Chapter Text
It’s all Christine can do to not fall on her ass from where she had been perched on a bench. There was no time to get away- get away like she was dealing with one of Caine’s creatures on an adventure. Those at least always had an answer, a way to deal with them. More than one, they just had to get creative and explore.
Here? Even the smallest movement was a weakness. Adventures happened on a regular basis and then whenever they wanted them to. This was supposed to be a relaxed day, a good day.
“Mr. Kingsleigh, is it true you worked for C&A? Were you aware of what was happening?”
“Mr. Kingsleigh!” “Please look this way sir!” Kinger tries to push himself into the center of attention, tries to get them to ignore the rest of them, but it’s no use. There’s at least three people shouting in her ear and two microphones so close they could probably hear how fast her heart was beating.
“CHRISTINE PATEL! DID YOU GO LOOKING FOR C&A ON PURPOSE?” She can just barely make out a question-a command, here or there. It’s just turning into a roar in her ears.
“Felicity Lopez, were you part of the group-!” The name is unfamiliar until she hears Zooble swearing. By the click of the cameras they definitely got the double middle finger they put up. Gangle was crying and Ragatha was in such a position and expression she was more like a porcelain doll then a cloth one
“Amelia WIlkonson? Jane with Channel seven, It’s an honor to meet you, how were-?”
“Elisabeth! Is it true that you were-” the names are unfamiliar and she almost wishes she could throw away ‘Christine’ right now with how they say it, how they say it like she’s a product.
Words. It’s all just words and she doesn't understand it and doesn't want to understand it, wishes she never knew English and never learned how to read. She was going to be seeing bright spots in her vision for the next week
“MR KINGSLEIGH! PLEASE, A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME!”
“IMANI KINGSLEIGH!! IS THIS YOUR CHILD??”
Fuck. they had noticed Caine. She can see him spiraling in panic, at the noise of the crowds and the closeness. The second the people realized there was a mysterious child, they all gravitated to him. Grant did his best to push and shove them away, but the crowd was just too pervasive.
Somewhere in the din, there was security running, pushing their way through the crowd and yelling too. They’re shouldering their way past the reporters and trying to push the group away, away from this mess, thank god.
Jax is caught on the outside and like sharks in the water, the press move in to the next easy target
“FELIX BROOKS!”
----
Even with security surrounding them and escorting them away from the whole mess, they were still being yelled at, cameras reaching over and trying to get one more glimpse of them. Imani did her best to help shepherd the kids along, gently pulling Amelia and Christine along. Zooble had Lacey basically hidden in their jacket as they yelled insults at the crowd of people. Because of course, once reporters appeared, the crowd of the mall turned their attention to them as well. Grant had an iron grip on Caine's wagon and an arm on Jasmine’s shoulder, trying to help calm her breathing. Her hands were shaking so bad she could barely keep a grip on her bag. Both of their youngest were doing poorly. In the hustle and bustle, Caine’s headphones were jostled off of his head and he screamed- he had already been starting to get overwhelmed from their shopping trip and and this was far too much for him even with those fancy new headphones; tripping over himself to escape, to get away from the noise and attention. In a numb state, she can hear herself calling for him but he’s already sprinted through the crowd. The security officers were yelling at each other to be heard, for people to get away.
“Wait, Jasmine! JASMINE, COME BACK!” and Jas has booked it as well, ducking under one of the officer’s arms and punching someone in the nose. It’s only slightly easier to track her with how tall she is, but she’s quick, too quick and they need to keep moving lest they all be mobbed and separated.
Was this what it felt like to be an ill faring Queen bee with her workers about to eat her and select a new one? Why did this chaos feel so much like when she abstracted- just nonsense noise and light that was too overwhelming to her breaking psyche?
“Imani?” Right. Here. Present. Not Abstract. Grant is right in her face, hands shaking. They’re in an office lounge, behind the scenes and away from people in general. One of the kind security officers was still there to keep an eye on them, the others likely dealing with the paparazzi mob.
“I’m fine, dear. Just…a lot.” They both breathe a sigh of relief and they get to checking on the kids. Christine and Amelia are tangled up together, Lacey crying into a tensely furious Ash.
“Where’s Jasmine? Caine?”
“They ran and we-we couldn't get to them. It was too much for them. Fuck, I’m worried. They already offered to check the security cameras but-” “even just a moment for both of them is too much”
They don't need to say anything out loud to communicate the feeling that if they were still in the Circus, they probably would have had two abstractions on hand. That might have been easier to deal with then two panicked and- she hates to say it but it’s true- emotionally unstable kids.
