Chapter Text
Gilbert hadn’t been sleeping or eating properly for the past several weeks, he hadn’t even been going out to play with his friends, or visiting other relatives at all either, all because he was mainly focused on applying, and waiting for the answer to see if he’ll attend to the Dinosaur Train Conductor school; the same school his uncle and grandmother had attended to become Conductors themselves.
He sent in his application weeks ago, and he was waiting eagerly for a reply; the main reason he wasn’t taking proper care of himself, he was fully expecting an acceptance letter.
However, the universe had other plans and he received a rejection letter in the mail, he and his parents went to campus to discuss the issue.
Unfortunately, the meeting resulted in his mom being clearly unimpressed by the outcome of said meeting.
His dad on the other hand, seemed to accept that the faculty’s reason for the rejection was a legitimate one.
The staff members involved in the decision had made it clear that Gilbert did not meet the mandatory minimum age requirement to attend, despite his grades excelling even some of their current top students!
As much as they would love to accept him, they legally couldn’t allow him to attend as a student quite yet; but they did tell them that he was guaranteed a spot in the attendance once he became of age.
The family went home, his father, was pleased that the staff made what he deemed to be a satisfactory compromise.
His mother, was clearly unhappy with the outcome, and still wanted things to go differently, and Gilbert himself, enraged and confused.
As soon as they walked in the door, his mother sent him off to go play with… whatever, while she and his father discussed that day’s events. He didn’t go to play, he went to listen in on the conversation.
Sitting close the kitchen doorway that he still hear them, and he can sort of see the table, but they couldn’t see him.
His mom was clearly upset, she was going on rant after rant; claiming that her mother became a Conductor at the age of 15! She was the youngest Conductor in the family.
His father looked at her like he didn’t 100% believe that.
Something wasn’t right! She wanted this injustice to be fixed!
“I don’t get it! They used to have people who were just as young as him go to that school!” His mother, Sarah claimed, loudly.
“Well, the faculty did say that it’s a legal issue, isn’t it? Unfortunately, we can’t expect everything to go our way all the time,” his father, Tristan said, not looking up from his paper, and sipping on his coffee. He knew that statement was far from true, but he didn’t want to argue.
“Nonsense! I’ll speak to mother! Surely she can do something!” Sarah declared with confidence.
Tristan just sighed, and shook his head. “She’s just a professor, hun. Your mother doesn’t have a lot of power in her position, she can’t help Gilbert out of this. You know as well as I, that she actually risks losing her job,” he said.
“She’s usually involved in these reviews!” Sarah yelled, getting more frustrated. “Her approval alone could’ve gotten him in! That’s how great her reputation is!” she practically screamed.
“Have you ever considered that just like with your brother, back when he applied; that she wasn’t allowed to get involved with the review? Conflict of interest? That sort of thing?” Tristan asked.
“Whose side are you on?! It’s almost like you’re starting to doubt him!” Sarah accused her husband.
“I’m not doubting him! I’m telling you the truth, Sarah! I’m really not!” Tristan yelled defensively.
“We’ve been training Gilbert since he was old enough to form his own sentences for this!! We’ve been training him so that he will be ready to carry on my mother’s legacy!
My brother may have taken over the duties of the Dinosaur Train in her place!! But she needs a real and proper heir!!” Sarah said.
She grabbed her cup of coffee and raised it up like she was making some kind of victory speech.
“One who must follow in her exact footsteps! It’s his destiny!!” She declared, with a smile like she was surely to hold her own self made fortune.
“I’m just starting to wonder if we’re being a little too hard on the boy…” Tristan trailed off. He put his papers down and stared solemnly into his own cup.
“He’s just not acting like himself lately,” he added. “Come to think of it… your mother did bring it up a couple years ago, that she has a history of… mental instability in her side of the family, correct?” He asked.
“What are you implying?! That our son is not mentally capable enough to carry on the responsibility of being a Conductor?!” Sarah asked.
“It’s not that! Honest!” Gilbert’s father said, raising his voice defensively, looking around the room, not noticing that Gilbert was just barely out of sight in the doorway, in the hallway.
Tristan took a deep breath. “I’m just saying it’s something to consider, your mom is constantly bringing up that she’s concerned about Gilbert’s mental wellbeing, and that he’s not very stable at the moment,” he explained.
