Toby wasn't particularly fond of guns. He was more of a close-range, silent brutal type. A swift, harsh swipe of a hatchet and all was done. Easy to clean and quiet enough to not draw attention. Begrudgingly, though, as he was packing a light bag, he decided to slip a gun into the side of his small duffle bag and zip it closed. Just in case.

A jerk of his shoulder rolled through his body as Toby straightened, quietly staring down at the contents he had gathered. A key from the motorcycle Clockwork had been fixing despite his lacking knowledge of how to drive one. A gun and a hatchet along with a backup knife. A few snacks and a water bottle. This trip might take a bit. There was a reason why Toby kept himself distant from a certain town.

The petal wouldn't come from Offender. Well, it did, but he doubted Offender actually came here. Slenderman was the type of person to use a hostage, but there was no way he would ever collaborate with his brother. It was too conflicting of a situation for either of them to be involved. No one in this house understood those two brothers more than Toby, and this situation was something that they would never do. It had to come from someone who had access to Offender's roses but also use a hostage at the same time.

And Toby had an idea of who did. Not a lot of people tended to collaborate with the creepy perverted brother of his former boss. But an old friend of his made connections in weird places. He liked knowing he always had options.

Sans was... complicated. Anyone who accepted serial killers like tenets would be. Toby barely understood Sans more than he understood his feelings toward that skeleton. He was eternally grateful that Sans not only accepted Clockwork into his home but that he accepted Toby and took time to clear the air despite not even having a hand in the drama surrounding his situation. Either way, Toby knew if he was right about his assumption, this may be partially his fault.

"You know where Sans is."

Sally stepped in as Toby jolted, turning towards her. Her hair was messy, and without Sans' usual care for her bandages, blood now dripped down her forehead and nose onto the carpet in slow, continuous trails. Her face was firm but worn down.

"I have an i... idea," Toby said, shaking his head as he turned back around. "That's why I'm going alone. It's just - feck- just a guess. I could be very wrong and just piss off someone I once knew."

"But what if you're right?"

"Then I'll know how to handle them myself. And I know the layout. I'll be in and out."

A sharp tug on his hand brought his attention back to Sally, who was now standing beside him and firmly holding onto his wrist.

"I don't like you," Sally said, sharp and firm.

"I know."

"But -" She tugged on him again. "I don't know where he could be. But you do. So take me with you."

Toby blinked twice. Once intentionally. The other not. "Why?"

"The last time I sat around waiting for adults to do something I was killed."

Right.

It had been three days of Sans missing without any progress. Everyone did a sweep of the neighborhood to find it lacking results. Laughing Jack was still missing. Ben and Smile Dog still couldn't get through to Slenderman's mansion. Even a few of the local CreepyPasta they managed to question gave quiet, confused stares. At this point, all leads were dry. This guess was all any of them had left. And it was such a stretch that Toby didn't dare share in case he got their hopes up.

"I don't like you either," Toby said, "But, Sans... Sans cares about you. And you know your way around with a knife. I think you can... can handle yourself. Just be quiet, alright? The person we're fighting knows his way with strings."

"The Puppeteer?"

"You know him?"

"He makes connections. He made one with me before. A while ago."

Toby nodded firmly, acknowledging her as he completely zipped up his duffle bag. He'd prefer to go alone, if possible, but Sally would be quiet and small. She wouldn't have trouble hiding, and her immortality brought a valuable fighting partner.

"I want to - whoooop - be in and out. Quick. See if Sans is there and if he is we grab him and Bean and go. If possible I want to avoid conflict." Toby spoke quickly as he brought the bag's string over his shoulder for it to hang by his side. He could feel the cold metal of his hatchet from the other side of the fabric. "The people there aren't very.... very fond of me."

"Like everyone here?"

"Funny."

The two didn't take long in the bedroom to finish backing. After Sally went to go grab Charlie, a companion she demanded they bring, they were off to the garage. Passing Smile Dog and Ben who was still frantically working on the strongest lead they had, and past Jane who was quietly discussing with Eyeless Jack and Zero with a map rolled out underneath them. Toby gave them a soft look before he passed them, still holding Sally's small hand in his large rough one as they moved forward. Looks like they were now going to split up and look through some more neighborhoods.

