I do not own The Loud House. All rights belong to Nickelodeon.
Chapter 7
**Vision Dream**
"You told Ronnie Anne and her parents everything, then that's when you called the police and told us, right?" Officer Mathews asked.
"Yes sir, that's right," Lincoln answered.
He wrote down a few notes, "Alright. We'll get this squared away."
"What's gonna happen now?" Ronnie asked.
"That's up to social services. They're gonna find a good foster home for him, and they'll take good care of him."
"Just to be clear, Lincoln doesn't have to see or have anything to do with his family ever again, right?"
Officer Mathews shook his head, "Nah, don't worry about it. He won't be going back to those horrible people."
Ronnie smiled and hugged Lincoln, but the white-haired boy felt he needed to ask.
"What's gonna happen to my family? To my parents?" Lincoln questioned.
"There's going to be a warrant for their arrest; we'll cuff them, then we're gonna have a little chit-chat and get all facts straight. Maybe some of your older sisters will get a cell too. Either way, they're in big trouble," Officer Mathews answered, "Big . . . big trouble."
Lincoln and Ronnie Anne walked out and headed for the waiting room where her parents were waiting.
"How are you doing, Lincoln?" Ronnie asked.
"Okay, for the most part. My parents are going to prison, some of my sisters, especially Lynn, will go to juvie, and I'm going to foster care. So yeah, I'm doing okay," Lincoln said.
"I called Stella and Clyde when I went to use the restroom to let them know you're okay."
"You did? Thank you."
"Stella's on her way here now."
Lincoln turned to her, "Really? Now?"
"Lincoln!" Stella called.
They both turned and in the waiting room, they saw Ronnie Anne's parents talking to Stella's mother and Stella running towards Lincoln. Lincoln held his arms out as they hugged each other close.
"Ronnie Anne told me what happened. Tell me you're okay," Stella said while holding Lincoln.
"I'm okay. I am," Lincoln replied.
Stella eased up and gently held his face. Then she kissed him on the lips, and Lincoln kissed her back.
"Oh, get a room, you two," Ronnie Anne mocked.
"You need a hug, Ronnie Anne? There's plenty to go around," Lincoln said.
Stella giggled, and Ronnie Anne rolled her eyes with a smile.
"So, it's over? Lincoln is going to be okay?" Stella asked.
"Yep. The authorities will handle it from here," Ronnie Anne answered.
"I still can't believe this actually happened. Bad Luck? All because Lynn lost a softball game? Is she that big of a sore loser?"
Lincoln looked down, "I guess so. Social services will be here soon, but I'm worried if I'll see you guys again after."
"Of course we will! If you think distance will tear apart this friendship, you got another thing coming, Lame-O," Ronnie Anne stated.
Stella turned Lincoln's attention, "Lincoln, no matter where you go or where you live; we'll always be together in our hearts. You're very special to me, Lincoln."
Lincoln's eyes widened, and his face turned red as she continued.
"I don't want to be mean, but your family are fools. They threw away something very precious, and that's why I resent them so much . . . that they would do this to you. I need you to understand something, Lincoln. You're not alone. Even though there are bad people in this world, there are still good people like Ronnie Anne, Clyde, and me. I'll always be there for you."
Lincoln gazed at her with hopeful eyes as she smiled at him. Then she squeezed her a hug, and Ronnie Anne hugged them both. Lincoln cried a few happy tears being in their arms.
"It's okay, Lincoln," Stella said softly, kissing his head, "You're gonna be okay. Besides, you already know what's going to happen. You've seen it."
**End of Vision Dream**
Lincoln woke up. He lay there staring at the ceiling, thinking over what his dream vision showed him. Stella. He tells her as well? Lincoln summoned a light orb to show the rest of the future vision. He saw himself tell Ronnie Anne, Stella, and Clyde. He saw visions of him and Stella getting close together and blushing. Lincoln's eyes widened when he saw Stella hold him close as she pulled him in for a kiss.
Lincoln blushed.
"Stella and I end up together? That's amazing," Lincoln said to himself.
