Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

One thing you should consider about this altered universe: demons and humans can co-exist. However, like any sentimental beings, some are bound to be horrible beings that rip humans into shreds, thus giving demons a bad stigma among humans. This ends up causing discrimination, people, and demons distrusting of one or another. Overall, regarding how demons are treated, Humans have long discovered a simple but very effective tactic, a way to keep demons in check. Demons mostly hang out in rural areas and set up homes there. It's like a home for outcasts just based on who they are, or in this case, what they are.

A girl in her teenage years sits on her bed, reading out everything, taking notes, and remembering everything she learned. This girl is called Claire, and that is what everyone calls her anyway. She wasn't the brightest when it came to her fellow orphans, nor was she liked. Claire was called names, excluded, and judged. She was different, that was it.

As she read that paragraph, she could relate to the demons, being judged and crucified for being different. Claire wonders if the demons would feel the same about her situation. Then again, she is human. The demons may just cast her out as her kind did. She was forced to be under a category in which she stands alone.

Claire made her decision right there. If no one wants her, she'll go. They won't look for her. Claire removed the book from her lap and set it to the side. She got up and left the girl's dorm room. Claire heads downstairs. Staff were supposed to patrol the halls, but none was to be seen. Admittedly, they were all somewhere else. The neglect and mistreatment of this hellhole are like any other.

This made it easy for Claire to walk to the back of the manor and find herself the big doors. She pushed the heavy, wooden doors and left in a hurry, not even closing the doors.

As she ran, the yellow and orange lights slowly faded, and the only thing that guided her now was the moonlight. Which was overcast by the looming tree as she sprinted deeper into the dense forest. Leaves and sticks crunched and snapped under her footing as her breathing turned to a pant. She didn't understand why she was running so much. She used to run, especially from everyone. The whole 'running away from the orphanage' must not have been set in her mind fully as she realized how big of a mistake this would be.

Then again, staying there wasn't an option. She refused to turn back. It was not like she really could now, as her running came to a slow stop. She caught her breath, coughing and relaxing. She looked up to the white moon and admired the blue hue of it. Everything displayed so much better inside of the forest rather than from afar. As she wandered through the thick trees, the leaves on the tree were a dark green. And the ground was a brighter green. It was probably from her angle. The moonlight shined beautifully, and the wind made the grass dance as Claire's body became colder.

She crossed her arms, her body unable to regulate its temperature. Why didn't she feel cold when she first got out? She was burning from adrenaline that she didn't realize how much of her legs ached. A flower appeared under her feet, and Claire immediately stopped her feet. She looked at the flower. It was hard to figure out what it looked like, but it was light green with five pellets, some of the other letters being torn off. It looked gorgeous even if Claire could hardly see it, or if it was slightly ruined. She glanced up, realizing the whole field just filled with them. There were no trees to cast out the moonlight as everything became clear to her.

She strolled on the path that looked man-made, flowers poking out every once in a while. Claire dared not to step on one. This whole field made Claire feel relaxed and at peace. Something she never thought would happen. Even with Claire distracted by the flowers, her body quickly reminded her that she was freezing. Where even is she? Where can she go?

Claire heard a loud puff behind her. She gasped loudly as she flinched back, seeing a wolf five times her size. Or even fifty her size. Her body numbed as her mind froze. She stared at the creature that was more than her size. The wolf exhaled loudly and brought its head to Claire's height, trying to intimidate the human that had trespassed on its territory, its home. The two were in a standoff, metaphorically. Though Claire didn't appear scared, her eyes looking in awe and she brought her hand up to the creature's chin and scratch it gently. The wolf's demeanor didn't change, but his head moved back. Claire's lips formed a smile as Claire brought herself closer. She headed to the side of its head and hid in its warm, thick fur.

The wolf figured that Claire didn't pose any threat. It lay its head down, allowing the small human to sit with it and bury herself deeper in its fur. How the human was acting wasn't like the other humans. The human was naive and stupid, but different. Smaller but looked in good health. It was just a child. The wolf moved his tail to cover the human's body.

Claire had a weird dream. Everything was light green, and objects around her were outlined with a bright white line. Her dream was about seeing a sign. She couldn't make out their words but perceived something different, a lady. Her brain couldn't decipher the face, but everything else was readable. Thats when she saw more, a cat? In human form? Someone tall, towering. Then she saw nothing.

The night moved by fast, as the wolf and Claire went in a dozed and slept. Claire woke up by herself, lying in flowers. Claire rubbed her face and stood up. She continued her journey. How everything looks so different in the morning. The flowers were brighter and looked fantastic. She could see the wolf in the distance, except it was fuzzier and older. It was sleeping peacefully. Claire realized there was more than one. This wasn't the same one she was with. She didn't bother with it. It was too far out. She already felt bad about waking up on the flowers. She didn't want to step on them more than she already did.

Reaching the middle, she stumbled upon a small bunch of flowers in a pack. It was separated from the rest, like it was cast out but was still the same. Claire reminded herself of it. She wanted to lay in that small garden, allow her mind to be at ease, and indirectly tell the flowers they were not alone but went against it, walking around it. Reaching the other end, she can see something off in the distance.

It was far, but she had time, nothing but time. She walked to it, admiring the looming trees in the daytime. It cast shadows that moved with the leaves, Claire loved this. But things became odd. Large claws mark were on the trees, and the small parts of the trees were dug up. The sentry was... too weird. What was this? When Claire came to a stop, there was an absurd, massive length of salt. She reached down and grabbed a handful. Realizing there was a full inch of it. It also spreads sideways. Why was this here? She dropped the salt and dusted her hand off before walking onto it and over it before heading into the forest. It took a bit, but she came across the salt path again. It was shaped differently, but it was the same case. It was absurdly massive in length, and there was a full inch to it. Why is this here?

Again, it spreads sideways. It looks like it could be a full circle. Claire ignored it and wondered further. Claire stepped on it and got over it.

She wasn't sure what she was looking for, but she was just wondering. That is when she saw it. A gate? A wooden entrance? Claire immediately went over there, standing in front of it. The sign above reads, 'Spring Hometown'. She never heard of Spring Hometown. She enters the town. Looking around, she saw nothing that looked remotely like the city she was from. The town displays so old times but is also original, It had the shape, but if you looked closer, you could see so many differences. The municipality was also covered in sorts of flowers and plants. It was a sight for sore eyes, aka Claire's eyes.

Making it further in, you'll see stores, theatres, and homes. Everything you would see in any normal town, city, or whatnot. The ground had gravel aligned with every building entrance, just like the field where she saw all the pink flowers, flowers, and grass, which was also poking through the gravel.

She smiled at the beautiful sight. That was when she glanced up at a girl. The girl looked... familiar. She couldn't tell what, but she shook it off. What was important was that she looked sad. Her hand hung, and her blue hair covered her face. Claire walked up to the bitter fellow and tapped on her shoulder.

The girl lifts her hand, her hair exposing her face. The two stared for a moment, the girl looked shocked, as Claire stared in slight confusion and concerned.

"Um?" The girl mumbled. "Who... Who are you?"

Claire blinked. "Oh, I'm Claire!"

The girl didn't respond, looking up and down at Claire's appearance before staring into her eyes.

"...W- Why?"

Claire froze for a second. She took a step back. "I don't know why they named me Claire."

"Oh, no! Sorry! I meant... Why are you here?" The girl corrected herself.

"Oh... I found this randomly." Claire nonchalantly replied.

"How did you?"

"What's your name?" Claire questioned, interrupting the girl.

"Oh, I'm... Anova."

"That's a pretty name!" She said with genuine. Claire held a hand to her mouth to hide her smile.

"Nice to meet you!" She reached her hand out, opening it.

"Oh, you're the first to say that," Anova said. Grasping Claire's hand into her own, and shaking it to formerly greet each other. Claire looked past Anova's hand and down at her other hands.

"Do you?" She let go of Anova's hand. "Do you have more than two arms?" She said, expressing excitedly and being engaged in Anova's unique appearance. Claire grabs Anova's arms and lifts them to see her other arms.

"Uh!?" She stepped back as she pulled her arms back.

"Oh, sorry!" Claire apologized. "It's just cool!"

"My arms?" Anova said. "You think it's cool?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Claire responded.

"Because it weird to have two extra arms?"

"Nu huh! If I had 4 arms and someone told me they were a handful, I would say, "Don't worry, I got twice the hands!"

"Well, most." Anova stopped her sentence and giggled at Claire's scenario. "Okay, that's pretty good! But most say it unnatural."

"So what?" Claire tilted her head.

"it's... Unnatural?" Anova wasn't sure how to explain it to Claire.

"Because others think it unnatural doesn't mean anything. I think it is cool! Now that means something!"

"Oh... Well, thank you." Anova said, smiling as Claire nodded her head. Claire walked past her to look more at the town. Anova looked at her, pondering what she was going to do. As Claire explored, Anova got slightly worried about what others might do to her if they saw a lone human walking around. "Hey, Claire. Was your name?" Anova caught up with her.

"Yeah!" Claire said, weirdly. She made a weird sound like a yep and a yeah.

"Okay, let me come with you. I can show you around." Anova said.

"Okay! Where to?" Claire asked. Anova raised a finger to her head. Before spanning it.

"You hungry?"

"I am starving."

"Good, let me take you to someone." Anova took Claire's shoulder as she said that.

"Are they a chef or something?"

"Well, No-ye- eeeehhh-. You make your opinion once we get there."

"Okay!"

An oven timer goes off, and a furry paw reaches over and turns it off. Before putting on mittens, and opening the oven, took a tray with cookies on a sheet. He puts it on the stovetop and closes the stove. The boy removed the mittens and examined the cookies. Ensuring they were all perfect. He smiled once he determined they were good enough. Anova came walking through the door with Claire following behind.

"Hey Anova! I just got a pack of cookies done! We just gotta wait." He said without looking back.

"Hey Biscuit, and yeah, I know. You always leave your window open." Anova replied.

"Well, you know the smell always fills the air."

"Is that chocolate chip?" Claire asked.

"Yeah! The finest cookie out. wait, what?" Biscuit looked back. "OH GOD, ANOVA SOMEONE BROKE INTO THE HOUSE!"

"WHO!?" Claire asked, looking around frantically.

"You both are a circus." Anova gripped Claire's shoulder. "Biscuit, this is Claire, Claire, this is Biscuit."

"Oh... Uh! Hi!" Biscuit said with a hint of embarrassment.

"Hi!" Claire said in a high-pitched voice and with a touch of friendliness. "Are those chocolate chips?"

"They are! They came out of the oven. You want o-."

"Yes!" Claire didn't allow Biscuit to finish his sentence.

"Okay-." Biscuit faked coughed into his elbow and used his hand to remove one cookie off the

sheet. "Here! it may be hot on the inside." He walked to Claire, giving her one. Claire politely took the cookie from him and took a bite.

"Mmm! Mmm? MMM!" Claire mumbled.

"Are you choking-?"

"No! This is good!" She eats the rest of it. Anova looks at the biscuit.

"I guess humans have low-standard taste buds," Anova whispered.

"Stop making fun of me!" Biscuit criticize.

"Can I have another?" Claire asked.

Biscuit nodded and pointed at the tray. Claire walked over to grab another.

"Where did you find her?" Biscuit asked Anova.

"I didn't find her. She found me."

"You mean she wandered in herself?"

"Yes, literally."

"She didn't say anything mean?"

"Oh no! She was nice, surprisingly."

"What a human."

"Ah! The tray is still hot!" Claire yelled from the background.

"Yeah, but I didn't get to asking her why she was here, well I did but didn't get a good answer." Anova said.

"It's not too late to ask now."

"Hey Claire!" Anova walked into the kitchen with Biscuit.

"Yeah?" She said it weirdly again.

"Why are you here?"

"You brought me here?" Claire lightly said before taking a bite out of her cookie.

"Oh no! I meant, uh."

"In Spring Hometown." Biscuit jumped in. "Why are you in Spring Hometown?"

Claire chews her food before talking. "I have no idea."

"Uh, that doesn't help," Anova said.

"Will a cookie help?"

"Not right now, it wouldn't-." Claire put a cookie in her mouth.

"Try it."

"Aahmaammaahm." Anova tried speaking only for it to be toned. She grabbed the cookie, took a bite, and pulled the other end out. Biscuit quietly giggled. She chewed and swallowed it.

"You know, you're not helping either." Anova looks at Biscuit.

"I'm sorry, but how she just casually put the cookie in your mouth was hilarious."

"Shut up," Anova said.

"By the way, I ate half of your cookies," Claire confesses.

"Wait, what? Did you like that much?" Biscuit said, looking at the tray in shock.

"Yeah! I did- nomnhhmnmn." Claire stuffed another one in her mouth. Biscuit laughed.

"What is wrong with you two!?" Anova asked.

"I can't help it!"

"Anova, it seems like there is something wrong with you." Claire pointed.

"Uh- ME!?" Anova put a hand to her chest, seeming offended.

"She might be onto something. Why don't you have the same humor, hmm?" Biscuit asked, getting in Anova's face.

"Yeah, hmm?" Claire does the same on the other side.

"Will both of you!" She grabs the ear of both. "Knock that off!"

"Ow ow ow!" Claire said repeatedly.

"Okay, sorry, sorry!"

Anova reluctantly releases the two go. They both back up and rub the top of their ears.

"Ow, I know we're annoying you, but like... why?" Claire questioned.

"Because I can!" Anova replied defensively.

"Okay, okay. Look, Claire." Biscuit walked up to Claire. "Seriously, why are you here- What's with the 90's dress?"

Claire blinked before turning her eyes down to her dress. She had forgotten her clothing. It was a black dress with white outlines and Camellia flowers emerging from the bottom.

"Oh, I... don't know. I don't like this dress." Claire answered.

"Why don't you change it?" Anova asked.

"I don't have anything to change into anything."

"You don't? I mean, that dress doesn't fit you at all."

"Yeah!" Claire itched the back of her head.

"You know what! I have spare clothing, surely I have something for you!" Biscuit snapped his finger. "If you're okay with it."

"Okay!" Claire said.

"Awesome, one second." Biscuit walks to the back and enters into the room. The two stand in the kitchen, watching as their friend leaves.

"Are you sure you want to wear his clothing?"

"I don't mind," Claire said.

"You're going to be covered in hair."

"Because he's a cat, doesn't mean anything. Plus, it's not like I'm allergic."

"Fair," Anova responded.

Biscuit comes back into the kitchen with some clothing.

"Here, a plain white shirt, brown shorts, and some jacket."

"Thoughtfully picked?" Anova smirked.

"Shut-. Try it on, the bathroom is down the hall."

"Thank you!" She turns and heads down for the hall. Entering the first room she sees and enters.

"I like her." Biscuit said.

"Yeah, not something you expect of a human."

"Not at all."

"But why is she so nice?" Anova asked, suspiciously.

"I have no clue."

The bathroom door swung open and Claire came running out. She stopped at the end of the hall and posed dramatically.

"I am back!" She announced as if she was on stage. Her arms opened and spread from her side as he legs stance.

The two demons' brains didn't register this at first. Thus causing an awkward silence between the three.

Anova spoke up. "You are so random."

"Thank you, I know." Claire stopped doing her pose and walked to the two.

"Yeah, this... this clothing fits you better." Anova observed Claire's new style.

"I like it personally. Everyone says that I should wear stuff that looks more lady-like but I am comfortable like this!" Claire adjusted her attire.

"Really? That like, out of the movie?"

"Then I must be the main character. But it's true. All the workers say I act boyish which is trash."

"I just met you but you're acting like, you're not a boy or a girl." Biscuit said.

Claire stays quiet for a second. "What am I?""You're a fish," Anova said.

The three giggled among each other. Claire looked up at the window. The sun was still up and Claire wanted to explore more the hometown she found herself in.

"Oh, oh! Anova isn't there more to town?"

"You want to see more? This town isn't big."

"But everything is so beautiful!"

Biscuit bumped in. "There are a few places that we can visit!"

"You're coming with us?" Anova twisted her head to see her cat friend.

"Yes!"

"Can we, Anova!?" Claire cupped her hands together. "Please?"

Biscuit joined in with Claire, cupping his paw. "Yeah, please?"Anova blinked. "I'm not your mother."

"Then let's go!" Claire grabbed Anova's hand. She pulled her out of the door, which was left open.

Biscuit closed the door on his way out.

The trio walked through the town, Biscuit pointing at every building and telling Claire what building was what.

"That a bakery, mostly bread, is from there, but sweets are also made."

"What kind of sweets."

"Whatever you can think of." Biscuit turned to point at another building. "This is like the

furniture store."

"You guys buy furniture?"

"Well, no we don't buy things here."

"So you guys can take anything you want?"

"Not take but come to a neutral agreement."

