!A/N!
ok so before this chapter starts
i know i said earlier that there was going to be a bad and good ending, but i decided that i was going to make it just a good ending because idk how to write anything else LOL
[EDIT EDIT] sorry this took so long! i've been suffering with MAJOR procrastination and i cantgetanythingdonehelp
enjoy

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**BLOOD AND VIOLENCE WARNING**

David wondered what he and Max would be doing if they hadn't been forced into this godforsaken mess. Perhaps they would be stuffing their faces with pizza or anticipating the first day of camp without a worry in the world. Instead, their lives were on the line at the hands of someone he once thought of as a friend.

He shouldn't have been so blind when he hired him. He could've avoided this, avoided the monster looming behind him from laying a hand on his son.

"You honestly thought I would let him go that easily?" Daniel snickered lowly, cold metal digging into his neck. He had to think fast. One wrong move could spell disaster.

David desperately searched inside the vacant room for anything he could use against him, but it proved futile.

But as soon as Daniel forcefully dragged David into the room and grabbed a coil of rope, he knew he had to act now.

He brutally elbowed Daniel in the nose and he loosened his grip. David took this as an opportunity to slip out of his grasp as he pivoted toward him.

He had two options: Deal with Daniel first, or go and protect Max. He stared at Daniel with absolute fury in his eyes as he made his decision.

He prepared himself to throw the first punch. Daniel expected the blow and was able to easily block it and mirror it with his own against his jaw. David stumbled back, clenching his jaw in pain. Daniel wasted no time in pouncing as he threw himself onto David and tackled him, the air forcefully being taken from him. Daniel gripped his kris dagger and brought his arm up, ready to plunge into David, but he wasn't giving up so easily. He used both hands to prevent the dagger from going down and pushed his hips to the side. He curled his feet and brought them to Daniel's hips, allowing him to push Daniel back. He violently kicked Daniel in the chin and he doubled over, coughing as blood spilled from his mouth. He silently thanked the mandatory self-defense lessons he had to teach at camp. It was a shame no one listened to it.

David scrambled to his feet as Daniel swung again. David just barely ducked under, responding with a vicious kick to the groin. Daniel winced and paused, distracted. David took this as an opportunity and sent a punch to his nose. The blood pooling out of his nose made David stop and cringe for a small moment. Daniel recollected himself and grabbed David's hips and swung him, throwing him to the ground.

David cried out in pain as he hit the wood floor, his whole body aching and growing tired from the nonstop onslaught. Before he could jump back up, Daniel slammed his foot on his chest and brought a strong hand to his throat. He chuckled as David wheezed and gasped, desperate for air and clawing at his hand.

Still, David kept fighting.

"Will you- quit it!" Daniel's hand squeezed David's throat harder (( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)) and his struggles seemed to halt, unable to continue with the lack of oxygen in his lungs.

"I'm going to keep you and Max alive, however..." He grabbed his dagger and brought it dangerously close to him. "If you keep this act up, I won't hesitate to drive this straight into your chest before you can even say sorry. Surely you wouldn't want to put your son through that horrible sight, would you?" He threatened.

David's panicked eyes glanced towards the small boy in the corner of the room as he shook his head.

Daniel hopped off him and David gasped loudly, greedily taking as much air as he could while wheezing and coughing. He tried to get up, but the pain was too much and any energy he had was forced out of him.

"Please.. you don't h-ave to do this..." he pleaded as Daniel collected the bundle of rope and started striding towards him.

"HEY!" a high pitched voice called. Everyone froze. Daniel whipped his head around in time to see Nikki and Neil with open milk bottles before he was doused in the product.

Everything was silent for a moment before Daniel's unamused expression faded into a crooked smile and he exploded with laughter. David, Nikki and Neil stared at Daniel with shock and confusion as to how the milk didn't affect him at all.

Daniel's laughs died down to a simper.

"Good thing I took my intolerance pills today, otherwise that would've worked!" He scoffed. He closed on the two as Neil shrieked in panic.

"GWEN, NOW!" Nikki shouted. On cue, Gwen shot through the door, dart gun at the ready.

*PFFT!*

Daniel stopped as the dart administered into his arm. He glanced at it for a second before slumping forward and hitting the ground face first, completely out cold.

It was silent, and no one moved a muscle.

David snapped out of this haze and crawled over to Max and worked on undoing his binds. As soon as he freed him he shakily pulled him into a tight, protective hug that Max surprisingly hugged back even with the others accompanying them in the room.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I let this happen..." David mumbled, weeping. He pulled away so he could observe Max's face. "Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital? Do you need stitches?"

"David..."

"Oh god, I'm so sorry... I shouldn't have let y-"

"DAVID." Max shook David and he fell speechless. "I'm fine, chill the fuck out."

"But your..." David pointed to Max's neck, where the small cut was still visible.

"Relax, it's just a tiny cut, it'll heal in a couple of days." He reassured. David let out a sigh of relief, but the worry in his face was still as clear as day.

"Okay... But I'm still going to get you checked out at the hospital just in case." Max groaned and rolled his eyes. He knew there was no changing the redhead's decision. He just had to deal with his overprotective father for a while.

David smiled. It was calming to hear his usual pessimist and jaded attitude, especially after a terrifying and dangerous situation.

Nikki, Neil and Gwen joined the two for a brief group hug before fleeing the scene, leaving the unconscious Daniel to the authorities, hopefully, to be sent to a never-ending hell in jail, and hopefully never to be seen again. As they drove away, David's mind was racing with emotions. All of his anxieties and fears of losing Max dwindled as he saw the little boy sitting next to him, safe and sound. He was the most grateful man in the entire world. He had to repay Gwen and the kids for risking their lives to save him and Max or he would probably die of his gratitude. However, as the view of the once lively city grew smaller and smaller, he couldn't help but wonder what the future had in store for them. Where could they go? Would they have to move to a different town or state?

"You know, you could probably move into my town if you want. There's a house for sale right near our street that you could check out." Gwen chimed in as if reading his mind. The offer lingering in his mind had vanished all those worries. "What d'ya say?"

He beamed as bright as the sun.

- *EPILOGUE* -

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

The wild knocking startled Max and David. David ran to answer the door to silence the nonstop knocking.

He chuckled as he saw the familiar green haired girl and the nervous boy at his doorstep once more.

"Can Max come play with us today?" Nikki asked, Neil smiling and nodding.

David turned to face the bored kid hauling in boxes who had halted upon seeing his friends.

"What do you think, Max?" He could already sense the answer as Max dropped everything and ran to the two kids.

"Fuck yeah, let's get the fuck out of here." He exclaimed. Before the trio could run off to continue their shenanigans, David called out to them.

"Just make sure to get Max back by three, I'll need help unpacking all of these boxes!"

"Yeah, whatever!" He called back, the words going through one ear and out of the other.

He smirked as he walked back inside his new house to unpack.

Moving into the house was difficult, as earning the money to afford the house was deemed a massive struggle. However, one he had gotten the funds he purchased the house without a second's hesitation. How couldn't he, it was such a cute house! He loved the brown walls and the red shutters on the windows, and the tiny white door. It was perfect for him! Not to mention the beautiful neighbourhood, it was a peaceful reserved area, far far better from the bustling city life. It was a breath of fresh air, a chance at a new life. He hoped he picked out a good school for Max to go to. He hoped he and Max could forget the traumatic events that happened prior and be a happy little family. It was all he ever asked for.

And with a bright smile and a positive attitude, he is going to give it the best darn shot he can give.

fin.