He got ready for school. When he arrived, he was greeted with a hero's welcome as everyone cheered his name. He received jealous glares from Chandler and his boys. Lincoln timed it to slam the door in his face as people praised him for saving his sister.
He went through the usual classes while at the same time avoiding pranks done by Ronnie Anne. He saw each other coming and avoided them with ease. One of them got her sent to the principal's office. Then at the end of the day, like clockwork from his visions, he found Clyde being bullied by some bullies near the bleachers, and it was no surprise that it was Chandler and his goons. They were picking on the rest of Lincoln's friends as well. Liam, Zach, Rusty, and Stella. They had them in headlocks giving noogies, Indian burns, spit headlocks, and wedgies. Since Lincoln knew this would happen, he hid a baseball bat nearby, unseen in case.
"Hey, Chandler! Leave Clyde alone," Lincoln ordered.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Lincoln Lame. You think you're a big deal because you saved your sister?" Chandler asked, walking toward him.
"I'm sure you don't care what I think," Lincoln replied.
"You're right. I don't care because you're still the same old Lincoln La—"
Before he could finish that sentence, Lincoln punched him hard in the gut and kneed his face making him fall. Lincoln's friends gasped. Chandler stood and backed up, not expecting that at all. He took a moment to notice his nose bleeding. Then he huffed with an angry expression as he charged at Lincoln.
"Lincoln! Look out!" Clyde warned.
Lincoln used Chandler's out momentum as he grabbed Chandler and slammed his face hard on the metal seat of the bleacher. Then he grabbed Chandler by the back of his head, pulled it back, and slammed it into the bleacher repeatedly, making his face bloody and knocking his teeth out. Lincoln punched him hard in the ribs several times before throwing Chandler to the ground, kicking and stomping on him. Lincoln's friends watched in awe, never seeing this side of him before.
Chandler's buddies released Clyde and went after Lincoln. The first one that came at Lincoln tried to punch him, but Lincoln saw it coming, dodged it, and made him try with his foot causing him to fall on Chandler. Then, Lincoln clapped his ears hard, making them temporarily deaf and in pain as he cried out while holding his ears. Lincoln then struck at his throat. His eyes widened as he gasped while holding his throat. Lincoln grabbed the back of his ankles, lifted up, making him fall hard on his back, and then stomped on his face. The one that tripped on Chandler got up, snuck behind Lincoln, and tried to punch the back of his head. However, Lincoln saw it come in his visions and ducked, making him miss, and Lincoln elbowed him in the gut. He grunted in pain, and Lincoln grabbed him by the arm and did a shoulder throw, making him land hard on his side. Before he could get up, Lincoln kicked him hard in the face and then in the ribs.
When it was over, Lincoln stood over several bullies, including Chandler writhing in pain on the ground. Stella straightened her hair from her noogie. Liam was getting spit off his face while Zach and Rusty were getting their underwear back in their pants. Clyde was rubbing his arm, which was sore from the friction burn. Then Lincoln walked over and began delivering hard punches to Chandler's face. He didn't stop. Chandler tried to get away, but it was useless. He began to whimper with tears rolling down his face.
"Get! Off of me!" Chandler cried out between punches.
Lincoln was out of breath and panting as he slowed his punches.
"Please . . . p-please stop!" Chandler begged.
Lincoln grabbed him by his collar, "Stay. The. Hell. Away. From me, my friends, and everyone. You don't touch anyone or anything. You lay one finger or try anything, and I will not stop until your face is broken in. DO YOU HEAR ME?!"
"Yes, I swear," Chandler whimpered.
Lincoln delivered one last hard punch to his face. Chandler rolled to his side, writhing in pain.
Stella ran over and pulled Lincoln off of him, "Lincoln, stop! He's down!"
"Holy molly Lincoln! You really let him have it," Liam spoke.
"Clyde, you okay?" Lincoln asked.
"Yeah, I am now. Thanks, Lincoln," Clyde answered.
"That was amazing . . . and scary," Stella spoke as they walked back to school.
"Yeah, well, Chandler's been hounding us for some time now. I figured now he needed a message loud and clear," Lincoln said.
