Thread:TheMaximumMatt/@comment-31647719-20190120212804/@comment-32807753-20190125223028

Lynn flinched, reacting to his words as if she'd been sucker punched, while everyone behind her shared a massive, harmonious gasp.

"What?! What are you talking about?!" she cried. "When did we ever say we didn't love you?!"

"But-but my room..." he slurred, stumbling about the beach like a drunkard. "And my- and my furniture. And... kicked me out. And what if I was bad luck?"

Lynn could only respond to that incoherent monologue with a look that was equal parts befuddled and concerned.

"That is- what I meant to say was..."

Lincoln tried to steady himself and grasped his throbbing temples, panting heavily.

"Lincoln, what's wrong?" asked Lynn, placing a hand on Lincoln's hot, sweat-drenched shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"I... uh..."

And those were the last two syllables he managed to utter before his body gave up the struggle to maintain consciousness. With one last wheeze of pain, he collapsed face-first onto the beach and passed out.

[The sisters grab Lincoln closer]