#{ then like a week or months later they're awful and locking a child in the bathroom all day or making them clean their house }

[oflostinfound]

Hax, hypothetically, who would you rather hire as a babysitter

a) someone in tattered clothes, very nice, who says they need the job to help their family,has worked as a babysitter before

b) a rich looking teenager in perfectly good clothes, rude, who only needs the money to buy themself the newest phone, and has never worked as a babysitter

|| 💛 ||: ❝ From only what you described, the person in the tattered clothes would be my choice. You stated they were nice, they've done the job before, and they need the money. You didn't really say much about the other person's personality, or if they were willing to really learn the job as opposed to sit my child in front of something and ignore her. ❞

|| 💛 ||: ❝ Granted that also depends on how Taygete feels about the babysitter. I'm not leaving her with someone who would neglect her or make her sad or scared. There's a lot more factors to consider for a babysitter besides just what they're wearing and past experience. ❞

[kissorkill16]

You're The Victim: A Hello Neighbor Fanfic

By JJ

Summary: After you read this, you'll learn who's the true victim here.

Mr. Murtaugh sat across from Nicky at his desk, hands folded and lips curled into his usual creepy smile.

"I see you've been really sluggish lately, Nicholas.", he said, "I take it you've been taking the pills I gave you?"

Nicky nodded, "I think they're working a little too well.", he yawned.

"Well we'll discuss that later, dear.", said the science teacher, he stood up and walked behind the boy in his seat. "Right now, I want to know how much you've progressed this past week."

Nicky looked down at his lap. "I don't know why, but I feel like I would've been better off alone."

Mr. Murtaugh looked down at Nicky, a little hint of worry in his eyes. "What makes you say that?"

"I feel like if I hadn't been so desperate to make friends, none of this would be happening right now.", said Nicky. "Lucy wouldn't have died, Mrs. Peterson wouldn't have died, Aaron and Mya wouldn't have gone missing, Mr. Peterson wouldn't have gone crazy, my grandmother wouldn't have gotten killed, no one would've hated me, I wouldn't have been kidnapped, and I wouldn't feel like shit."

"Hey, watch your tongue!"

"Sorry."

Mr. Murtaugh put a gentle hand on his shoulder, "Nicholas, don't say things like that. It's not your fault that you lost so much with no warning. Sometimes, people just have to go and there's nothing you can do about it."

Nicky continued to look at his shoes.

"But while they're no longer alive, they're still in our beautiful memories. We still love them with all of our hearts and souls. Don't we?"

The boy nodded.

"Great."

The science teacher walked back to his side of the desk, "As for the people hating you bit. That's not your fault at all.", he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Well after all that you've been telling me, it seems like you're more of an innocent victim."

When Mr. Murtaugh said that, Nicky's eyes widened in shock. "Innocent victim? Are we still talking about me? I'm not innocent, sir, far from it actually."

"Nicholas, after everything you told me, I'd like to politely object, for the following reasons.", said the science teacher. "First, you told me that your grandmother had been unstable and hard on you for years, then you tell me that before she was murdered, she called you a cursed child. Lucy's death was an accident, and the crazy old bat thought it was your fault? Disgusting. Then after you witnessed Mr. Peterson doing some pretty abnormal things, people made fun of you and called you names. Does Nutty Nicky ring a bell? Or maybe Sick Nick?"

Nicky felt like hugging his knees when he heard those god awful nicknames that a couple of cruel students gave him. He didn't know where "Sick Nick" came from, but he definitely remembered that "Nutty Nicky" came from Finch.

"Then while you were in Mr. Peterson's basement, he told you that he never chased you past his property line because he wanted to make you look like a maniac. He kept you locked up in a room with a demon shadow creature that forced you to play games with it. Actually, let me check again. Did you want to play with them, or did they force you to play?"

Nicky didn't want to answer that question, but he felt his science teacher's eyes staring into his soul, and that made him extremely uncomfortable. "Forced me.", he mumbled.

"Exactly."

The science teacher continued on, "Then a month went by, and when you escaped the basement, you learned that not one of your friends had bothered to look for you. Not even your parents who you love so much. Then when you came back to school, Finch and a bunch of other people said your trauma was fake and that you've turned into a mindless little doll.", he said. "Then you took a few more days off, and when you came back, you learned that Finch had taken a picture of your mental breakdown and shared it with the entire rest of the school for everyone to see."

Nicky brought his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs.

