as a note im work shopping mr. myers. So you’ll see him look differently for a bit as a settle into a final look as originally I didnt plan on him actually appearing but his role expanded in editing to where it felt weird not have him depicted.
~~~
Mr. Myers did it gently, like he was trying not to startle a skittish animal or a stressed-out teenager.
“Kins. Nicole.” He nodded toward the doors. “Go on inside. Grab a cart. Start with essentials.”
Nicole opened her mouth like she wanted to argue on principle, then caught the look on his face and didn’t. She shifted her grip instead, sliding Kinsley higher against her hoodie so her sister’s feet weren’t dangling and bumping her ribs.
Kinsley was warm through the fabric. Real weight, not much, but enough that Nicole’s arm knew exactly where she was every second.
“Don’t buy any weird collar charms,” Kinsley muttered from the cradle of Nicole’s elbow, voice tight and small. It sounded like a joke until you listened to the parts she wasn’t saying.
Nicole huffed a laugh right into Kinsley’s hair. “Oh my god. Ezra’s collar has these cute collar charms. ”
Kinsley’s eyes flicked up at her, a flash of that familiar sass trying to reboot. “Yeah. thats fine. For other people.”
Nicole adjusted her again, hand firm around her middle in that practiced Guardian way that was protective and humiliating at the same time. “Uh-huh. Keep talking like that and you’re gonna be wearing one.” Nicole teased
Kinsley made a face. The collar at her neck caught the late light, a tiny, expensive glint that felt louder than it looked.
Mr. Myers held the door for them, stepping aside so Nicole could angle her body through without jostling Kinsley against the frame. Nicole went first, shoulder turning, one arm tight like a seatbelt. Kinsley’s head tucked briefly under Nicole’s chin as they crossed the threshold.
The doors slid shut behind them with that soft, cheerful hiss.
Bright light. A little bell chime. The smell of sanitizer and new plastic and packaged care.
Kinsley’s gaze swept the aisles from Nicole’s arms, and her mouth tightened like she’d bitten down on something bitter.
The store was pretending, as hard as it could, that this was normal.
Dayton stayed on the sidewalk, suddenly exposed. No friends flanking her. No movement. Just the glass storefront reflecting her back at herself: hoodie, backpack strap, hair a little frizzy from the bus, face too composed.
Mr. Myers shifted one step to the side, putting them out of the foot traffic stream without making it look like an interrogation. His hand rested loosely in his jacket pocket. The other held his keys, which he turned once, absentminded.
“Okay,” he said quietly. “Now you tell me. Are you okay?”
Dayton blinked. Once. Slow. Like her brain had to switch modes again, but this time it wasn’t Guardian training. It was… family.
“I’m fine,” she said automatically.
Mr. Myers tilted his head. Not skeptical. Just patient in that annoying adult way that made lying feel like extra homework.
“Dayton.”
Her mouth tightened. She looked past him at the parking lot, at the line of carts, at a mom wrestling a toddler out of a minivan. Normal life, happening like nothing cracked open.
“It was just a lot,” she admitted, and the words came out faster than she meant. “It was… loud.”
Mr. Myers exhaled like he’d been holding his breath since Nicole first started talking. “Nicole texted ‘SEA’ and then nothing else for forty minutes. Your mom called Sara’s mom. Sara’s mom called my wife. My wife called me. We got like… a relay race of panic. They had told your mom only a little.”
Dayton’s throat moved. “I didn’t have my phone.”
“I know,” he said. “I’m not mad. I’m telling you that you scared the entire adult population of this zip code.”
That pulled the tiniest twitch at the corner of her mouth. Not a smile. But something that proved she was still in there.
Mr. Myers watched her for a second longer, then softened his voice even more. “Walk me through it. From the second you realized it wasn’t normal.”
Dayton stared at the automatic doors like she could still see the classroom through them.
“We were just starting class” she said. “English. Ezra, Mr. Rhys at that point was just starting the lecture or we were getting ready for him to start. Then the door swung open and not like admin opens the door or another teacher. Daytons fingers tightened around her totebag strap. “Then the lock-down tone went off. Not the fire one. It was the same one they use for shooters or situations where you need to lock every down in the classroom. You could hear teachers closing doors and locking. Footsteps were everywhere in the hallway.”