"That's so cool!" Claire exclaimed loudly. Biscuit went on, telling Claire another building until Claire looked back. Anova was following but was a little behind. She looks excluded, back at the orphanage, Claire was always left behind. Claire slowed her pace and stopped at where Anova was at.

"Everything okay?" Anova asked.

"Yeah!" That's weird yeah again. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, why?"

"You're falling a little bit behind."

"Claire, where did you go?" Biscuit dart behind. "Oh, there you are."

"I'm fine, biscuit." Claire said.

"You know," Biscuit stops before the two, causing them to halt. "I just went on this amazing rent on the history of the theatre here."

"Biscuit, that theatre was just built." Anova pointed out.

"It was an amazing rent!"

"It does pop out," Claire said, looking at the large wooden Cimena. There was a sign with golden bold words that read theatre. It wasn't too out of place as the aesthetic still matched the rest of the town. The building's size compared to the houses around it made it apparent.

"Yeah, and most of the talent folks come here to show off their skills," Anova said.

"It's an amazing place to be at." biscuit added.

"What? No?"

"What do you mean no?"

"There some people in there that shouldn't be in there?"

"Like who?"

"Miller and Skary."

"Who?" Claire intervene.

"Oh, um, those two are... Not the best of friends." Anova brief

"That's an understatement. If you give Miller a weapon and tell him to kill someone. He would target Skary." Biscuit explained.

"Why do they hate each other?" Claire asked.

The two demons looked each other in the eyes. They both wait for the other to come up with an answer.

"There... isn't an answer to that," Anova spoke shortly after.

"There probably is but we don't know what is it." Biscuit turned to his new human friend. "Don't worry about the two, they never come close to killing each other."

"Yet," Anova added.

"Oh, If we come down this way, you can see-." Biscuit went on, holding Claire's hand and pulling on along. Claire gestured for Anova to follow so she wouldn't feel left out.The day was burning away quickly while the trio had fun touring Claire around. The trio enjoys getting to know Claire, always finding her random sense of humor entertaining. When the sun completely went over the horizon and stars appeared above. The trio stopped in front of their last destination, an old sheriff's place that isn't used anymore.

"Here is this place." Biscuit pointed. "The place was a sheriff's office."

"Yeah, it wasn't long before we stopped using it," Anova added.

"Why? Is the town that peaceful?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, you could say." Anova shrugged.

"Besides the usual arguments people have. It's pretty tamed."

"I mean, it is a small town. I don't handle danger too well." Claire said.

"Yeah, exactly. Though I hate how we don't have many places." Biscuit conplained.

"You guys have a lot of places?" Claire questioned.

"I mean, yeah, but I meant as public places. Most buildings are homes and stuff." While Biscuit rambled on, Claire eyes a person walking past. They looked like a kid about her age. Brown hair which is covered in white flowers. The flowers are almost shaped like a crown, and wearing a yellow hoodie with a black strip going through the middle. Claire didn't see the face.

"Who's-." Claire raised her finger to point at the kid who just nonchalantly walked past but was loudly interpreted by a sudden booming noise. It was unexpectedly loud and ear-piercing. Claire let out a hard squeak while her hands shielded her ears instinctively. Anova's hand stretched to shield one of her ears. Biscuit has done the same as Anova.

The roar was deafening. It was different every time, like someone was yelling, it was threatening. She looked around for the source but saw nothing. Claire's panic set in further as she couldn't locate the sound. She couldn't handle loud sounds. She noticed Anova and Biscuit holding their place as the noise continued and Claire's natural flight alarmed her instinct and her body told her to run. Her rational thinking was thrown out of the window, and she bolted for it.

Claire scurried down the town to her left, her friends not realizing she had fled abruptly. She went to the right between an alley and jumped the wooden fence. She darted down an unfamiliar area of the forest. Claire ran past many trees and her senses were at an all-time high,

hearing even the smallest amount of sound.

She kept running until her footing went over something. She glimpsed down and saw that familiar salt. She was back here? How long was she running? Her body kept running even after noticing the salt, soon noticing the deafening noise was gone. Her logical and rational thinking started to come back to her as she came to a stop. She rested her hands on her knees as she looked around. She wasn't sure where she ran to but knew how to roughly get back. She caught her breath. Though her body wasn't fully relaxed and her senses were still on high alert. She went to lean against a tree.

SNAP!

Her head darted behind her and searched among the trees. Searching for the source of the sound. It didn't help that it was in the dead of the night and she was alone when she heard something snap. She anxiously searched around, hearing something raffled. She stared at the trees, it was suddenly terrifying. She remembered how the night was beautiful to her but she could no longer see the beauty. The moonlight wasn't as bright and the darkness added an uneasy feeling. She wished her flight or fight hadn't kicked in and caused her to flee. Why was she so easily startled? It wasn't like this back in the orphanage. It could be the kids couldn't go outside without adult supervision. She never knew how much of a coward she was. The wind howled, and it blew against the bushes.

Claire started to doubt herself. Was she scaring herself this time? She shouldn't do this to herself. Claire exhaled sharply as she raised a hand to her head. Her head felt hot, from the back. But it wasn't coming from a headache or anything. The wind was freezing the front of her face and her hands. She straightened her back and her head felt hotter. Her breathing paused as her senses listened in.

Something was breathing on her.

Her head felt hot because the hot breath of something stood so close to her she could feel it. She could hear its low breathing. It was so quiet, there was no way she would've heard it. Claire was uncertain why this... Thing... has yet to attack her. Was it toying with her? Claire's curiosity peeked. She wanted to see who was behind her. The kid's head turned slowly, facing behind her and slowly glancing up to see the very thing that was stalking her.

The person... The demon behind her was looming over her, Formidablely tall. Her hands were clawed and bigger than her face by twice the size. Something black painted most of her hands and feet. Her eyes contract and glaring savagely at her. She wore blue shorts and a ripped-sleeve black shirt. The appearance didn't frighten Claire, what frightened her was the intention of the being. She didn't fully turn her body, her feet stepping forward.

The demon opened its mouth, revealing several sharp teeth, some bigger than others, and 4 were so big, you ask how it fits in its mouth. Since it overlaps over its lips. Claire didn't find the time to ask. She knew what the creature's intention was and frankly, Claire didn't want to be someone's dinner. She bolted as the creature's clawed hand slammed into the dirt floor. It shortly gave chase.

Claire bolted past the trees around her and she glared back, the being was faster than she was. Its hands clawed the trees, leaving that same familiar mark. It gained on her in no time. It leaped towards her and Claire nearly dodged it. Claire fled in a different direction and went past every tree. The being wiped off the dirt before sprinting and gaining on her again. Claire's head flashed back, seeing its leap in action, this time, nearly cutting the side of her. Claire holds her bleeding side but continues to run. She ran in a different direction, again. The being, again, sprints after her. Claire skims behind a tree, causing the being to catch on the tree during its leap.

Claire took note of this. Focusing on where she was running and where to run. She could tell whenever it got close by the sticks and leaves and whenever the noise stopped. She ran behind a tree. Hearing a thud and the crunching of leaves and snapping of the sticks starting again. She kept going, hoping the being would give up and leave her alone.

She tripped on something, falling and hitting the ground. She faced the being behind her, thinking she was done for. The being wasn't close to her, it stood far away. Did it give up? Why? She was-.

Her hand felt something graining on her hands and shot her hand up. Claire saw small white dots on her hands.

The salt!

Claire rotated her head and swiveled at the salt that tainted the grass. She glances back at the being and the salt. Claire suddenly understood why the salt was there. It so this one couldn't escape. It was dangerous... But why was it dangerous? It looked like it couldn't get close to the salt. What would the salt do? The being huffed and swiveled to leave. It disappeared quickly. Claire stood up and walked off the salt.

Claire was conflicted, not mad or scared. Not anymore. Claire thought for a moment. It deserved to be in there, right? Claire's mind fluttered as her mortals rattled in her head. She didn't know this demon, let alone think why it attacked her. She liked the fact it was confined to a circle so she knew where not to go. It also felt mortal wrong. She didn't think of the demon as some murderer but rather an animal trying to survive. Claire glares at her side. The bleeding stopped, and the cut wasn't as severe as she thought. Her body should just be able to heal it by itself.

She looked at the salt for the last time, wondering who put it there, before walking away. She looked around, seeing something far off. Claire adventures over to the little dot in the distance. The walking was long, going off the trail and seeing new parts of the forest. That is when she made it. It was a small cabin, it looked abandoned. She opened the door to the place seeing how dusty and empty it was.

The main room was merged with the kitchen and she saw two doors. She opened one. Seeing the bathroom. It was depressing and the tub was filled up with dirt. Everything else was fine. She opened the other door, seeing how it was one big room. Bigger than the main room.

Claire slapped her head. What was she doing? She was impressed with her curiosity but it also made her forget she was attacked. It was getting darker. And the clouds slowly block the moon. She searched the main room. She found a lantern and a few matches, It was convenient but considering it was a cabin out in the wilderness, people must've stayed in before it was abandoned. She never lit a match or a lantern but she could figure it out.

She opened the case to find a candle. She pulled up the matchbox and lit the match. She put it in gently, it lit up most of the room before taking it and shutting the doors. She would leave to find that town. But she didn't want to risk it. Not at all. It was too dark, even after what happened. She settles in the biggest room. She looked out the uncovered window that still had its glass in contact. It's looks like she spending the night here. It wasn't home!

Nowhere felt like home... She'll change that. Eventually. She lay on the hardwood floor. Glaring at the last bit of the moon that was being enclosed by the dark clouds. She smiled. She was happy to run away, for once. She felt like people liked her. Hopefully, they're not mad about why she ran.

The moonlight went away as the clouds blocked the moonlight and and lantern was the only source of light. If you think about it, when you are lost in the dark, look for the light. And if you can't find it. Make anew. It's like a moth, heading for a burning flame. It's your choice. Be lost or be found.

Claire's eyes closed.

Chapter Text

There wasn't any sound, just the eerie silence in her dream. The true word of quietness was deafening, and her mind couldn't handle it. It institutes a noise within itself, like phantom pain, solely to retain sanity.

A faint screeching of static. A retro TV that wasn't playing any channels, as if the antenna was broken. The difference? It was all in her head.

Something was wrong, and she didn't know what or why. It felt like a part of her brain was still awake and active, being used by something that wasn't her.

She saw a vision. Like previously in her dream, it was all green. She saw what looked to be an auditorium, with a stage, decorations, and tables. Just like any auditorium, there was an audience. She was one portion of the crowd that couldn't wait for the big show to begin.

It didn't last long when the vision shifted, and a person appeared behind a screen just before her. The face was obscured, her mind blocking it out. Who is this? Why is she here? Where is she?

Then she woke up.

She was brought back to the cabin. The beam of sunshine is pouring in. Her eyes were heavy, adjusting to the light.

When she moved, her body ached slightly. The wooden floor was not a five-star bed- it wasn't close to a bed. But she had nowhere to stay, and the sky was already dark. She was not sure if she could find her way back to the town.

She knocked down the lantern on her way up. It went down with a simple thud. Claire stared at it for a few seconds, rubbing her forehead and quickly recollecting her thoughts.

She ran suddenly, her friends probably questioning where she went. She needs to find that town again for many reasons. One reason is that it was the only place she felt safe, with its empty roads and beautiful scenery. Another reason is that she has nothing.

She wasted no time getting up. She escaped the cabin, leaving the lantern and matches behind.

The day made the forest look beautiful, with nature being the art and the warm temperature. Bushes, sticks, branches, rocks, and even leaves felt like it was put there deliberately. She would enjoy this, only if her mind weren't occupied with thoughts.

You think she would question her current situation. She is a kid with no money, no survival skills, no one to look out for her, and no idea what she is doing. You know, the logical stuff. But no, that wasn't on her mind. She was too focused on her dream.

Can you blame her? It was weird, not one she ever had before. A lot of dreams have meaning, even if everything inside seems disjointed. Her dream meant something. What did it mean? Dreams are supposed to be disorganized, surrounding your health and state of mind. It forces you to wake up feeling a certain way. She didn't wake up feeling anything, just some pictures and static.

She had to focus on her path. She forgot where the town was and needed to pay attention. Either that, or she runs across...

The salt again.

She looks down at the salt, realizing it is a big circle. A massive circle meant to detain the feral woman inside. She questioned who put this here, but she didn't question why. It was obvious. A woman capable of killing you, her natural weapons, with clawed hands. What she did question was why the woman was feral.

That question didn't concern her. Did it matter why? The woman struck her. Even if Claire didn't think she attacked her out of malicious intent, but rather as a means of survival. The woman behaved like an animal, so she was treated like an animal. That didn't stop Claire from pitying it. She knows what it's like to feel... trapped.

She walked along the side of the salt. She knew if she followed around it, she might find similar woods. At least, they feel familiar. She doesn't want another encounter. Pretty sure Claire almost died that night.

A twig snapped. The kid instinctively searches the forest floor. Expected to see a stick in half, or something. She didn't see one, now thinking of it, she didn't feel one. The kid halted, her eyes widening. Darting up and scanning amongst the tree line.

Then her eyes land right on it. On the other side of the salt, the woman's head poked out from behind a tree. The kid flinched and stammered back. She felt the pain in her side again, fearing the woman would attack again. It didn't take long for Claire to remember the salt. She just hadn't expected the woman to be in broad daylight.

The feral appearance was clearer than it was in the dark. Long, blonde, and dirty hair. A black shirt with the sleeves ripped and blue jean shorts. Black-clawed hands, pointing feet. The look in its eye... It didn't seem feral.

Claire knew better than to fall for her tricks if she was pulling tricks. It didn't look as frightening as it did yesterday. Just as long as the kid stays on the other side of the salt, she'll be fine. Then, it bugs her. What was the woman doing so close to the salt anyway? Sure, she would question her. Ask why the woman attacked her.

She doubts the woman would answer her. She probably wouldn't understand Claire. She was feral, and it'll be like that.

Though the woman didn't try to hide, she moved to tilt her head. Not a response Claire expected. The kid raised an eyebrow at it. What did she want?

The kid sighs. She knew the answer. The woman is trying to survive, and that means trying to eat what she can. She understands doing what you have to do to survive, but you can also call that a paradox when everything else is doing the same thing.

The woman stepped out, walking slightly closer. It stayed a good distance away. She didn't come close to the salt. The two made eye contact, Claire immediately looked away. Her eyes went to the woman's body, trying to avoid eye contact.

The woman's arm raised, with one finger pointing out. The kid stared until her mind registered the unexpected gesture.

She was pointing, pointing!

The kid followed where she was pointing. Behind her were some wild grapes. Why was the woman showing her this? Did she... want it? Picking off vines and holding them up to her face. The grape looked healthy. Claire looks back at the woman, the feral beast now just sitting with her legs crossed.

Should the kid help her? It thrashed her yesterday. Why was it asking for Claire's help? Does Claire want to help it? Is it a trap? Maybe she shouldn't give the grapes.

Maybe she doesn't want to give the grapes. Teach it a lesson that you can't expect help from someone she has hurt. It can either learn that or die trying...

She... Why did she think that? She could never do that. Although it attacked her. She would never starve someone for any reason; that was cruel. Claire exhaled, going close to the salt. The beast leaned forward, her eyes on the fruits. How should Claire approach this? Give it to her? Then what? Get snatched? Eaten?

There are many reasons for her doubts and fears. Her reasons are that they allow her not to help and walk away. Her reasons for being skeptical and hesitant. No one would blame her, but Claire would blame herself. Then a simple idea came to her head.

The first vine of grapes was tossed, with the feral woman catching them. The feral woman examines the grapes. Claire goes back and gets another vine, she tosses that one to the woman. She caught it like before and held the two grape vines in her off-hand.

Claire grabbed another one, seeing it was the last one, and went to toss it. The stem slipped out of her hand. She didn't realize she wasn't holding it tightly enough. It still flew, but not far enough to reach the woman. It landed beyond the salt, a yard from it at most. The woman sat a fathom away from it.

It didn't land on the salt, nor did the berries ever touch it. The woman can just go and grab it herself. If she needed it that badly, she could get it herself.

The woman stared at it. Then, looking back at the kid. Claire didn't meet her eyes, but she could tell the woman was trying to express something. She didn't know what. Admittedly, Claire wasn't sure if it was just her or the woman. In the kid's defense, the beast didn't make a whole lot of facial expressions.

The beast pointed at the grapes. Claire looks between the two, raising an eyebrow. The animal pointed again, moving her arm up and down to emphasize that she gesturing towards the fruit. She wanted the crop but didn't want to get it herself. She remained rooted in her seat on the dirt ground.