“I’ll go look now.” She shakes away the phantom glitches over her skin
“But, Mrs. Kings-” “The less time they’re on their own the better. I can handle myself. You all gather yourselves, wait for this to all calm down. Officer, is there a different place I could exit? I need to get started on finding the others”
“Yes ma’am. I’m…very sorry, about all of this. We took the names of the reporters, the companies they work for, if you wish to press charges.” The poor woman looks exhausted- The most they had to deal with was a small fight or some shoplifting most likely.
“Later. We’ll talk about all of that later. Right now, just let us know if you find either of them.” Grant mumbles, too focused on her. “You be safe. Call us if you find them. I-”
“Dear, I know. I can handle this. You just look after the kids. Calm down a bit ""They were doing so well today too. I knew this would happen at some point but not…Not like this, not with all of them.” She presses her hand against his face, lingering in the touch for a moment.
“I’ll be back as soon as I find them. I swear on it.”
Imani glances back one last time as she walks through grey corridors that are eerily familiar (it was the default, she can't judge but it still feels…too close for comfort) at her husband and children.
They were alright for the moment. She had to find their two youngest.
-----
Five calls with no answers. At least a dozen texts. She doubted Jas would answer, with the state she was in, but it was worth a shot. Imani did her best to keep to the side halls, away from the ground floor. No longer being in the group did a wonder to keep from being recognized. Or perhaps The People had lost their attention and already had moved on to the next thing.
That would be the best option.
At first Imani had been checking the stores they already had been to before practically kicking herself- Jas was jumpy even going in there with them. Being that upset and supposedly allergic to feelings as she was; She should be searching the most out of the way corners she could. Caine…Caine she had no idea. So all she could do was check every nook and cranny and pray he was alright, that he hadn't gotten hurt. He was such a good kid, but so easily frightened. It was difficult to compare to the act he put on as the Grand Ringmaster of the Amazing Digital Circus.
His attempt to protect himself had worked on her too and she just wished she had seen it. But she hadn't and it took being abstracted for years to even be semi aware of it.
Her intuition was correct; finding Jasmine curled up in the awkward corner of the tiny fourth floor, where there was only a sporting goods store and a movie theater. She was pulling at her skirt, the laces on her sneakers untied and her face buried in her knees.
“Jasmine?” She jumped and her heart ached as she slowly moved to settle down next to her. Grant had confided in her late one night, on how to help all of them. Jas was likely the trickiest one of them all.
Be blunt but not unkind. Don't let yourself get pushed away and take anything rude said in stride- that was mostly her anger at herself and fear talking. Take it slowly . Like you were speaking to an injured wild animal- talking to an injured insect wasn't the same as a small mammal but she could do this.
“I won't ask if you’re alright. It’s a bit obvious. None of us are. May I sit down next to you?” There’s no response so she carefully slides down against the unpainted wall, space between the two of them.
“It’s stupid. I never should have done this. I never should have even tried. Why do I even fucking bother? It’s never going to work. It’s- You all just do this out of fucking pity” It’s a bit difficult to understand words muffled in hoodie but she can get the gist.
“Jasmine. I don't know what you mean but I certainly don't think any of your effort has been in vain.”
“How would you know? You’re…Perfect! And you do it all right and you don't need to worry and I’m…I’m an idiot in a skirt. I'm an idiot and I’ll never get anywhere like this so why should I even TRY?!” The sound echoes and she cringes even further.
“...No one is…perfect, as you say. Do you think I never misspoke a latin name, misidentified a moth? Struggled to find the right screw for a motherboard? That Grant never screamed in frustration over failing to fix a bug after dozens of attempts? Never got startled by a beetle?”
“But that’s…Different”
“Not really. It’s something you’re learning. And it’s many times more difficult than any of those.”
“I did try.Once. In-In the Circus. I had a friend…her name was Ribbit. And she knew exactly- exactly what I wanted to be. Exactly who I was. But…I was stupid and scared and a complete and utter asshole and then she abstracted and I just kept being an asshole and my only OTHER friend abstracted and they both abstracted because of ME! Because I’m an idiot! And a dumbass!” Imani took the plunge, leaning a little closer
“....Abstracting…There’s the initial moment of pain and fear. Of hate. The bright lights and sounds- it’s all so very overwhelming and we can only express it by lashing out. It just takes a moment of everything being too much. Just a moment for it to happen. I was just…so tired. And I wanted more than anything to remember Kinger’s name. It just took that for me to lose myself.” Blotchy eyes peek out from where she had been hiding both her face and her tears.
