Clean, But Sneaky Chris

by Skylair Dusk Wolf walker

Chris gets a present from Aviva and the next thing he gets is a painful ending

It was late this morning. Linda was in the kitchen, stirring her second cup of decaf coffee. William was sitting at the kitchen island reading his newspaper and dining on eggs, bacon, and toast. Chris was unusual as usual.

This was the first week having been moved to the city due to the fire in Kansas. Chris had his breakfast earlier and was sitting upside down on the porch, just relaxing his nerves.

All was quiet that day. No ambulances roared, nor police force. The cars moved smoothly on the major road not far from home.

Chris sat up and looked at the world at its normal view. Everything was different.

An hour passed quickly. Chris was now asleep on the porch swing. Fury was trying to ready her little jump up on the floating chair. But as she leaped, she was either too late, or too early. Too late, she'll bump her head on the chair, or too early, she'll fall to the boards and into Linda's flower pots.

Finally, she saw it coming towards her so she leaped. Her little claws grabbed hold of the boarding and Chris felt the big chair shift from the cub. He sat up, "How long have you been trying to get up here?"

Fury answered in her wolf language, "Like forever!"

Chris chuckled and took the cub by the cuff of her neck with his mouth and lay back on his side. The cub wiggled out of his mouth and cuddled close to him and fell asleep.

Chris lay awake watching cars pass on his street. He recognized a few, due to college where his brother was. But there was one, that made him bark.

A bluish car was pulling into the driveway. Chris stood on all fours on the swaying chair and barked. His barks made his body jerk, which make the chair harder to control.

Martin saw his brother just before an accident occured. Chris wiggled his scared body and leaped unto the porch railing... But got his leg stuck in the bars.

Martin shook his head and walked up to Chris, who now sat crookedly and dumbfounded. He said, "What are you up to?"

"I'm stuck again..."

Martin came around pushed Chris' leg free from the metal bars. Chris screamed and tumbled to the ground with Fury looking down at him. Her language said, "Now you know how I feel."

Chris sat up just as the chair bumped his head. He said, "The city is very hurting..."

Martin laughed, "You're still getting used to it. I brought the girls over for a visit."

Chris opened his left eye, "Tell me they didn't see all that."

Martin turned to two giggling voices. Laura smiled, "We sure did."

Chris lifted his voice and howled. Linda came to the front door, "Martin! Nice to see you again. Chris, did you hurt yourself again?"

Chris answered, "Physically and emotional, as well as painfully."

Aviva couldn't help but chuckle. Linda sat on the porch chair and said, "How many times did I tell you not to be a Tarzan at this place? What did he do, Martin?"

Martin smirked, "He jumped from the porch swing unto the railing and somehow got his leg stuck in the bars. I let him go and he fell backwards to the ground. As he sat up, his head got a punch from the swing."

Linda looked at Chris, who now was standing, rubbing the back of his head, She shook her head, "What am I to do with you?"

Chris couldn't answer. His father forbidded him to make mention of the forest. He could only look at his mother and said, "I just got too excited."

"Too excited, indeed."

"Mom..." Chris groaned, "Not in front of them..."

The girls were still giggling as Chris painfully rubbed his head. Linda stood up, "Very well," She turned to Martin, "What brings you here?"

"Aviva has an invention for Chris. I don't know if it'll do any good, but she wants to try it out."

Chris looked at Fury, who said, "Don't look at me, stipud."

Chris looked at the wolf in shock. He watched as his brother and mother entered the house with the two girls. He picked up the wolf and went into the house.

Aviva was already starting to build it. Martin was explaining that it wasn't her invention, but she needed it to make 'improvements'. Chris showed the cub in Martin's face, "Can't you test it on her?"

Fury howled, "Hey!"

Martin laughed, "Sorry, Bro. Fury is a bit like three months?"

Chris pulled the cub back into his hold, "She's three years old, Martin!"

Martin looked shocked, "She's small for a three-year-old."

Chris raised his nose, "That's because she's a dwarf wolf."

Martin shook his head as he smiled and rolled his blue eyes.

Aviva stood up and cleaned her hands, "Well, it just needed a few bolts and nuts and it's up."