Claire wasn't about to go and get it for her. She can get it herself. Claire may be acting rude about all of this, but is she? She saw her walk, hell, even run. She stepped back. The woman's body slowly froze. The arm is still in the air, but not pointing at the grapes anymore. Her eyes stayed on Claire.

The girl sent a straightforward message, and the animal woman understood it. Her arm flops to the floor. The eyes glance at the ground, not towards the fruit, but at the ground. Claire, despite not wanting to help any further than she already has, questioned why the beast is reacting like this. So far, they communicated well. Without the need for talking. Unsure if the animal woman can or can't verbally talk, Claire recognized that she seems to understand communication.

Of course, it was mostly... nonverbal communication.

"Can't you get it yourself?" Claire asked, the tone reluctant and sharp.

The animal woman looks back at the kid and shakes her head.

"Uhm..." Claire muttered. "Why?"

The animal woman lifts her right arm. There, on her forearm, was a black mark. Claire blinks, wondering how she didn't see it. It was like a bruise, something like that. The woman then points at the salt.

"You... got that mark from the salt?"

The animal woman nodded.

"Does that hurt?"

Once again, she nodded.

"But those grapes aren't near the salt."

The animal woman stares.

"You can't touch the salt, correct? The grapes haven't touched the salt. You saw where I got them. You have no reason to think I... somehow tempted with them or something- I dunno."

The animal woman didn't respond.

She was conflicted, there wasn't much she could work with her. As much as she could leave, because at least the woman had two fruits, she couldn't. This beast was behaving like her... like a human. It didn't make sense.

Well, the way Claire was thinking didn't make sense. Simply, she was wrong.

We're all animals inside. The feral woman in front of Claire was unfortunate, trapped inside a circle with minimal resources. The woman must be asking for Claire's help because Claire just so happened to be more... fortunate than her. The kid groans loudly.

Stepping on the salt, the woman's head tilts. The salt crunched under her feet as she reached the other end of the salt. She steps onto the other side, where the animal lady lives. The woman didn't move, still looking at Claire. The kid made her way to the fruit, holding it up by the stem. The woman stretched her arm.

The kid caught her breath in her throat, but she pressed forward, getting closer hesitantly. The woman still didn't move. Her gaze was unwavering. Claire was just a foot away. She stops before the hand, the hand is clawed and sharp. Her skin was stained with dirt. A closer look, she realizes you can see the woman's ribcage. The distance previously between them made it hard to notice.

Claire's arm extended, hovering the crop over the clawed hand. She kept as far away as she could, ready for the moment to run. She prays the animal woman doesn't grab her arm. The fruit overhangs, the woman unmoving. She released the stem, the grapes landed in the woman's hand, and Claire bolted. She ran over the salt and stopped when she knew she was safe.

She looked back and saw that the woman hadn't moved... hardly at all. It even seems unfaze that Claire ran, like she expected it and believed it was normal. It was examining the crop like she did with the other fruits.

The kid exhaled. Her body began to relax. When the woman finally looks back up at Claire. She gives her a thumbs-up. The kid shortly returned the gesture, giving her a thumbs-up. The woman stood back up. Claire was quickly reminded of how unfathomably tall she was.

The woman soon wandered away.

Claire... had to reflect.

She helped a woman who attacked her yesterday. The woman she thought was an animal proved she wasn't. Why did she attack her yesterday but not today? Was it all a means of survival? Something else? Maybe she doesn't like other people uninvited to her home? What was it?

Maybe it was all a means to survival, but there were choices. This woman, trying to survive the seemingly impossible, was guessing what choices kept her alive. What was that? Is that what the woman thought? What was the thought process!? Claire rubbed her forehead. She questioned everything. Then a thought came to her head.

Whoever put the woman in here, treated her like an animal... and she was forced to become one.

As much as Claire can sit here and waste daylight, she has to find the town. Then another thought came to her head.

Why didn't Claire pick up the fruit and just toss it to the woman? Like, when she entered the circle... she could've picked it up... and... thrown it...

Goddamn, Claire, did you actually want to die!? You okay!? The simple answer to all of this... she isn't the brightest.

It didn't take Claire all that long to find the town again, it seemed close. She must not have run out that far.

She was just hoping her friends wouldn't hate her after this. Running out on them on the first day they met, felt kinda like... a doughebag do on the first date. But what convinced her that her friends hated her? She had a solid reason, and there wasn't much to their friendship yet for them to hate Claire. Probably thinking, oh, just another human pulling a funny on us again.

She entered, her figure going under the sign that said Spring Hometown. The urban area was empty and quiet, just like before.

She halted, her eyes landing on two figures ahead. Anova and Biscuit are both talking among themselves. She wasn't ready for a confrontation already. They seem to be traveling.

"Hey, Claire!" The Humanoid cat yelled. He came running down the path towards her.

Claire's form is tense. Her shoulders rose, and she began to sniff.

"What happened to you last night?" Biscuit asked. "You just vanished on us."

The small demon girl walked up beside her cat friend. The two are now looking at Claire.

"I... got scared," Claire admitted. "I'm sorry."

"Oh no, you're fine." Biscuit said, smiling.

"Honest. It was abrupt and loud. I don't blame you for disappearing like that." Anova expressed.

Claire eased quickly. Her eyebrow raised. "You two aren't mad?"

"No?" The cat's ears flopped. "I agree with Anova. Although you 'running away' was a little... weird. But Miller will be Miller."

Silence hung shortly.

"Biscuit, I don't think she knows who Miller is." Anova chimed in.

"Oh... OH! Right!" Biscuit coughed. "Miller."

The trio's conversation turns into silence again. Claire was trying not to meet their eyes, frankly, it wasn't because she was scared of them, it just made her feel uncomfortable. It doesn't seem like the other two tried to meet her eyes either. The human kid was waiting for an explanation. The atmosphere got suddenly awkward. With staring eyes, and with their figures still.

"Totally," Claire spoke, wanting to break the quiet.

"Wait, I needed to explain-" Biscuit realized.

Anova chuckled. It was low and quiet. "What even happened there?" She asked.

"Listen, I'm used to people knowing what the deal is with Miller."

"You poor cat."

"Miller is... someone." Biscuit started, "I'm not sure how to describe him. He's mean and... violent. What happened yesterday was him. As in, he... was the one who screamed."

Claire's jaw dropped slightly. Her eyebrow furrowed. "That was a scream!?"

"Yeah, believe it or not!"

"THAT WAS A SCREAM!?!?" Claire was gobsmacked.

Biscuit chortles. "Yeah, why do you sound so surprised?"

"HE SOUNDS LIKE A SIREN!"

"He has some... underlying... issues," Anova said.

"That's underselling it," Claire said. "I market for fifty. Call him a fire alarm."

"I don't think anyone would buy that." Biscuit commented.

"I buy it," Anova said.

"Why-" The cat turns his head towards his small demon friend.

"I set it up in my enemy's home."

"Damn, what did they do?" Claire giggled.

"Quite about everything," Anova responded matter-of-factly.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"Oh, speaking of which." Biscuit steps forward. The theater is having a show. A new band came by... yesterday? Was it yesterday?" He looks at Anova.

"It was yesterday, yeah," Anova confirmed.

"Yesterday, now they're performing today." He turns back to Claire.

"I have no idea what to think about this or how this goes back to the conversation of the Miller's siren, but let's do it!" Claire replied.

"That's the spirit!" His smile widened. Then he quickly points at Anova. "Unlike this one."

"Shut." She smacks his hand.

"Anyway, let's get moving. I have no idea when the show starts."

A soft tone filled the main room. A group of people, chatting, sitting at the tables, and a stage right in the middle. They all came to witness the performance too. It's typical, a place to show off skills, who wouldn't want to see it? With anything, the audience was a good portion, not too small, not too large.

When Claire allows her friends to enter first, walking in last, she gazes upon the decorations. Paper cutouts of clouds, rainbows, hanging stars, and balloons of different colors. Red curtains, with spotlights shining on the stage.

The group just entered the building, and although there was a ticket booth, no one had a ticket; they walked in, and no one stopped them.

She followed behind her friends, not focusing ahead, and more on the walls. Looking at the drawings made by kids, some were drawn by someone with good artistic skills. The same balloons and cutouts were scattered. The white hanging stars, the soft tone. The theater appeared like one she had seen before... though she had never been in one.

Claire rams into Biscuit's back. The cat was incredibly light, and he almost fell. Luckily, Claire grabbed his strip while Anova, in front, caught him in her hands. The cat straightened himself, fixed his strip, and coughed.

"Geez, that could've ended badly." Biscuit jabbed nonchalantly.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking ahead," Claire admits.

"It's fine," Biscuit replied, stepping toward a table. "Everyone gets distracted." He takes out a seat for himself.

Claire joins him at the table, Anova sitting beside her. "Serious." Claire started. "You don't have to excuse everything I do."

"I'm not." Biscuit said.

"Don't worry, Claire. Biscuit is a forgiving person." Anova assured.

"I know I am, but what does that make you?"

"Reasonable."

"I can be reasonable! I know it's... rare- but I- that means nothing."

"Biscuit, I'm just joking with you."

"Good."

"But seriously, I almost embarrassed you in front of a lot of people." Claire jumped in.

"What? People trip. It's not like I would've made fun of. People are grown here."

"Claire," Anova pats Claire's shoulder. "I know you didn't mean it. We're not mad at you for that. Biscuit generally means it when he says people get distracted. Especially me."

"Especially you!" Biscuit jest.

"You're not any better."

"Yeah huh! I never get distracted- oh, are they handing out soda?" The cat got up and wandered to the post, where the employees were handing out drinks.

Anova and Claire sat alone. Claire, the human kid, noticed her small demon friend looking at her lap. Her fingers fidgeted, opening and closing upon her palm.

Nervous, is that what she's feeling? She didn't act like that a couple of seconds ago. She started instantly after Biscuit left. It must be Claire. Anova must not feel comfortable being alone with her.

Why? She didn't act like this yesterday.

Well... Claire... couldn't have noticed. She was mostly intrigued by the town. The kid wanted to say something, to break the ice, to ease Anova.

"Hey." Claire started, with Anova looking up at her. Their eyes didn't meet. "Uh..."

Now Claire is making it awkward. She hasn't thought of anything to say beforehand. Anova went to say something, her mouth opening, but she remained quiet. It appeared the words got stuck in her throat.

Just think, Claire. Think of something, something to talk about. Interests, hobbies... but is that pushing it too far? Something causal... like.

"Outside, there was a ticket booth, but I don't think any of us had one." Claire started.

Anova's eyebrow furrowed, her head tilting.

"You know, we didn't have tickets, the-"

"Oh!" Anova spoke, her head shooting up. "That! When the theater was made, they intended for people to actually buy tickets... but it never happened. It basically has no use."

"Wait, so... why was it never used?"

"Remember yesterday, with Biscuit spilling about the town."

"No, I don't."

"Oh- Okay."

"Don't be mad, I have shit memory."

"I wasn't mad-"

"It's equivalent to a goldfish."

Anova paused. "Do goldfish not have good memories?"

"No, they forget everything that happened the last three seconds ago."

"Oh!- that's me." Anova chuckled.

Claire joined in. "We got something in common!" She said. "Oh, back to the topic. Why did they never use the booth?"

"Okay, so. You don't use money here, you agree. When the theater was made, they wanted people to buy the tickets. You probably already see the problem."

"Oh yeah, Biscuit did tell me that. So what did they do?"

"The original owner of the theater straight up left."

"Wait, they wasted their time making something to only abandon it after? Just because they couldn't make money out of it? I can slightly understand it, they probably spend a lot making this."

"Oh, Claire. When I say, we don't use money here, we don't use money at all."

"He... He made it for free?"

"Yeah, with help too. People agreed to help since we didn't have one, and everyone loved the idea."

Claire blinked, thinking. "They sound selfish." She blurts out. "Sorry, I get ahead of myself. They come to a town where everything is done differently. They were allowed to make a theater, with help, for free. But then, they tried to charge people for it afterward. Once they couldn't actually do that, they left? Sounds stupid."

"Well, I-... I-..." Anova thought for a few seconds. "You know, putting it like that, it does sound horrible."

"Right?"

The cat came back, placing two red, transparent, medium-sized cups. One for Anova and the other for Claire. The human scoots her chair in for the cat to go around the table and sit in his chair.

"Geez, the line took forever." Biscuit complained, setting his cup down. "More people need to work here. People like me! So what are you two talking about?"

"The theater," Anova replied.

"Is the theater understaffed?" Claire asked.

"No," Biscuit said after someone walked past Biscuit. Claire paid no attention. "No- wait. I meant yes. Why I say no-"

"There goes Miller," Anova whispered.

"Miller?" Claire blinks, her eyes going to the man who walked past.

"Shh." Anova covers Claire's mouth. Claire focused on the man as he continued to leave. lucky Claire, he didn't hear her. The hand was removed from her mouth.

"What?" Claire asked.

Biscuit takes a sip from his drink. "Remember what we told you about Miller?"

"That he's loud?"

"No- yes-... medium- Mid." Biscuit tries to speak a coherent sentence.

"It's a so-so," Anova explained.

"It's a yesn't" Claire joked.

"Sure, but he's also violent. Trust me." Biscuit said.

Claire's eyes go back to the man. Miller was sitting down at a table by himself, scrolling through his phone. Black messy hair, half of it pulled up in a low ponytail. An eye missing, replaced with scars. His jacket sleeves were in tears and ruined, likewise with his pants.

Then he had a necklace. It resembles a blue eye. While Claire studies him, she listens to Biscuit talk.

"If you know him like we do, you know anything could set him off. He'll hurt just about anyone, ANYONE, and he doesn't need a reason. There is not much we can do to stop him, he's quite strong. You can ask Skary... if you ever see him."

Miller's head shifts up, his eyes landing on Claire's eyes. The small human darts her head back.

"But as long as you behave or aren't randomly chosen, then you should be fine." Biscuit said finally, before going back to his soda.

The lights were suddenly dimmed, as the spotlights remained on. The stage was illuminated, with cutouts, balloons, and two large speakers. The curtains for the stage craved back, and three actors stepped out. A singer and two guitarists.

The band leader stepped up and announced his band. The audience cheered as Claire relaxed and tried to enjoy the show. When the crowd quieted down, the band got into position. The leader raised his hand, holding three fingers before counting down.

The anticipation was quick, as he reached the last number, the guitarist's hands went to play their chords.

BUZZZZZZZZZ!

An ear-piercing static roared in one of the speakers. The sound fills the room quickly, with the audience covering their ears. Claire reached up to cover her ears, trying to remain calm. The noise was abrupt and blaring, so much so, covering her ears hardly worked.

She quickly searched the room, finding the source easily. Why was it doing that? She wanted to leave again, run. She didn't like it. She couldn't handle it. The adrenaline rush was horrible, and she didn't know how to calm down. She needs to run. She has to, otherwise, she'll have a panic-

A hand lands on Claire's shoulder. She looks over and sees Anova. Anova wasn't looking at her, her eyes closed due to the noise. The static was still there, Claire still panicked, but she didn't want to run now.

The knob to the speaker was toned down, the volume going down significantly, to where the static was just a hum. Claire moves her hands, and Anova moves her hand back. The audience erupts into groans and complaints. Nearly everyone started to leave.

Biscuit rubbed his cat ears, standing up. Anova followed along with him. Claire stays seated, trying to read the room. A tall girl with jumbo-size, pink hair. A tophat with bunny ears, a clock in the middle of the bunny ears, then a pink secondary suit to finish her attire. She had some fake candy associates in her hair, as hair clips.

The pink adult rubbed her forehead while she pulled it backstage. Biscuit and Anova followed, walking to a door on the side. Claire got up and followed after. She can hear the two demons talking, but couldn't make out what they're saying.

They enter from the back as if they own the place. Claire stops at the door, peering in. Was she allowed back here? Were Biscuit and Anova allowed?

She sees that the group, Biscuit, and Anova arn, surrounding the speaker. Claire took her eyes off the group and slowly walked inside. She wanted to see everything back there, while she slowly checked the room. Tables, TVs, costume racks, desks with makeup, bulletin boards, and several different items she didn't know.

There were many black room dividers, giving privacy and blocking certain doorways. Claire reached the other side and looked down the hall. It wasn't blocked off, so the kid let her curiosity take over.

The group around the speaker was still figuring out the issue. It consists of Miller, the pink lady, Biscuit, Anova, and another kid with blonde hair, with bandages hiding her eyes. The box was still emitting the low hum of static.

"What even causes this?" Miller asked, his tone pissed and low as he sits with his leg crossed behind the speaker.

"It was turned up high; maybe we accidentally blew out the speaker." The blonde girl suggested.

"But it wasn't even on for that long." The pink lady countered.

"You're right."

"The speaker is probably old." Biscuit said. "Maybe, it's time for a new one."