“It…Does it hurt? Abstracting?”
“For a moment. But you soon settle down. It feels like you’re sleeping mostly. Every now and then something gets close to the surface- like a dream or an old memory. Every now and then I would hear Caine when he spoke to me through the floors. It’s…Oddly peaceful.”
“That’s what I imagined. Since it was basically….death. I guess. The closest thing we had. I…I wanted it. I wanted it so badly. I wanted to just. Stop feeling like this. Apologise in whatever way I could somehow. But they didn't want me when I was alive, so why would they want me then? I couldn't, not after what I’d done. Even with how bad I wanted it.” Imani had managed to Coax Jasmine to lean against her.
“Everyone hated me and they were right for it”
“I believe that there are very few people who are irredeemable. You are most certainly not one of them. You were hurt and you did your best to stop from feeling that. It’s as normal as can be. A creature who has been harmed by something in the past will react with aggression. A reverse of sorts, on the Pavlovian response. Same concept, different emotions.”
“...Why do you care so much? You barely know me. It’s barely been a week. It’s…It’s different then with Ol’ Kinger but he’s like that to everyone. Everyone else still gets on edge with me sometimes.”
“Well, You’re my daughter. I never expected you, but I didn't expect any of the others either. I’m quite happy to be here. I may not have been around for when you were in the circus, nor do I truly know how you acted. But even in this week, even without Grant telling me; I’ve seen you grow. I’ve seen you start to heal. It’s never going to be easy but I say you’re doing a good job at it.” Before she realizes, her youngest daughter has started sobbing again. Wrapping her arms around Jas only makes her cry harder but in this moment, it’s the catharsis she needed.
“I-I hurt so many people. I hurt everyone. I literally just punched a guy because-because they-”
“You punched that man because they used your old name, I assume?” Jasmine cringes “Then I ought to go find him too. They did the same to Ash and I know they’re already contemplating revenge of some sort. We have the names and most certainly could sue, but that’s drama for later, for the adults. And yes, I know- everyone except Caine are adults but slightly more adult. You all need the time to recover, we’re both doing relatively alright.” Jasmine is distracting herself, playing with her shoe laces and tying them in knots.
“And you’re making amends. They understand now what you’ve been going through. You apologize and you’re actively trying to change. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, it never will be. But perfection is overrated. What is life without something new to discover and to learn? Stagnation isn't useful to anyone. But rest is incredibly important. A cicada can take seventeen years to finish its pupation and become an adult. This is your time of change. It may take years and it might not even be your final stage of evolution. You have survived and grown and changed, just like any other living thing that has existed since the very first single celled organism. It’s a part of being alive” Imani smooths out the mess that was Jas’ attempt to grow out her hair
“You need to do the same with your friends, with Ribbit. It might not work at first, they might not forgive you at first. But If you were all truly so close, then you can become that close again. From what you’ve said, I think Ribbit would be very happy that you’re accepting the real you. Let’s dry those eyes and get up. We still need to find Caine”
“Wait, what? How the little shit get lost?”
“He bolted, about the same time you did. Grant was helping the others calm down after that mess. I’m sure by now they’ve all split up and started looking.” slowly, she stands, readjusting her head band
“You should have gone and found him first. He matters more. He has…bigger problems”
“Jasmine, fix your laces, you’ll trip. And I didn't care which of you I found first, just that I found you. I’m so sorry your days’ been so rotten. I know Grant wanted to eventually deal with that mess but in a controlled manner, Just the two of us and keep all of you as far away as we could. But that plan’s gone the way of the dinosaurs, I suppose. Maybe lunch, a good dessert and going home for a nap will make things a bit better. It worked wonders when I was getting my undergrad.”
A shaking hand slips into hers, terrified to do it or be seen doing such a thing. She can only squeeze it as tight as possible, a reassurance.
Why so many people were deadset on hurting her children, she had no idea. But she was going to do her best to keep them safe and happy now that she had finally emerged from her twenty year pupation
-----
When Ace had decided to go to the mall with their friends, they expected to just fuck around, maybe get some new earrings and makeup. Disappoint some PTA mom over the fact May wore massive platforms, Siobhán had a bright red mohawk, Gary looked like he would fit in as an extra at a cult summer camp and Ace themself consisted more of leather and patches then fucks to give. Go see the latest sequel film and laugh at how much more shitty they were getting. Eat some over priced pretzels.