Chris whispered, "She's a nut for building it. It's scary."

William sat on his easy chair, "So what is it?"

Aviva fixed her ponytail, "It's actually a dog-bather machine. I want to try to see if it works before I install improvements."

Linda answered, "What kind of improvements?"

"Laundry making, folding, and ironing; dish washing and drying; floor cleaning and vaccuming; as well as window cleaning."

Chris answered, "It's not like our windows needed to be that clean."

Aviva pulled out a fancy collar. It was much too big for Fury. She turned to Chris, "I need to make sure this thing works that it won't malfunction."

Chris stared at his smiling parents. He put Fury on the carpet and said, "Uh... Something is tingling... I don't think this was meant to improve..."

Aviva was walking towards Chris now. Chris noticed how his family watched with smiles. He couldn't understand. He said, "Aviva... What are you doing?"

"We're just going to attach this collar about your arm. It's okay. Just for testing only."

Chris felt the wall on his back as Aviva took his left arm and tighten the collar. Then out of her pocket was glue.

Chris screamed, "You lied to me!"

Martin held Chris in place, "You seriously need to be a better human!"

Aviva glued the attachment to the collar so it couldn't be removed. Chris was set free and the second he was by himself, he was trying to get the collar off.

William said, "Son, just because you're not in the forest, doesn't mean you shouldn't take baths or showers. This ought to teach you a lesson."

"You lied to me..." Chris only muttered.

Aviva turned away for a second, "Martin, I'm turning on the machine. Got the pail?"

Chris cried, "Pail for what?"

Martin picked up a covered box and opened it. He smiled, "Yep!"

Chris screamed and was upstairs the instant. He shammed his bedroom door shut and pushed his drawers up to the door. Since it was full of clothes, it was heavy for him to push, hopefully it was strong enough to keep the door barred.

Chris took out his scissors and looked for an insert to cut the collar. He wondered what the collar would... "What the heck?" He cried. The collar was made of pure metal. He thought for a second. He looked over... It was a bolt that kept the collar on his arm... He said, "What is a silly collar going to do with a new machine?"

"This!"

Chris turned just as Martin dumped the pail on Chris. Chris saw Martin coming through the window. He looked at his fingers and smirked, "Good luck."

Chris said, "AH! I have my... What?"

The collar on his arm was lighting up. He looked at Martin with pale on his face and in his eyes. Martin said, "Enjoy! I got to see this."

Chris watched Martin disappear. He looked over the edge of the window and cried, "Don't leave me, Martin!"

CRACK! BANG! WHAM!

Chris turned around and screamed. A robot stood at his door scanning the bedroom. When its 'eye' landed on Chris, his target was triggered and it cornered Chris at the wall.

"Stop, stop, stop, stop! NO!"

Chris held on to his bed frame as hard as his grasp could handle. But the robot pulled Chris, that his hands lost grip.

The robot showed no mercy whatsoever. Chris tumbled down the stairs behind the robot. He finally grabbed the railing and held on for dear life.

Aviva said, "Hmm... The robot does need improvements. I have to make it that it could clean the floors, especially after dragging Chris around the house."

Linda screamed, "Are you crazy?!"

"Yeah, we don't want you to overwork, mother."

Linda smiled, "Thanks, Aviva."

"Help me," Cried Chris as he was dragged again. Martin was following Chris to the machine, but keeping his distance so Chris wouldn't grab his feet. Finally the robot stopped and Chris lifted his front body just as the robot toss Chris into the box. Chris was afraid and hurt from the bang on the wall. Chris screamed for help as Martin laughed and rolled on the dirty floor. Chris tried to run, but the Robot grabbed him and pulled him into the soapy water again.

Chris cried, "This is not how you take a bath!"

The robot dumped Chris into the water several times and brought him back up. Chris dangled in the air, looking stare in the eye of the robot as it blow dried Chris and toss him over to the muddy floor. Chris watched Martin laughing as he sat up. Martin laughed, "You got what you deserved," And walked away laughing.

Chris looked at Fury and whined loudly and didn't move a single muscle, due to the floor.