"We got this speaker last month?" The blonde argued.

"I didn't buy a new one, I bought a used one," Miller said. "It was cheaper that way." He looked at the panel and muttered to himself. "And that I get for being cheap."

"Unfortunately, we already have to replace it," Vivian said.

"Can I keep it?" The blonde asked.

"Why?" Biscuit asked. "What use do you have for it?"

"So I can smash it."

"That sounds like a waste," Anova said. "Can't you somehow fix it?"

"I don't know how to do that, and they're going to throw it anyway. It's going to be a waste regardless." The blonde argued. "Also, maybe I can somehow sell its parts once I'm done."

"I don't know if people will buy smashed parts, but go ham, I guess." Biscuit gave up.

Miller went to unplug the cord from the socket, gripping the edges and-

He got zipped, "Ow! Fuck!" He releases his grip before blue, red, and yellow electricity forms around the area.

It shot out of the speaker, a large ball of electricity going up to the ceiling. It then zipped down the hallway and took a turn.

The group was stunned, but it was brief before some of them groaned. The blonde heard the noise and smiled widely.

"Of course." The pink lady muttered.

"I'll talk to them." The blonde yelled excitedly as she ran through the dividers.

"We should get back to Claire." Biscuit said.

"Yeah." Anova followed Biscuit to the main room door.

The pink lady leaned down and plugged the cord back in. She grabbed the mic and tested it. "Hello."

The speaker worked just fine. Miller sighed.

"At least, it wasn't actually broken." He muttered.

The pink lady came over and turned off the speaker. "You know, I could've just bought my one. It is not just you running the theater."

Claire found herself inside a breakroom. The room was large. On one corner side, sat a counter, with a sink, a fridge, a microwave, and some appliance items, and the other corner side was mirrored, though lacking a sink and a microwave.

The counters wrap around the area. There is an opening to get in and out of in the middle. The rest of the room was filled with tables and chairs. There was a TV in the corner, behind Claire, which was left on the news. Claire takes a few steps to admire the place a little better.

The ball of blue, red, and yellow electricity zips into the room and into the TV. The TV buzzed and glitched out before the home page was shown. Then, a person popped up from below.

The kid was physically inside the TV. They had princey violet hair, with red, blue, and yellow segments. Purple skin, cyan, and blue eyes. Blue shirt, with sleeves that had the same red, blue, and yellow scheme. The sleeves reach slightly past their black-gloved hand. With a noose around their nonexistence neck.

They held a hand to their head, their blue glowing teeth showing. They dropped their arm back to their side before looking into the room. A girl they didn't recognize stood.

"Hey!" They called out.

Claire tensed up before turning to the doorway. No one was there. She raised an eyebrow. She swore she heard-

"Up here!" They called again.

Claire's head darted to the source and saw the person on the screen. She wasn't any less dazed. Was a character on the TV talking directly to her? Are they real?

She watched the person's eyes widen and their body tense up, with their mouth slightly ajar. They appeared upset and... offended.

"What the hell are you doing here!?" They demanded aloud. The words are stained with toxins.

"I-..." Claire stammered. "Am I not supposed to be back here? I didn't know I wasn't supposed to be back here! I thought it was okay." She quickly defended.

"Because no matter what you think, it's always okay!? Isn't it!?"

"I'll leave!"

"Leave with what!?" They accused. "Something you like, huh!? Oooh, suree! Take anything you want, because I'm sure everyone here doesn't mind!"

"W- wait, you have me all wrong-"

"So you admit you came here to do something worse!?"

"What!?" Claire stepped back. "No, I didn't admit-"

"So it's true! You did come here to ruin things! You just accidentally confessed. I thought I was bad with my pranks, but you're going to do something worse!"

"No! I never-"

"Shut it! I don't doubt you're working with them!"

"Wh-... who?"

"Oh, please! You're human! You know them! What human doesn't!?"

Claire didn't speak. This person generally doesn't believe her. Their throwing accusations like crazy with no real reason. What's worse, Claire doesn't even know if this person is real or not. Is she getting pranked?

"What!?" They said, in an exaggerated, rackety tone. "You have no actual idea what the FUCKING-" They smashed against the TV screen, with clenched fists. "The Silver Servants are!"

"Sliver Servants?" She asked, her voice down to a whisper. The person temper was practically surreal. The altercation started and went on only for a couple of seconds, and they had already lost it.

"They're like the police for you humans!" They compared. "Protect every human while they HURT EVERY INNOCENT GODDAMN DEMON!"

"Hold on, I'm lost here-"

"Sureee, I'm sure you're just trying to find your mother here! Are you fucking serious! I'm not an idiot!"

"I didn't say-"

"What!? Did I expose you? Ruin your plan? Called you out? It's obvious!"

"Let me talk!-"

"OooOOOOh! Someone pissed! What wrong, upset that things aren't fucking easy!?"

"I didn't do-"

"Let me guess, Camelot is the best thing to ever exist! Is that right!?"

"What is Camelot!?"

"ARE YOU DENSE!??" They yelled, in actual shock. They actually allow silence if they want a response. It was short-lived as they went on. "STUPID!? Oh no! You're playing dumb!" They accused.

"What do you even want from me!?"

"I-..." They stuttered into silence. The earlier loud and defensive teenager ceased. They stared at Claire, with Claire staring just below them. Claire swore they hadn't done anything, yet this person is convinced she's evil. The human waited for an answer.

What did they want? The premature statements, alongside the tone and actions of this person, had Claire thinking. They sounded mad, yes, but also hurt?

While the silence lingers, that is when someone walks in. The blonde.

"Oh!" The person on screen moves. "Hey!"

The blonde-haired head turns at the source. "There you are! I thought I heard you."

"Just in time, too." They looked back at Claire. "I need help dealing with this fuck right here!"

Claire tensed up, while the blonde head turned to Claire. The blonde seemed confused, her body language gave it away. Then, her manner changed. Stepping forward, with a finger up and-

"Who are you!?" The blonde asked, her voice venom. "You seriously think you can come in here and start ruining things!?"

Claire gripped her shirt collar, stepping back. The person on the screen dramatically raises their hands, giving a thumbs-up.

"Yeah, that's it!" They cheered, quickly looking back at Claire and putting their hands down. "Now there are two! How does it feel having more than one person against you!?"

Claire didn't respond. Why were both of them mad? Did she do something? She already tried to apologize, even suggesting she leave. What did she do?

"What!? Have nothing to say!?" They taunted.

"They always falter when two attack them." The blonde said.

"Because she knows she has nothing to say!"

Claire wanted to defend herself, but how? She swore she had done nothing. Is she ignorant? Did she do something without realizing it? She seriously doubted herself. But what can Claire do here!? They seemed to want to yell at her more than just resolve things. Apologizing didn't seem to work. Giving a solution somehow made things worse.

"Look how dumb she is!" They shamed.

"Oh, although I can't see it, I definitely can tell." The blonde agreed. "Why come here? Don't you have other things to do?"

"Like, go and cry to your parents?"

They laughed.

Claire wished she had parents...

"Hey!" Biscuit yelled. The three look right at him. He stood at the doorway with Anova behind him. "Knock it off!" He enters the room, with Anova following.

Both Biscuit and Anova stood in front of Claire. The human felt her shoulders relax..

"Biscuit!? Anova!?" They clamored. "W- w- what!?"

"What are either of you doing!?" Biscuit questioned.

"What does it look like!?" The blonde replied. "Don't tell me you're defending her!"

"Of course, I'm defending her!"

"Why!?" The person asked.

"Do you even know her name!?" Biscuit retorted.

"I-... No, why does that matter!?"

"Why wouldn't it matter!?"

"What did she actually do!?" Anova interjected. "This is Claire's first time here! I know she didn't do anything!"

"Like you always have an eye on her!" The blonde riposte.

"She's fucking human!" The person stated. "Why are you protecting a human!?"

"Is that what this is about!?" Anova questioned in disbelief.

"They took everything!"

"But Claire didn't single-handedly cast out every demon!"

"Did you forget the history of Spring Hometown!?" Biscuit asked.

"FUCK SPRING HOMETOWN!"

The two sides started to yell. One side is trying to express how wrong they are for this, the other is justifying what they did. The argument eventually dissolved into insults. No side is trying to conclude. Claire stepped away from the confrontation. She didn't want to interact with this. She already hates how this started and hates how there's no good explanation.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" A booming voice screams. The group stops momentarily to cover their ears. When they all glanced back at the door, Miller stood there. And to say the least, he was pissed.

The trio sat outside the theater, sitting against the wall with bitter expressions. They weren't kicked out, but none of them wanted to stay in there. Having to stand in the same room where the argument happened was already tiring. Claire didn't want to stand near the kids who yelled at her.

The argument was stupid. Borderline unnecessary. Yet, it still happened. What even caused it? Claire, being human, couldn't have simply been the main issue. Her friends even vouched for her, asking the same questions she had. And she didn't know the two when it happened.

"Hey, Claire," Anova spoke. Grabbing the attention of the human friend, her eyes moved off the ground. Anova sat on her legs. Her first set of arms rested on her lap as the other set just lay dormant. "I know what happened back there was bad."

"I know. But why did they yell at me?" Claire asked.

"Who knows?"

"Those two are always picking the most unnecessary and stupid arguments they can find." Biscuit answered. "That's their thing. You can't reason with them. Especially for how immature they are."

"We weren't any better, Biscuit." Anova expressed. "We also... started yelling."

"We had a reason." Biscuit argued. "Unlike them, we started yelling because they were. It's not like they would've listened if we talked calmly."

"Yelling also didn't work," Anova stated.

"Hey," Claire joined in. "I noticed that... the blonde... one."

"That was Crazie." Biscuit informed. "She fits her name. The other person is Agetha."

"Okay, Crazie seemed confused before she started yelling at me. And Agetha didn't tell her anything; she just went with it."

"Yeah, see. No matter what the other is doing. They'll blindly defend each other."

"Agetha, the one who started it. She-"

"They." Both Anova and Biscuit corrected in unison.

"Agetha uses they them pronouns." Anova elaborate.

"Oh... They started to accuse me of stealing stuff and trying to ruin things." Claire explained. "Like, I would've understood it if I wasn't supposed to be back there, but they kept yelling at me like... I'm a criminal. I even offered to leave, but Agetha kept yelling."

"That's the thing with Agetha." Biscuit tugs at his blue bandanna before reaching back to tighten it. "They will argue whenever they have been wronged... Or think they have been wronged."

"It's already a losing battle when it's with Agetha. Any reason or logic you have is thrown out the window by their hands. I just suggest you avoid them both next time. They might try to argue with you again." Anova suggested.

"Agetha mentioned uhm... something uh... Camelot and The Silver Servants?" Claire brought up.

Biscuit stopped tightening his bandanna, and Anova's eyes widened. Their figures went completely stiff. Claire looks between the two, an eyebrow raised.

"What?" She said.

"Uh..." Anova pretends to fix her hat to hide her face. "The Silver Servants..." She started, but her sentence trailed off. She had the words, just didn't want to use them.

"We prefer not to talk about them." Biscuit spoke. "Or talk about Camelot. We're not sure why Agetha is so hooked on them." The cat moved his head away.

Claire searches between the two, not understanding. She did understand that neither was comfortable. What is it about The Silver Servants and Camelot that brought negative responses?

"Okay. Sorry, I never heard about Camelot or The Silver Servants. I was curious." Claire apologizes.

"Let's move on." Biscuit stammered up, turning and looking down at Claire. Anova exposes her face, her head lifting and turning to Claire. "Claire."

"Biscuit." She draws out.

"Claire." He draws out longer.

"Biscuit." She dares to draw it out longer.

"Claire-"

"I- I-I'm lost. Why are you two?-" Anova's eyes dart between them.

"She started it!" Biscuit argued.

"You played along!" Claire countered.

Anova's eyes continue to shift, puzzling. A short silence among them now. "What?" Anova uttered.

"Anyways, Claire, I don't think I ever asked where you came from?" Biscuit mentioned.

"Where did I come from?"

"I mean, you don't live here. Or did you move in?"

"Oh!" Claire realized. "Oh, I- I-uhm."

How can Claire explain this? Her situation seems wild. She's an orphan who ran away from her orphanage and is living...

Where is she living? It didn't occur to her that she had zero plans and was going out on a limb. She had no one, nowhere, no food, no water, no shelter, nothing. Even with raising tenison, Claire should've been stressed, worried. In which case, she was stressed, but she also felt embarrassed.

Compared to Biscuit and Anova, whom Claire had hardly met, they seem to know what they're doing. Biscuit seems to live by himself just fine. Anova looks like she's fine. It made her feel ashamed and ignorant. What was she doing? They have parents, right?

What did these two expect from her? That she living okay? Inside a house? With someone? Can she admit she is an orphan? What would they do with that information? Cast her out? Leave her?

"Claire?" Biscuit called out.

"Oh, sorry. I just- I was thinking."

"Do you not know where you live?"

"It's... complicated."

"How so?" Anova asked.

"Well..." Claire grabs her shirt collar. She should tell it how it is?

No. No, she can't. Not... Now. She doesn't know them well enough... and if they judge her now...

An idea came to her mind.

"I- I live with my parents!" Claire stuttered. "I just... sneak out of the house a lot."

"Why?" Biscuit asked.

"Uh. They don't like me wandering into the forest."

"That's fair." Biscuit sits down. "You shouldn't worry them too much."

"You know," Anova spoke. "You can tell them that the forest has no animals. I mean- the most you'll see is a bunny. Animals tend to stay away from cities."

"I think they stay away from any municipalities," Claire said. "I haven't seen any animals near here... yet."

Anova blinked a couple of times. Her stance unmoving, and her face dumbfounded. Until she jolted herself out of the trance.

"Sorry, you said... that one word and my mind needed a second to process it." She apologized.

"Municipalities?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, I was not expecting it."

"Seriously? I don't think I used the word wrong?"

"No, I'm sure you didn't." Anova looks away. "I'm not the type to use such long words. I still understand them, just not used to hearing them."

"Yah." Claire did that weird yeah again. "I construct elongate sentences possessing words unconventional to conversational conversations-"

"If you're gonna use long words, at least MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!"

Claire had to stifled a chuckle, while Anova looked slightly annoyed.

"Who says conversational conversations? That doesn't even sound right, like- that's the same word!" Anova complained

"I'm going to do it more often." Claire proclaimed. "Just to bug you."

"Why does this happen to me?" Anova muttered to herself, her face portraying a smile. Of which she tried to hide using her hand.

Claire let out a short laugh.

"Hey." Biscuit leans in. "Can I be a part of this bonding moment too?"

"No!" Claire voiced comically loud.

"Well, damn-"

"Go away!"

Anova giggled. Claire was grinning amusingly. Biscuit looked so dramatically heartbroken.

"Yes, Biscuit. You can. I don't think you have to ask." Claire said.

"Yeah huh!" Biscuit disputed. "I need my friend's permission to exist. I don't-"

Biscuit didn't finish his sentence when the two girls chortled. Claire had to cup her face. The trio sat there, laughing among themselves.

"You two... are going to drive me insane," Claire expressed, moving her hands.

"Alright, alright!" Biscuit, straighten up. "Back to the topic."

"Oh, I completely forgot what we were talking about," Anova admitted.

"That's okay. Claire! We were talking about you!"

"Fuck, we were?" Claire questioned jokingly.

"We were. We were talking-"

"What a boring conversation, let's talk about something else."

"Claire." Biscuit voiced out, trying not to laugh again. "Come on. It wasn't boring."

"Fine, fine. Let's talk about me."

"Okay, you live with your parents?"

"No-" Claire didn't catch herself in time.

"No?"

"No?" Anova said as well. "You said you did?"

"I-... Okay, uhm." Claire tried to think of a reason.

She got too comfortable and let the truth out a little. Forgetting about her lie earlier. She needs to lie again, something to explain. The longer she thinks, the longer the seconds pass. How are they supposed to believe her if she can't answer right away? First thing that comes to mind.

Biscuit's Cabin. What!? Where!? How Claire got to that point was even confusing for her. She was staring somewhere near Biscuit, and he must have gotten her attention.

Cabin.

"There is a cabin!" Claire started, gesturing behind her, her arm pointing in a direction. "It's just yonder of Spring Hometown. That way."

She looks back at her demon's friends. They struggled to see how that explained anything. It seems almost unrelated. She grabs her shirt collar.

"Uhm... When sneaking out. I go to that cabin. You know, for alone time. I think of it sorta... like, where I'm supposed to live with my parents —what people call a home— it's... not."

Anova and Biscuit stared at her. Biscuit seems confused. Has her lie not worked? Was there something she missed?

Well, the part when she said parents was the lie. She was speaking the truth based on a lie.

