It was an early evening as the mother of the Loud family arrived at school. She sat down quietly as she pondered her son's situation. Rita could not believe let alone did not want to believe that her son was going through depression. Usually, Lincoln was always the happy and bright one, yet happiness was not present on him. Rita felt confused and blind for not seeing it before it got out of hand.
Being moody, getting angry with his sister's, and not having much interaction with his usual activities were all clear signs of the everyday depression. Like her daughter's, she believed it was nothing more but phase, but it turned out to be deeper than that. She knew depression was not obvious to see the first time, nevertheless, she felt stupid herself for not seeing it. How could she even call herself a parent? Still, it was the least on her mind right now as she looked at Lincoln's classroom.
Rita train of thought was disturbed as a weeping mother came out of the classroom. Guess this was what to be expected from Parent Teacher Conference. Last ones she been to were Leni, Luna and Lynn never would she imagine Lincoln would require one.
"Mrs. Loud, you can come in now." Ms. Johnson instructed.
As both adults took their seats, Ms. Johnson straightens her papers.
"Thank you for coming Mrs. Loud." Agnes started. "I believe you know why I requested you here."
"Yeah, I read the note that Lincoln did not show me."
Ms. Johnson pulled out a paper. It contained Lincoln's grades. Nearly every subject had anything but an A's or B's, something Rita was used to.
"Lincoln has always been a model student, so you'll understand when I say that his grades being like this is most concerning." Ms. Johnson explained to Rita. "He's been rushing through his work without second thoughts and even been sleeping in class."
"That does not seem like Lincoln. Sure he's been distracted before but not like this."
"Could it be from all of the in-home distractions?"
Rita shook her head to the side. "No, it's nothing of the sort." Rita looked down for a bit. "It's hard to explain, but my son has been going through clinical depression."
"Oh my, well that would explain his lack of focus lately. I've similar cases of this symptom, a talk quite a rough patch."
"Yeah, it's been impacted him a lot lately."
"I see, well we do recommend counseling for that kind of thing. I was glad he was able to pass his final exam. Nevertheless, it does not count on all the failures he's had on his past papers."
"I see, well what he is now, what do you purpose?"
"There is an option, I highly suggest summer school for Lincoln as a way as getting him back on track. If he does not pass summer school, then I'm afraid I'm not going to have a choice but to hold him back a grade."
"Say no more Ms. Johnson; I will see to it that he takes summer school."
"Great, but what are you going to do about his personal problem?" Ms. Johnson inquired.
Rita rose from her seat, "Right now, we are considering our options, but Lincoln did address the problem to us, so we will try and help him get through it."
"We I do hope your son gets better back to his bright self."
"Thank you."
It was a deep problem indeed. Different thoughts went through Rita's mind on how to combat the situation. One option came to mind about taking Lincoln to a mental hospital, but Lincoln was clearly not insane at least not yet. Another thought considered was watching him twenty-four seven, yet that would be creepy and would probably make the problem worse.
"Hi girls, how was school?" Rita greeted Lana, Lola, Lisa, and Lucy.
"It was fine until Lisa blew up the restroom with her stupid experiments." Lana ranted.
"You call it stupid experiments; I go in unclogging the smart effective way." Lisa retorted.
"Where is Lincoln?" Lucy asked, noticing Lincoln was not in school.
"Resting at home, his father is with him right now," Rita replied.
"Mommy, is it our fault Lincoln is the way he is now?" Lola inquired sounding ashamed.
"No sweetie, your brother is just in a really dark place right now, and not the pleasant kind," Rita said. "At any rate, whatever your brother is going through, it's our job to help and support him as his family, so try not to bother him too much with your shenanigans, okay."
"Okay," All the girls replied and nodded altogether.
"But if he ever attempts anything…drastic" Rita froze for a second. "Do not hesitate to let me and your father know, got that?"
The girls nodded again in reply.
Quietly in the Loud House Lincoln sat in his room. With his head on the pillow and eyes on the ceiling, Lincoln's mind continued to wander. Since Lincoln was grounded he could not do his normal activities such as comics and video games, not that he wanted to anyway. He kept himself occupied by bouncing a tennis ball on the wall. Even after confessing, it did not make him feel a lot better. Lincoln future self still roamed in his head. This was Lynn's usual habit, guess it caught on to him.
