As Matty called out to Zombie, before launching himself across the room to tackle the man to get him off of Yuki, he was blissfully unaware of who walked into the room behind him, as well as the bandit hitting Yuki with a tranquilizer. Matty landed down on top of Zombie, his fist high in the air beside his face, getting ready to strike, with a look of blazing hatred deep within his blue green eyes. "She's just a child... What do you think you're doing to her?" Matty hissed, asking the deranged man why would he go out of his way to harm and torture a child. There was just no excuse this man or anyone in this world could come up with that would make hurting a child logical in the red heads mind...
But it seemed before he could throw his fist forward to hit Zombie In the face, a sudden shudder rolled down his spine as a feeling of dread overwhelmed his senses. This guy, although a major threat, wasn't the reason behind Matty's sudden mood change. No? What caused him to stop mid swing and turn his head away from Zombie to glance over his shoulder was what caused it. Almost as if in slow motion, he watched as Yuki fell to the ground, a small dart in the center of her back. "Y-Yuki...?" Matty called out in a breathless whisper, his blue green eyes wide and full of concern. "W-what... What did you just do to her?!" He lashed out in a suddenly, jumping off of Zombie and went over towards Yuki, his gloved hands reaching out to take hold of the girl, but was stopped suddenly as another pair of arms reached down and took hold of the girl.
Blue-green orbs narrowed dangerously as he slowly tilts his head back, his gaze focused intently on Yuki. But as this person brought Yuki up to chest level, it was then that Matty's eyes took in the sight of something he didn't expect to see. Standing at a height of six foot nine inches, was a man with dark red hair , and blue eyes that appeared to pierce through to your very core. His build was normal, like most men in their thirties that exercised on a daily basis. People seemed to respect the man, not because of his charming personality, but rather out of fear. "Mail... Gone for a few hours and now you're coming back to me..." A deep, gruff sounding voice called out. "Well then, did you enjoy your little taste of freedom?" The man continued to inquire, turning his piercing stare down at Matty.
Matty remained frozen in his spot on the ground, his eyes wide and filled with fear, his lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't summon the courage to do so. "D-dad?" He finally managed to stutter out, his eyes shifting about frantically as he took in the sight of his father face, and the displeased look in his eyes, and scowl on his face. This look, it was something Matty was all too familiar with seeing on a daily basis. But why, why was it that now, when he was needed to be a hero, that he felt so scared? "W-what are you doing here?" Matty asked, slowly getting to his feet.
His father rose a slender brow at the question. "Honestly Mail... You ask ME what I'M doing here? The question should be what are YOU doing here, when you should be back at camp looking after your mother?" The man counted with a question of his own, causing the gamer to let out a gasp, gulping at the condescending tone his father was using. Ever since this whole apocalypse started, and his father took control over the once peaceful group the Strays, his father had become even more bitter, coming down on Matt with every little thing he did. Yet, he never allowed Matty to prove his worth.
Matty bowed his head in apparent shame, bringing hiss arms up against his chest, slowly beginning to close in on himself. "I... I..." Matty began, but paused unable to finish his sentence. All he wanted to do was prove to his dad that he was strong, was able to protect him and his mother. "Dad.. I just wanted a little time to myself. Ya know to..." Matty replied, stealing a glance up to his father, noting as the look in his dad's eyes grew darker.
"You were going off to look for Mello, weren't you?" His father nearly spat, his face distorting into disgust at the mentioning of the blonde. "I told you, he wasn't worth your time Matty. He did nothing but lead you on... And once he finally let you in, what did he do? He left you. I don't understand why your heart is so intent on following after that punk." His father mumbled, giving a small shake of his head. "Son... You're disappointing me... Again..." His voice came out soft, though spoke high volumes to the red head who let out a gasp, feeling tears beginning to form at the corner of his eyes. Was that all he was to his father?
"Mello... Mello is my friend... I would do anything for him. Because that's what friends do dad! If i'm so bad for wanting to be around him then why are you so intent in getting him back?!" Matt suddenly burst out in a fit of anger, something swelling in the out of his stomach, filling him with determination, and just a small sliver of being able to stand up to his father. "And what ever happened, to never hurting a child? That girl in your arms, she doesn't deserve this! Let her go dad!" Matty demanded, turning his narrowed glare in his fathers direction.
His father, now thoroughly pissed at such a comment and the fact that his son was speaking back to him, shifted the little girl in his arms, holding her with one arm, while his free hand went flying through the air, making a harsh impact onto the gamer's face, making a loud smacking noise as his heavy hand met Matty's cheek. The sudden force caused Matty to fall forward, landing on the ground with a small thud. He wasn't about to look bad in front of his new mates, or his crew. He had a reputation to uphold. "Don't you dare talk back to me child! I am the adult here... Think about doing it again and you'll get much worse than a simple slap across the face next time..." His father replied with a sneer, lowering his arm back to his side. Matty continued laying on the ground, slowly reaching a hand up to touch at his cheek and winced slightly, already feeling it swelling from the harsh impact. He closed his eyes, trying his best to stop the tears from falling down his face. Don't cry, you'll make things worse... Matty thought to himself, not bothering to lift himself off the floor, any strength he had before had left him, leaving him completely defenseless and vulnerable.