An orphanage, being the parents in this lie, should never be called a home.

For Claire.

"It is because of your parents?" Anova asked.

Claire glanced near her. Meanwhile, her own expression was guarded and hesitant.

The small demon portrays some understanding as if she had believed Claire's lie and offered her pity. It made Claire feel bad, she was lying. She also... felt... gratitude. Claire's fabrication was utterly complex, mixing a false situation with real feelings. Chances are, Anova's sympathy would be like how most people's pity is. Their condolences and wished them well.

Claire gave pity like that, too. No real... depth. Just give pity and move on tactic. She still appreciated it, even if it was fake.

The poor kid received too many brutal, honest, and inhumane responses.

"I can understand if that is the case," Anova expressed softly.

Claire figured if she got it done quickly, then her rollercoaster would stop. "You... can... say that," she said slowly.

"It looks like it's stressing you out," Anova observed. "And making you uncomfortable."

She reached over and rested her clawed hand where Claire's hand was holding her shirt collar.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it. I understand that the timing isn't... perfect. And especially since you had only known me and Biscuit since yesterday. And trust me, this emotional turn can make you feel embarrassed... but..."

She took Claire's hand and moved it from her shirt. "I say this because... I am dealing with my family. I know what it's like. It's never the same pain, but we can still try to talk... When you're ready."

Anova put Claire's hand down. She removed her hand, giving space and time to think. And thinking... Claire did.

Claire felt horrible.

It was all a lie. A stupid... unneeded lie. Claire had been too afraid that her not having parents could've made her look less. That her friends were wearing a fake persona. She didn't want to reveal too much, but she chose to lie. Her friends never wore masks. Anova had just met Claire, yet was open to her already. Claire wasn't ready to be open.

She made a whole complicated problem. With the bottom line being, Claire lied. Anova didn't offer her pity... she offered her empathy. Empathy that Claire knew was undeserved, with the connection being nothing more than a string.

"Uhm... I'm sorry." Claire falters.

Anova tilting her head. "Sorry? Why are you sorry?"

Claire didn't talk for a moment. Her brow raised. "I-... I'm sorry?"

'Why-"

"No wait... Thank you! Thank you! I was supposed to thank you." Claire corrected.

"I was confused why you were apologizing."

"I didn't mean to." Claire paused before hurrying to clarify. "As in, I said the wrong thing. I still would apologize to you when it's-"

"Claire." Anova sets a clawed hand on Claire's shoulder. "You're fine. Don't get yourself worked up, it's not that serious, you simply said the wrong thing here, and that's fine."

Claire exhaled sharply. "Goddamn, I'm a mess when it comes to this!"

"You both are." Biscuit eventually spoke.

"Shut up, Biscuit." Both Claire and Anova conveyed. The relief is setting in.

"But it's true!"

"Whatever!" Anova gave in. "I didn't see you trying to comfort her."

"Because I'm not a mess!"

"Oh, really-"

"I'm a wreck!"

Claire giggled. Anova smiled at Biscuit's joke.

"That checks out," Anova replied.

"Trust me, Claire, you're better off becoming sad with Anova than with me. I'm an... if you start crying, I start crying."

Claire snorted. "Imagine seeing two random kids on the road, and they're both loudly crying." She joked.

"I wonder what they would think."

"No, because like... we wouldn't be hugging, just sitting side by side with each other and bawling our eyes out."

"That's an interesting sight," Anova said.

"I turn the other way, I'm sorry." Biscuit confessed.

Claire laughed. "You're- you're like, I'm not dealing with this shit." Small laughs are emitted.

"I'm too emotionally unstable for this." Biscuit added.

Claire was laughing, the conversation turned for the better. The quick mood was quick, only because Claire made it brief. With everyone enjoying the silly banter and jokes. She felt comfortable-...

Her face dropped, her laughter stopped abruptly, and memories rushed back. While her friends were still laughing. Unaware of Claire's sudden departure.

She shouldn't get comfortable. At least, too comfortable. She didn't want to...

Claire grabbed her shirt collar.

It felt wrong. To have lied like that, then have the audacity to still laugh with them if she were a real friend. She felt fake. Like, a persona...

Get it out of your head, Claire. You lied, but there is always room for truth. They understood you this much. Hell, defended you from Agetha. And for some reason...

That wasn't enough proof.

"Claire?" Biscuit tapped her head.

"Huh?" Claire looks up.

"You okay?"

"Yah." Claire's weird yeah again. "I was just thinking about... the cabin."

"The one yonder?" Anova asked.

"Yah. I was thinking. I just found it recently, and it's empty."

"Free shelter." Biscuit joked.

"Quite literally. I figure I could try..." Claire trailed off. "Decorating it! I mean, it's in the middle of nowhere. It abandoned. So, I could try to make it look more... to my taste. Make it my den."

"I like that idea," Anova said.

"Are you sure you want to decorate an old cabin?" Biscuit asked, with slight concern. "I mean, if it's in the middle of nowhere, wouldn't it get lonely? Or scary?"

"If I'm honest, yes," Claire admitted. "But it's not like I'll stay in it 24/7."

"That's fair."

"Yeah, I just need to find where I'll get that stuff."

"From your room?" Anova asked.

Claire remains quiet. That awful feeling again. "No, I'm trying to find... what I like. You know... New."

"Ah. Gotcha."

"I have old stuff!" Biscuit proclaimed.

"Oh, yeah. That right. You had all that junk for years." Anova joined in.

"I mean... I'm not trying to offend you, Claire."

"Offend?"

"By giving you... junk?"

"Another man's trash is another man's treasure... or in this case... A cat's trash is a human's decorations!"

"Okay, nice to know." Biscuit gets up. "Come on! Let's get the stuff before night falls."

Claire and Anova stood and followed after their cat friend.

A box of junk lay dormant by the door of the cabin that Claire claimed as her own. With cookies sitting on her counter. The two demon friends left. Due to time.

They promise they'll come back tomorrow morning. Claire can wait until they come back. Although it was her cabin, and she could decorate it whenever she wanted, she wanted her friends to be here.

Of course, the regret hasn't left. Still there, reminding her. Thoughts came and went through her head. Their not so pleasant either. It forced Claire to think. Claire seems entitled, wanting to wait until her friend comes back, but not being a real friend herself. She hated these thoughts.

To avoid this. She tries to find a chore. Anything. She spotted the fireplace in the middle. Really, it's the only thing that'll keep her warm, and she had no firewood. It's not cold outside, but seasons will change, and she will need that firewood. It's not like this place has heating. Alongside electricity and water. She doubts it.

But lo and behold, trying the light switch in the bathroom worked. It hissed on, making a buzzing sound with blue light staining the room. If the place had electricity, would it have water? Yes, it had water too. Best part, it looked clean. That's good and all, but she does still fire wood. For now, she plans to use sticks and leaves and... whatever else.

Outside was cozy. The dawn glow was beautiful. Claire grabbed as much as she could. Massive sticks, leaves. That's all she can find. She figured she could grab some twigs.

When she went to pick up a mild stick, holding it in her palm, she caught a glimpse. There was a cottage. Claire leaned up, taking in the sight of the house. Like her cabin, it was in the middle of nowhere. Unlike her cabin, it wasn't abandoned. There was a massive garden right outside. Healthy and pretty. The cabin was red, white, and some brown.

It appeared out of nowhere. Wouldn't she have seen this before?

Who lived here? What is this place? Why are there random houses out in the middle of nowhere? Why this forest in particular? Because lack of wildlife? Privacy?

A person stood up. Claire retreated behind a tree. Hiding from a figure that decided to show itself. Mostly unknowingly, since they looked distracted. She saw... a boy? She couldn't tell if he was a demon or not. He didn't look like one. Then again, with the demons she saw, they could look human.

Brown, short hair with flowers going around, forming a crown. A yellow hoodie with a black strip going through it...

Claire had seen him before, just yesterday. Before she ran off and well... met that feral woman.

The boy walks back inside his cottage with a basket of flowers. Only then, Claire realized she was stalking. Spying. So she went back.

She finds her cabin, the glow of the day setting to an end. She hurled the sticks in the fireplace and lit a match. She tossed the lit match, and the fire didn't light immediately. Took a few seconds to glow. Once it started going, Claire searched through the stuff outside. She found a carpet and some pillows.

She figured to hell with it and set the carpet in the middle of the floor, put the pillows on top, and sat against the pillows to watch the fire dance.

As she lay there, her mind questioned everything. What will happen? What is in store for the future?

Time will only tell.

Chapter Text

A few days went by without incident.

Claire continued to have weird, vivid dreams about random events. She noticed that the dream was of her friends, and what they did together was involved. Then, it would happen perfectly out of her sleep. She's not entirely sure what's going on.

Claire was half convinced that something was wrong with her. Finally going crazy or having weird deja vu moments. It was all unexplainable. Of course, her dream this time didn't help.

She would hold an item in her hand, a snow shovel. Then, it would change to seeing Agetha on a screen. She was still on the fence about Agetha. Although what happened was bad, Claire felt something was unresolved about it. A sense of something deeper is at work in all of this. She wants to know why Agetha acted out.

Then she woke up to a noise at her door. Just like that, another green dream is unexplained and out of context. If what happens in her dreams happens in real life, this is the day it would happen. For now, Claire has her friends over!

Biscuit, with his furry paw, put down a paper calendar on the counter and a marker to mark out the dates for September from 1 to 6. He held it up, went to the other side of the cabin, and pinned it up.

Anova was on the side of the walls, decorated with different items. Empty frames, signs with motivational quotes, and then metal art pieces. Promptly, she would add themes of cactus. Adding photographs under some empty frames. She even brought Claire a small plushie of a cactus with a smiling face on it. She positioned it on top of Claire's fireplace shelf.

Claire, herself, was hanging a white paper foil on the ceiling. She taped it up there, adding it across the room. She found the foil at the bottom of the box, and Biscuit teased that Claire couldn't do much with it. So this is her, proving the cat wrong. Why? At first, it was to prove him wrong by giving the foil the most absurd use, but then she loved how it looked and added more. Some foil strings would hang lower than others, done intentionally, as Claire said she liked it.

As the cat walked over and examined Claire, standing on the ladder that Anova had for some reason. He saw the foil begin to create a shape, not any particular shape. Curious as one cat can be, he questioned it.

"What are you trying to do here?" He asked.

"Trying to make it where each foil can be seen but still have it... crowded and messy."

"That's not what I meant. Where you're going with the foil, it's kinda creating a... shape."

"I didn't mean to make it look like that," Claire revealed, taking her eyes off where she had been working and looking around.

"You're making something alright," Biscuit said.

Anova moves from the area she has been in and stands on the opposite side of Claire. "What are you two talking about?"

"The foil art Claire is making." Biscuit answered.

"Oh?" She looks up. "Wow, that... looks like my room."

"You're room?" Claire asked. "Do you just live in a foil house?"

"No?" Anova said. "What's a foil house?"

"I dunno." Claire climbs down. "I hope you answer that."

"No. I can't. I said it looks like my room because of how messy it is."

"Oh! That's what you meant."

Claire moves the ladder out of the way and lies against the wall before walking to see what Anova created. She noticed the cactus pictures scattered around.

"I'm not usually so messy," Anova replied hesitantly.

"What happened to that?" Biscuit said. "I mean, did you stop caring or?"

"No... maybe. It happened last year when online school started to give me a lot of work and stuff. That's also when my mom became as strict as she is now."

Claire faces them. She doesn't know about her parents, despite lying about it, but she didn't know they could also be strict. She goes over to them.

"Strict?" Claire asked. "Like, how strict are we talking?"

"I'm not going to dive into that," Anova said.

"Not the right time, huh?"

"Nope."

"Moving from that," Claire said quickly, taking a seat on the floor where the pillows and carpets were. "I wanted to talk about Spring Hometown."

Biscuit sits with his knees up, while Anova sits on her legs. Biscuit started. "I figure you would ask about it at some point."

"Yah, there's been something that's been bugging me."

"For starters, in the center of the city, there is writing. It's like, written into the dirt. It's about Spring Hometown."

"Why is it named Spring Hometown when it's more of a village?"

"I-..." Biscuit paused.

Anova also paused. The two demons were not exactly prepared for Claire's question. There has always been a set of common questions regarding Spring Hometown. When was it built? Why? Who? The history? Never ask why Spring Hometown was... named a town and not a village.

"What?" Biscuit muttered.

"Think about it. Spring Hometown isn't specifically the definition of a town." Claire described. "It's small, it's empty, there aren't a lot of people. It's very far from any city. You know? The place doesn't have that many people to call it a town."

The two demons had to sit there for a moment. Claire made a good point. It never really occurred to them. They always lived in Spring Hometown and never explored different places. Made both demons realize that their idea of a town wasn't fully accurate. Never been inside another town before, had only seen the city.

"That's a very good question." Biscuit acknowledges.

"Perhaps we should tell the story-- the only side of the story we know is true, and see if we come up with a guess," Anova proposed.

"Sounds good." Biscuit nodded in agreement. He goes and coughs in his paw.

"So, Spring-"

"Spring Hometown!" Biscuit started, louder than Anova. His tone is enthusiastic. Biscuit spoke briefly about the part of the town Claire already knows.

The human's eyes land on Anova. The small demon sat there with an awful expression. A frown and hurt eyes. Her two sets of left arms went up. The one on top fixed the hat, although it wasn't crooked, as the other arm rubbed her face. The movement was fast and short when the arms landed back down, she appeared normal, okay.

It felt off. Why was Anova covering up her pain? She was hurt that Biscuit interrupted her. She was sure the cat meant no harm.

Claire isn't exactly innocent herself when it comes to cutting off Anova when she's speaking. The girl never looked hurt... but with the way she managed to switch up.

If Anova doesn't want to speak for herself here. Claire will.

"So starting-"

"Hey, Biscuit." Claire interrupted him. "I know you're excited about describing this story to me, but I think Anova wanted to do it."

The demon girl's eyes widen. Her body was tense.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Anova." Biscuit apologized. "You didn't have to be quiet. I'm fine with you wanting to explain it."

Claire and Biscuit shifted and sat where they were in front of Anova. The two teens behaved like children, sitting and staring at her as if they were being read to by their teacher at a library. The girl didn't move. Too stunned to speak. Then she shook her head before finally starting.

"Spring Hometown was constructed back in April 2009 by the people who resided in the woods. The person who founded Spring Hometown was someone named Forrest, alongside his companion named Watchdog. Forrest wanted people to call home without worry. Watchdog protected the homes."

Anova finished as she looked at her two friends.

"Pretty cool?" Biscuit asked Claire.

"Yah! I didn't know someone could name their kid forest." Claire responded.

"It doesn't end there." Anova cited. "But the story becomes confusing and generally unknown. I mean, Forrest doesn't open much, and Watchdog never talked about himself."

"No one knew them?" Claire asked.

"Basically. What I find weird is how the two always wore cloaks."

"Why the cloaks?"

"Who knows?"

"They're not here anymore." Biscuit said. "In case you were wondering."

"They both left?"

"Weird, right?"

"But that doesn't explain why it's called a town and not a village," Claire voices.

"Claire, you're killing me." Anova chortled.

"IT'S A VILLAGE!-" Claire argued.

"Listen! Listen! Here's what I think. When Spring Hometown was made, more people were living in the forest at the time. Then many years passed, so fewer people left."

"Anyways, what plans do you have for this, Claire?" Biscuit asked.

"The cabin? I'm not sure. I just want to make it look... what I like."

"Oh, so what do you like?"

"I dunno. Still deciding."

"I wonder if she likes the cactuses I set up," Anova said, her voice almost distant and echoing.

"The cactuses? Yeah, they all look fine. You think more cactuses would look good with every random thing I throw in here?" Claire asked.

Anova froze and stared at her, blinking. Claire returned the stare, unsure of what she was thinking. Of course, neither stared into each other's eyes. Claire turned her vision to Biscuit, who was also giving her the same stare. Has she said something wrong?

"Is... something wrong?" Claire questioned.

"Uh," Anova stuttered. "How did you know... my question before I even asked it?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"You answered my question before I... even said it," Anova said.

"What?" Biscuit muttered.

"What?" Claire uttered, before looking down.

"What?" Anova said after.

The trio sat in silence. Claire swore Anova said something. Though what was... the echoing and...

"This doesn't make sense," Claire said.

"Let's just move on," Anova said.

"Yeah, probably for the best anyway." Biscuit said. "That's pretty... wild how all that happened."

"Imagine I'm some alien that can read minds." Claire joked.

"Okay, now that was outta the blue," Anova said.

"Oooh! You like cactuses!" Claire tensed in a ghostly manner. "You also like... breathing, I dunno."

"Okay, yeah, no, you definitely cannot read." Biscuit said as he poked Claire's face.