While sitting by himself quietly, Lynn Sr. did recent checks of his son behavior. Not one smirk was visible upon his chipped tooth face. Even the father can see that Lincoln was definitely not his usual self. Like Rita, he felt blind and dumb for not seeing the problem before. By the look of Lincoln's face of misery, it is as if life had no meaning for the middle-child anymore. Lynn Sr wished he could help with the situation.
"Hey honey, how's Lincoln doing so far?" Rita greeted as she and the older girls came through the front door.
"He's been quiet for the past eight hours. I'm really worried about him."
"Me too honey, let me go see him."
Knocks came at Lincoln's door as he instructed the mother to come in. "Hey Lincoln, how are you doing?"
Lincoln did not face his mother. "Fine, I guess," He replied solemn tone. By his tone, Rita could tell Lincoln was anything but fine
"Well, I'm glad to hear you're talking to your sisters. Lincoln, here you go." Rita handled her son some pills.
"What are these?"
"They are Antidepressants, they should help you. Take no more than two a day if you are ever feeling out of it. There also may be some side effects."
"Lincoln," Rita called out to her son. Lincoln turned to face his mother. "I had a talk with your homeroom teacher, and from your progress of grades, you are going to be taking summer school in order to catch up. I'm sorry Lincoln but it looks like you are going to be busy for the summer."
Lincoln groaned inside, but at the very same he was not disappointed.
"You know if you're having problems, you can talk to me and your father about it or even your sisters. We are here for you if you ever need anything." Rita promised as she touched his shoulder.
"Okay, Mom."
Lincoln slowly shut his eyes. It was another day that took place in the darkened streets. Days being separated by his colleagues, the homeless middle-child was on his own again. That night he wandered through the bright downtown with his head still in the clouds and hands in his pockets. As he walked, Lincoln glanced at all the available nightclubs, bars, stores and late night motels open that night.
While on his stroll to wherever, Lincoln saw people making their cheers at a bar, guess people really enjoyed the nightlife. He only wished he could share their happiness. It has been years since he felt happy. If only he could embrace it once more even for a short moment. Yet things were still not looking up for his homeless situation.
"What's up white-snow?" A woman called out to Lincoln. He saw the women wearing a short skirt and spaghetti strap top, revealing her middle half. By her clothing, Lincoln already had a clue who she was. "You looking for a good action flick tonight to turn that frown upside down?"
"No thanks, I don't have any money." Lincoln instantly declined as he lied to the woman.
"We can work out another deal, how about that fancy watch of yours." The woman tried another method.
"Sorry, but no," Lincoln walked away from the woman.
"Talk about your cold shoulder," The woman muttered as she saw Lincoln leave the area.
On his travels, he could only wonder how his allies were doing. They were in a nice shelter, while he was still out in the cold streets. As he remembered the time he gave his position to the homeless family, he started to have second thoughts. Times like this, he cursed his good nature is both a blessing and a curse.
Lincoln's destination took him to a Gas Station. It was after hours as barely any customers were present. Looking at the icebox, Lincoln debated the drink to last him through the night. Hopefully, something that will keep him energized through the hours or at least him for days. Unfortunately, with his limited funds that were asking for the impossible.
He picked out a large protein drink. As he set his funds on the store counter, the manager took a second glance at Lincoln. "You're short mon," The Jamaican store manager reminded the homeless person.
Lincoln did not notice until now. With how much his money dwindled due to food and medicine. "Guess it can't be helped, sorry." Lincoln was about to take his money back.
"Don't worry about it mon," The manager used money from the tip jar. "We all have to get by somehow."
"Thank you, where's the restroom?" Lincoln asked.
The manager pointed the other direction as Lincoln went to use it. Soon enough, another person came inside the store. Simulator to Lincoln, he had a beanie and jacket. The first thing the stranger got was a big bottle of liquor. As he approached the counter, he drew a firearm.
"Empty out your register pal!" The stranger demanded to the manager.
"Please sir; there is no need for this." The dreaded manager begged.
"I said shut up and empty out the freaking register!" The robber demanded with a handgun.
"Alright mon, I will!" He complied fearfully opening up the register after pressing the silent alarm.
Just before Lincoln could come out, he witnessed the robbery. Naturally, Lincoln's first instincts would have been to call the cops, but he did not have his cell phone anymore. Lincoln tried to sneak out silently, his attempts failed as he tripped on a mop. The very sound alerted the robber.
"What the heck is that, whose here?" The robber questioned.
"There is no one else here mon, I swear!" The owner lied to his teeth, trying to ensure Lincoln's escape.