An hour later, Chris was very uncomfortable. Aviva came up with Laura, "We're going to get more soap for the machine. Since your father is working and your mother is shopping, we'll doing the washing business."

Laura smiled as she came to the front door, "There's lunch ready in the fridge, guys."

Aviva smirked and pointed a forefinger at Chris, "Better stay clean, Chris."

Martin watched the door shut and looked at Chris with a evil smirk, "Yeah, you better stay clean."

Chris watched as Martin revealed another pail of sod. Chris got up and barked in a whining manner. Martin went outside and smiled, "He thinks he's going to get away with it. Well, we'll see about that."

He sat himself on the back porch and pulled a paint brush from his backpack. He smiled, "Oh, he's so not going to like me after this."

He opened the door and said, "Chris! Come on down. I promise I have no sods. Look at me. Come outside and look at mother's new flowers."

Chris got fooled. He went downstairs. The door was shut now. He knew something was wrong, but he continued. He stood up and opened the door... It looked ...

Splash!

Chris groaned. The pail of sods was on his head. He removed the pail and said, "Martin... stop. You know I hate the machine."

Martin revealed a dirty brush, "Oh?"

Chris' shirt was 'painted' brown. Chris saw the collar blinking and the robot revealed himself. Chris screamed and ran for the wild outdoors. But the robot was smarter. It met him in the front yard and caught him before he got away. Martin was laughing and pointing at Chris as he got dunked in more water. Chris shook his head, shaking the water from his ears. But the robot dunked him again, but keeping him under water for fifteen seconds... While, spinning the poor kid in the soapy water. Chris came up, gasping for air and his mouth was sprayed with fresh water. Chris coughed water and got a mouthful of hot air and was toss again to the floor. Martin was laughing still. He said, "I don't think I can take anymore of this!" And walked away laughing, "I'm going to take a nap... Oh, better stay clean."

Once Martin disappeared up the stairs. Chris smiled to himself, "Oh, really?" Then, he struggled with the brace on his arm and the bolt under it, snapped off. Chris laughed evilly as he picked the pieces, "We'll see how it feels to breathe under soapy water."

Martin was waking up from his nap. He saw Chris and smiled, "How many baths did you get while I napped?"

"None."

"Oh, especially after reheating lunch?"

Chris gave Martin his bowl of Laura's lunch. Very quietly, he watched with a smile on his face. He rubbed his thumbs together, waiting.

Martin said, "It's very unusual for you to watch me eat."

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Chris?"

"I'm fine. I feel refreshed."

"Good! I can't wait to dump another bucket of dirt on you."

"Oh, really?"

Martin looked at Chris in a manner, "What?"

"Keep eating and I'll show you."

Martin ate his girlfriend's BBQ pork sandwich. Chris had a smile for each drop of mess on Martin's fingers. Martin finished eating and said, "I like it when Laura cooks."

Chris still smiled and didn't say anything. Martin looked at himself, "Geez... And Laura's cooking can be a little messy..."

Chris answered, "Mmmmhhhmmmm..."

Suddenly, beeping was heard. Martin looked his own arm and then at Chris, "WHAT THE HECK DID YOU DO!?"

The robot came into the bedroom. Before Martin had time to run, the bot caught him and was dragging Martin to the machine. Chris ran to the edge of the stairs and stampered down to the machine and laughed as Martin was actually being washed. martin cried out for his brother to save him. Once the bot rinsed him, Martin was thrown up against the wall and fell face first to the floor.

Chris was laughing now. He lay on his father's arm lengthwise and laughed. Martin stood up, and breathed heavy.

Chris stopped laughing as Martin past him without noticing him was there. Chris raised an eyebrow and followed Martin outside. Martin went into the toolshed and came out with a sledgehammer.

Chris said, "What are you doing?"

Martin came over with an ax also, "Destroying that machine!"

Chris followed Martin to the machine. Just as he raised the sledgehammer, Chris said, "Wait. Do we have to destroy it?"

"Of course, this thing is scary!"

"Well," Answered Chris, "The girls won't be too happy."

Martin said, "Who cares?! This thing almost made me sick! Never mind how you managed to take it off."

"Easy as pie. The bolt was loosed from all the soapy water."