Mr. Myers’s jaw set. “The full lockdown.”
Dayton nodded once. “And then they came in.”
Her voice stayed steady, but her eyes didn’t.
“Fully armored,” she said. “Guns. Helmets. Like… like they were going to raid a drug house.” She swallowed. “Kids started freaking out. Hannah’s hands were shaking so bad she couldn’t even close her laptop.”
Mr. Myers’s face went still, the way it did when he was absorbing something he didn’t like but had to accept anyway.
“And Ezra?” he asked.
Dayton’s gaze dropped, just for a second, like her eyes couldn’t hold that name while looking at daylight.
“He was there,” she said. “On his desk. He’s a little. This was the problem. He couldnt do anything. He had his podium, his microphone. But he couldnt protect anyone. He couldnt secure the door. He could just watch.”
“They told us phones face down,” Dayton continued. “No recording. No talking. One of them stood at the door the whole time and I… I could see the muzzle of the gun from where I was sitting. Two more went to the windows. Blinds closed and then stood motionless at the ready. Another in the back and then some at each door. Once hte room was locked down the two SEA agents came in.”
Mr. Myers’s mouth tightened. “Damn.”
Dayton flinched at the swearing, but only because it made it feel real.
“They called me up front,” she said.
“And you went.”
“I had to.” Her voice sharpened, reflexively defensive, then softened again. “They asked if I had a collar.”
Mr. Myers’s eyes flicked to her bag. “You did.”
Dayton nodded. “I kept one. In my bag. For… for when it was time.” She said it like a confession, then added quickly, “I didn’t think it would be like that. I didn’t think it would be today.”
Mr. Myers held her gaze. “And then they made you do it in front of everybody.”
Dayton’s face pinched, just barely, like she’d bitten the inside of her cheek.
“Yes.”
A long second passed. Cars rolled by behind them. The Little Mart doors sighed open, sighed shut. The world kept doing that thing where it refuses to pause for your trauma.
“He looked at me,” Dayton said, quieter now. “Like he thought I’d… change my mind. Like he thought I’d say something and stop it.”
Mr. Myers asked gently, “Did you?”
Dayton shook her head once. “No.”
The honesty in it wasn’t cold. It was exhausted.
Mr. Myers studied her, and when he spoke again his voice had that dad tone that didn’t belong to paperwork or politics, just human instinct.
“Dayton. You’re a kid.”
Dayton’s spine straightened automatically. “I’m certified.”
“I know you are.” He kept his tone even. “You’re also thirteen. And they put you in the front of a room full of children and made you collar your teacher while armed agents watched. That is not normal.”
Dayton’s eyes flashed. “He wasn’t supposed to be teaching like that. He knew the law.”
Mr. Myers nodded, accepting her point without yielding his own. “Maybe. But two things can be true. He can be wrong, and you can still be shaken.”
Dayton’s throat worked. She blinked, faster now, like her eyes were trying to rinse themselves.
“I didn’t feel powerful,” she said, and there was anger in it, but it wasn’t aimed at him. “I felt like… I was being used.”
Mr. Myers’s expression softened again. “Yeah.”
Dayton looked down at the concrete. “And then after… everyone just kept working. Like it was normal. Like, ‘Oh, the SEA raided our classroom, anyway back to power point.’”
Mr. Myers let out a short breath. “That’s how kids survive school. You normalize the insane thing and keep moving.”
Dayton’s mouth twitched again, almost bitter. “Ezra asked me for attention after. Like… like he was drowning.”
Mr. Myers’s gaze sharpened. Not accusing. Just careful. “And what did you do?”
Dayton hesitated. “I talked to him. I told him what the rules were. I told him what happens next.”
“And?” Mr. Myers prompted.
Dayton’s voice dropped. “He looked… smaller.”
Mr. Myers nodded once, like that made horrible sense.