His mood changed as he brought the cup up to his lips, but hesitated, like he was trying to read into the future in what was left of the beverage.
“I just have a sinking feeling that she’s right…” he said, his voice was grim.
Just the hearing that made Gilbert even more enraged, not only did his grandmother choose not to be involved in the application process, practically ensuring his failure to get in. How could she doubt his capabilities?! It didn’t make sense!
His mother was correct to worry about his future! It wasn’t right that he had been rejected for something so trivial! He had been preparing, NO! Training his entire life for this purpose! It had always been his destiny to take the torch from his grandmother! His uncle was merely a placeholder until he was ready.
What changed now? Did his uncle take his rightful place by force? No… he would never do that! Did his grandmother doubt him? Probably… if that was the case, she would have her reasons…
…that must be it….
Gilbert felt disappointed, and angry, he felt like his grandmother should’ve said something! Did she not want him to continue her legacy in the Conductor family as her heir?! Was she praying for his downfall? Did she doubt him? If so, for how long? He wanted- no! Needed answers!
He decided that he was going straight to campus to discuss the matter with his grandmother, directly.
As soon as he walked out of the house; His mind went blank, it was like his mind was in a thick fog, he was on autopilot.
He vaguely remembered that he was walking up to campus. Mindlessly walking up and down the corridors; searching for her office angrily.
A sign that he wasn’t completely there mentally, he usually knew the layout of campus like the back of his hand, and the location of his grandmother’s office hadn’t changed locations in the past decade.
The support staff on campus definitely took notice of this behaviour, the usual staff members that Gilbert usually said hi to, like the maintenance man, the friendly lunch lady, and even the IT guy who was always at the front desk, were all ignored, instead, he acted a little hostile towards them.
They quickly left the hallway, had probably gone to alert some of the teachers, or even alert his uncle, if so, then he didn’t have that much time!
When he finally found it, he swung the door open aggressively, then suddenly he found himself back in reality. The faint smell of the very same flowers she grew in her small garden is what brought him back.
Looking right at her, he saw that she was sitting at her desk, sorting through some papers that she was grading, his grandfather was sitting in a nearby armchair, reading a book, while sipping from a thermos, which was most likely filled with his homemade cranberry and magnolia tea.
The couple was talking about something relating to work politics, or something like that; how one of the candidates in the current election for the president of PTA was making a fool of himself, by not knowing when to stop talking.
Tabitha glanced up from her paperwork, and noticed Gilbert, and she smiled so brightly at him.
“Hello, Gilbert! It’s not very often that you visit during school hours!” Tabitha chirped happily, by the sound of her voice, she was so happy to see her little grand-baby.
Trevor looked up from his book and smiled, he too seemed very happy to see Gilbert as well.
Gilbert knew that they may have assumed that he wanted to see them. Despite his urge to confront his grandmother immediately, he decided to sit down. He didn’t want to be rude.
When he sat down, both of his grandparents went from being happy to see him, to being very concerned.
Trevor immediately got up from his chair and walked up to Gilbert, kneeling down to be at his level, and placed his hand onto Gilbert’s forehead, then the side of his neck. Checking to see if his grandson had a fever.
“You’re a little warm,” he muttered. “Tabs, can you check him as well, see if I’m not exaggerating?” Trevor asked. He turned to look at Tabitha.
Tabitha quickly put down the paper, and got up from her desk and rushed over, she cradled her grandson’s face in her hands.
Trevor got out of the way, placing a firm hand on his wife’s shoulder, and his other hand onto the armrest of Gilbert’s chair.
“Oh dear! You’re right, Trevs! Gilbert you’re starting to run a fever!” She said worriedly.
When she looked right at him, and let out a small gasp “You’re so pale! Have you been sleeping well? Have you been eating? Have your parents been taking proper care of you at all?!” She asked. Both grandparents appeared to be quite worried.
Gilbert felt like they were trying to change the subject.
“Grandma, I wanted to ask you something,” Gilbert said. Wanting to get straight to the point.
“Of course, what do you need?” Tabitha asked. She wondered if he needed either of them to get him water or something to eat.