You know, usual People stuff.
What hadn't been the plan was nearly falling over from a kid throwing themself into an awkward corner between stores and behind a potted plant. He was breathing too fast, clutching at a little toy bee and shaking like one of May’s chihuahuas. Glancing around, there doesn't seem to be any frantic adults calling out names.
“Hey…hey kid, it’s okay. Take a deep breath. Where’s your parents?” Gary’s already tried to crawl in the space- nearly getting stuck. The kid’s only cramming himself further.
“Dude. back off.” Siobhán pulls Gary free and they settle down on the tile floor. May adjusts her wheelchair as a buffer for the trio of punks, so they don't get run over as they try to help the kid.
“...how is your hair so spiky?”
“Ain’t it cool? It’s a mohawk. Takes so much stuff to keep it like this but when I do, it looks pretty awesome. My name’s Siobhán. These are some friends of mine. Ace is the one that looks like they’re a leather sectional, Gary is the one who’s gonna start chanting spooky stuff in latin any day now and May back there is being a wall for us right now. I know these two look kinda scary but May’s the one you gotta look out for, She’s the one with speed on her side. And she can do wheelies in that thing”
The boy plays with his own hair for a moment, pulling a strand into a spike that falls down immediately,
“...Zooble could pull it off, I think. Zooble’s awesome, they can pull off anything. They’re the coolest of all my siblings. But don't tell Jasmine that.” They were getting somewhere!
“Tell me ‘bout them, we’ll see how cool this Zooble is” May egged them on, glancing back
“No, they’re SO cool. They have lots of jackets like theirs's” he points at Ace “and they just dyed their hair bright pink!”
“Dang, that sounds pretty cool of them. Are they here with you today?”
“Mmhmm. My whole family is. I…We were having fun but then there were lots of people and they kept getting in our faces…I didn't like it and I got scared. I- I didn't mean to run off…”
Ace checks their watch- they have time “We could help find them. They’re probably worried about you kid
“‘M names’ Caine.” he hugged his little bee tighter, collecting his cane- also decorated with bees- from where it had clattered next to him in his frantic need to hide. “I’m eight.”
“...it’ll probably be way faster if we split up. You told us about Zooble, could you tell us about the others?” he nods, counting off his sisters on one hand, then adding in what their parents look like.
"Dad and mama helped us all be together. So none of us are actually related, but they're all my family"
"Sounds like Siobhan and another friend of ours- Michaela. They've been friends so long they might as well be siblings.”
"Exactly! Well, except for Ash- That’s one of the other names Zooble likes to go by- and Lacey. They're together. Together together. Finally! Even when I first met them it was easy to see. But now they're so" Caine makes a face "so mushy! Lacey'll be drawing and Ash just sighs and stares and won't listen to anything else until we shake them- like they’re possessed by it or something. And they're always kissing and it's gross."
"And your parents don't?" Gary can't help but comment, biting down a grin
"They do, but they aren't super mushy and dramatic about it! I swear, I think one of them had a crush on the other since they first met and they were probably just a silly mess about it! But they're finally together like they should be, just like how Jasmine is my big sister finally, like she should be. How we're all a family"
Ace can feel how Siobhán is nearly vibrating from cuteness aggression. The kid had slowly crawled out from his hiding spot while they had all talked, still utterly fascinated by Siobhán's mohawk. They're all sitting on the ground and kind of taking up space, but who gives a shit- helping the kid calm down was way more important.
“Okay then, let’s find your folks! Gary, You take the top floor; Siobhán, you take the middle. May and I can take this one. Call us if you find them and we’ll all meet up at the big fountain in the middle.” Gary takes off like a light, his stupid over sized coat fluttering behind him-one of these days it’s gonna get caught on a door and the guy is gonna get a concussion. Siobhán turns and waves goodbye before hauling ass herself. Ace can see the spikes retreating through the crowds towards the escalators.
With his permission, Ace lifts Caine onto their shoulders, May taking his cane and his bee.
“There, now you’ll be able to see them easier. How about we backtrack to places you’ve been, they might be looking for you there first. Where to, kid?”
He grins and points through the crowd. The sleeves of his jacket ride up and Ace grinds their teeth to keep from making a sound.The kid has scars over his fore arms, scars that are eerily similar to the ones her older brother has- more crude rather than the neat lines that faded more every day. Ace decides to take the plunge
"Hey,kiddo. How did you end up with those? It looks like it hurt"
Caine froze up, shrinking in on himself.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I just-" "...before my Dad and my sisters found me...there were people who were very awful to me. They-they hurt me. But them hurting me was...better then when they didn't even look at me. I just wanted them to see me, acknowledge me" ',acknowledge' is sounded out awkwardly.