Then he shifted his stance, getting a fraction closer, still respectful of her space, but more openly protective.
“Listen,” he said. “You’re family. You know that, right? If you ever need to come to our house, you come. You ever need an adult who isn’t your mom, because sometimes moms are moms, you call me. You call my wife. You call Sara’s parents. We are not leaving you alone in this.”
Dayton’s eyes went shiny, and she hated it. She looked away fast, like tears were another thing she refused to give the system.
“I’m okay,” she said again, but this time it was smaller.
Mr. Myers nodded like he heard the difference. “Good. Because I’m going to say one more thing and then we’re going in.”
Dayton braced herself.
His voice stayed gentle. “Being a Guardian doesn’t mean you don’t get to feel awful. It means you do the job anyway and then you deal with the fact you’re a human being afterward.”
Dayton swallowed hard.
“And if the only way you can deal with it is pretending you’re fine,” he added, “I’m going to gently ruin that plan.”
That finally earned him a real, shaky half-smile.
“Okay,” Dayton whispered.
Mr. Myers glanced through the glass doors where Nicole and Kinsley were already moving between aisles, two heads bent together like co-conspirators. He put a hand on Dayton’s shoulder, warm and steady.
“Go get your stuff,” he said. “We’ll handle the rest together.”
Dayton nodded once, squared her shoulders, and followed him toward the doors as they slid open with that same cheerful, stupid hiss.
I’ve been loving this week’s episodes, Asuka. You’ve done a great job of humanizing Dayton in this story and how the lockdown affected her, even if it didn’t look like it at first. Both she and Ezra have a lot to work through emotionally. not just with each other but by themselves as well.
Facts dude !
Glad you are enjoying them. I really wanted to make Dayton more of a person. Not necessarily making her more evil or more good just growing up as people do and being the person she is.
The majority of commenters will probably never be pro dayton but atleast they will have understanding as to her motiviations and why she does things she does.
I’m pro this older Dayton, not the first iteration lol.
I again enjoyed the love that the twins showed each other. I would think since I’m sure they are physically bonded and most important twins that they would have a special little to human power like Charity does .
They have such a small part in this episode i honestly forgot tehy were in it. I had to re-read it to remember.
I have a gift of focusing on what I like lol.
I hope Kayla & Kelli can reach such a loving bond and the bigger sister having a more control and the little sister asking for some her time out of no where without a big deal.
lol, its a good pull though.
Damn back to back heavy ass chapters damn when we get to that more happy moment it’s going to hit hard after going through this all
Its all part of the journey
0) Does Mr Myres’ role expand enough for him to get a first name?
1) “Kins. Nicole. Go on inside. Grab a cart. Start with essentials.” Someone wants alone time with Dayton
2) ““Don’t buy any weird collar charms,” Kinsley muttered from the cradle of Nicole’s elbow, voice tight and small. It sounded like a joke until you listened to the parts she wasn’t saying.” I’m guessing weird charms are something that’s come up before between them
3) ““Oh my god. Ezra’s collar has these cute collar charms. ” – “Yeah. That’s fine. For other people.” I don’t think Ezra’s fine with them,
4) “The store was pretending, as hard as it could, that this was normal.” The store’s trying to make it normal
5) “Now you tell me. Are you okay?” Checking in is good, even if it’s for Dayton
6) “Fully armored, Guns. Helmets. Like… like they were going to raid a drug house. Kids started freaking out. Hannah’s hands were shaking so bad she couldn’t even close her laptop.” I wonder how often SEA need to actually use their weapons and not just hold them for intimidation like today.
7) “This was the problem. He couldnt do anything. He had his podium, his microphone. But he couldnt protect anyone. He couldnt secure the door. He could just watch.” It wouldn’t have been a problem if you hadn’t summoned them
8) “Damn.” Dayton flinched at the swearing, but only because it made it feel real.” Sometimes I forget that Damn is an actual swearword in America, lol. But seriously, Dayton flinches at swears?
9) “They called me up front,” – “And you went.” Generally speaking, it’s good advice to obey armed thugs with government backing.
