Tom stood completely still as he stared at the woman in front of him. She was wearing some type of convenience store uniform and a yellow rain coat. She seemed to be an employee of some sort.
"I used to work here as an intern before the place got shut down, it was a pretty sucky job anyways," She sighed. What the heck was this lady even going on about?
"Who are you and what do you want?" Tom mumbled.
"Oh! Right! Nearly forgot! I've had a theory that a homeless person had been living here, but none of the local authorities would believe me, now I finally have proof!" The employee grinned.
"Look, I don't live here and I'm certainly not homeless, I just sort of... Crash here sometimes," Tom explained.
"Oh... Dang it! I thought I was really onto something!" The employee exclaimed.
"Ugh, can you just go?" Tom groaned, not really wanting to see anyone right now.
"Rude! Sorry for trying to be a good samaritan!" The employee pouted.
"Yeah yeah whatever lady," Tom sighed.
"I have a name you know! It's Brooklyn, but you can call me Brooke!" The employee, apparently named Brooklyn, declared, holding out a hand for Tom to shake. What kind of person introduces themselves to a complete stranger they thought was a homeless person living in an abandoned building?
"Um... Good for you?" Tom replied.
"Hm... Y'know, you look kind of familiar," The employee hummed, narrowing her eyes at Tom. Okay, that admittedly peaked his interest. Not a lot of people around here with blackness for eyes, so maybe this employee met him while he was with Tord?
"Familiar? In what way?" Tom asked, not entirely sure how to get the information he wanted out of the employee.
"I dunno, you just- oh! That's it! You look just like that kid that hot guy brought into the ice cream parlor I used to work at!" The employee laughed. Hot guy? Did she mean Tord?.... Ew.
"I do?"
"Yeah! Although you're much older so... Ah! You must be the father! You have a very good taste in friends, that cutie was so kind and patient with your child!" The employee giggled. Tord? Patient? That didn't sound like the Tord he knew.
"Uh yeah! He's um... Unique to say the least, I trust him though," Tom lied. Maybe pretending to be the father of himself would get him some answers.
"I can see why! Such a rough and rugged looking man..." The employee trailed off, drooling slightly. Again, ew. Although Tom felt something... Odd. He seemed a little angry everytime the employee called Tord attractive... Why though?
"Are you okay?" Tom asked.
"Yeah! Sorry! Zoned out a bit!" The employee apologized.
"Honestly I wasn't too sure about having him watch my kid, he can be pretty apathetic sometimes, my friend I mean," Tom shrugged, continuing his string of lies.
"Well, I suppose he did seem a bit harsh, but I can tell you that everytime he looked at your child, their was nothing but caring and nuture in his eyes... Er... Eye," The employee corrected herself. Tom froze. Caring? Nurture? No, she had to be kidding, Tord would never have those types of emotions towards anyone! Much less Tom, young or old.
"Are you sure we're talking about the same person?" Tom chuckled. The employee opened her mouth to speak, but noticed a sudden change in expression from the man in front of her. His "eyes" had widened and he seemed to be frozen in place. Was he... Staring at something behind her? She glanced over her shoulder to see a familiar face at the top of the stairs, staring right back at them with that single eye of his.
"Oh it's you!" The employee exclaimed, letting her eyes scan the man she was infatuated with.
"Why are you here?" Tom asked, unsure of what else to say.
"I... I just came by for old times sake I guess," Tord chuckled, it wasn't a complete lie.
"How do you even know about this place?" Tom asked again, getting in a defensive posture.
"Huh... That's right, you don't remember any of it," Tord mumbled. Was that... Sadness Tord had just expressed? No, it couldn't be, Tom had to be imagining things.
"That doesn't answer my question," Tom growled.
"You led me here when you were under my care," Tord explained, not wanting to tiptoe around this anymore. The employee slowly backed away, pulling up a small wooden chair that had been facing the corner of the room. She wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but she was totally gonna listen.
"I led you here when I turned into a child?" Tom repeated for clarification.
"Ah, so you remember becoming a child at least? Or did Edd and Matt just fill you in on that little detail?" Tord chuckled.
"Does it matter?"
"No I suppose it doesn't, then again I've found that sometimes even the smallest, most insignificant things matter the most in this world,"
"Since when did you become so philosophical?"
"Since when have you tried holding an extended conversation with me?" Tord smirked. The employee felt obligated to make an "Ooooh" sound but decided against it.
"So I suppose it's over now? You've come to take me back to your base and end it once and for all?" Tom sighed.
"Now now Thomas, let us not jump to conclusions,"
"Okay, fine then, I guess you just ran out during a storm to get some ice cream or something and just happened to run into me?" Tom scowled.
"Hm, are you sure you do not have any memories of being a child? What you are describing sounds much like our little adventure,"
"Adventure?"
"Yes, I recall we went out for ice cream, got caught in a storm, and had to shelter here until the rain calmed down enough," Tord explained. Did all of that really happen? Ugh. Why couldn't Tom remember?!
"Uh-huh, I'm sure that's exactly how that went down," Tom said sarcastically.
"I did leave a few details out here and there, such as the fact that I had to practically cuddle you to calm you down since you were so afraid of the thunder outside, I believe your exact words as you hugged me were 'I don't wanna die!'" Tord mocked. Tom blushed lightly. Did he really do that?! The employee, who was still completely confused, had taken out a small notepad from her convenience store vest and had begun writing everything she heard down. Who knows? Maybe this would come in handy down the road.
"Just get to the point already commie!" Tom shouted, embarrassed beyond all belief.
"I'm afraid I don't quite get what you mean Thomas,"
"Why are you here and what do you want with me?"
"Ah, right, I would like to make a deal," Tord grinned.
"A deal?" Tom asked, more on guard than ever.

Hush. I am aware it has been much too long. I'm not really.... Mentally stable as of now. I would rather not go into details, let's just say I am patiently waiting for the return of someone who I know won't be back anytime soon. Now I apologize if there are any continuity errors in this, it's been awhile. Also, I have received fan art, however I have lost track of some of the artists and the art itself, so my apologies if you either do not see your username by your art, or if you do not see your art at all on here. This is completely my fault, and I can do nothing but apologize. Also, because there is so much art that was not posted, I won't be able to give commentary on each piece. Just know that each piece shown here is beautiful and special just for the sole fact that each is it's own. And I love every bit of art on here.

I believe these were all done by SinnerGift02

TakotaQ

PurpleCat7887

IHateLife2015

Unknown artist. My apologies.

@SuicidalMurder87 (It will not let me tag you)

PurpleCat7887

-TomTord_MattEdd-

@NeonColoredVomit (It would not let me tag you either)

MyDude07

Darkreader1st
I actually just hit the 20 picture limit, which sucks because I'm sure there's some art I couldn't get up there. However I would like to take a second to thank you all. Despite the fact that I've been practically neglecting you as a result of recent events, you've all still stuck by me. This book has hit more than 200k reads. That is just insane. Also, I have nearly reached 600 followers. This has all happened despite how horrible I've been treating you all... I am just endlessly grateful to all of you wonderful people. From the biggest contribution to the smallest. I am eternally grateful. Thank you all for reading!