"...I’m...better now? I know what happened was wrong. But some days it's all so...much. and I don't like it. I just look at them and hate it even more. And it’s…easier? Not easier but…simplier to feel this kind of pain. Instead of when people look at me like that. Look at me like I’m...Like I cant do anything." Ace's heart aches for this kid. He was a mine field and they had no idea how to help
"It's okay to have big feelings." May, the godsend she is, looks up from where her wheelchair is gliding over the mall floor- she put that bitch on autopilot "your family is doing their best to help you, right?"
Caine nods slowly
"And, even when you do hurt yourself, you know to get help? To talk to people you trust?"
"Yea...Jasmine and Ash get it the most. They know how much it sucks and they talk me through it. They all distract me when my head is full of bad stuff"
"And, even on the days you do hurt yourself, is the amount of time between all of that getting larger?
The kid nods again and god, Ace could kiss May.
"Then you're getting better. Even if it ends up happening, then it's just a bad day. Everyone has those. You can't let just one really bad day ruin how you feel. You're healing. I still get mad at myself and hate how I'm like this, but I know that's just because it's a bad brain day. I talk to Ace here, and the others. I do things that make me happy. I like watching scary movies and playing board games. What about you?"
"I like...I like reading. Especially about bugs. Especially especially if it's about bees. I like coming up with stories and adventures. And I really like watching movies with my family"
"See, all great stuff! Could you tell us some bug facts right now?" Ace doesn't have to see the kid on their shoulders to know they lit up with excitement.
They're besieged with fun facts, May egging him on till he's laughing and grinning. They’ve almost made a full lap around the bottom floor- they had to just keep missing each other, especially if Caine has as many siblings as he says he does.
"- and they can grow to be over a FOOT long!"
"Where you learn all of these, kid?"
"I love reading! Dad says I'm clever. And my mama is an ent....entamo...entam- bug scientist. Dad says he used to be super scared of bugs, but then she started talking about them and he understood things more, and he was less afraid!"
"Knowledge is power, as they say. Don't let any jerks get you down. Do you really care about some nobodies' opinion? Are you gonna let them choose how you feel?"
"...no, I...I shouldn't. You're really smart, Ace"
"Yea, yea I am!"
"You should see their math grades"
"May you goddamn traitor!"
"Swear word!"
"Better put some money in the swear jar, Ace."
"What's a swear jar?" The kid leans over slightly, carefully grabbing at Ace’s jacket so he doesn't fall off.
"Well, it's a jar to put money in when someone says a bad word. Since you shouldn't say bad words."
They can FEEL the wide eyed excitement on Caine's face.
"I'm gonna make Jas and Zooble go sooooo broke!"
"Make them take you out for ice cream!"
"Jas already does that! Though I say a swear word for it. Whenever my bad thoughts get too much I say F-f" glancing back, she can see his ears are turning red.
"Fuck them?" Caine nods "Jas still owes me an ice cream."
"Better make it a nice big one, with lots of toppings!"
-----
It’s a few more minutes with May prompting more bug fun facts out of the kid. He stops mid sentence to start waving wildly. Gary had a few people gathered at the fountain, Siobhán not far with what Caine had described as his mom and his sister Jasmine.
“There they are! There they are, Mama! MAMA!” The older woman rushes forward, eyes watery
“Are you okay? Oh, Bumble bee, you had all of us so worried!” Ace carefully lowers the kid to the ground, May passing off his things. He’s nearly crying again in his mom’s arms. The rest of the family close in, the collective sigh of relief a physical thing as they crowd around him.
“‘M okay. I was super scared but they helped me find you guys. I’m…I so sorry, I just” “no, no no no, baby- That was very scary, we dont blame you.”
“...I ran too, so dont worry about it kid.” Jasmine ruffles the kids’ hair. The man with the bee themed wagon, Presumably Caine’s dad, steps forward
“Thank you, really. It means so much that you helped him.”
“It’s no problem Mr…”
“Kingsleigh. Please, let me repay you.” the man fumbles for his wallet
“Ah, wait, no. we cant- we just wanted to help the kiddo, please, its fine”
“At least join us for lunch and let us pay. It’s nothing at all. It means more then you could ever understand.” The kid has been swapped around like a doll between his siblings.
