'Ri..Rich did that? Did his S.Q.U.I.P. tell him to do it? Did it force him to?!'

"Calm down. His S.Q.U.I.P. was deactivated due to the alcohol and since Rich had been so dependent on it, he lacked the proper coping mechanism. Yes, S.Q.U.I.P.s have the ability to force their users to do certain things, it is only for emergencies. I did not want to tell you because there was a humongous possibility you would lose your faith in me and would deactivate me permanently."

'What? No, never! I-I don't even know ho-'

"Mountain Dew Red."

'What?'

"Mountain Dew Red is what makes me inoperative forever."

'Seriously? But.. But wasn't that discontinued in the 90s?'

"Yes, but Michael happens to retrieve vintage soft drinks from Spencer's and he has Mountain Dew Red at home if you want me off."

'Oh, heck to the no! You've helped me make a friend! I know it doesn't sound like much, but it means a lot to me. I. Am. Never. Shutting. You. Down! You can quote me on that.'

"...There was a minuscule possibility you would say that."

'Welp, I said it,' Laura reassured her S.Q.U.I.P. as she changed from her Veronica Sawyer costume into some comfy PJs. When she finished changing, her phone dinged. The screen lit up, showing her she just received a text from...

"Jenna Rolan? How the hell did Jenna... Wait, how did ANY of them get my number??" Laura read on and got extremely worried.

"Oh My God! Rich is in the hospital? Jake broke BOTH of his legs?! Are.. Are they gonna be okay?"

"It may hurt, for the time being, but things will get better for them."

'Okay... uh, S.Q.U.I.P.? Could you maybe stay in your physical form? Just for the night? I'm still a bit scared..' The S.Q.U.I.P. nodded, enjoying this father-daughter bonding moment, and they snuggled until she fell asleep and entered a bad dream....