Gilbert clenched his hands into tight fists, he really didn’t want to sound rude, but he desperately wanted her to answer.
“I was rejected by the school, why?” Gilbert asked.
Tabitha’s face went from concerned to curious, but in a serious manner.
“I’m sorry?” She asked. She was unsure if she really caught that.
“You can’t fool me! I applied to become a student here, and I was rejected! I want to know why!” Gilbert yelled in her face.
Tabitha backed away quickly, almost tripping on her long skirt, Trevor quickly caught her before she fell onto the floor, and helped her up.
Tabitha taken aback by his outburst, and her husband was just as shocked.
“Gilbert, surely they explained why you were rejected during the meeting,” she replied calmly.
Gilbert glared at his grandmother angrily, like that wasn’t a satisfactory answer.
Feeling that he wanted to hear it come from her directly, Tabitha sighed, and adjusted her posture.
“Gilbert, you were rejected because you don’t meet the mandatory minimum age requirement that’ll allow you to apply. You must be at least 18 years old, 17 if your 18th birthday lands within the first month of the school year,” she explained, firmly.
“You’re the best of the best professors here! Your word alone could’ve gotten me accepted!” Gilbert stated, angrily.
“The staff here are not allowed to review and discuss the applications of their relatives, or partners, it’s against policy! It’s to ensure that there are no biased parties in the reviews!
I wasn’t allowed to review Sonny’s application either, back when he applied 13 years ago! I’m not allowed to even look at them,” Tabitha explained, calmly.
“Gilbert, I need you to know that they never allowed Conductors under the age of 18 to work full time! You’re thinking of Conductor apprentices, and the minimum age they could begin work is 15, but that’s a senior branch at the Junior Conductor Academy,” Trevor added.
“They stopped hiring underaged children to work on the trains after a workplace accident 30 years ago! A 16 years old fire boy burned himself badly while working! The investigation determined that the accident was completely avoidable, and the boy was too young, and too inexperienced to work in such a field, and the laws changed to not allow anyone under the age of 18 to work on the trains full time!” Trevor explained.
“But you started your own career at 15, Grandma!” Gilbert yelled, like he was trying to prove a point. He stood up from the chair, wobbled a bit and pointed at his grandmother aggressively.
“I don’t understand why you were allowed to work at that age, and I’m not!” He yelled, in an accusatory manner.
“First of all! Let me clear something up, right now. I wasn’t a Conductor at 15! I was an apprentice!
They didn’t allow Conductors younger than 18 to work even back then! They were apprentices, and they were never allowed to leave their mentor’s side except for a small list of special circumstances! I was 18 years old when I officially became a Conductor!!” Tabitha explained.
“Besides, Gilbert! You’re 10! You should be out playing in the forest! Catching bugs, and other interesting things! Spending time with friends, and maybe even having a sleepover or two!” Trevor said. It was obvious that he was trying really hard to drill it into Gilbert’s head.
Gilbert looked down, still angry but the disappointment was not allowing him to see reason.
“I don’t understand…” Gilbert muttered. Nothing was making sense to him.
“Listen Gilbert, there were legitimate, justified reasons as to why they stopped allowing underaged children from working on these trains, or even in the majority of workplaces!
Before these changes; things were far more dangerous for kids! When your grandfather and I were your age, if we were old enough to start pulling our weight; we were given 2 choices! Be in school, or work! These workplaces were often dangerous! Kids got hurt all the time, losing fingers, toes, even eyes depending where they were working!
Your grandfather and I never had the luxury of spending all day outside to play, hanging out with friends, and just being kids!
Trevor spent his childhood working at his father’s shop, while going to night classes until he saved up enough to start exploring, and I spent my entire childhood juggling between going to school, and working at the train station of my hometown, with my father as a cleaner!
Working from a very young age is not healthy in the long term! Both for your physical and mental health!” Tabitha said lectured, Gilbert.
Tabitha took a deep breath, and sighed, she leaned forward a bit, her eyes were filled with worry.
“Gilbert, please try to understand, that you’re not ready yet. Take the time to enjoy these last 8 years of your childhood, working in this field is cruel and unforgiving for both your mind and body, and if you do succeed in your goal too soon…”
“Then one day, you’ll look back and end up regretting not taking the time to enjoy being a kid during your childhood,” Tabitha said, softly.