The moment they opened the garage door, they paused. And Clockwork, who was leaning against the opposite wall of the garage, frowned. Toby quietly closed the door behind him and Sally, letting it click shut. The moment it did, Clockwork started talking.

"The Puppeteer did have access to Offenderman's roses. And he was the type of man who preferred using hostages if needed." She waved her hand as she spoke. "And since Laughing Jack disappeared after seeing the rose and hasn't returned, we know he's probably met with Slender and Offender by now and had no luck. Which means it's someone who has access to his roses. And the only person we know -"

"Is the Puppeteer," Toby said.

Clockwork smiled. "Yep."

"I -"

"I'm coming with you guys. No argument. I know my way around and I know we both want to be quiet and fast. In and out. I get it."

Toby didn't dare argue with her. He knew what she could do. She'd be fine.

Sally glanced between them. Then towards the motorcycle, looking long at the two seats.

"Lord no, we ain't using that. We're using Sans' car. I'm leaving this behind for Jane to use," Clockwork said, straightening from the wall and walking towards them. "Now come on. If this is a false end then we have to get back quickly to help them do sweeps of different CreepyPasta hot zones."

~~~~~~

He was almost quiet. It was a quiet Helen forgot. A quiet he thought he had enjoyed. But now it almost seemed sickening. Especially when the expression Sans held wasn't one Helen wanted to see on him.

He nervously tapped against the other canvas. He... wanted to draw Sans something for when he left. Just a little something that didn't have a line on it. There was no way in hell he could make it up to the skeleton, for everything that happened, but he just...

"Hey, um, I know..."

I know you and your child were kidnapped. I know you're stuck here and despite your request for help, I haven't done anything. I know I'm part of the reason why you were kidnapped from your happy life. I know I've been difficult and you're still trying.

"I made you this. Um... yeah."

Helen quietly sat down the picture in front of Sans. A drawing of his daughter. Helen sketched it while Sans was talking with the Puppeteer. Whatever conversation they had, though, left Sans blinking a few times as he glanced up.

"Oh." Sans stared. "Thanks."

Of course, it wouldn't help.

"It's nice, Helen. It is. Bean looks very adorable in it," Sans said, leaning back slowly. "But that doesn't change the fact my daughter and I were kidnapped."

"I -" Helen nodded. "I know."

Of course, this wouldn't make up for the situation. Or make it better. Didn't matter how gold the bars were if it was still a cage. And the bars wouldn't even become gold from this single action. A single action that didn't even improve much.

"I don't blame you for this. You're not the one who took me here. I get that, so I've been nice. I get why you're struggling and that this is hard, for confrontation. I get it. But you also didn't do anything to stop this. So I will be nice to you. I will try to help you. But we won't be best friends. Not when I'm a hostage."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

He'd be gone tonight. Sans and Bean would continue their lives after this. It's fine. He'd be fine. And Sans was right. Helen wasn't helping his situation.

"I don't hate you. I need ya to know that. If it was different circumstances I'm sure we'd get along. I hate yer friend, though."

"I don't blame you."

It was admittedly nice to have Sans here, though. He was nice and patient. Sometimes funny. The skeleton was a pleasant addition to his day. He never forced a conversation whenever Helen didn't want to talk but knew when the silence became unbearable. Out of everyone that had come here, Sans was the only one who had some chemistry with Helen.

Which was why he wasn't going to tell the Puppeteer anything about that.

It wasn't romantic. No, he just met this skeleton. But he was the only one Helen could connect with. Which meant the Puppeteer would see that as a sign and likely force him to stay here. Which he couldn't let happen. He knew his friend. He'd get too excited and hopeful and then make Sans stay here longer just for the chance of Helen getting slightly happier. Puppeteer was like that. Loyal to a fault.

"Is... is Bean hungry at all?" Helen asked quietly.

He took a slight glance towards Bean, who was now chewing on one of her feet. Sans gently dragged her foot out of her mouth before scratching her cheek with a soft smile.

"Nah. She just likes chewing on things," Sans said.