"But now that I'm here to talk to you about all of your problems, you've been progressing and slowly making a real full recovery.", said the science teacher. "And here I am, telling you that you're the innocent victim, and you don't believe me even after I've basically told you your entire story?"

Nicky looked down at the floor.

"Darling, you've suffered from not only bullying. You've suffered from emotional abuse, parental neglect, one sided friendships, spiritual abuse from an actual spirit, physical abuse, and nightmares of all of your traumas put together."

Nicky's eyes widened, "Damn. I think that's some kind of record.", he thought.

"I appreciate you listing out all of the things I've told you, but I'm still not sure if we're still talking about me.", said Nicky. "I mean, I'm also the one who worked alongside Aaron Peterson with all of the nasty pranks around Raven Brooks. I was one of the brash delinquents who made teachers regret their life choices. ...I told my grandma I hated her."

Mr. Murtaugh tapped his chin as he thought about that. "You do have a point.", he said.

"And I made all of my friends accomplices to my activities. I pounced on the new students when the old ones got fed up with me, and then the new kids got fed up with me too. I've been to detention more times than I can count on my hands. I -"

"Nicholas."

Nicky stopped talking and looked at Mr. Murtaugh.

"While that all may be true, I still fail to see how you think you're not an innocent victim, even after all you've been through. While you may have committed a couple of sins in the past, it seems like you're trying to push more of the blame on yourself. You've suffered more than you should have, dear. Remember that."

Nicky was about to say something, but his words got caught in his throat. He knew he wouldn't win this fight. No matter how much he tried to deny it, Mr. Murtaugh had basically told him that he was an innocent victim of several kinds of abuse.

The science teacher knelt down to meet Nicky's level. "Repeat after me.", he said. "I am the victim."

"I am the victim.", Nicky repeated.

"I went through the most."

"I went through the most."

"I've felt more pain than anyone."

Nicky paused for a moment, thinking about that line. Technically, it was just emotional pain. If he wanted to talk about pain, then he should look at Maritza's leg, she stepped in a bear trap.

"Nicholas, say it.", said Mr. Murtaugh, getting his attention back. "I've felt more pain than anyone."

Nicky stayed silent for a moment, then he said that line that he felt wasn't entirely true, not because he wanted to, but because he just wanted it to sound believable enough for his science teacher so he'd back off this topic.

"I've felt more pain than anyone."

[lancetuckershairgel]

Warnings: Language, Posession of a weapon (gun), general angst

Words: 1,303

Tag List: @southernbell91 @book-dragon-13 @buckysforeverprincess @mycupoffanfiction @jobean12-blog @marvelgirl7 @jamesbarnesappreciationsociety @jamesbarnesappreciationclub @buckysteveloki-me @brat-in-a-teacup @msruchita

A month had gone by since Lucy and Lily's dad walked out on them leaving the two girls to fend for themselves. Lucy managed to keep things going so far by continuing to steal necessities and forging her father's signature and income information on a form that would allow the elementary school to give Lily a backpack of food every week. She managed two weeks washing the few clothes they had by hand in the grime covered bathtub with cheap dish soap until the water was shut off. After that the teenager had to get creative.  She threatened classmates for change just to be able to go to the carwash in town late at night when no one was around and use the hose. Swiping a can of dry shampoo and filling an old water jug with the same hose water from the car wash was enough to give Lily a cold bath every few days. Things weren't easy, and Lucy was exhausted from trying to maintain her own school work, raising Lily and keeping face so no one would suspect anything. As the days drew on she was becoming more and more weary from the stress and lack of sleep.  

Meanwhile Chris had tried his hardest to get Lily to open up to him about home. Where she lived, her father's name. Either Lily really didn't know or she was incredibly good at pretending, and if she was anything like her big sister Chris would say it was the latter. 

Lily perked up when she saw Chris waiting for her at their usual lunch table. She plopped down in her seat and tossed her lunch box on the table, opening it. 

"I got a peanut butter sandwich today!" The kindergartner exclaimed excitedly as she unwrapped the sandwich from tin foil 

"Peanut butter is my favorite" Chris smiled as he passed her his fruit cup and chocolate milk from his lunch tray 

Ever since Chris had found out that Lily had barely any food and the schools hands were tied since her father refused to fill out a free lunch form, he had been sharing his lunch with her. He could at least go home and have a decent meal at the end of the day. 

"You must really like peanut butter too" Chris commented on the daily sandwich, hoping to draw out some information from the girl 

"Not really but it's all I got right now." 

