised an eyebrow before scowling. "What the hell are you doing with him?"
"Do I know you?" the emo replied, seeming rather calm and unfazed considering Lynn had knocked her into the wall just minutes ago.
Lynn then realized that the emo wasn't her classmate yet, and Ryan rolled his eyes. Lynn was really bad at keeping it a secret that she knew the future.
"No. But we`ve heard about you. The weird emo girl that stares creepily at everyone. Hi. Nice to meet you." he talked fast to cover for Lynn.
"But never mind that. What were you doing with zit face over there?" he looked at Lyle with intrigue who glared in response.
"Is picking on costumed geeks your idea of a romantic evening?" he asked the bully in a mocking tone.
Lyle looked appalled and enraged by the comment. "No! She`s my cousin!"
"Cousin?" Lynn and Ryan looked at each other.
"What are the odds?" Ryan laughed it off. "And you gave me crap for being pale?" he pointed out, more amused than anything.
"Dense, whimpy and hypocritical. You really are the whole package, aren't ya?" Lynn snorted with her arms crossed.
Lyle looked infuriated, but he was too weak and battered to fight back.
"Please tell me you're not gonna try to fight us again?" Ryan gave him a pitying look. "I don't think you can take a third ass whooping today."
"And I don't think your fragile little ego could take it if word gets out that a girl beat you up." Lynn smirked.
"We should go Lyle, if you and your gang couldn't take on these two, I doubt you'll be able to do it alone." Maggie advised Lyle.
"Shut up!" he barked at her before looking at the two and chuckled nervously.
"Alright, maybe we got off on the wrong foot." Lyle swallowed his pride and tried to bargain. "I can see you're both tough. Why don't we bury the hatchet and you guys join my gang?"
"What?" Lynn asked with tranquil fury.
"Oh, not this cliche." Ryan droned inwardly.
"Yes, me and my boys are the toughest kids in town, if you joined us nobody could stop us! We`d be in charge of this neighborhood!" Lyle explained gleefully.
Ryan yawned. "Your offer is generous, but we ain't that desperate for friends."
Lyle`s face dropped.
"You lowlife piece of shit!" Lynn growled coldly. "You have the freaking nerve to ask that after you hurt my brother twice?!" she snapped while pointing at Lincoln hiding behind her.
"Wait, that's your brother?" the bully looked bewildered.
"Yes, you idiot! Why do you think I was protecting him!" Lynn was ready to tear him apart.
She lunged at him, but Ryan grabbed her by the arm. Lyle and Maggie backed away.
"Lynn, get a grip!" Ryan told her.
"Hold on a second!" Lyle raised his hands up. "You said I beat the shit out him twice, but I`ve never seen that dweeb before!" he pointed at Lincoln who shrank back behind his sister.
"And I wouldn't forget some gopher-faced weirdo with snowy hair!"
"Interesting." Maggie noted. "That would imply you were lying for no apparent reason. And yet your anger seems too genuine for that."
"Or it could mean that this cunt is just bonkers." Lyle laughed.
"I don't care if it makes no sense to you!" Lynn snapped, tugging her arm free. "If I see you near Lincoln or any of my sisters again, I`ll rip your arms off and stuff them down your goddamn gullet!"
Lyle and Maggie backed away further, feeling both scared and weirded out.
"Now get out of my sight!"
"You`re not right in the head!" Lyle responded with disgust. Without another word, he and Maggie fled.
Lynn stood there, panting heavily when Lincoln approached her and smiled. "Thanks for saving us, sis."
Lynn smiled weakly. "No problem, bro."
"Eh, you kind of spilled out some compromising info there." Ryan pointed out dryly as he joined them.
"Big deal, that idiot can think I`m crazy all he wants, it tears no skin off my nose." Lynn retorted lightheartedly and punched him in the arm.
"Hey! Excuse me! Can anyone please tell what's going on?" Clyde interrupted.
"Who were those people? Why are you two all bruised up? What was that Lyle guy talking about bullying Lincoln twice but not recognizing him now?"
"And what happened to him?" Clyde pointed at Charles who looked at Marceline and vice versa.
Lincoln and Lynn looked at each other.