Martin rolled his eyes, "Stupid machine malfunctions. I want to kill this thing!"

Chris said, "Do you think someone else should learn... uh, let's see, her lesson?"

Martin looked at Chris, "No way."

Chris smiled, "I have been taking showers. I have been dirty all because I have been playing outside. I think Aviva... AND LAURA should learn their lesson."

Martin agreed, but said, "There's only one arm brace."

"Nope. Just as Aviva was preparing the machine. I saw TWO arm braces. Come over here."

Chris brought Martin to the storage and he opened the concealed door. There was a few buckets of soap with hoses going up to the tub. There on a little shelf, was the second arm brace.

Martin said, "Those hoses are connected to the tub. Hhhhmmmmmm... What if we exchange the soap for dirt, mud, sand, well, I don't know."

Chris said, "Well, that's taking it to the next level. But a little harsh."

"Aw, come on, bro."

"Well... Alright. But it's your doing."

Martin ran outside and filled a bucket full of dirt and filled the rest with water. He mixed the dirt with the water until it was dirty. Than, he filled a dirt hole full of mud and filled a bucket with that. He turned to Chris, "I have one more hose to replace. What should I use?"

Chris said, "Be right back."

Martin took out the soap containers and replaced the first two hoses with dirt and water, and pure mud. He stood up and inserted the robot a little mud exchange. The blow dryer was turned on a notch. Chris came downstairs holding a box in his hand.

Martin said, "Is that one of mom's stuff."

"Mom has been trying to figure out how to get rid of this. But I also have another solution."

"Purfume? Muddy purfume? Bro, you're nasty."

Chris smiled, "This little bottle here is actually a few drops of shunk stink. I just use mom's box to keep it safe. Mom has been trying to figure out how to get rid of it, but I told her it could come in handy."

Martin took the test tube and said, "Would it be safe to open it?"

"It's just drops of shunk stink. Just insert the tubing."

Martin inserted the tubing and shut the doors, "Now we got to hide the soap."

"Come with me. Mom does need laundry soap."

Chris and Martin rested the jugs on the washing machine. Martin said, "I can't stand being this clean. Come on, there's that mud wallow. We're take an actual bath later."

Chris laughed, "Last one in is going for a robot bath."

Martin looked at his arm, "Get this thing off me!"

Chris unbolted the brace, and both brothers ran into the wallow. Martin and Chris splashed around and toss mud at each other, not missing by purpose but by accident.

"CHRISTOPHER! MARTIN!"

Chris and Martin were sitting in the mud wallow when they looked up. Aviva's jaw was dropped greatly, "But the machien was supposed to wash Chris!"

Chris stood up, as Martin picked up a pail, "Maybe it's time that you see our pain."

"Our? Who is the 'our'?"

Martin smiled, "Chris managed to become free from the brace, Aviva. And I felt his horror."

"WHAT?! But how?!"

"Aviva! Get in here, quick! Check this out."

Martin smiled, "Get them!"

Aviva screamed and ran from the back door. Chris picked up the braces from the porch and chased Aviva and braced her and dropped her to the floor and strangled her from moving.

Martin splashed mud on Laura, who screamed and tried to stop Martin. Martin said, "I got a pretty bracelet for you."

Laura immediately forgot, "Really?!"

Martin inserted the brace and said, "Bath time."

Laura screamed!

Chris said, "Turn the machine on, bro."

Aviva cried, "Martin, stop!"

Martin clicked the machine on and the robot came out. Chris jumped off Aviva and she jumped up to strangle Chris to the wall. But Aviva was captured and was brought to a mud bath. She screamed as the dirty, muddy Kratt brothers laughed and hugged each other. Laura tried to save Aviva, but the robot noticed her brace and threw her in. Both girls were screaming at the brothers as they got dirtier and dirtier and even stinkier.

FInally, the robot blow dry the girls, which made the dirt cake up on them. Chris and Martin were no where in sight. They wanted revenge.

Both girls went outside, calling for the brother's angerily. But a force of water met them. Both girls were screaming, until they realized it was water. Martin stood before them, half clean and half muddy, "What are you afraid of? It's just water."