Gilbert turned away from his grandmother, and began to walk out without saying anything else, but then he stopped and stared at a nearby table with binders, and a pile of papers neatly stacked, with a small vase of flowers on it.
He suddenly slammed his fists onto said table. Causing the vase to tip over, and spill water onto the floor.
“You Liar!”Gilbert snarled.
”You secretly denied my application yourself, because you doubt my capabilities to carry on your legacy, and you don’t want me to succeed! Didn’t you?!” Gilbert yelled, loudly, he sounded so angry.
Tabitha was shocked, she had never seen Gilbert act this way before. Trevor was shocked too, but his was in a place of concern.
“Legacy? What legacy?” Tabitha asked. She was genuinely not sure what he was talking about.
“YOUR LEGACY!! THE FACT THAT I AM DESTINED TO BE YOUR HEIR!! YOUR TRUE HEIR!!” Gilbert screamed. Trying to make her understand.
Tabitha looked at Trevor, who was just as clueless as she was. Trevor then looked concerned, just as she was.
“Heir? Heir to what?” Trevor asked, worriedly.
Then, in a fit of rage, Gilbert threw the miscellaneous stack of papers off of the table and onto the floor. Which caused both of his grandparents to step back in surprise. How dare they act like they didn’t know what he was talking about!
“YOU’RE DENYING ME THE END GOAL OF MY LIFE’S WORK! TO TAKE MY PLACE AS YOUR TRUE AND RIGHTFUL HEIR!!” He screamed.
“I’m not denying you anything! I don’t even know about this ‘heir to my legacy’ thing!” Tabitha replied, raising her hands defensively.
“What the heck are you talking about, Gilbert?” Trevor asked.
“YOU’RE LYING!! BOTH OF YOU!!! HOW ELSE WAS I REJECTED?! OTHER THAN THAT YOU DOUBT MY ABILITIES TO TAKE OVER!!! OTHER THAN YOU ACTUALLY DESPISE ME!!” Gilbert screamed.
“Gilbert, I don’t despise you! I love you, with all my heart! You’re my grand-baby!” Tabitha replied, trying to remain calm.
“SHUT UP!!” Gilbert screamed on the top of his lungs.”YOU LYING, BACKSTABBING LUNATIC!!!”
“Gilbert! Enough!” Trevor said, raising his voice.
Gilbert didn’t want to hear their excuses anymore, his mind went completely blank, and blinded by rage, he grabbed the nearest thing that he could reach for, and threw it as hard as he could.
A big thick green binder, full of papers was picked up from the table and thrown in Tabitha’s direction, she screamed in terror, and Trevor moved quickly, grabbing his wife’s arm and pulled her behind him, the binder flew past them, just barely brushing by where she was originally standing, and the binder slammed into the top of her desk, which took the hit quite well.
Making a sudden and loud bang that echoed off of the walls, as soon as the binder made contact with the desk. It busted open, and a bunch of papers spilled out, as it landed on the floor.
The fact that Gilbert even did such a thing in the first place, frightened Tabitha to a point that she began to cry quietly, she didn’t fully understand why he would do such a thing! This was not the Gilbert she knew.
This level of insanity scared her, she’d seen it before with one of her cousins when she was just a girl! She was scared, this was not a place of genuine concern for his future, that was no longer an admiration for the career, but it had become an obsession!
That knowledge alone broke her heart, she began to cry some more, she desperately wanted her little grand-baby to go back to happy and curious little boy he once was. He was changing in the worst way possible in front of her own eyes.
From the kind hearted, and sweet little Junior Conductor, to a goal crazed maniac, who wanted no one to stand in the way of achieving his goals, even his own family. He was no longer seeing reason as a viable option.
If he was going down the same path her cousin did all those years ago, then she knew her own grandchild had began to go down a path; lead by a false self-made prophecy that only ended in self destruction.
“Gilbert… my poor, poor little grand-baby! What happened to you?” Tabitha sobbed.
Trevor glanced to Tabitha who was obviously terrified, the fear in her eyes as she looked at Gilbert made his heart harden. He wasn’t going to tolerate this kind of behaviour from anyone.
