Walter bent down to pick up the table along with the bottle. The cover of the bottle was no where to be found, "I heard you were having a pretty rough day." He moved to the central area where a few chairs created a semi circle near the couch. He motioned with his hand for his mother to take a seat, "Want to talk about it?"

She stumbled to the couch at one point needing Walter's help so she didn't fall over. Once she was seated on the couch, he took a seat in one of the chairs. She lifted her legs up on the cushions while fixing the gown up. "I doubt that you came out of that lab just to come for a visit, Walt." She placed her head on a closed fist, leaning herself upright, "I haven't seen you in years, so I know that you're in trouble. What did you do?" Her eyes squinted briefly. Whatever her son was up to, she wanted no part of it. Not at the moment but she wanted company, so would endure it.

Walt placed his elbows on his knees then clasped his hands together, "I need to leave the city." He cleared his throat a bit, "I may have caused an 'accident' in the lab." There was a hand circling motion from his Mother, she wanted more information so he thought for a few moments, "I got angry at the boss so torched the place. He uses young girls like toys, he disrespects everyone, including me. I got sick of it." Walt tried to shrug it away.

His mother sat upright, her face bright with rage, "What the Hell, Walt?" She grabbed at her aching head, "You burned the lab? What are you, six years old?" She pointed to the table, "Grab me the bottle so I can think while I drink." There was a slight hesitation but he did as he was told. He handed her the bottle then returned to his seat. She drank a few large gulps, "I can't believe you would do that." She paused, "How many dead?"

Walk shook his head, "Boss man made a 'speech' about hunting some street weasels. The building was deserted, except for the boss and two girls." She didn't respond so he added, "I saw to it that no one would get hurt." This was not totally the truth. He was quite sure the place was nearly empty, though.

Another long drink later, "I won't be able to get you out of the city for about two weeks. That is when the suppliers come through." There was dread on her son's face, "It is the best I can do, Walt. You can't just do what you want without proper planning." She tapped a finger against her mouth, "Does the boss know it was you?"

"I am sure he will figure it out. I did warn him." He rose to his feet then started pacing, "I wasn't looking to start something between you and your business partner. He has just been getting cocky. I had to show him that you are the one in charge, not him." His Mother looked confused, so he added, "He has been making comments about how he is the leader. You are just the one fetching the supplies."

His mother sighed, took another swig, and sighed again, this time heavily, "You are really an idiot at times. I know you're thirty years old but you really don't know anything about this all works." She let her hair down hoping that would stop the pain but it didn't. "The Tears is his to do whatever he does with them. I don't care if he tells them all to strip naked, place strawberry jam all over their bodies to dance and die in the streets." She squinted while taking another chug, "The boss can have orgies everyday for all I care." The now empty bottle got tossed aside, "Damn it, he is going to send his troop here to find you." She groaned. "You really are an idiot."

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Walt stopped pacing around, "What do you get out of all this, then?"

She put her head down on the arm of the couch, "This building, protection, and everything I want. I control who gets supplies and who doesn't. That is just a small amount of power he gave me. I leave him alone and I control the rest of this shit hole of a city."

Walt shook his head, "So, what should I do?"

Her eyes were closed, "If you don't want to die, leave the city in the morning. Stay here for the night." She curled herself up, letting the dress fall in a less dignified manner.

Parts were showing that Walt did not want to see, so he covered her up with his jacket. He went to the door, looked at his mother for a few moments before entering the hall. He locked the door behind him then went through the door on the left. This was his room. It was nothing fancy. A simple cot was in the center of the room. It was all he asked for since he wouldn't visit often enough. He walked in circles around the cot as he tried thinking. He needed to leave the city, that was the only option. He knew the way, he just wouldn't be able to survive. It would be the cold, or the Tears that would finish him off. How could this be possible? After twenty rounds, Walt sat on the cot. He didn't feel like an idiot. That boss needed to learn his lesson. His own mother was just as bad, though. He needed protection now. Who could he reach out to?

At the hideout

Matt and Greg decided that Merri needed to learn how to scavenge for food. It took some time to convince her that she would be fine as long as she didn't stray away from them. Matt thought that it would be best for her to learn the skills while it was more dangerous. That way, when things cooled off, she would be able to handle being on her own. Greg tried to argue, as usual but he conceded. In the end, they agreed it would be best for Merri. She needed to be able to cope in the outside world. They guys knew there would be nothing leftover in the dumpsters. It was mid-morning before they headed out. This was just to get Merri used to how things were done.

Back at the Skyscraper

It was almost noon before his mother woke up. Walt did laps in the hall waiting for her. She opened the door while leaning against it, "Come get some food." She looked horrible. Her hair was a mess, her gown was all wrinkled, and she could hardly stand upright on her own. She was able to walk straight, so that was helpful.

Walt entered, "Sleep well?" He took the same chair from the previous night, "I am going to take off soon. It's midday already."

His mother grabbed some bread, topped it with a slice of meat, then handed it to Walt, "Good idea. I just worry about you going by yourself. I don't have spare people. If I did, I would give the order." He took the sandwich the returned to his seat, "So, I had an idea. The Tears are searching for those street weasels. Have them bring you."

Walt put the sandwich down, "That might work but if they know I was part of the Tears, they might kill me."

His mother nodded, "That is a big if. Were you around when the boss got attacked?" He shook his head, she smiled, "Then what are you worried about? Just don't mention the Tears." She shrugged, "Do you know what they look like?"

Walt shrugged, "The boss gave me a pretty vague description but I can find them." He finished off the sandwich then stood, "I'll send you a message when I get there safely." He didn't wait for a response, he just left. Walt hated seeing his mother cry.