"What do you mean?" He tilted his head 

"It's just the only thing my sis-" Lily paused to reword her answer, "I mean peanut butter is easy and doesn't have to be cooked." 

Chris raised his brows but didn't say anything.The two spent the rest of lunch talking about the book Lily's teacher read to the class that morning. 

"Aw man, lunch is over." Lily crossed her arms with a pout as the bell rang and her classmates lined up

"Sorry kiddo." Chris felt equally as disappointed because he was hoping to get more information. He'd hoped that Erin was having better luck with Lucy. 

As it turned out Erin wasn't having any luck at all. She sat at her desk, staring at a nodding off teenager who sat in the white saucer chair. Lucy had fallen asleep in history class and didn't care for being woken up by the teacher. 

"Lucy?" 

"What?" Lucy mumbled

"Honey, did you not get a lot of sleep last night?" 

"I don't get a lot of sleep most nights."

"Why not?" 

"Somebody's gotta watch for the big bad wolf."

Erin narrowed her eyes as Lucy laid her head back and dozed off. She made the decision to let Lucy stay through the next period to get an hour's rest before waking her again. Lucy woke in a less grumpy mood, but still wasn't open to being friendly with the officer. 

"You want to tell me about that wolf?" 

"No." 

"Come on, Lucy. Give me something here." Erin pleaded 

"Why? So you can ruin my life? Have everything taken from me? Nice try. Thanks for the nap."

Lucy snatched up her bookbag and left the office. Erin sighed before sending a text to Chris. 

That afternoon Chris ducked out of the building early and rushed home to change out the patrol car for his red pickup truck. He made it back to the school just in time for the line of buses to file out of the back parking lot and make their way to their routes. He spotted Lily's bus and followed it down the highway.  Six stops in he finally saw Lily emerge and make her way down an overgrown and unkempt path away from the road. He moved on with the bus but turned around a short mile later to head back. He turned onto the gravel path and drove down until he reached a cattle gate overgrown with vines. He got out of his truck and climbed the gate, walking until he found the house. He saw Lily go inside and he frowned at the condition. Unsurprised but still greatly disturbed by the sight he knew the place wasn't liveable. At least he knew where they were now. He returned to his truck and made his way back home, having a few phone calls to make. 

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Lucy punched the wall with frustration as Lily pouted behind her 

"Why aren't the lights coming on? It's getting dark!" Lily whined 

"I dunno, kid." 

Lucy did know. She saw the disconnect notice three days ago.

"Let's pretend we're camping okay?" Lucy suggested as she grabbed a can of pork and  beans from the sparse cabinet

"I don't want beans again." Lily complained 

"Neither do I." Lucy grumbled as she opened the can and grabbed two spoons 

"They're cold" Lily said as she took a bite

"Yep. Eat." 

Lucy tried to remain patient with her little sister.  The girl didn't understand power bills and money. It wasn't her fault they were having to struggle. Lucy just ruffled her hair and sat on the floor next to her. 

"How long do we have to be pretend camping?" 

"I dunno." 

"Can you tell me a story?"

"Sure."

Lucy swallowed a spoonful of the cold beans and began telling Lily a story about two kids camping in the woods. Halfway through she stopped and tensed, the sound of crunching gravel under tires alerting her senses. She stood and walked to the front window, peering out through a torn curtain. 

"Shit."

Two police cars and a red sedan were parked in front of the house.  Panic rose in Lucy's chest and her heart pounded. 

"What's wrong?"

"Uh...nothing. New game. Hide and seek."

Lucy grabbed Lily and rushed to the back bedroom, closing the door before shoving them both inside the closet.  

"What are we hiding from?" 

"The bad guys. Stay quiet."

Lucy was shaking as she heard a heavy knock on the door. 

"Robbers?"

"No. Hush." 

Lucy held Lily close as tears formed in her eyes. The front door opened, the lock having been broken for as long as she could remember, and footsteps could be heard. 

"Hello?" A female voice called out "Is anyone home?" 

"Shh" Lucy whispered to her sister

"Lucy? Lily?" 

"Chris!" Lily exclaimed as she jumped up and ran out of the hiding spot

"Lily, no!" 

Lucy bolted after the child, pausing to grab a gun out of a dresser drawer. She ran down the hallway in time to sweep Lily into her arms and come face to face with Chris, Erin and an unknown woman. Another police officer entered through the back door and stood behind the girls. Lucy's eyes went wide with fear as she stood there, having been found out, and she raised the gun, pointing it at Chris.