"Uh-" Claire stammered. "Like, read minds, right?"

"Wha-"

"Can she not read minds, or can she not read?" Anova asked sarcastically.

"Oh! I didn't finish my sentence!" Biscuit realized

"You goof!" Claire laughed.

"Yeah! You can't read minds, AND neither can you read!"

"Goddamnit!"

Oh!" Anova speaks and gets up. "What time is it?" She asks.

"I dunno," Claire admitted.

"Online school?" Biscuit asked, sounding like he already knew the answer.

"Yeah, I almost forgot. Listen, I gotta go." Anova walks to the door. 'I'll see you two in like... 2 or 3 hours?"

"Oh, I actually have to be somewhere." Biscuit said hesitantly as he stammered up. He quickly left the cabin before Anova could.

Claire raises an eyebrow at Biscuit's sudden leaving.

"Excuse him. Biscuit loves meeting new people, but not when I'm not here." Anova explained.

"Oooh! That's fine." Claire allowed.

Before then. The two demons left.

Claire sat in her home. Her cabin was a bit more lively. She had a good couple of days, spending time with the new friends she made. She hasn't learned anything new about them, just jokes and talk about what to decorate the house with.

So, Claire started to embellish the cabin a little more on her own. She found glass frogs and set them on the fireplace. She found different types of blankets and laid them across the floor.

As each of the blankets was counted, she walked over to grab a cookie from the plate on the counter. All she found were crumbs. She looked down, realizing she was out.

Now, if she thinks of it. She had no food. Literally none. She felt embarrassed by it. Well, there's a certain village that calls itself a town. She'll stop by and see what she can get. So with that being said, she figured the best time to do it is to do it now. So she quickly exited the cabin.

She was walking through the forest, taking the normal path. It involves walking until she approaches the salt. Then, walking around it. She walked back and forth a few times on this path. However, her route does tend to alter when her friends come along.

Her friends saw the salt once and, since then, have avoided it. Turns out, they were affected by the salt as much as the feral woman was. Claire never mentioned the woman in the circle. Mostly because something came up, and she failed to remember. While not trying to hide this from them, she questions how they would react.

Even while Claire was stuck thinking this. She moved along the salt. The woman hasn't shown herself for a while. Claire wasn't sure what she wanted. She didn't like the woman but didn't want it to suffer any more than it already had. But she couldn't release the feral woman. What if it-

She stopped and turned her head inside the circle. Though seemingly she had no reason for doing so, she just... did it.

She saw that feral woman again. It wasn't hiding; more so, the feral woman didn't seem to notice Claire. The beast sat against a tree, with one hand on its head. Of course, it made Claire feel... bad.

BUT OF COURSE, she remembered what happened. We could go on about it, but everyone gets the point.

The beast's gaze lands on Claire. The two stared. The child didn't flinch, just studied the animal in front of her. It was shortly after that the feral woman got up from her spot and wandered off. It didn't seem to want to deal with anything right now. Stressed, even when nothing was happening.

Could Claire... help her? Can this violent woman become less violent? She showed Claire that it can be docile. So maybe... it won't be... so hostile.

Claire examines the salt, noticing a certain area where the circle lining becomes small.

Maybe it won't be suffering if she frees it.

The child has to give it a try. She either succeeds or dies trying... and that isn't meant metaphorically, quite literally in this case. The real question is if it'll be worth it.

Claire entered Spring Hometown.

The usual hush, followed by the scenery, was relaxing like always. Now she has to just look around and see what she can find. Perhaps a building, with people giving out items, shovels in particular. Or it could be anything, really, a large spoon even.

When Biscuit and Anova were touring Claire around, she saw a hardware store and could start there. The kid isn't sure if the store has what she wants, because she hasn't been inside a hardware store.

Let alone know what a hardware store is. She has partially some idea of what could be inside. Maybe some metal... Silverware? What else? Honest, she can go inside one and see what's there.

Making it to the back end of town. Where the town becomes just a large section of abandoned stores and houses. The trail appeared less maintained. With gravel being gone and grass is overtaking more of the path.

Flowers grew out of the grounds as well. Alongside some weeds. Of course, Claire and her stupid sore eyes couldn't help but admire the rundown side of town.

Everything was beautiful, especially when nature took its course. Nature can be so memorable... but so cruel at the same time.

One building, in particular, caught her eye. Massive and welcoming, with a sign summing up the place. Spring Hometown's first-ever library.

Well, obviously, this isn't what she is looking for. Libraries don't have shovels. They have books, computers, and maybe something else. Claire should definitely continue heading down the path-

Wait a minute... why is she going in!?

As Claire pushed forward, the open doors. She met with dust. It filled the library, the surfaces, and the air smelled like dust. The damn dust became the air in this library.

The place was rigid. If the building hasn't been used. That would explain the dust. The area was open, very open. Where bookshelves lined one wall and computers lined the other. She noticed a lack of books... where were the books- wasn't this a library?

Yes, a good few books were present in the room. On the floor, pages turned out and... discarded. It seemed like rowdy teenagers broke in and did whatever they wanted. She didn't know it was abandoned... from the outside, it looked normal.

Inside... it was almost depressing. Walking down the bookshelf aisles. She wondered why this place was... left in this state. The theater was in use. There were open stores.

Was there a better library somewhere? Why-

"SURPRISE!" A voice boomed above.

Claire's gaze darts up.

Wires, chargers, extension cords, and even blocks came falling. The whole attack aimed at Claire's face was successful. The poor kid yelped in surprise as she went and failed to cover her face.

She stumbled back as the items that hit her fell on the ground. Her having to fight to pull some of the extension cords off. Her face and head hurt. A headache started to set in already.

Laughter, from the same voice, emits. Looking up, Claire sees the blonde-haired girl. The one who verbally attacked her. Crazie, she believes.

"Oh god!" She chortled to herself. Somehow, finding Claire's pain amusing, as she plummets to the floor, landing on her feet. "I can't believe that actually happened, like what!? What are the chances you come in here completely unaware?"

Claire grabbed her shirt collar again.

After Crazie finished laughing, ending with a wholehearted sigh. She then points an accusatory finger at Claire, her demeanor changing. "And don't think I forgot what happened!"

"I-..." Claire muttered. She searched the area, walking back ever so slowly.

"You know, you really pissed off Agetha," Crazie added, grabbing the other teen by their hand. "What even happened on that day!?"

"What do you mean!?" Claire asked, trying to pull her hand back.

"Don't act stupid. You pissed them off!"

"Nothing! If I do something, wouldn't they have told you!?"

"No... It's actually really weird, they won't tell me anything."

"They wouldn't even tell you?"

"What?" Crazied spoke, releasing the kid's hand.

"I'm just as lost as you are!"

The two stood there. Quiet.

"What?" Crazie shortly broke the silence.

"What?" Claire said after. "What is going on..."

"Okay." Crazie held a hand to her head.

The two seemingly sat there for a second. Claire eyed Crazie's confused stance. Yeah, Claire could relate.

"I'm confused," Claire admitted.

"Yeah, the thing is, you said you've done nothing," Crazie explains, removing her hand.

"Because I haven't done anything."

"That..." Crazie paused. "Did they get mad at you for existing?!"

"It was kinda like- like- they-... yes. Yes. It was exactly that."

"That doesn't... no, that makes sense."

"What-how!?"

"No, I meant, it makes sense why they didn't tell me anything. I'll give it to you, they could hate someone for existing."

"Okay, sure, but..." Claire hesitated. "I don't think it's just me existing. I mean- it's something I can't control." Claire took a moment. Not wanting to meet Crazie's gaze... or-... lack thereof. "Is me being human the reason they hate me?"

Crazie didn't respond; rather, a beat of realization dawned on her. She itched the back of her head. "You know... that is... possible," Crazie admits. "Agetha made it very clear they didn't like... humans."

"Why? I mean, what reason?"

"I think it's the whole discrimination thing."

Claire paused. That's right. She must not have realized it, or thought that would've been the reason. Then again, Agetha said a lot more than just humans. The Silver Servants and Camelot. Those two names hold some significance.

"Can I ask, though, what are the Silver Servants and Camelot?"

Crazie didn't respond... at all. Verbally or physically. If she didn't hear the question.

"Crazie-"

"I heard you, but I didn't want to answer. Those two..." Crazie went quiet. "No."

"Okay, if you're not comfortable talking about it, you can say so."

"So."

Claire blinked. "I meant it as in... you can say you're not comfortable... not just say so."

Crazie laughs. "I know, I'm just messing with you. Oh, you know, Agetha is here."

"Fuck! Where!?"

"Calm down, they're on the computer. Though they might yell at you again."

"I ain't confronting them."

"Let's go confront them TOGETHER!"

"NO!"

"YES!" Crazie grabs the teen and starts dragging her.

Claire legitimately starts screaming. There wasn't any actual pain or fear. Just Claire being her comical self.

"Claire, the fuck, you're not dying."

"I'M DYING MENTALLY!"

After Crazie had dragged Claire to a computer sitting on the table, with the computer being hella old.

"Okay, they're here," Crazie said, looking down at the screen.

"Where?" Claire looks at the empty monitor screen, only displaying the home screen.

"They're here. Give them-"

"Okay!" The familiar voice of Agetha called out.

Claire immediately tensed and grabbed her shirt collar. The teen climbed from the bottom of the screen, pulling up a window with them, using their bare hands. They gave it a good toss, letting the window slide up before it stopped.

"Cats videos?" Crazie asked. "You found out how to download videos, and the first one you downloaded was a cat video?"

"Cats are great!" Agetha argued, trying to play the video. "What isn't great is the internet. It so damn slow."

The layout of the computer... It's old, Right? It has to be; she has never seen this layout before. Unless it's new. Honestly, she can't decide if that's a downgrade or an upgrade.

"Is that Windows 11?" Claire asked.

"No, it's Windows XP!? Where did you get-" agetha answered before cutting themselves off. "HOLD ON- WAIT A SECOND-" They spun around to see Claire.

"Oh shit-"

"YOU! WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU HERE!?"

Claire didn't respond, gripping the collar of her shirt even tighter.

"Did you not learn anything last time-"

"Agetha, stop!" Crazie interjected, making her digital friend halt and glance up at her. "Why are you so mad at her?"

Agetha did not respond; instead, they jerked back. Silence struck the teen. They narrowed their eyes as their stance was forced back. Staring at their real friend, with their head tilted to the side, and completely taken off guard.

Crazie stood her ground. Just waiting for the answer that Agetha may not give. With Claire nearly lower to the ground, holding her shirt collar loosely. Before the air could ease, Agetha spoke.

"What do you mean?"

"Agetha, be for real," Crazie conveyed disappointingly. "We yelled at Claire for no reason whatsoever."

"Oh, so you can't tell the reason." Agetha crossed their arm. "We've been friends for 3 years! I guess hours of talking weren't enough." They threw their arm in the air. "Take a guess!"

"Is it seriously because... they're human?"

"Goal! You got it!" They smiled as they dramatically flared their arms around. "You want a fucking star that says you tried!?" They screamed the last word as they threw their arms down, their smile instantly gone.

"Whatever! What's so bad about her!?"

"What do you think!? Other than she's human, she's a fucking coward, she can't stand up for herself."

"Ugh!" Crazie crossed her arms, moving their head away.

Claire glanced between the two. The friendship seemly turn sour. Agetha's gaze was off to the side as well, refusing to look at their friend.

It was hard to tell what either was thinking. Both were generally pissed at one another. What caught Claire's curiosity was Crazie. What made her so bothered by this?

It was probably the same question Agetha had.

"How do I argue with that? They're right. She can't defend herself. But yet, Agetha made it out of something horrible. I was trying to defend her, and I get repaid with this." Crazie said, her voice echoed and was distant.

Claire blinks, looking in her direction. Her question was answered pretty quickly. If served to her. She didn't have to say it out loud. It was weird how Crazie knew.

"Right, so..." Claire spoke up, rubbing the back of her head. "I'm getting the impression that you feel... betrayed?"

"By literally what?" Agetha asked rather quickly.

"By you!" Crazie answered for Claire. "I'm surprised she caught on faster than you did, yet you're complaining about me not knowing your issue!"

"Please, I-"

"Do you two always argue like this?" Claire asked.

"No!" Agetha yelled. "We usually... don't." Their voice hinders, becoming quieter and less harsh. They shook their head and placed a hand on top. "That doesn't mean anything!"

"That means everything!' Crazie said. "I am honestly doubting if you... have the best interest in mind."

"Have the best interests in mind? What do you mean, have the best interest in mind? We literally prank people!"

"My idea of a prank isn't where the other person gets hurt and may actually enjoy the prank."

"Oh, suddenly, you're better than me!?"

"Don't word it like that!"

"Well, I just did." 

"You know, if I didn't get the confrontation from Claire! I wouldn't be arguing with you!"

"Oh! I bet she made me out to be real bad!"

Crazie goes quiet for a moment, processing the whole situation. "No!" Her voice was louder and harsher. "You made yourself out to be bad! Not only did you tell me to attack someone, you made it to be something it wasn't!"

"I didn't even say anything, I didn't think I needed to!"

"Explain then if I'm so stupid!"

"I didn't call you stupid!"

"You basically did!"

Something clicked for Claire. Of course, the argument has taken a personal turn. With pranks being brought up. But Claire can't help but notice that Agetha doesn't seem to understand their actions, and how it affected Crazie, but why? Was that intentional? Do they understand how harmful this is? 

Is this Claire's business? It is not up to her to fix that problem. She may be the one who caused it... 

But something else told Claire this was a long time coming. Crazie's opinion on Agetha's pranks seemlessly bother her for quite a while.

How did she get to that point? Well, she doubts what happened on that day was simply a prank.

"Hey guys-"

"Then why help with the prank!?" Agetha didn't listen to Claire and continued to argue.

"Because I thought I was overreacting, clearly I wasn't when they ran out of the room," Crazie responded.

"Guys?-"

"They were fine!" 

"You didn't bother to check up on them!"

"You didn't either!

"Because I could not, for the life of me, find them!"

"Guys?"

"Please, they didn't die!"

"If they did!?"

"It was just water!"

"GUYS!"

"WHAT!" They both yelled.

"This isn't solving anything!"

"Don't come into this!" Agetha argued. "This isn't your problem-"

"Hear me out! Please! If you continue to fight like this, then it won't help. If we all take five, then come back, maybe then we can talk this out."

"You know what, fine! Let's see how five minutes works out for us!" Agetha said, before moving around on her screen. They went to the bottom and pulled up the browser with a timer. They hit play before vanishing behind the window.

Crazie rubs her face, rather her cheeks. She looked exhausted already.

"Are you alright?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Crazie said, moving her hand from her face. "I didn't think they would act out like this."

"I feel like this would be predictable."

"I know, that's why it... It upsets me that... they are like this."

"I'm hoping that maybe they'll think throughout these five minutes."

"Quickly, I... I didn't think that you didn't do anything wrong, I just-"

"Wait, I'm lost- what are we talking about?"

"Oh, I meant earlier. A couple of days ago."

"Right!"

"Yeah, I only defended Agetha because they made it seem like you did something bad. Of course, I was wrong about that. I just wanted to be... there for them."

"Heh, I'm not sure if blindly defending them is the right answer," Claire mentioned. "But I get your point."

"My point?"

"You just wanted to be a good friend, you just didn't do the right thing. But you didn't realize that. I don't hate or blame you for doing what you thought was right... If you were worried about that. I get ahead of myself, sorry."

"Oh no, you're fine. I get your point, and thanks for the reassurance."

"No problem."

Crazie takes a seat in one of the chairs.

Claire plops down on the floor. Crazie looks at Claire for a moment.

"Claire, there are chairs for you to sit in." Crazie cited.

"What's the difference?"

"I guess there wouldn't be."

"With a chair like that." Claire pointed at the wooden, old chair with nothing to give comfort. "I'll somehow find a way to provide myself with a splinter."

"Provide yourself!? You sound like you want a splinter."

"I'll die if I get a splinter."

"Oh, you'll be fine."

"NO I WON'T!"

"Heh!.. Claire, please. It's not that bad!"

"You're right."

"See-"

"IT'LL BE THE WORST!"

"You-... holy shit, Claire."

Claire merely laughed while Crazie held a hand to her face.

After the timer beeped. Agetha pushed down the window and looked out at everyone. 

Claire was lying on the floor.

"What!?- Crazie, did you kill her or something!?" Agetha asked.

"Wha-" Crazie scoffed. "No, she's fine!"

"No, she killed me," Claire said after.

"Then how are you talking?"

"I have dead talk abilities."

"Oh, of course."

"Yah-"

"Good job, Crazie!" Agetha commenced.

Claire burst out laughing.

"You killed her! How do you excuse yourself?" Agetha questioned.