The robber grinned maliciously. "Your right, there is no one here, at least, not anymore."
Without hesitation, the robber shot the Store Owner as the homeless middle-child witness the horrible tragedy. At this rate, he was sure glad that it was not him bleeding on the floor. Fear took over his whole body as he called 911. Before he could make his way out the door, he crashed into the robber.
"Watch where you're freaking going, you powder stain moron!" The robber insulted slugging Lincoln. It was a brief second as Lincoln managed to grab a sight of the robber's claw tattoo. "You lucky I did not shot you instead!" He shouted as he ran away.
Both Lincoln and the robber ran in opposite directions trying to escape the situation. Personally, Lincoln did not know why he was runny as his fear and panic took over. If anything, he did not want to get caught. He ran through the night streets, cutting through ways of traffic and civilians. Sweet drenched and heart pounded as he kept stomping his feet to the ground. Lincoln barely even forgot about his sickness.
While cutting through an alley, he heard sirens and more than one. Right in front of Lincoln appeared a few police cars. Lincoln was literally surrounded as the lights flashed in his face. Not only the lights but also guns were now aimed at Lincoln.
"Come out with your hands up scumbag!" A police officer ordered the homeless man with a gun.
Lincoln held his hands up. "Please you don't understand, I'm not the…" Lincoln tried to explain.
"Get on the ground and put your hands behind your hand!" The police officer repeat, interrupting Lincoln.
"I telling you, I'm not the…" Lincoln tried to explain again.
"I said get on the ground now! Get on the ground or we will open fire!" The officer threatened Lincoln as more than one gun aimed at the middle-child.
The snow-haired child was clearly unarmed. Lincoln had no choice as the guns were a clear indication of the police having no intention to listen. Lincoln life was on the line. He complied with the officer demand, getting on his knees and hands behind his head.
This was a very miserable day for the homeless middle-child as he was booked. He was handcuffed and taken in. As if life being homeless was bad enough for Lincoln. It upset him further that he did not do anything wrong, yet he was treated like a common criminal. Now Lincoln started to know how the other race felt in these intense situations.
No matter how much Lincoln tried to explain, "they got the wrong guy" he was still locked up. He was not even offered a one phone call, not that he wanted to call anyone on his situation right now. Minutes turned into hours as Lincoln was holding prisoners at the Police Department. To Lincoln time felt it had stopped with every passing minute.
Lincoln never thought he would be here again since those unpaid parking tickets years back. Through the jail cell, Lincoln found himself fighting the stress and boredom within his body. These moments led Lincoln pacing back and forth, sleeping for a couple minutes, peeking through the steel bars, fidgeting with his fingers, and sitting down for goodness knows how long as it really been. With all this stuff going on in Lincoln's head, he literally wanted to die at this point. At least Heaven would be a better place than this.
As he lied on the floor, Lincoln heard the door open. One of the officers made the rounds to the cells. After the fifth one, he stopped Lincoln's cell.
"What do you think you're doing you weirdo?" Lori's voice was heard as the person in front of him approached Lincoln. It turned out to be a female officer. "Lincoln Loud!" The officer tapped on the bars loudly, getting Lincoln's attention.
Lincoln rose up with a look of catatonic. Just the look on his face was enough to spell sorrow for anyone. Even the police officer held a Stern face, if not creeped out with the way Lincoln was.
"You're free to go; the owner just woke up and told us everything that happened." The officer opened up Lincoln's cell.
Lincoln took a yawn. "What time is it?"
"Four is, come on I know you must be dying to get out here." The officer said. "On behalf of the officers that took you in, you have our sincere apologies."
As Lincoln followed the officer, he saw the list of prisoners. Left and right, each of them range from different crimes. From the heavy scowls and miserable expressions, it was clear that their futures were destroyed long ago. Still, he could not worry about them now. He was just relieved that he was getting released.
After signing the release papers, Lincoln was on his way out. On his way out of the front door, he suddenly tripped. He took a glance at the right direction as a woman by him.
"Sorry about that," He said to the woman.
"No worries dude," The woman replied in black pants and velvet spaghetti strap shirt and boots. She also had hair on the top while the sides were shaved off.
After a second glance at the woman, Lincoln suddenly recognize the features. It could not be as he thought. The woman got the same and even her eyes were widened by the familiar presence.
"Lincoln."
"Luna."
Both people called out as they stared at awkward silence.