"Don't you have a pacifier or something? I can check if we have anything safe for her to chew on, but I don't think so..." Helen took an absentminded stare towards the back room. They might have something.

"I do. It's at home. With most of my baby stuff for her," Sans muttered. His shoulders sagged, and his eye sockets went dark for a moment. It was an expression that made Helen pause. "Which, ya know, I'm not going to get. Not anymore."

"What did he say to you?" Helen asked.

"What do you think? He's dead set on getting you help. I'm someone who's helped a decent number of CreepyPasta." Sans glared down harshly at the table, trying not to let his anger out onto Helen but not daring to look in the direction of that awful conversation. "It's pretty damn obvious he's already decided I'm going to stay here. But that's what he told me earlier. I'm not leaving like those girls."

Helen felt the blood rush from his face.

"He... he what..."

"Can you do something for me?" Sans asked suddenly. He sucked in a breath before he spoke again, hand tightening around Beans. "If possible, can you contact a friend I know somewhere and make sure Bean is taken back to Laughing Jack? I'll find another way out of here. But I can't have her anywhere near that puppet guy."

"I... I c-can't, I can't -"

"Okay, no, I'm done. If it was me, I would be willing to let this slide." Sans pressed a hand down against the table and stood up. "But because of your inaction, my child - keep in mind, my fucking daughter - is now at risk of being murdered because of your friend. A friend who believes he's helping you because you won't tell him otherwise or even stand up for yourself. This is now officially your fault as well. So here's what you're going to do." Sans walked forward. "You're going to give me a map so I can take my daughter and leave. And you're going to tell me where I can find any computers or phones in that town so I can contact a friend."

He'd tell Laughing Jack. The Puppeteer would know Sans got out because of Helen. Then he'd die. And Helen would be alone. But Sans shouldn't be here.

Before either could speak, a sudden click of a gun sounded behind Helen.

"Toby?" Sans asked, staring up behind the human before him.

Toby?

Helen saw the barrel of the gun first before he saw his old friend, wearing his thick orange goggles and mask that hid his expression and identity alike.

"Sans, we have to go now, before his friend finds out we're here," Toby whispered.

Sans quickly nodded, scooping up Bean and quickly stepping out of his seat to join Toby. Helen felt his hands tighten against the table as he walked past. Almost tempted to reach out and grab his arm. But what was the point? Leaving was better for him. Sans should do it. He was right. Helen didn't do anything to help him. This deep in now, Helen was an enemy.

The moment Sans was close, Toby took a quick glance towards Bean and him before shuffling in front of them.

"Helen..." He said, quietly. "You... you need to talk to your friend. He's gone crazy, man."

"I know." Helen didn't move, though.

"Cars down the path to the side," Toby whispered to Sans, shoulder jerking out. "Let's get the fuck out of here."

"Yeah," Sans agreed. And he should. His child was in danger here. It was the best decision. Helen didn't stop him from getting threatened. This was his fault. Sans should leave him.

Toby took one last long look towards Helen. Despite the coverings over his face, it was clear he was debating any more words to add. A quiet internal debate that ended in a quiet huff, shaking his head and turning.

Before immediately grabbing onto Sans and yanking him to the side.

The string, golden and glowing, shot out seconds later right where they had been standing. Sans stumbled back, barely able to recollect his balance with his arms taken up from the sudden movements. Toby readjusted his gun, pulling out a hatchet in his other hand as he stared at the source of the attack.

"Toby," Puppeteer said.

"Puppet." Toby readjusted his orange goggles, tilting his head slightly to the side. "Sans, you can grab the car... car and get out of here. I know my way back."

"He's not going anywhere. But you are. You can't just come back here and expect us to welcome you back. You fucking left Helen when he needed you." Several strings stretched between his hands when he tensed, ready for an attack.

"I..." Helen said, barely above a whisper.

No one heard.

Toby tossed the gun to the side when several strings shot towards them, slicing through most of them with his hatchet and dodging the few he couldn't. Following his movements, Sans dodged, ducking behind some plants as Bean gurgled in his arms. For a moment he stared between the three men and glanced down towards the abandoned gun between Toby and the Puppeteer. Then he glanced towards Bean, and after a second of staring down at his daughter, he made a sprint for the exit.