"She wanted it."

"What do you mean!?" Claire replied.

"You wanted it."

"How."

"You politely asked me."

"She politely asked you!?" Agetha chimed in.

"Totally."

"No, imagine someone walks up on you and just says Hey, kill me." Claire said.

"Wha!" 

"They like... Please, fix my existence problem." Crazie says.

Agetha quietly giggled.

"Okay, bet!" Claire says as she makes finger guns. "Pew, pew, pew."

"You didn't even think twice before shooting me!"

"Target eliminated."

Crazie laughed, alongside Agetha.

"Okay, back to topic, Agetha." Claire sits up and scoots to the computer.

"No-"

"Too bad." Claire started. "You want to start and explain your side."

"Of the argument that happened a few days ago?"

"No, I was referring to your entire life- yes, I was referring to the argument!"

"OKAY!" They affirmed. "What happened was..." Agetha looked dead at Claire, trying to discern something about her. They could stick to the original reason, stand their ground like they always do. Eventually, Claire would have to give up.

But the little banter they all had.

Claire managed to get them to laugh. Not at them but with them. You could say something... clicked. As Claire was holding the mouse and clicking on them repeatedly.

"STOP!"

"SORRY!"

"I think..." Agetha initiated. "I thought too quickly."

"What?"

"Whatever! I assumed you would've been... evil or something! I thought you were a bully, and I was like, I can't let that happen, so I tried to scare you away."

"Scare me away?"

"I judge you too quickly!"

"Oh..." Claire spoke. "I thought you hated me because I was human."

"Well, because you were human, I did think all of that."

"Okay... What changed?"

"You... I don't know, you're not acting like what I thought... you'll act."

"How did that happen?"

"You ask too many questions!"

"Sorry, this seems very random."

Crazie jumps in the mix. "Yeah, why are you suddenly being all reasonable?"

"What, is that bad?"

"It's a little suspicious."

"I don't know! Five minutes passed, and I'm not as mad as I was..."

"Fine! Fine!"

"Hey, Claire," Agetha spoke up quickly. "Why are you here anyway? You don't seem like the type to read books."

"Well, personally, I'm offended."

"DAMN!- SORRY FOR ASSUMING-"

"No, it's fine. I actually love to read. I'm disappointed that this place is empty."

"It's been empty for like years," Crazie mentioned.

"Oh! That reminds me!"

"Of what? Years that you haven't been here!?" Agetha teased.

"No, I was looking for a shovel."

The group went silent.

"Claire, the library doesn't use shovels to put away books-" Crazie mentioned.

"I KNOW THAT!"

Agetha died of laughter, falling backwards. Crazie was also dying. "Sorry!"

"Okay, listen, do you either of you-"

"AHAHAH!" Agetha was laughing still.

"AGETHA! CAN IT! Do either of you know where a shovel is?"

"No!- ehehe!"

"Oh, I think I know who has one," Crazie said.

"Oh, great, who?"

"There's a kid out in the forest. Over there." She pointed in a direction, roughly where Claire's Cabin was. "If you head that way, you should see a massive cottage."

"Didn't two people live there?" Agetha asked.

"Yeah, a boy and a girl. The girl disappeared."

"I bet the boy killed her."

"Agetha!"

"AM I WRONG-!?"

"Maybe!.. I actually don't know."

"Okay, so you're suggesting I go and see a potential killer boy, in the woods, alone, unarmed, scared-" Claire said.

"Oh, shush. The boy comes here once in a while, and he hasn't killed anyone here yet. You should be fine." Crazie mentioned, referring to Spring Hometown.

"That doesn't mean anything!"

"Dude, if you're that scared, then take something or someone with you. You'll be fine."

"Yeah, that could work." Claire agreed.

"So, we'll see you later."

"If I'm alive later."

With that, Claire left, on her way to the mystery boy's house. She just prays to a literal god that the boy won't instantly kill her. Maybe that's a little harsh to say, even though Claire never met the dude. Then, hearing what Agetha thought, perhaps guessing he murdered the girl, didn't immediately give her the best impression.

Whatever, she'll be careful. It's not the first time she almost DIED!

Okay, that's saying that lightly.

Who would the mystery boy be anyways? Has Claire seen him? Then again, she's new. Probably she hasn't seen him.

Okay, the boy lives in a cottage. Could've explained a little more about what the cottage looks like. Massive doesn't single it out- oh.

Claire stops in her tracks and looks up. She saw the cottage before her. Red and white- wait a damn second. It was from the day of the yelling incident, well after the yelling. The boy wearing a yellow hoodie, was he... the one they were talking about?

I guess it wasn't that hard to find a cottage. Although the appearance they gave wasn't going to be all that helpful, it doesn't matter if there's only one SINGLE cottage in the middle of nowhere.

Claire took a good breath in and walked to the front door. First, she had to walk around the cottage to find the door. When she saw the lawn, it was like a second garden, from the one in the back. Healthy maintained.

For a boy who... y'know... could slice Claire into trillions of pieces, does knows how to make beautiful scenery. Claire walked on the stone path, heading for the boy's door. Stopping shortly and glancing around.

She went alone and had no weapons... well, that was completely on her. She was told to bring SOMETHING, and she brought NOTHING! It's fine. Be nice and hope.

Knock... knock...

Claire stepped back and waited for the person on the other end to answer. In the meantime, she studies studies the garden. On the corner, moss has grown. Nature started to take back what we took. Or what we created. A house. Is that a good or bad thing? Would nature find offense to houses?..

What?

Claire shook her head and knocked again. 

Knock... knock...

Hoping the person would hurry up... if they are home. She glanced at the sky, dawn was almost approaching. They couldn't be any slower.

That's rude; it's her at their home. It hasn't been here for long. She just hates when it just her and her thoughts, it starts with stupid thoughts, and she starts thinking about herself... Then she gets sad.

Claire knocked for the third time like the impatient motherfucker she is.

Knock... knock... knock knock knock-knock... 

She found that making a rhythm out of the knocking was distracting enough to keep her mind at bay, forcing back any unwarranted thoughts about her.

Knock... knock... knock knock knock-knock knock knock knock-knock...

Claire found herself almost bopping with her eyes closed. Oddly, this is relaxing.

...

What happened to the sound- Claire opens her eyes and sees the boy. Her hand in the air still, as it seemly continue to knock... on nothing. Claire threw her arm back down.

"I AM SO SORRY! I LITERALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN MYSELF!" She yelled in embarrassment. 

The boy sat there... his face unchanging. Though Claire can tell he seems dumbfounded.

"What?" He says, finally.

"Uhm! Okay, quickly moving past that, so you can't ask questions." She said quickly. "My name is Claire, and I am new here. I think I saw you at Spring Hometown."

"I don't think I ever saw you."

"That's... fine. I know we never met prior, but uhm... I needed a shovel and was told that you... possibly... had one."

"You're asking for a shovel..."

"It'll be quick, I swear I'll return it."

"Why?"

"Uhm... Why I'll return it, or why I need a shovel?"

"Why do you need a shovel?"

"Right, I uh... need to move a lot of... salt."

"Oh... I see."

"Yeah, so you have-"

"You're trying to free that one lady from the circle... aren't you?"

"How did you..."

"You don't randomly find salt out in the woods... Claire."

"Not unless you come across a cult."

"That's completely unrelated."

"Right... Sorry."

"I would advise that you don't go and free the lady."

"Why? Because she is wild and dangerous and almost killed me- okay I see your point already... But hear me out."

The boy tilted his head.

"What if she uh... could be... friendly."

"Impossible."

"Nuh huh."

"Wha... the fuck you mean nuh huh."

"Well, just a couple of days ago. She didn't hurt me and only asked for my help in getting some... grapes?"

The boy remained silent.

"Okay, the day prior, she did try to kill me."

"My point is proven again."

"Okay, I know that seems bad."

"It is bad. She tried to kill you, and you want to set her free."

"And?"

"And if she tried it again? Just because she didn't hurt that one time, what makes you think she won't try again?"

"Because I think she didn't want to but had to!"

The boy remained silent. Seemingly listening.

"If she weren't trapped in that circle, maybe she wouldn't be so hostile. Yes, she's wild. Yes, she's dangerous, but it's all a means to survival. I know that is bad in itself, makes her out to be some animal, but in that circle... she is forced to be one. If she were out of that circle, she wouldn't have a reason to be one."

He stands there. His face was the same, unreadable. Claire wasn't sure if he wanted her to continue or if he was thinking. He didn't give off a whole lot of social cues, not that Claire was good at catching them anyway.

"You're the first to make a good argument." He admitted.

"So, you'll let me borrow a shovel."

"Don't have one."

"ARE YOU SERIOUS-!?"

"No. I have one, but it's a snow shovel."

"THAT- that might actually be better."

He walks into his house, leaving his door open. Claire was tempted to go in, but the last time she went into a place she shouldn't have been in, she got scolded for it. So... she stays put. The boy later came back with the snow shovel.

"Thank you, boy," Claire said.

He remains silent. His eyes were soulless.

"Uhm."

"You don't know my name."

"Yeah-"

"Daniel."

"Nice to meet you, Daniel."

"Nice to meet you, too, Claire. I warn you still, even if you think that lady could be nice... I don't think she'll stay nice."

"Roger that, boss."

"Wha- you know what, never mind."

Daniel closes the door.

Claire was walking to the salt, one thing that bugged her was how the boy, Daniel, didn't kill her. Agetha's guess could be false after all. Who knows. Though her main focus should be on the fact that she arrived at the salt. It was massive in length and width. She walked around the circle, trying to find where to start to remove said salt.

She was searching for the area where the width was at its smallest. It'll be easier and quicker. The salt was an inch tall, and prayed that it wasn't all that heavy. Then she stopped.

There it is... Claire exhaled shortly before examining the area beyond the circle. She was searching for the lady, as she had a plan. Move the salt when the lady was elsewhere and leave before the lady could arrive.

She wasn't here... Perfect. She can start.

The feral lady was rampaging around, trying to catch something... A bunny that wanders in her confinement. It's been a while since she caught meat. It could be her dinner. Though with her weakened state, it would be hard to keep up with. She couldn't even keep up with that one human.

When the bunny was sniffing, trying to eat something off the dirt, presumably the grass. That was when she struck, launching forward, with her mouth a gap. Unfortunately, the rabbit was quick and dodged the attack.

She lands on her hand, and eyes the rabbit... It was running. She promptly gave chase. The bunny was fast, of course, she could've been faster. But the lack of any water or food made it difficult to maintain herself.

She burst through some bushes to continue on the rabbit trail. She was forced to stop as the bunny reached the salt and ran past. Claire watched it go past. She raised an eyebrow at the running rabbit going by her, so she turned and... jumped slightly.

There goes her plan. The damn bunny lend the feral woman to her. Of course, she was still momentarily safe as she didn't finish moving the rest of the salt. The feral woman looks at the scene before her, moving her head left and right, confused.

Claire gave a small wave before continuing. Scooping up salt and tossing it into a certain pile. She thought the feral woman would leave eventually. The woman lay on the ground with her two hands at the side of her face, her massive hair covering the rest of her body. Claire was at most uncomfortable for being stared at.

She kept going, even if her arms were sore. The salt wasn't all that heavy, luckily; it was the repetitive motion of digging it up and throwing it. She would occasionally look up and see if the feral woman was still there... She was. Each time she looked up, the woman was there. Waiting patiently.

Dawn was nearly here, the sky turning orange, but she was almost done. The woman was here the entire time. Claire was convinced she knew what she was doing. A few more to go, and she's done. She was wondering what the feral woman would do after. Attack her, eat her? Somehow thank her?

She still has a bit to go until she really has to worry about that, and if it comes? What does she do after? She had no plan. Damn, should've thought this through. Look, the feral woman is already walking past the salt- 

"WHAA-" Claire yelled instinctively before covering her mouth with one hand.

The feral woman was walking past the salt, where Claire had dug up the area. She looked at the child. The child, still standing, where the feral woman on all fours, stood up. Her height frightens. Claire kept forgetting that she is... tall.

Claire caught her eye, the woman's fierce stare. She avoided the gaze. This was the moment Claire dreaded, which she thought she had more time for. Apparently Not. What would this woman do? Would praying be enough? Why pray if there's nothing to pray to? She prayed for her life, but who will save it?

She really didn't want to regret this, because regret would only come with her death. Knowing she freed someone so dangerous, for nothing in return. She just wanted to help... is she really going to be punished for that?

Her intense gaze.

Claire grabbed her shirt collar.

The feral got on all four and ran... away.

Just like that. No words, no gestures, no hints, clues... Just gone.

Honestly, that went a lot better than she expected. She is completely fine with not receiving a thanks, if it means for her to live. A smile spread across her face, uncontrollably.

She was back at Daniel's house. At his front door, she gave a quick knock and stepped back. The child glanced around his garden. Her eyes land back on the moss. She knows that growing moss is a bad thing, but... it made the cottage even prettier. Unlike food, that's nasty.

It's weird, she always liked it when nature overtook something, either an old building or a bench. Though, the moss growing here probably isn't an intentional design choice, but it is one she liked.

The door opens. Daniel was there, with an emotionless face.

"Here!" Claire gave him his snow shovel.

"Oh, you're still alive." He says, taking his item back.

"Yeah! She just ran away."

Daniel went silent. He was staring at her.

"After I freed her. Y'know."

Quiet.

"Best case scenario. Heh." Claire gripped her shirt collar.

Why did he go quiet? So suddenly? They were... eyeing each other's eyes, if that makes sense.

"What are we doing?"

Daniel lowered his shovel. Still quiet.

"You're kinda scaring me, man, what's going on?"

His face was still unreadable, unmoving, and she worried about what the dude was thinking. Is he going to kill her? Or what?

"Is she human?" He asked, distant and echoing. His mouth was not moving.

"Yes!?" She said, surprised. "I've been-..." She stopped.

His mouth... didn't move when he said that. People can still talk with their mouths closed, right? No, it wasn't muffled, it was clear. Echoing and distant, but clear.

He blinked. "What?"

"Oh, I-..."

"Before anything. Are you... by chance... a human?"

Claire went quiet... gripping her shirt even tighter. "What is the right answer?"

"The honest one."

"Yes, I'm human-"

"Wrong answer."

"Huh!?"

"Well, talking to you has been great," Daniel said, grabbing the door. "But I don't want to see you again."

"Wait-"

The door was shut before anything else was said. Claire stood there for a hot second. Who knew another Agetha incident would occur?. At least, it wasn't so severe. She oddly preferred it. Shortly after she left.

She reached her cabin, sitting down on the floor. Tomorrow, she can get back to decorating the house. Recalling the argument with Agetha and Crazie. Not a lot was actually solved. That's fine. By all means, they seem to be on good terms. Could always try another time.

But you know what really has been on her mind?

She heard Daniel talk when he didn't? What is going on with that? Not only that, the question... It's so complicated. It was like she heard the question before he even asked. Nothing is making sense.

She dropped it for now. It's hurting her mind like hell. She looks outside, the sun setting.

Just focus on tomorrow, Claire.

Chapter Text

Is it true?

It seems her dreams somehow predict the future, but that is impossible... Right?

All she could see was a woman. She didn't recognize this woman. Who is this woman?

All the colors were green, all of her dreams were always green. Everything was still pictures, with white lines drawing out the differences.

This woman doesn't look like anyone she knows, with her face scribbled out. She wears a suit or a tux—dunno for sure. All Claire knew was that the woman held her arms crossed. She looked incredibly pissed.

Claire wished dreams had some form of context because motionless images aren't exactly helping her. What does this mean? Did she see this woman? That she will...  see something? WHAT IS IT!? It's frustrating.

But do her dreams hint at anything else or make an attempt to say anything-yeah, no- you knew that answer. Nothing else was shown. However, that might be a good thing. It's only one thing, maybe it'll be easier to remember.

If Claire sees this woman, then she's seeing the future unless her memory fails her again. She meant to do it last time, but then forgot.

She just has to remember.

Like before, she was awakened from her slumber by a simple knock.

"YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO BRING AN ENTIRE COUCH?" Claire yelled.

"YES!" Biscuit yelled back.

The trio was outside. Anova was sitting down on the dirt floor, completely winded, with Biscuit looking equally as tired. He stood with his hands on his sides, trying to forge a confident stance.

The day was cloudy, with a chance of rain approaching. No dark clouds were visible yet.

"How are you going to get this inside?" Claire asked.

"With my awesomeness." Biscuit responded. "But for real, I have no idea."

"How long did it take for you two to drag this out here?"

"Too long," Anova responded. "Way too long."

"How can the two of you manage this? There is no way you two can carry this."

"Hey, don't undermine Anova." Biscuit defended.

