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The triplets headed into the living room.
Manic quietly kicked a few beer bottles out of his way.
Sonia grabbed Sonic’s arm to keep him from tripping into the biohazard container near the couch. “She left the needle box in the way again.”
“Thanks, sis.” Sonic said. He looked at Aleena, who was passed out on the couch again. “Well, she’s breathing. I guess she’ll wake up soon.”
Manic looked at Sonic. “Why does she do this?”
Sonic shrugged. He walked his siblings to the kitchen to get them some food.
“I think we still have left over burritos.” Sonia said as Sonic opened the fridge door.
Sonic sighed and closed the fridge door. “Bad news, no food.”
Manic groaned. “I’m so hungry.”
“Maybe Dad will bring home something to eat.” Sonia said.
Manic started crying. “That’ll be hours away.”
“We’ll get in trouble if we go to the neighbors’ houses.” Sonic said, patting Manic on the back.
“But I’m hungry.” Manic cried.
“Maybe Maria will be babysitting Shadow.” Sonic said. He quietly led his siblings out of the house and across the street, to the Robotnik home.
They didn’t bother to try to tell Aleena because they assumed they’d be home before she woke up as usual.
Sonic knocked on the door.
Manic leaned against the side of the house.
“Are you okay?” Sonic asked.
“So hungry.” Manic muttered.
Maria opened the door. “Oh, nice to see you three.” She said, smiling. “Shadow should be out of the shower in a minute if you all don’t mind waiting.”
Manic staggered over to Maria and his siblings.
Maria knelt down. “Manic, what’s wrong?”
“He’s really hungry and we don’t have any food until Dad gets off work.” Sonic said.
Maria picked up Manic. “Come in, I was about to make lunch.” She replied. She led the way to the kitchen. She set Manic down in a chair.
Sonic and Sonia sat down beside Manic.
Maria got a bag of apple chips out of the cabinet and opened them. She handed it to Manic. “That should tide you over until I finish making lunch.”
“Thanks, Maria.” Manic said, smiling. He devoured the apple chips.
Maria got a bottle of fruit punch out of the fridge and picked up some cups out of the dish rack.
Shadow finally came into the room and narrowed his eyes. “I wasn’t expecting company.”
Maria laughed as she set the cups on the table. “Don’t mind Shadow. He’s an introvert.” She said, pouring the fruit punch into the cups.
Shadow sat down in the seat next to Sonia.
“Shadow, do you mind helping me with lunch?” Maria asked.
Shadow got up.
“I hope you don’t mind turkey sandwiches.” Maria said. “Grandpa is still at the grocery store.”
“That’s fine.” The triplets replied. “Thanks, Maria.”
Maria and Shadow finished making lunch and served the meals.
Gerald finally came home with the groceries. “Maria, have you seen the triplets?” He asked. He set the bags down. “I- oh, they’re here.”
“Hi, Dr. Gerald.” The triplets said, smiling.
“I guess they wanted to see Shadow, but they were really hungry.” Maria said.
“I don’t mind, but you really need to tell your mom before you leave the house, kids.” Gerald said, putting away the groceries. “She’s all upset. Maria, unless they’re done eating, please go tell Aleena that the kids are here.”
“We’re done.” The triplets replied. “Thanks.”
Sonic and Sonia got up.
Manic got up and hugged Maria. “Thank you so much.”
“Aww, you’re welcome, Manic.” Maria said. She noticed a bruise on Manic’s arm. “What happened to your arm?”
Manic flinched. “I… I don’t know.”
Gerald closed the cabinet. “I’ll take you to your mom.” He said. He gathered the triplets and walked them out to their mom.
Aleena breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she saw her children crossing the street with Gerald. “Oh, there you are,” She said. “I was so worried.”
Manic bit his lip to keep from saying anything.
“We’re sorry, Mom.” Sonic replied.
“Now, Manic has a large bruise on his right arm.” Gerald said. “He-”
“Boys, I told you not to play so rough.” Aleena said.
Gerald raised an eyebrow. “He said he didn’t know how he got the bruise.”
“Did you fall off your skateboard again, Manic?” Aleena asked.
Manic shrugged.
Aleena chuckled. “He gets so many injuries while playing, it’s hard for any of us to keep track.” She replied. “Thanks for asking about him though. I appreciate your concern.”
“You’re welcome.” Gerald said.
Aleena looked at the kids. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up so we can go to the grocery store.”
“Have a good day, Ma’am.” Gerald said.
“You too.” Aleena replied. She led the kids inside as Gerald headed home.
Aleena closed the door of her home, then turned to face her children. She crossed her arms and glared at them.
The triplets cowered.
“I told you not to walk across the street alone.” Aleena said. “You’re supposed to wear a T-shirt or long sleeves when you have bruises on your arms, Manic.”
“But it’s hot.” Manic protested.
“Do you want to get sent away?” Aleena questioned. “Or for your dad and I to go to jail?”
“Yes.” Manic replied.
Sonic and Sonia tried to stifle their laughter.
“You probably wouldn’t get to stay with Sonic and Sonia.” Aleena said.
The triplets’ eyes widened.
Sonia hugged her brothers tightly.
“That’s what I thought.” Aleena said. She uncrossed her arms. “Now change shirts, Manic. All three of you need to clean up so we can go.”
Sonic and Manic headed to their room.
“Are you sure you can drive, Mother?” Sonia asked.
Aleena huffed. “Yes, I’m sure.” She snapped. “Go clean up.”
Sonia left the room.
*
Brenden walked in as the family was gathered at the dinner table. “Hello, I’m home.”
Manic barely glanced at Brenden.
“Hey.” Sonia and Sonic said.
“Hey, honey.” Aleena said. “I made taco salad.”
Brenden sat down and motioned to Manic. “He’s antisocial, isn't he?”
Manic huffed. “I don’t want to talk to you.” He replied. “You hit me.”
This earned Manic a smack on the back of his head.
Manic yelped.
Aleena sighed. “Stop, hon, he’s already getting questioned about the bruises on his arm.”
“What?” Brenden asked.
Sonic and Sonia noticed the look in Brenden’s eyes and immediately got up and ran for their room.
Manic started to get up, but Brenden grabbed his arm. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He whimpered.
*
Manic finally shuffled into his and Sonic’s room. A few of his spines were ripped out and a piece of his right ear was missing.
Sonic got up and looked at Manic. “What did he do to your ear?”
Manic felt his ears and started crying. “I don’t know.” He cried. “Dad’s a jerk now.”
Sonic hugged Manic. “I know, I know.”
Manic curled up in his bed, crying softly.
Sonic got up and picked up Manic’s stuffed Wakko Warner off of the shelf. He sat down beside Manic. “Here you go.” He said, handing Manic the toy.
Manic smiled weakly and snuggled up with his toy.
Sonic got up and pulled the blanket over Manic.
“Can you hand me my CD player?” Manic asked.
Sonic handed Manic the CD player.
“Thanks.” Manic said. He put on his headphones, turned on his CD player, and laid down again.
Sonic climbed into his bed and laid down.
“Boys.” Aleena called. “Go brush your teeth.”
Sonic got up and went over to Manic.
Manic sighed. “What?”
“We have to brush our teeth.” Sonic replied.
Manic paused his CD, took off his headphones, and got up.