"No, you don't!"

The Puppeteer sent more strings toward the fleeing skeleton. Toby cut through the first wave easily, eyes slightly widening when he saw too many to cut heading straight toward Sans. And, without any hesitation, he twisted his body and intercepted them himself. The golden strings sliced across his body, cutting through clothes and drawing blood before they wrapped firmly around his arm. The Puppeteer immediately took advantage of his now-obtained arm, flicking his wrist to slam Toby against the ground.

And then Clockwork was behind the Puppeteer, stabbing firmly through his back and slamming a potted plant against his head before he could react. He snapped an arm out, eyes wide as she narrowly dodged his attack, landing several feet away with one arm dragging onto the old creaky floor. The strings holding Toby snapped when he pulled them against a sharp edge of one of the flower beds, quickly ducking behind it to grab his now closer gun. He fumbled with it slightly as a tic made his hand roll about for a moment.

"This works. Kill two people in one move? I can make it work," The Puppeteer muttered, rolling his tense shoulders as he flicked his fingers back. "Might as well."

"Try it, asswipe," Clockwork sneered, adjusting her bloodied knife. "I'm down."

"It's been a bit since we've fought together, it should - whooop - be fun," Toby said.

The sob was what made everyone turn. Was what shattered the fight they were all focused on, and made them remember Helen was there.

The man sat at the table still, despite the fight around him, clutching his shoulders as he sobbed. Tears plopped down onto the table in thick droplets, splattering down onto his lap as well. His shoulders heaved with the weight of his emotions. Up. Down. Up. Down.

"Helen!"

And just like that, the fight from the Puppeteer's face melted away in a second. He ran to the table, past the enemies he had been focused on that were now invisible to him. Toby and Clockwork stared at the sight for a moment, watching the glowing-eyed man comfort the painter before they glanced at one another.

And then promptly bolted out of the doors.

Neither noticed.

"Hey hey, man, it's okay, we'll get him back, I know someone who can track card information online if he tries to hide in a hotel or something," Puppeteer said quietly, moving to hold his friend. "We can -"

Instead of holding his friend, like usual, Helen moved. And shoved him. A harsh, firm shove. One that knocked back his chair when he stood to do so. And one that made the Puppeteer look at his face. His blue eyes, dull and empty, brimming with tears as his lip trembled.

"I don't even... like him that way. You didn't even ask." Helen's voice was trembling just as his body was. "You never do. I never wanted this. Why can't you... why can't I..." His hands moved up to clutch at his hair.

The Puppeteer went to reach out, but stopped, withdrawing his hand as he glanced towards the door. Instead of pursuing either option, though, he nodded quietly and stood there.

"I - I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Tell me what's wrong."

"I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for -" Helen paused to sniff as another wave of tears rolled down his pale cheeks. "Why didn't you ever ask me? Do you think I just want to start dating someone? As if that'll make everything okay? I don't even fucking - I can't imagine dating anyone right now! I don't want anyone to be kidnapped. I don't want you to force a monster to remove his magic and have his child as a hostage. I didn't ask for this. Any of it! I just feel worse!"

The Puppeteer stared for a moment. His eyebrows softened, mouth in a quiet frown, hands tucked in front of him. And after that stare, he sighed.

"I... I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. I'm sorry." He sucked in a breath. "I'm not good with this kind of stuff, so I... I thought I was helping. I'm sorry. I won't go after them if it won't make you happy." He moved forward and gently grasped Helen's hands. "No more other people being brought in or hunting them down. I won't do that. Just... tell me how I can help."

"That's the thing, I don't know," Helen cried out, tightening his hands in his friends as he hunched over to hide his face. "Everything is just worse, everything is terrible, I constantly want to die and nothing is fun. Nothing works."

"Oh."

"I..." Helen quietly sniffed. "I don't know."