"Again, thanks, Lincoln. How did you do all that? Are you taking self-defense training?" Clyde asked.
"Sort of. Lynn taught me a thing or two."
The bell rang.
"Oh snap! I gotta go, guys. Later!" Rusty said before dashing away.
"Me too. See you guys after school!" Zach added.
"Same here. Bye, guys!" Liam said.
Lincoln grabbed Clyde and Stella's arms.
"Guys, there's something I need to show you after school. Come find me later," Lincoln said.
Then Ronnie Anne came marching over to Lincoln from down the hall, "Alright, Lame-O, how did you do all that? How did you know each prank was coming? What's your secret?"
Lincoln glanced at the others before turning back to her, "Come find me after school, and I'll show you."
Lincoln showed Stella, Clyde, and Ronnie Anne his powers and future visions. He took them to an empty storage room where nobody goes to have privacy. They were so shocked they couldn't find words. Their eyes were wide open, and their jaws dropped as they gazed at the light orbs showing future events. Lincoln sat silently, waiting for a response from his three friends. Clyde, he trusted the most since he's more than just a best friend; he is his brother. Although, he was curious how the girls would react.
"Lincoln, you can see into the future?" Stella asked.
"Yes . . . this didn't happen overnight. They started showing up in my dreams, and at first, I thought that was all they were, but then they came true. I have yet to come across a future vision that was wrong. I don't know how I got these powers. They just showed up," Lincoln explained.
"That's how you were able to avoid my pranks and how you saved your sister Leni. You saw the events coming?" Ronnie Anne asked.
Lincoln nodded.
"And that's how you fought Chandler and his thugs?" Clyde asked.
Lincoln nodded again, "Yes."
Clyde gasped a scoff.
"Lincoln, this is . . . this is unreal. I have no words," Clyde said, stunned.
Stella held the light orb showing the bad luck incident and walked to Lincoln.
"These events are for sure going to happen? Including this one where your family kicks you out of the house? For bad luck?" Stella questioned with a look of disbelief.
"Yes, that's why I'm showing you this . . . because when I'm forsaken, you're there for me when I need someone. When my own family has shown me cruelty, you show me kindness and care and shelter me. That's why I'm trusting to show all this," Lincoln said, making them turn to look at him.
Lincoln continued, "That's who you are. Deep down inside, you three are good people. That's why I'm reaching out to you and showing you all this."
Ronnie Anne let a small gasp and a sigh, letting the situation's gravity sink in.
"Dios Mio. I knew your family was many things, but this . . . this is over the top cruel. It's inhuman. It's wrong and illegal. It's one thing for your sister to be a sore loser over a stupid game, but poisoning the rest of the family against you? Even your parents go along with it? Your own father tells you to back away from the house? Jesus," Ronnie Anne said in disbelief.
"That's why I've been so down lately. These visions don't just show the future. They show the ugly truth . . . and that has changed the way I see things . . . especially my family. I used to love them so much, but now . . . now I just don't know. It's not like I want bad things to happen to them, but I just," Lincoln began to tear up and was on the verge of crying, "I just don't understand how they could do something so cruel to me. I don't understand. Is something wrong with me?"
"Lincoln," Stella breathed and rushed to him, "There's nothing wrong with you. You're very special. You're a good person. If they do this, then they're fools. They're blind to see that they have something very precious."
Lincoln couldn't hold back the tears and hugged her as she hugged me back. She gently stroked her fingers through his snow-white hair as she held him close. Ronnie Anne walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Lincoln looked up at her as she gave a gentle like the one Stella was giving him. After a short while, Lincoln took several deep breaths to calm himself.
"Wait, hold up. Your whole family is in on this? All of them against you?" Clyde asked.
"Except Lily. She's just a baby," Lincoln said.
"But everyone else is. Both your older sisters and younger ones? Even Lori? Sweet Lori, does this to you? I don't get it. How could they do this to you? To their own kin!" Clyde said.
"Maybe she's not who you thought she was. Maybe none of them are. There's what you see in public, and then there's what you see behind closed doors," Ronnie Anne pointed out.