10) “He looked at me, Like he thought I’d… change my mind. Like he thought I’d say something and stop it.” Unfortunately, that probably won’t be the last time he misplaces hope in you.
11) “I know you are. You’re also thirteen. And they put you in the front of a room full of children and made you call your teacher while armed agents watched. That is not normal.” It’s at least partially Dayton’s fault for going to the SEA in the firstplace, if you wanna feel bad for people, feel bad for the hundreds of innocent children who had nothing to do with why this was happening.
12) “I didn’t feel powerful, I felt like… I was being used.” Dayton was still given what she wanted, even if she didn’t feel powerful for a brief moment; she walked away the winner.
13) “And then after… everyone just kept working. Like it was normal. Like, ‘Oh, the SEA raided our classroom, anyway, back to PowerPoint.’” Did you not want them to recover? You weren’t ok so they couldn’t be either?
14) “He looked… smaller.” That’s what happens when people lose everything.
15) “You ever need an adult who isn’t your mom, because sometimes moms are moms, you call me. You call my wife. You call Sara’s parents. We are not leaving you alone in this.” So the Meriweathers and Walshs aren’t good enough?
16) “Being a Guardian doesn’t mean you don’t get to feel awful. It means you do the job anyway, and then you deal with the fact you’re a human being afterwards.” Dayon’sn’t gonna feel awful; she’s been waiting for this revenge for months, craving the ability to make him submit and act as small as she sees him.
17) “Go get your stuff. We’ll handle the rest together.” He’s a good man who wants to help, even someone like Dayton.
15) I like how their parents seemed to be pro little and most important pro their kids and watch out for each others kids like they did back in the day. You don’t see that kind of community anymore so Its nice to see it.
Its what I would like to still see in the world. So its kind of how I have created this world. Even if its not like that anymore or as prevalent atleast.
I wonder if prof puff ever goes to the little mart with the girls, would he hold Kinsey’s hand so he is not freaked out by everything and is grounded by her?
0) I Honestly never thought about it as no one currrently with him would address him by his first name he only is ever called dad or mr. myers in these chapters. But If you reply back with a first name I will edit it into fridays chapter and it will be his official first name.
1) Most certainly. A litlte one on one can go a long way in a stressful situation.
2) well its a popular athing that teen, and young adult guardians are into at the moment. So its definately come up as nicole would have seen them.
3) Kinsley isnt concerned if ezra is fine with them though. She just doesnt want them on her collar. Which nicole is honoring. She just likes to tease kinsley about it like sibling do.
4) yeah a big box retail store centered around littles would be trying to be like we are just like target for littles or whatever the aussie equivilent is to major big box retail store that sells almost everything.
5) Yeah, She has peopel who care and its nice to see people checking in. I feel like it further humanizes. as Dayton is his daughters best friend. So shes over at the house alot, and vice versa. IT becomes more then just a name. As they drive them places, share dinners, etc.
6) Not much for situations like these. THey are generally just used as a deterrent.
7) That is true but dayton was more speaking about hte issue atlarge. What if there was a school shooter or a fire, or some kind of event where he needed control or to secure things. He wouldnt be able to. HE was incapable of making the students feel safe or take charge in a meaningfulway. If there was a medical emergecy he coudlnt do anything but watch his student die from his podium unless another student intervened. He coudl send a email to the office but thats about it.
8) Its not really a swear word for adults but kids and such generally dont use it. Teens and such would so dayotn and her freinds are inbetween. But generally speaking she flinched becuase it was unexpected. Their famlies arent big on swearing. Not that its not done its just not something you hear everyday.
9) agreed, nothing good comes from being difficult towards the people with guns.
10) Even if she had change her mind there was little she could do at that point.
11) While i agree with you dayton has a degree of fault.She had no way of knowing they were going to make it basically a military option and break in like its call of duty.
12) Im not sure if there were winners in that situation. There were just better situations then others.
13) Well its more just the realization of normality that I was trying to convey. Kind like the first time someone really important to you dies like mother, father, grandparent, etc you kind of have this moment of realizaiton where its like to everyone else its just tuesday they are just going to work and i’m never going to see this person ever again or hear there voice.
