011; badass action. STRANGELINGS, COME AT ME BRO

[heresnipey]

[When his comm crackled violently at him, Russell quickly shut it off and flung it across the room, then lifted his eyes to the TV, black and dead as the map that'd flickered on it moments before

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[verypractical]

[Jane Calvin was in her bedroom, staring at the blank TV screen. She was lying in bed, curled up... and crying her eyes out.

Forget being an adult.

She was a very small, very frightened child.

She didn't know where Mr. Lotso was. She didn't know what had happened to her mom, and she didn't know what had happened to her mom. And all she could think about was how, just a few days ago, she'd wanted to go home. If she'd gone...

She sobbed harder, hugging her knees to herself.

This wasn't like the bombs in London. She'd been afraid of those, terrified even. But this was worse.]

[heresnipey]

[Chest heaving, Russell flat-out COLLIDED with her door and banged his fist on it.]

Jane? Jaaaaaane! It's me, Russell!! We gotta get out of here, now!

[He paused to scrub at his eyes. He couldn't start crying. Not now. Not like this. He had to be strong--for himself, for his family, for his friends...and especially for Jane, who he was almost certain was sobbing behind the closed door.]

[verypractical]

The TV said we were supposed to stay inside!

[She is not moving from her bed. She wants her bear. She wants her brother. She wants her mom.

...But she also doesn't want Russell getting hurt.

So... meekly... she adds.]

Door's not locked.

[heresnipey]

--oh--

[Well, Jane's door opened now that Russell knew it WAS open, and he was at her bedside in seconds flat.]

Yeah, but we're supposed to evacuate! They're gonna take us somewhere safer if we get out--and it might be better to stay with an adult, right?

You've got to come with me.
[He grabbed her hand and squeezed.]

[hungarianmouse]

[As usual, Bianca's size and stature made it difficult for her to join the rest of the staff. Although it didn't really matter, because she couldn't go anywhere while there were children left alone - and scared, they must have been so scared! - in the buildings.]

Hello!

[The little white mouse scampered after Russell, holding her hat to her head with one paw as she ran.]

Are you all right?

[heresnipey]

Whoa!

[Russell bends down to see Bianca. Talking animals, he is used to. But a mouse...]

Um, I'm okay! I'm worried about everybody else, though...

[hungarianmouse]

That is very brave of you. Perhaps we could look for them together?

[heresnipey]

[He flashes a little smile and nods.]

Okay. I know we're probably evacuating soon, and I don't want anybody to get left behind.