“Ah…Alright, Sir. If you’re certain”
-----
It’s a shock that this large of a group can get into the restaurant with no reservation. It certainly was a lot nicer than the shitty slices of pizza they had been planning on. It’s…kind of awkward, But the Kingsleighs are kind and Gary is already being sassed at by Jasmine- She must have sniffed out his weakness. Ace and Zooble are getting along like a house on fire, Lacey tentatively joining in.
May had transferred from her chair to the booth, Mr Kingsleigh (“Grant, please. You dont have to be so formal.) watching carefully with a look on his face. She doubted the man was the kind of guy to judge, especially with his kid already having a cane.
“...I-I am very sorry and I didn't mean to be rude but- you seem to ah….Know these things?” Grant glances at the other end of the table, where Caine was grinning and laughing at how Jasmine and Gary were really getting into a sarcasm off “We’ve done our best, but I just dont know enough to really help him. The wagon works and it makes him happy, but I dont think we’ll be able to do that forever. Especially with my back” Mrs. Kingsleigh, Imani, rolls her eyes. “If it doesn't bother you too much, Could I ask some questions?”
“Yea sure. Lots of people already do- They see me get in and out and are weird about it. I know that Caine can walk some. I don't wanna be, like, invasive or whatever but- I could maybe give some better advice if I knew what specifically was the problem? I’m no doctor but I’ve tried a few different things.”
“...Caine was in an…accident. We had no idea he had difficulty walking, that it hurt him. He didn't realize that it wasn't normal.” Imani gently interrupted, Grant nodding along, getting lost in his own thoughts.
“Chronic pain is a tricky thing. I’ve talked to a bunch of people, both in my support group and at my physical therapy place. People born with it and those that got it after something. It’s just so different for everyone. When he’s a little older, a wheelchair or motorized scooter could be the way to go. But physical therapy of some sort could help him grow stronger- Even if you can't get an actual appointment, there’s resources online.” Grant is busy writing things down on a little notepad. Someone on the other side of the restaurant drops their glass and the sound of it shattering echoes out. Several of the Kingsleigh children- she says children, pretty much all of them are older then her- flinch. Caine seems the worst off, The shortest one-Christine, she thinks, mumbling into his ear.
“... Same thing for just in general therapy. I don't mean to be blunt, but it’s kind of obvious he’s….”
“Rough?”
“yea. He…he told us a little, when Ace saw his scars. We didn't mean anything about it, just got worried.” May plays with the straw of her drink, the ice clinking together. She can't help but keep an eye out for the kid
“He was in a horrible situation. He’s doing incredibly well but some days are-are bad. We do our best but we just don't have a clue what to do. We’re rolling with the punches, as it were.”
“You’re doing way better than a lot of other people out there. That’s another case by case thing. Most stuff is to be honest. I don't have enough knowledge to help out with that, but lemme write down the email of the support group I talk to. It’s not quite the same thing but they can get you to the place you need to go ...Don't give up if something doesn't work, okay? It’s really hard, especially when you’re young. But there’s help, even if it doesn't feel like it”
“This means more than you know, May. More than you could ever know. Now- I do think I promised Jasmine cake, so that basically means I promised everyone cake.” Imani waves over the server and May can't figure out which is sweeter, this lovely couple working so hard to get their kid help or the double chocolate swirl cheesecake she would normally never order. It’s not her fourteen bucks, so she might as well enjoy it.
She’s pretty sure Zooble just exchanged numbers with Ace. It’s probably not for a date related thing from the look they give that Lacey girl- that’s right out of some romance novel right there. It’s probably for chaos. Or tattoos.
Zooble does have an impressive sleeve. Maybe she should get one at some point. She had been contemplating it for a while
-----
Caine turns around in his wagon, grinning wide as he waves goodbye.
Ace breathes a sigh of relief. Good kid, shit situation. They knew that far too well. Caine's got a good support system from the sounds of it.
"He'll turn out okay. We all did after all."
"He's like, a baby though! A little baby!"
"He's an eight year old, Siobhán. "
"Still a wee baby! I know most of us went through messed up shit, but...I hate seeing it happen to little kids"
"He'll turn out alright. It'll take some time, but he's going to end up alright. The kid's got a family that'll storm a mall for him, I think they're up to bat to deal with things that happen. Good people."
"Need more folk like that in the world. "
"Because they're nice and good, or because they got us a free lunch?"
May elbows Siobhán- girl is lucky she didn't roll over her foot again. Something still just feels off...
"...FUCK! we missed the movie!"