Vivian had to restrain herself from laughing as her dad was drenched. She saw Skore laughing in the shadows as he took a photo. Her dad sputtered in rage.

"Did you do this?"

"No," Vivian gasped, keeping a surprised face on.

"Then who..."

He trailed off, looking past Vivian. She turned and gasped. A real one.

Skore was on the ground, watching the two.

Vivian turned back to her dad. His eyes had gone from shock to anger. He opened his briefcase and pulled out a gun, aiming it at Skore.

"Stand aside, Vivi."

Vivian didn't move. She stared at the gun in shock.

"What are you doing with that?"

"Ridding us of our problem. Now move."

Vivian stood her ground. "No."

"What do you mean 'no'?" her dad asked, eyes narrowed.

"I'm not moving. I refuse to let you shoot my friend."

"Friend? That's absurd!"

"To you, maybe. I've been lonely since we moved here. Skore has been the only one I've gotten to know. I will not let you ruin our friendship because of some grudge you've refused to let go!"

"Those wretched creatures took everything from me! Your mother, my job, our dignity. And here's my daughter, friends with the very thing that destroyed my life? I think not!"

He grabbed Vivian and shoved her behind him. She managed to slip around him just a gunshot pierced the air.

Skore stood petrified as he watched Vivian take the bullet meant for him. Her dad seemed equally surprised, eyes wide. Skore turned and floated into Vivian's room. He grabbed her inhaler and went back downstairs. Her dad was kneeling besides her, phone pressed to his ear. He was talking rapidly. After a moment, he hung up and wrapped Vivian's wound in clothes. Her arm was bleeding badly.

Skore floated up to her dad and thrust the inhaler in his face. He stared, causing Skore to repeat the action. Vivian's dad shook his head.

"That won't work."

Skore dropped the inhaler and floated over to Vivian. She was gasping for air rapidly. She weakly stretched her good arm to the Banette.

"Skore? Is that you? Please tell me it's you."

Skore pat her head reassuringly. Vivian smiled a weak smile and wrapped her arm around Skore.

It's sad, I'm sorry.