Clyde turned to her, "You make it sound like they deserve what's coming to them."
Ronnie Anne looked back at the light orbs, "She's the eldest. Older siblings are supposed to look after their younger ones. If she does this, she's a failure to her own blood. They all are, especially Lynn. She's the root of the problem in this. If this comes true, then she's a traitor. She betrays Lincoln . . . over a sport."
"So what do we do? If Lincoln can change the future for Leni by saving her life, then what can he do about this?" Stella asked.
"I don't think I can change it," Lincoln spoke.
They all turned to him.
"What do you mean? You're just going to let it happen?"
"Even if I prevent it from happening, who's to say it won't happen again in some other way?" Lincoln asked.
"I don't understand. What do you mean by that?" Stella asked.
Lincoln leaned against the wall with a sigh.
"I heard a saying once. That there are two types of men in this world; Men that never ever beat their wives and children . . . and men that will always beat their wives and children. If they do it once, they will do it again. Certain minor bad things like lying to skip a dentist appointment or not going to work to have a free day off are something anyone is capable of. However, something like striking your child in the face or abandoning them is extremely cruel. That is something not everyone is capable of doing. You have to be a bad person to do something that bad," Lincoln explained.
As he explained, he let the light orbs fade away and disappear. His friends sat down close to him to listen as he continued.
"Would your mother ever call you worthless and treat you like an object to throw away?" Lincoln asked Stella.
Stella shook her head, "No, she'd never do that."
Lincoln turned to Clyde, "Would your fathers ever force you to sleep outside like a mangy dog and feed you food through the dog door?"
"No way. They'd never," Clyde answered.
Lincoln turned to Ronnie Anne, "Would your parents ever abandon you for poor reasons or because they just plain flat out don't want you?"
Ronnie Anne shook her head, "Never in a million years."
"Exactly. They wouldn't do those things because they can't. They love you too much to do something that cruel. What does that tell you about my family that is capable of doing this to me?"
His friends' eyes widened at those words. Even Stella and Clyde got goosebumps.
"If my family is capable of abandoning me once for something as stupid as bad luck, what's to say that they would do it again for other dumb reasons? If that's who they are, then maybe I'm better off getting adopted by another family . . . because maybe my family is not good people like you three and your families. Maybe deep down inside, they're bad people," Lincoln explained.
"Lincoln, I hear what you're saying, but are you sure you want to go through with this and just let it happen? Because child abandonment is a felony. Your parents will go to prison, and your older sisters will go to juvie. Those light orbs showed that's what will happen," Stella said.
"So what?" Ronnie Anne asked.
Everyone turned to her.
"If that's who they are. If they're bad people like Lincoln says, then let them rot in jail. That's what they deserve for doing something so messed up and cruel. Lincoln, don't let yourself sleep outside in the backyard like that when it happens. Just call me, and I'll come over on my bike and let you have my couch. Then we can call the cops and let them cuff them," Ronnie Anne stated.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up. I'm not trying to defend Lincoln's family. I know that if they do this, they're bad people, but Lincoln, if you go through with this, there's no going back. They will lock your parents up, and your sisters will be ruined for life," Stella said.
Lincoln left a long pause before he spoke, "I'm afraid there's no other choice. Going to the police is the only way. You all saw the future visions in the light orbs. I try to reason with them, to talk some sense into them, but in all variations, my words and pleas fall on deaf ears. I know it's not nice, but something's gonna give. Someone has to stand up for what's right in the face of what's messed up and wrong."
After a long silence, Stella nodded, "You're right. Okay. Do you know when this is going to happen?"
"No, there's no exact known date, but if it's during when Lynn loses a softball game, then I imagine it's when the Squirrels play, which is only a month and a half away from now.
"Okay, if Ronnie Anne's family isn't home, then come to my house Lincoln, and if we're not home, then you know where the spare key is," Clyde said.
"And mine too, if you want. I'm not far away from Ronnie Anne's house. The spare key to my house is under a polished rock by the brick wall," Stella said.
"Thanks, guys. I knew I could count on you," Lincoln said.
They all joined together in a group hug before heading home.