“Gilbert. That was extremely inappropriate behaviour! You stop this right now,” Trevor said, sternly, as he quickly turned to look directly at Gilbert.
Gilbert didn’t reply, just stared at the floor. His fists shook with rage.
“Gilbert, regardless of how you’re feeling about this; throwing that binder was unacceptable! That could’ve seriously hurt someone!” Trevor said, his tone was low, and had a bit of authority in it.
“You’re just trying to get in my way,” Gilbert growled. “You don’t want me to be Grandma’s heir, do you?” He asked.
“Gilbert. The only part of your grandmother’s family that has anything that would even be considered a legacy is something you don’t want to be a part of,” Trevor said.
He leaned forward a bit “I’ve known her for my entire adult life, I’ve met her side of the family, and trust me when I say this. It’s something that your own grandmother had spent her entire life breaking the chains, and distancing herself from, so that your mom, aunts and uncles can be born into a family without being tied to such a cruel and undeserving reputation!” Trevor said, with a grim tone.
Gilbert glared at his grandfather, his eyes dark, and hollow, a sense of madness within them. “You’re just making that up so I’ll give up,” he snarled.
Just before either of them could think of moving, the office door swung open.
“What happened?!” Sonny asked, as he and Thurston ran through the door, the sound of the binder hitting the desk was so loud it; it must’ve caught the attention of maintenance staff in the hallway, who then alerted Sonny and Thurston.
Gilbert didn’t respond to his uncle, in fact, he didn’t even move to look at him! It was like he tuned him out, but the state of the room explained everything to the two young men.
Gilbert was standing at a table where there were several binders of papers on it, with the big green binder missing. Papers were thrown onto the floor, scattered everywhere.
Trevor was standing further away, and just a little to the side, shielding Tabitha with his own body, while she was hiding behind him, shaking in fear, and crying quietly.
Finally, the thick green binder was on the floor at the foot of her desk, papers spilled out of it. It was clear by the scene, that Gilbert threw said binder at her.
Sonny was taken aback by the scene, like he couldn’t believe it himself that his nephew would do such a thing, he stumbled back, covering his mouth, the reality hitting him like a tonne of bricks, and he almost fell when Thurston caught him by his shoulders.
“Sit down, I’ll take it from here,” he whispered. He guided Sonny to a nearby chair, then he walked up to Gilbert.
“Explain yourself, Gilbert, now!” Thurston demanded. His voice was full of that strict, authoritarian tone, he used when students at the Junior Conductor Academy misbehaved.
Gilbert looked up at his grandparents, his eyes were different. They were dull, and hollow… the little boy they knew was nowhere in there, replaced by some cold, and twisted replacement.
“Did you really think I would actually hurt her?” He asked Trevor, coldly.
Trevor leaned towards his grandson, his steel blue eyes told Gilbert, that he meant every following word that he spoke.
“I’d rather assume the worst will happen and be proven wrong, than having the opposite happen,” Trevor spoke with a low tone, he sounded like he was simply stating a fact.
Trevor knew he had to do his duties as a husband and protect his wife.
His main priority now was Tabitha, and ensuring her safety, even if it results in him being seen as the villain in Gilbert eyes. Something that he quickly prepared himself to accept if he has to step in further.
Gilbert didn’t say anything, but he tried to look at his grandma, who was crying quietly as she looked right at him, her brown eyes were filled with tears, you didn’t have to be smart to know that she was terrified.
Was she scared of him now? That made him feel horrible… but his emotions were in control… he was too angry to really feel sorry for her.
“You never throw things when you’re angry, Gilbert. You don’t talk to people the way you’ve been talking to your grandmother, either!” Trevor said, his voice was firm.
Gilbert ignored him and tried to walk towards them when Thurston firmly placed his hand on Gilbert’s shoulder, then turned the boy to look right at him.
“Explain yourself this instant!” Thurston demanded again. “Did you throw that binder at a superior?” He added.
Gilbert stared blankly at Thurston, his eyes were full of resentment.
“She doubting me and my abilities!” Gilbert replied, he didn’t sound like himself either. “Sabotaging me even!”