Chris was laughing and hanging off the porch railing. They four forgot about the messy living room and fooled around the water hose... Until a tragic voice shivered them...

"KRATT BROTHERS!"

Chris said, "We forgot to destroy the machine!"

Martin said, "I knew we should have done that in the first place..."

"What?! But you wanted the girls to be dirtier."

Linda came outside, frowning, "Now who can explain the mess in the house?"

Chris and Martin were ashamed in front of the girls. Linda covered her face with one of her hands, "Boys... Turn off the water now. Don't you two know how much water you're wasting now?"

Martin couldn't say anything. The water was shut off. Everyone was not so clean, but still dirty. Linda said, "Martin, go to your dorm and take the girls. Chris, you are in deep trouble, young man. I told you never to use that tube in the house! And guess how's going to do the cleaning?"

Chris didn't answer. He still looked at his barefeet. Linda said, "Look at me. Martin, go!"

Martin said, "Mom... it's wasn't his fault."

"Martin. Shut up. Chris needs to learn responsbility. He's eighteen years old and he's still childish. Now go!"

"But Mom-"

"Martin," Answered Chris, "Just go..."

That evening, Linda told William everything. William punished Chris even worse than what his mother punished. Chris scrubbed the carpets and vaccumed the wetness. He grew tired by that evening and refused dinner that his mother offered.

A firm knock was heard at the door. Chris was too bent to go, but he still had to clean the machine. William went to the door and answered it. Chris shut out the conversation as he toss the dirt from the house out the window. He scrubbed the caked dirt from the buttons forgetting all he ever wanted.

By late evening, late. William said, "You can go to bed now, young man."

Chris said, "I am almost done. I'll be done."

William hollared, "Get to bed... now!"

Chris was upstairs, undressed, and in bed in one minute. He didn't feel so well. All he wanted was some fun despite of being forced to get bathed. He shut his eyes and waited for the morning.

Once morning came, Linda came downstairs to a clean, and sweet smelling house. She smiled and got her coffee. She looked out the kitchen window and saw the dirt patches full of lush grass. She smiled once again and went outside to breathe in the beautiful air. The porch swing was sitting still. She sat on the swing and looked out for her son. She got a little concerned. Did she see the machine in the house? She stood up to check and it was gone. She raised an eyebrow. Suddenly, she saw Chris... on the floor. She went over to him to find him still cleaning.

"Chris?"

"Hey, mom," He answered in a tired voice.

"You didn't sleep last night, didn't you?"

"I couldn't."

Linda didn't like to hear Chris talk only two words per sentence, "Where's the machine?"

"In trash."

"Christopher, speak to me. What is the matter with you?"

Chris answered, "Just busy."

"Look at me, Chris."

Chris looked at his mother. Linda gasped. His face was pale. His eyes were red from lack of sleep. His pose was weak. Chris turned to get back to work, but his mother said, "Honey, the house is clean. I'm okay with it."

"There's still stains to clean..."

"Stains are fine."

"Stains are not... You wouldn't say that for clothes."

"Well, carpets and clothes are two different things."

"But carpets are noticed more in a house, especially if stained."

"Chris..."

"Mom."

Linda lost her battle. She went outside and sipped her warm coffee slowly... She thought about her and William's punishment. She placed too much on Chris and now he's taking it for literal.

Martin came walking up the lane. Linda was quiet. Martin said, "Mom? Is something wrong?"

"Your stubborn brother... Refusing dinner, breakfast and even sleep to listen to us..."

"What?"

"Your brother skipped lunch, dinner, and now breakfast. I could tell because he's starving. His body is weak and tired. He refused sleep..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your brother is overworking himself."

Martin frowned slightly, "When you did tell him to clean the house. So he's listening to you."

"But this is too much," Cried Linda.

Chris came outside and said, "I have finished the house cleaning... But I still need to do the upstairs carpets."

"Son, enough of all this... You are tired, hungry, and overall wore out. Go, be with Martin for the day."

Chris twisted his back, "No thanks. I have much on my list to do today."

Martin had his hand extended, but said nothing. He knew Chris wanted to be with him, but he had to do what his father wanted him to do. Martin sighed, "Okay, we get it."