"It`s none of your beeswax, Clyde!" Lynn responded curtly, being drained out of patience after everything she went through today. "If you'll excuse us now, we have to escort Lincoln back home."
"I have the right to know! He`s my best friend!" Clyde retorted boldly before facing his friend. "Lincoln? Is that guy the reason you've been so upset? Has he been bullying you?"
Lincoln bit his lip. "No he hasn't, it's just-"
"Guys, guys." Ryan interjected. "Don't treat poor Clint like a dumbass, he can see the obvious."
"My name`s Clyde!" Clyde corrected him.
"Yeah, yeah..." Ryan dismissed him. "But you figured it out."
"What are you doing?" Lynn hissed at him.
"Let`s quit the charades, Lynn. You know how that Lyle guy and his cronies have been picking on Lincoln for weeks, so you asked me to help you teach those guys a lesson."
He turned and smirked towards Clyde. "And, a few bruises aside, it was a roaring success. His goons were scared off for good after we mopped the floor with them. But evidently, the ringleader didn't get the memo until Lynn came for round two."
He winked at Lynn.
"Eh...yeah right." Lynn played along. "But now he knows who he`s dealing with. That sniveling coward won't be bothering my little bro again." she put her hands on her hips and puffed her chest proudly.
"But why didn't you just tell your parents? They could have-"
"No!" Lynn and Lincoln shouted simultaneously.
After an awkward silence, Lincoln cleared his throat. "Eh...I told her we should tell our parents, but, heh, you know how stubborn Lynn can be."
His sister gave him a glare.
"And if our folks caught wind of the fight, Lynn and Ryan could get into a lot of trouble. And I don't want them to get into trouble after they risked their necks for me."
"But those bullies could go after you again?" Clyde pointed out.
"They won't." Lynn countered confidently.
"Bullies speak the language of the fisticuffs. And like Ryan said, we scared them off for good. You saw how Lyle was so scared of me that he made a last-ditch attempt to pretend he never met Lincoln before. Pathetic." she shook her head.
"Exactly. No need to cause unnecessary friction. You just have to keep your lips sealed." Ryan added.
Clyde seemed to ponder about it, but after silently looking at Lincoln he gave in.
"Alright, I won't tell a soul." he smiled.
There was a collective sigh of relief.
"Good, that saves us the trouble of having to threaten him to stay silent." Ryan whispered to Lynn.
"Thanks, buddy." Lincoln placed his hand on Clyde`s shoulder. "Let`s get you home."
As they arrived at the McBride`s home, Clyde met up with his dads, acting like nothing bad had happened. Lincoln waved goodbye to him and headed home with his sister and Ryan.
"So Lyle`s back." Lincoln somberly noted.
"Yep, and after this and the beating me and Lynn gave him at the river he`s gonna want payback on us more than ever." Ryan explained casually.
Lincoln sighed, slouched and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Great, this is just what we needed right now." he muttered sardonically.
"Don`t worry Linc, we can handle him." Lynn reassured him. "He`ll be licking his wounds for now anyway, after the beating he got."
"Yeah, but who would have guessed that the creepy emo chick and him are family?" Ryan spoke intuitively.
"I always thought there was something wrong with her...well more wrong with her." Lynn snorted.
Lincoln watched Charles trotting in front of them with Marceline.
"So what happened to Charles? If Lyle didn't hurt him, who did?"
"One Eye." Ryan shrugged.
Lincoln shook his head. "The wolf?! The same one?" he blurted incredulously.
Ryan nodded nonchalantly. "Yup, ran into him at the gorge and tricked him into getting stuck in a tree. It was kinda funny."
"Yeah, and if mom or dad ask anything, just say Charles got into a fight with another dog. It's technically not lying." Lynn explained.
Lincoln looked away sullenly. Even with time reseat, their past, or rather their future, was starting to catch up with them rapidly. It was a very disheartening turn of events.
He could only hope that it wouldn't be thorough.
And this ties up some loose ends regarding Lyle for now. But no doubt he`s gonna want payback for his humiliation sooner or later. As they say, sometimes you just can't escape your past or your alternate future XD
And for anyone thinking that Maggie is being "out of character", she`s not. As a minor, one-shot character she never had an established personality to begin with within the show`s canon beyond "apathetic, emo teen", so she's very much open for interpretation ;)
