Abby

*Romance sobs and he buries his face on his shoulder, shaking, he says in s shaky voice* I-I f-failed h-him... I-I f-failed p-protecting h-him...

*Abby holds Romance close, his voice gentle and soothing* Romance, listen to me. You were just a child. You couldn't have protected him. It wasn't your fault. *He rubs his back comfortingly, his expression filled with empathy*

*Romance sniffles and he sobs on his shoulder, shaking, not wanting to let go.* *Ellie is even more confused now and she's staring at them with wide eyes, scared and she's shaking.*

*Romance sniffles and he starts to clean the strawberry soda off his shirt, but it's very sticky, so he just closes the sink and he buries his face in his hands, crying.* *Ellie sniffles and she looks up at him with her big brown eyes, and she says in a quiet voice, worried and confused* W-Why's he crying, Abby...? I-is it because of me...?

*Abby turns his attention to Ellie, his expression softening. He kneels down to her level, his voice gentle* Oh, sweetie, no. It's not because of you. Romance is just feeling sad right now. Sometimes, grown-ups have big feelings too, just like you.

*Ellie sniffles and she says in a quiet voice, looking down, her eyes filling with tears* B-but mommy and daddy always say it's my fault for everything..... *She pauses, and she hides her face* A-and I'm scared Romance's sad-sad because of m-me....

*Romance's shoulders tremble and he's shaking, he pushes his hand away, and he says in a quiet voice, tears running down his cheeks.* She's right... I-I'm not enough.... Not enough.... I even failed protecting my brother... He was only 3 and I... I was 6... I was supposed to protect him, but i failed miserably... *He pauses, his voice breaking, his fists clenching at the sides* T-that's n-not p-preppy a-at a-all....

*Abby's eyes widen when he hears this. He can't believe what he's hearing. He looks at Romance, and he can see the pain and guilt in his eyes. He reaches out and he puts a comforting hand on his shoulder* Romance, it's not your fault. You were just a child. You couldn't have protected him.

*Romance sniffles and he says in a broken voice* A-and besides, my shirt is now all covered in strawberry soda.... *He pauses* Y-you know nothing.... *He pauses again, running to the bathroom, not wanting anyone to see him vulnerable.*

*Romance sniffles and he says in a broken voice* A-and besides, my shirt is now all covered in strawberry soda.... *He pauses* Y-you know nothing.... *He pauses again, running to the bathroom, not wanting anyone to see him vulnerable.*

*Abby follows him into the bathroom, not wanting to leave him alone. He sees him standing in front of the mirror, his shoulders trembling. He walks over to him and he puts a comforting hand on his back* Romance, it's okay. I'm here for you.

*Romance sniffles and he starts to clean the strawberry soda off his shirt, but it's very sticky, so he just closes the sink and he buries his face in his hands, crying.* *Ellie sniffles and she looks up at him with her big brown eyes, and she says in a quiet voice, worried and confused* W-Why's he crying, Abby...? I-is it because of me...?

*Romance's shoulders tremble and he's shaking, he pushes his hand away, and he says in a quiet voice, tears running down his cheeks.* She's right... I-I'm not enough.... Not enough.... I even failed protecting my brother... He was only 3 and I... I was 6... I was supposed to protect him, but i failed miserably... *He pauses, his voice breaking, his fists clenching at the sides* T-that's n-not p-preppy a-at a-all....

*Abby's eyes widen when he hears this. He can't believe what he's hearing. He looks at Romance, and he can see the pain and guilt in his eyes. He reaches out and he puts a comforting hand on his shoulder* Romance, it's not your fault. You were just a child. You couldn't have protected him.

*Romance sniffles and he says in a broken voice* A-and besides, my shirt is now all covered in strawberry soda.... *He pauses* Y-you know nothing.... *He pauses again, running to the bathroom, not wanting anyone to see him vulnerable.*

*Romance gasps as he sees Ellie's mother spilling the soda on his shirt and he shouts in a loud voice* Ma'am, what the hell?! *Mrs Johnson laughs and she says in a mocking voice* You're not enough, sir... Not enough. *Romance's eyes widen and he is hurt by her words, his eyes filling with tears, bit he doesn't let it show and he just walks away, before bursting into tears, because the words “you're not enough” remind him of his cruel and neglectful father.*

*Abby notices the commotion and he sees the woman spilling the soda on Romance's shirt. He also sees the woman's mocking expression and he feels a wave of anger towards her. He looks over at Romance and he can see that he's hurt by the woman's words. He walks over to him and he puts a hand on his shoulder* Are you okay, Romance?

*Romance's shoulders tremble and he's shaking, he pushes his hand away, and he says in a quiet voice, tears running down his cheeks.* She's right... I-I'm not enough.... Not enough.... I even failed protecting my brother... He was only 3 and I... I was 6... I was supposed to protect him, but i failed miserably... *He pauses, his voice breaking, his fists clenching at the sides* T-that's n-not p-preppy a-at a-all....

*Ellie sniffles and she says in a quiet voice* But I don't want to be a burden....

*Abby smiles gently at Ellie, his eyes full of warmth* Oh, sweetie, you could never be a burden. You're a precious little girl who deserves all the love and care in the world.

*Ellie sniffles and she whispers in a quiet voice* I love you, daddy....

*Ellie shakes her head and she sneezes again, she says in a quiet voice* N-no.... They've locked me i-in the basement y-yesterday because I was playing w-with my dolls....

*Abby's eyes widen when he hears this. He can't believe that anyone would do such a thing to a child. He holds Ellie close to him, and he says in a firm voice* That's awful, Ellie. I'm so sorry that happened to you. You're safe now, though.

*Ellie sniffles and she clings onto him for comfort, she has a bruise on her neck tho.* Mh...

*Ellie sniffles and she starts to calm down a little bit, but she's still shaking. She says in a quiet voice, her demon patterns glowing slightly.* Mhm.... So, am I beautiful...?

*Abby's heart melts when he hears this. He looks down at the little girl, and he smiles softly. He says in a gentle voice* Of course you're beautiful, Ellie. You're the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen.

*Ellie buries her face on his neck and she whispers in a quiet voice* B-but then, why did my mommy and daddy called me ugly...?

*Ellie sniffles and she starts to calm down a little bit, but she's still shaking. She says in a quiet voice, her demon patterns glowing slightly.* Mhm.... So, am I beautiful...?

*Abby's heart melts when he hears this. He looks down at the little girl, and he smiles softly. He says in a gentle voice* Of course you're beautiful, Ellie. You're the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen.

*Ellie buries her face on his neck and she whispers in a quiet voice* B-but then, why did my mommy and daddy called me ugly...?