Its similar in that armed officers raided are school, flashed fully auotmatic weapons in our face. Threatened/intimidated then not even 60 minutes later its just okay time for math. Everyone break out your text book.
14) It is. But its not something you realize until it happens.
15) They dont have parents who are designed. But they could be resources as well. HIs list wasn’t meant to be exhuastive.
16) maybe she also could feel a little awful. its a bit early to tell really
17) Yeah, I mean dayton is a good person to them. She even went out of her way to specifically get kinsley a cup that she can use to drink like a normal person. She does care atleast about the people she values. In theory Ezra woudl be brought into that circle of care now as he is her little. So anything psot acquistion would be. different.
0) I still like the Idea of calling a man William Robert, (like I did for Mark Reeves) other names could be; Theodore, Matthew, Jacob, Anthony, Percy, Mortimer, Harold, Richard, or the shortening of any of these names.
2) Kinsley’s clearly been asked more than once.
4) The Aussie equivalent of Target is Target, it’s an international store.
5) It’s definitely well written.
7) True, he’s certainly limited in those situations.
8) I see, well I’m not complaining about making Dayton flinch.
11) She went to who she knew was an armed branch of the American law enforcement.
12) The better situation is, the winner..
13) oh, I get it now.
14) it was literally the plan.
16) Probably, but awful for what specifically.
17) I wonder if He’d still say that had he seen the way Dayton treated Jordan on that day, that his own daughter watched
“Dayton. You’re a kid.”
Dayton’s spine straightened automatically. “I’m certified.”
“I know you are.” He kept his tone even. “You’re also thirteen. And they put you in the front of a room full of children and made you collar your teacher while armed agents watched. That is not normal.”
Dayton’s eyes flashed. “He wasn’t supposed to be teaching like that. He knew the law.”
Mr. Myers nodded, accepting her point without yielding his own. “Maybe. But two things can be true. He can be wrong, and you can still be shaken.”
good parenting. Dayton’s too young to carry something like what happened on her own.
I don’t think its a age thing, I don’t think anyone should take stuff like that alone.
you’re right in that, but i’d say the age part is important cause dayton, to me at least, seems to be wanting to take on adult responsibilities as a 13 year old and prove her maturity, and i think she’s mistaking this as something that an adult would handle.
agreed
He is a good parent and dayton is definately to young to carry that burden. It could be argued she put herself in that situation but she is child still in alot of ways.
I guess because my friends and I had to grow up so fast, I see Dayton being a better guardian than many older guardians. The only thing from my point of view she has done wrong is not enough pets, other then that she is doing her best to get him to except being a little & act like one per the government before he is sent to a hole somewhere.
Since Kinsey is already tall for a little, as she matures and goes through a growths spirt, could she become an even more special little? That would be fun because she already has the athletic mindset. I think a soccer scrimmage with college level soccer player Kelli would be fun for both of them. Kinsely could learn a lot from ‘Kelli
that’s something i never thought about as far as height goes. I kinda assumed that they stay the height the reduce down to for life, so Kinsley is done growing, and that small borns stop growing sooner than humans would, like at 12-13 or something
I wasn’t sure what to make so I made one of my favorite possible guardians lol
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wCq65KW69Oc6Q-be4LpOedbRIJWpPfAS/view?usp=drivesdk
Who is she?
Just a fun hot girl that I wouldn’t mind being my guardian lol
Ok, cause the only characters I could think of were Kaitlyn a m d Tanara and I’m not sure how they’d go as guardians, lol.
Kaitlyn is hinted at being vulnerable, But Tamara does seem to respect Littles.
I had to change the picture than make the video lol
Dayton needs an easily accessible father figure, so it is good to see Mr. Myers stepping up.
“Sometimes Moms are Moms”: A male perspective could come in handy especially regarding Ezra, also, Dayton’s mom seems to be an extreme example. Maybe he can get his own wife to talk to her when needed.
Those are good points. being able to get a dads point of view that is normally but not always less emotional is a good balance.