“Even if that were true! That is not a reasonable excuse!” Thurston said, raising his voice. “Your actions could’ve seriously injure someone, and that is unacceptable!” he added.
Thurston slowly stood up, and crossed his arms, he then took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what he had to say next.
“I truly despise having to say this to any of our students… especially you Gilbert,” Thurston said quietly.
“You were one of the best students we’ve ever had, and I don’t know what’s changed, but all I know is that it’s for the worst,” he said, with a solemn voice.
Sonny began to sob, like he didn’t really want to believe what was unfolding in front of him. The truth hit him like a brick.
“Why?! Why would you do this, Gilbert?!” Sonny asked, between his sobs. He briefly reached out to Gilbert, then quickly withdrawing.
“Why?!?!” He screamed, as he buried his face into his hands. “What happened?!”
For some reason that was what really caught Gilbert’s attention. His uncle had collapsed into the chair, sobbing uncontrollably, like he lost someone important, the man couldn’t even bring himself to look at his nephew.
“You’re recent behaviour violates the code of conduct in the Junior Conductor’s handbook! As a teacher at the Junior Conductor Academy, I cannot and will not look the other way, and allow such behaviour go unnoticed nor unpunished!” Thurston declared.
He looked back at Thurston who extended his hand out to him, it was clear what was to happen next.
It was the inevitable consequences of his actions…
“Gilbert Troodon! Hand over your vest, hat and badge, you are hereby stripped, and suspended of any and all of your Junior Conductor ranks, duties and privileges until the investigation into your most recent behaviour has concluded, and suitable disciplinary action is determined,” Thurston said, sternly.
Gilbert’s chest felt heavy, as he ripped the hat off of his head and yanked the vest off of himself, and threw it at Thurston.
A sign that the respect from his uncle and grandparents had been stripped away, in an instant, and as soon as word gets out… his peers.
As soon as they were handed to Thurston, Gilbert glanced at his grandparents, the shame hit him like freight train! He couldn’t bare to look at them; then, without thinking clearly, he turned away and ran out the door.
“Gilbert! No! Come back! We can talk through this!!” Tabitha cried, as she tried to follow him.
Shoving her husband out of her way, running out of her office, but she quickly tripped on her own foot, and fell; landing hard onto the hallway floor.
She looked up, seeing Gilbert running down the hallway, she cried out her grandson’s name again; trying to get back up to follow Gilbert, managing to take a few steps forward, but the weight in her chest made her legs weak, and she fell over again.
By the time Trevor and Thurston walked out of the room, it was safe to assume that Gilbert was long gone; Tabitha was just a few feet from the office, she was on the floor, covering her face, crying, her hair was no longer in the neat bun that it originally kept in, but now loose and messy.
Trevor quickly went to her side, and helping her up, the heartbreak she felt made it almost impossible for her to find the strength to stand up again.
She buried her face into her husband’s chest, grabbing his sides as she began to fully cry out her feelings. She felt like a deadweight, physically.
Tabitha lifted her head up, gaining enough of her own strength just long enough to ask this burning question.
“I failed him! I truly failed him, as his grandmother, didn’t I?” She asked. Looking right at Trevor.
“If only I had noticed the signs sooner! Then maybe… maybe things would’ve been even just a little different!” Tabitha cried, leaning her head against his chest again.
It broke Trevor’s heart that Tabitha thought that way, he certainly didn’t think so! She’s an amazing mother, and grandmother, this wasn’t her fault!
Thurston felt genuinely hurt by this, shook his head, before Trevor could even speak…
“No. You didn’t, Professor, you are not a failure. Far from it! Before you even think of saying that you failed me, you didn’t! My shortcomings are my own fault! Not yours,” Thurston said calmly.
“It is clear to me that this is the product of something far more serious, than just wanting to be just like his dear uncle over there!” Thurston stated, gesturing to Sonny.
“This kind of reaction is far from normal!” Thurston explained. “I’m genuinely concerned about that kid’s mental wellbeing, but the bigger question is who would do such a cruel thing?” He asked.
“I think I know!” Sonny hissed, as he regained enough of his own composure to walk out.
He glared down the hallway to see his younger sister walking towards the office, with purpose behind each step, and an opened letter in her hand, it was clear she was only there for offical business.
