Take it. Take it all.

Kelly and sheriff Gloria are both looking at you with, "what have you done" faces. If they could back up through the wall they'd already be in their cars. You turn your attention fully to Ms. Layton.

"Pamela. I never meant offense. But, clearly, my words have struck you hard. I think that proves my point. You are beyond your stress limit but like the good soldier, the good widow, you absolutely-fucking REFUSE to back down. I admire that strength. I do. But it comes with a heavy cost."

Ms. Layton pulls her gaze up from studying the floorboards and locks eyes with you.

"You think you know me? You think sweet words mean shit to me?" She takes a set forward, then another. Gloria's hand is now dulling on her revolver and you can see it's halfway out of its holster. As you suspected, Gloria is devoted to you fully. She's your cop. And she will put a bullet where it needs to go - if it comes to it. Let's hope it doesn't, you think to yourself.

Ms. Layton isn't done. She continues to tell you that you have no right to talk with her about... she can't find the words to describe her feelings. There are too many, all fighting for dominance. But she's going to help you n understand it, that's for certain...

You make a point of showing the marker to Ms. Layton. The sheer randomness of it confuses her a moment. You seize that moment to quickly write on the wall again. As she sees you do it, you can hear her growl and step forward. You turn again, your free hand waving at Gloria to relax. Your marker points at ths wall. It takes all of your salemanship to get her to look at the wall instead of you...

School rule #1 - no ****

Ms. Layton reads the words and her body convulses. She's not ready to let go but she's also disciplined enough to follow rules. You suspect you have time for one more move before she snaps or folds. Best make it count. You address her sternly, using all the authority you can muster to cut through to her senses.

"Ms. Layton!"

Her head snaps towards you with an icy glare.

"I think you'd like to take this outside. Wouldn't you? Where the rules don't prevent us from resolving this matter. Have I got your attention now, soldier?"

Kelly and Gloria glance at each other like the end has finally come and maybe it's time to say goodbye...

Ms. Layton grinds her teeth and says, "You think that's a good idea, do you? Taunting me? You think I won't break you pencil-neck in half and make you the sidewalk?"

"Oh, I'm absolutely sure you'll try. Not sure you'll succeed. You're just a girl after all. Right?"

Ms. Layton's eyes seems ready to pop from her head. As she begins to internally debate how he should die.

"Tell you what Pamela. I'll step outside with you right now. Kick your little school-girl ass and then go fuck my bitches to celebrate. How's that? You wanna go? Yeah. I see that you do. One condition. Yeah, a condition. You know the sheriff is armed, so don't get cute. Give me my dying request", you laugh at the jest.

Ms. Layton glances at Gloria, whose revolver has now fully cleared its holster. She looks back at you, considering.

"OK, moron. I don't know what fucked up game your playing but if you want something before I send you to the hospital, news the time to ask."

"Great!", you wave your marker in front if her. "I just want to write something on your fist before you use it. Cool?"

"...the fuck?", she says, confused at your request. "You want to fucking write on my fist before I beat uou to **** with it? Is that your kink? My god... whatever! Here, let's do this. You've got a date with the pavement, don't be slow."

You step up to her and start writing. You make it fast and simple. You step back and the gesture for her to read your words.

Clearly exasperated, she looks down ay her hand:

Ryan Ferro's anger

She stares at it a moment and then looks back at you.

"I didn't know that was your anger I was using. I'm sorry. I feel... strange. I'm not sure how I should feel now, I was too focused on using rmotion that wasn't mine." She flexes her hand several times as her brain struggles to find new feelings that make sense.

"It's ok. You didn't realize that was my anger. I understand. I'm taking it back now, though. And I have something else for you, too. Hold out your other fist, Ms. Layton".

She's still not sure what's going on but she's not angry anymore and can't find a reason to argue. She holds up the other fist for you.

You write on her skin again and then step back. You don't have to prompt her this time, she looks at her hand on her own. She stares at it a moment and then you see her shoulders soften. The muscles in her neck relax, the veins in her arms and temples begin to fade.

She stands there, mute. Staring at her fist for a long moment. Finally she lowers her hand and Kelly and Gloria can clearly read it.

Ryan Ferro's burdens - all of them

There's a single, brilliant tear in her left eye. "The weight. It's gone. I... I don't feel so heavy, so dark, now. I never knew I was holding that for you, sir. I shouldn't have! It wasn't mine. It was too much for me. I think it was slowly killing me - suffocating me. You saved me from it! My god! I'm free!! I'm free!! Thank you, sir"

You smile back at her. Kelly and Gloria slowly begin to relax as well, the gun finding its holster again. You motion for your English teacher to turn around a moment. She's so relieved right niw she doesn't question anything. You pull up your marker and write on the back of her neck.

Ryan Ferro's paramour

Kelly helps Ms. Layton see the writing, using her phone's camera.

The effect is instant and profound. Her arms come up around you and her head falls into your chest with a softness you didn't expect from such a hardened woman. You put your arms around her and draw her close. She's found her home again. The demons banished.