Sonny’s face changed from one of sadness, and confusion, to one of anger and betrayal, he quickly yanked Gilbert’s former Junior Conductor’s uniform out of Thurston’s hands; before he practically began running down the hall towards his sister.
“Sonny! Stop!” Tabitha screamed.
“Trevor! Take her back to her office! I’ll handle this!” Thurston said, as he immediately followed his coworker.
“Sonny! Stop! Think! Before you do something stupid!” Thurston yelled as he quickly closed the distance between them.
“Sonny! Is mother here? I need to discuss something important to her! It is urgent!” Sarah said, waving the letter in the air.
“You! Controlling!” Sonny yelled, throwing the hat at her. Sarah quickly managed to dodge it.
“Insanely high expectation having! Overbearing!” Sonny threw Gilbert’s vest at her, but the vest didn’t really travel far.
“High maintenance, psychopathic bitch!” Sonny screamed, as he took off his own hat and threw it at her.
“YOU BROKE HIM!! I WILL NEVER EVER FORGIVE YOU!!!” Sonny screamed. Just as he was about to lunge at his sister, Thurston grabbed him by the waist and yanked him back, just in time.
“Get a hold of yourself!” Thurston shouted as he managed to hold his coworker back.
“Let me go, Thurston!” Sonny yelled, as he began to try to pry himself free. “LET ME GO!!”
“She’s not worth it, Sonny!” Thurston said, as he was struggling. “I’m not losing you, to this madness as well!”
Sarah seemed unbothered by her older brother’s outburst. She actually smirked at the scene unfolding in front of her.
“Seriously? You look a special brand of pathetic, brother!” Sarah sneered, in a condescending way.
“How dare you come here!! After everything you did to Gilbert!! Why would you even come here?!” Sonny growled as he tried to pry himself out of Thurston’s grasp.
Kicking desperately, and violently at the air, towards his sister, despite being the eldest, being the third shortest of his siblings was working against him.
“I’m here to correct a serious mistake made by the faculty here, why else would I be here?” Sarah replied. She was completely ignoring what her brother was telling her.
Thurston’s face changed, he was very unhappy with what he just heard.
“Wow! What a wonderful reason to visit your mother, only to ask mommy dearest to move the rivers and mountains to do the impossible for you!” Thurston said, sarcastically.
“Excuse me?” Sarah asked.
Sarah scoffed, not wanting Thurston to spoil her attitude with his presence.
“Ugh! Whatever! You’re not worth my breath with an argument!” Sarah raised her hand, as though she was telling him to be quiet.
“Sonny! As soon as you’re done playing with your sorry excuse for a boyfriend right there, you are more than welcome to join me and mother in this urgent business,” Sarah said, with a condescending chuckle.
Thurston looked so grossed out that he let Sonny go immediately.
“What the actual fuck?! Is she some kind of pervert?!” Thurston asked Sonny.
“He’s wasn’t playing with me, you fucking weirdo!” Sonny yelled.
“Right! Whatever helps you to sleep at night Sonny boy! Sorry, Thurston is it?” Sarah said.
She didn’t let him answer before she walked right past them. Sonny glared at his sister, then Thurston patted Sonny on his shoulder.
“I’m going to look for Gilbert,” Thurston said quietly. “Because I know that will punch her in the face if I have to stay in the same room as her,” he added.
“Fine! Please call my other siblings to tell them he’s run off too? Maybe send Ellie or Leo over here? I think this is going to turn into a family meeting, and I would really love the backup!” Sonny said, as he picked up his own hat and began speed walking back to his mom’s office.
“I will, after I inform Tricia of the incident! I just want to make sure that all the stations know he’s run off and might hop on one of the trains first! Thought it might be best to assume he might!” Thurston explained as he picked up Gilbert’s stuff and began walking towards the staircase.
“Sounds like a great plan! Meet me at mom’s house at 5 if you don’t find him by then!” Sonny yelled out, as he continued chasing after his sister down the hallway.
“I will!” Thurston replied, as he ran down the hall and down the stairway, skipping every second step as he ran down, using the hand rail to aid himself, he quickly turned as hard as he could, and ran as fast as he could it to the station.
He just hoped that he would make it in time!