Claire didn't utter a word and stood there for a moment, trying to understand Biscuit's statement. "What?"

"Excuse him, he's not himself when he's exhausted," Anova said.

"HEY, I MAKE THE BEST EGGS AND PANCAKES." Biscuit yelled in defense.

...

"My point is proven," Anova said after.

"Is he high!?" Claire asked.

"No!-" Anova blurted out, a small smile on her face. "He's not high."

"Oh, I see it now."

"Yeah, how did you-"

"HE'S DRUNK!"

"NO, HE'S NOT THAT EITHER!"

"THEN WHAT!"

"HE'S-" Anova rubbed her face, trying to speak normally. It wasn't out of frustration but rather out of amusement. "He isn't drunk or high. He's only 19."

"HE'S 19!?"

"Why are you that shocked?"

"He seems like he's 16!"

"I'm 16!"

"WELL IM 50!"

Anova covered her face, trying not to laugh. Biscuit was off to the side until his eyes blinked twice.

"Wait, I was completely zoned out. What's happening?" Biscuit asked.

"A little bit of everything," Anova answered.

"Biscuit, go to bed," Claire joked.

"Fine, I'll drag that all the way out here, too!" Biscuit jabbed.

"NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?- ALRIGHT, LISTEN HERE YOU FUCKING ADULTIST! IF YOU DON'T START-"

"WHA-"

"What!?" Anova stood up and went over to them. "What is an adultist?"

"Adult," Claire answered.

...

"That's it?"

"Probably not, but honestly, I made that word up, so I'm not sure if it really exists."

"Where did you get that term from?"

"I just... took adult and cultist and smashed them together."

"Nice thinking, Claire, came up with that one yourself?" Biscuit questioned.

Claire didn't initially respond. She wasn't sure if Biscuit was joking or being serious. He was probably kidding... but if he wasn't. Why wouldn't he be joking?

"Okay," Biscuit spoke, holding his paws together. "I'm realizing what I said sounded sarcastic and mean when I generally meant it. Like... that kinda clever."

"Oh!" Claire said, in much relief. "I did, yeah. I should totally copyright it."

"For real?"

"No, that... would be too much work."

Biscuit walked over to the couch. "Well, I-"

"Where did you get this from?" Claire asked.

"I-"

"Why is it purple?"

"Wha-"

"And small?"

"If I could ever talk, your honor."

"Right, my bad."

"It's my old couch. It isn't that old, so I figured you could have it. You can like, dump it wherever you want."

"I want it HANGING from my ceiling!"

"Ah... No?"

"THEN I DON'T WANT IT!" Claire exaggerated.

"Claire, you're unbelievable."

"I'm not carrying that inside." Anova chimed in.

"Why are you like this?" Biscuit asked.

"Shut... shut. We spent an hour getting it here, I'm taking a year break-"

"HOLY SHIT!" Claire yelled suddenly. Her demon friends look over at her, silent with eyebrows furrowed.

"What-"

"FLOWERS!" Claire yelled, running over to a tree next to her house. The others were even more confused. 

"Okay, well, I guess we're on the discussion of flowers now," Anova said.

"Hey, her focus span is somehow shorter than yours." Biscuit teased.

"shut- shut. Shut the shut, Biscuit." Anova walks past Biscuit.

"That makes no sense, but sure."

Anova and Biscuit strode over to their favorite human friend, as she is their only human friend. Claire was in her long sitting position, staring at the flowers before her. Anova took a seat beside her, sitting on her knees. Biscuit remains standing up, leaning against the tree.

"What's so special about the flower?" Biscuit asked.

Claire's eyes remain on the flower. Her mouth didn't move.

"Claire?" Biscuit spoke.

"It's so beautiful," Claire said, in a low, admiring tone.

"Are you okay?"

"Probably not, but that doesn't matter."

"That matters a lot, actually," Anova commented.

"Nuh huh!" Claire argued.

"Yeah huh!"

"Nuh huh!"

"Yeah huh!"

"Nuh huh!"

"Don't argue with me about this!"

"I'm arguing about this with you."

"Ladies, ladies, please. Quit arguing." Biscuit jumped in, taking a seat on the grass.

"She started it." Claire deflected.

"Is that all you got to say?" Anova retorted.

"Biscuit, my dearest, benevolence, and extraordinary confidante, it appears my other companion, Anova, is being a bitch." Claire announced.

"Why!" Anova faked being offended, as she tried not to laugh yet again. "Why are you so mean?"

Biscuit was covering his face, a smile just barely visible.

"Why aren't you laughing, huh?" Claire asked.

"Why would I?" Anova asked. "You called me-"

"Just laugh, it gives me validation!"

Anova let out a soft giggle.

"THANK YOU!"

"Sure thing, Claire."

Biscuit poked the flower with his cat-like nails. The small, yellow, pleta curved down and separated from the edges. "So, Claire, what does little sunflower have that's so special? I mean, you screamed a literal curse word when you saw it and were particularly brainwashed by it."

"It's a flower," Claire answered. "There's nothing more that needs to be said."

Biscuit's mouth hung open for a moment, maybe in a state of shock, or he was dumbfounded. Then the words left his mouth. "Okay, Anova 2.0."

"Anova 2.0!? Anova, your last name is 2.0!?"

"N-!" Anova let out a wheeze, she almost folded on herself.

"That's a terrible last name!"

"Claire!" Anova said, her voice strangled a little from the laughter. Biscuit, in the back, wasn't doing a good job of keeping his composure. "You don't seriously think my last name is 2.0!?"

"No, I'm just teasing!"

"Okay, but why did you even bring that up?"

"I dunno. What if it was 2.0?"

"Claire, why would my last name be a bunch of numbers?"

"Well, my last name is Doe. So like, bad last name can exist."

"What!? Doe, your full name is Claire Doe!?"

"IT'S TERRIBLE!"

"No, wait," Biscuit sits straight. "Why Doe?"

"Uhm..." Claire knew where this conversation would go and how she felt, especially from the day of her lie. So let's spin this around quickly. "Weird parents."

"I'll say."

"So, why the Anova 2.0?"

"Oh, because Anova also loves flowers, and anything garden-y."

"For real?" Claire looks at the small demon. "I do too. I always wanted to have a garden, or realistically a plant, but I wasn't allowed. Too much responsibility, they all say."

"Uh," Anova spoke. "Yeah, it is a lot of responsibility to care for a plant, let alone an entire garden. With how much I have, it's tough."

"Yeah, one too many can be stressful- Are you implying you have a garden?"

Anova hesitated, her eyes widening, looking away as she slowly raised her hand to her hair. She pinched the ends. "N- Not... traditionally. It's not exactly one you would... think of."

"Can I see it?"

"I don't think you can." Biscuit said. "You haven't met her mom, she can be-"

"Strict? I heard."

"Yeah, that includes not allowing anyone inside the house, especially ones she doesn't know. It's kinda a miracle that she allows Anova to go outside at all."

"Or let me have a life," Anova added.

"Yeah, so, you may not see it ever. Unless her mom allows it... which is... never."

"Damn," Claire stated.

Anova looks down at her clawed hands, her four fingers intertwined. Yes, indeed, Claire would only likely see her garden through a picture or some other way than her physical being there, but an idea came to her head. 

"I would've loved to see it," Claire said after.

"You... can," Anova spoke up, rising to her feet.

"Really?" Claire's eyes light up, following her up.

"What?" Biscuit blurts out, struggling to get to his feet.

"Yeah, my mom isn't home."

"Doesn't she come back around this time anyway? There is like... no time." Biscuit pointed out.

"If any normal day, yeah, but... she told me she had a meeting."

"Oooh!" Biscuit grins.

"Mhm!"

"I totally understand what's going on!" Claire said, mocking their excitement.

"Oh, Claire, it means she'll be home later than she usually is. We have more time." Anova explained.

"Garden?" Claire expressed excitement.

"You have a one-track mind, don't ya?"

"Multitasking is hard..."

"For you, I guess. I'm pretty good at it."

"For the record. It's kinda more like a million tracks but only one mind for both of you..."

"Stop dissing us, Biscuit!" Claire accused.

"Yeah, Biscuit, what's wrong with you?" Anova joined in.

"WELL, I'M SORRY!" He said. "I'll admit, I'm not the best with it either. Sometimes, I get distracted."

"That's okay, that's what makes us a trio," Claire said. "Okay, let's get to the garden."

"Staying on one subject, that's new." Biscuit mentioned.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! Let's go." Claire starts nudging Anova forward.

"Okay, okay, I'm going." Anova walks ahead.

"Yippe!"

As the trio walked, going past the salt circle, where the lady had once been trapped. Before entering Spring's hometown. They trail through the village, going past houses and stores, and then entering the outskirts. Biscuit's cabin went by as they exited the town.

"Wait, shouldn't there be a fence?" Claire asked. "The entrance had a fence going around."

"It stops halfway through." Biscuit said. "It doesn't cover the entire town."

"Why?"

"Like I know, there aren't a lot of people here to help make it... or anyone that cares to continue it."

Claire looks back, and she comes to a slight realization. She knows the town has so few people, with buildings being abandoned, no one ever outside... Now, things that were in the works were left unfinished. 

Biscuit assumption is that no one cares enough. Which gave Claire a subtle fear in her stomach.

Everything was beautiful here, nature doing most of the work, but that came at a cost. People don't care... and slowly, Spring Hometown is being forgotten. The fact that the history of the town isn't complete, with one half being unknown. That the people who once made this masterpiece had left it to rot, for whatever reason, and haven't returned.

None of it is getting the recognition or care it deserves.

How could something so great be so forgotten?

"Claire, that's a tree!-"

The side of Claire's face was bumped into the bark of a thin tree, making the kid falter back and look up. The tree was massive in height, with its leaves dropping down. Claire rubbed her stung face, the pain only being mild.

Biscuit, the one called, groaned. "You're the first person to run into that tree." He said.

"Who put this tree here?" Claire said.

"Uh... Nature?"

"How dare she!?"

"Don't blame nature for that! You ran into a massive tree because... you're just blind."

"Admittedly, we watched you walk blindly to the tree for a couple of seconds in silence," Anova spoke.

"Hehe!" Claire laughed. "What does this idiot think she's doing?" She pretended to be them and said what they were probably thinking.

"Don't call yourself an idiot." Biscuit said.

"Yeah, call yourself blind, it's more accurate." Anova jab subsequently.

"WHATEVER, where's your house!?" Claire asked.

"It's not that far," Anova said, walking past Claire. "Really, we're already close."

"I hate walking," Claire mentioned. Biscuit and Claire followed behind Anova.

It wasn't long before they arrived on a straw path. Where they are, it is almost near the city. Close enough to where they can see the towering buildings, yet still surrounded in the middle of the woods.

The path was long and open, where humanity had torn through the natural forest. Coming up, a white and black, with a mixture of light brown featuring wood, windows covering most of the house. It's like one of those modern houses you'll see only in your dreams. And the trio was heading right toward it.

"Anova, is this your house?" Claire asked.

"Yeah... As in, my mom and dad pay for this." Anova answered.

"Are you... rich?"

"I- I wouldn't say rich, but my dad does work at an important job. He's a doctor. My mom works as a Consultant."

"This is the first time you're mentioning your dad."

"Because h- he isn't around a lot. I- I prefer not to talk about it."

"Oh," Claire said when Anova walked ahead, pushing the gate away and heading for her doorstep.

The door opened, and the three kids walked inside. Claire looked to her left and saw an open kitchen with cabinets suspended. There was a door there as well.

"Wow! Anova," Claire spoke, looking over to her friend. "This place is amaAA- HOLY SHIT-!"

That is when she noticed the massive display of flora hanging down from the gigantic window, with pots on shelves supported by sturdy cords. A large plant with leaves covered a good chunk of the glass, and there were varieties of plants, cactuses, asters, daffodils, and hydrangeas. There was a considerable selection of cacti throughout this hanging garden. To Claire, this was wonderful, nothing she had ever seen.

Claire hasn't realized what pose she struck, with her hands on her head, her mouth open, and her eyes wide.

"Claire?" Anova called. "You okay?"

"Yeah, why are you... quiet?" Biscuit asked.

"THIS... THIS!? HOLY-" Claire threw down her arms, opening them like she was trying to embrace the herbage before her.

"The garden?" Anova asked, her eyes shifting between Claire and the greens. "I-... I- is it bad?"

"BAD HOW!?- I'm sorry for yelling, but... this is insane."

"Wait, you... Like it?"

"YES!"

Anova was processing for a minute. Her eyes are blinking, and her mind is malfunctioning. Shortly, she blinked twice before her mind restarted. "Okay, you have the most over-dramatic reactions I've ever seen. I was convinced I somehow committed a crime."

"Agreed." Biscuit spoke. "I was also worried that you're going to like... I don't know. Arrest her."

"I wasn't gonna arrest her, Biscuit." Claire joked. "I'm not a cop. I'm 15."

"IT WAS A JOK-"

"ALRIGHT! Sorry for the overreaction. I'm being serious, though. I am in love with this." Claire walks to the plants. "Okay, how do you water those plants up there?" Claire asked, pointing at the different cacti hanging on a shelf.

"Oh, with the ladder that I've... forgotten at your place."

"Oh yeah! I need to give it back to you soon. So, how have you been watering them?"

"Oh, the cacti have been watered before I brought the ladder over; they'll be fine for a bit."

"What is this plant for?" Claire goes over to the plant that covers a portion of the glass.

"That the... Monstera plant."

"Why did it grow so big?" The Monstera plant stood at a good few feet, towering over each kid.

"I guess because it feels entitled to the space around it."

"Did you give them names?" Biscuit asked.

"No?"

"Name this one Karen, then. Since it feels entitled." Biscuit walks over to the Monstera.

"There are so many plants to name. How will she come up with one for them all?" Claire asked.

"That joke went over your head."

"There was a joke?"

"Eh-" Biscuit stammered for a minute. Blinking. Claire stands there, feeling almost judged. She looks over at Anova, the small demon looks hella confused as well. "Claire, you surprise me every day."

"What!?" She looks back at Biscuit. "What I do!?"

"Do you not know what a Karen is?"

"What... What's a Karen?"

"Claire, are you serious?" Anova asked. "Do you not go on the internet from time to time?"

"No?"

"What?" Biscuit and Anova said in unison.

"I thought that was a good thing?"

"I mean, it can be... but uh... I feel like it would be impossible not to go on the internet." Biscuit said.

"I don't have anything that would go on the internet."

"ANYTHING!? Like, nothing at all?"

"No."

"Not even a phone." Anova finally walks over. "Or like, a laptop?"

"Why are you two interrogating me?"

"Sorry, it just... Me and Anova mostly aren't online, but like... you're chronically offline."

"Well, sorry for being... like that."

"You know what, let's go teach you what a Karen is," Anova said, waving for them to follow. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Claire asked, following her with Biscuit right behind.

"My room."

They went by the kitchen, into a doorway, up some stairs, took a left, and went into a room. When the door opened, Claire went in second. She noticed the piles of garbage in the room. Okay, piles is over saying it. There are just some soda cans lying about, possibly empty, with dirty plates and bowls scattered about. She glanced down at the laundry she had accidentally stepped on.

"Ignore the mess, please." Anova requested.

"Wasn't gonna to mention it. Not my room to control." Claire said.

"Wished my mom had the same view." She rented, before going over to her bedside and reaching under the bed. "You all want some?" She pulls a can of soda, with the name Redberry soda.

"You get soda!" Claire takes it from Anova's hands.

"Yeah?" Anova grabs another and hands it to Biscuit.

Claire looks at the top, furrowing her eyebrows. She tried to grab the part on the flat surface, but it was stuck to it. She tried getting her nails under, only for it to hardly lift an inch. That was when she tried to bite into it, and she realized the can was too hard for that. She looked around and found a spoon on the nightstand, inside a bowl. She grasped it, hoisted it up, and plunged the handle end into the circular outline. It popped open. Claire smiled before tossing the spoon back where she found it as she lifted it to her lips.

"Uh..." Anova uttered.

"Claire, uh, if you needed help, you could've asked." Biscuit said.

"Also, did not know you could open them like that."

"Wait, did I open it wrong?" Claire asked, lowering the soda she hadn't drunk yet.

"Eh- maybe, you kinda... used the wrong formula, but you got the right answer anyway," Biscuit expressed amusingly.

Claire giggled. "That's how I usually work." Claire finally takes a sip from the can. She pulled it away. "Whoa."

"What?" Anova asked.

"That... nothing I've tasted before..."

Claire looks into the hole, seeing the liquid splash around. Her gaze shifts back to her friends, where her friend had raised shocked eyebrows.

"Like... The soda brand, right?"

"I mean, it's been... a few years since I had soda."

Anova's soda can nearly fall out of her hand. "Oh!" She catches it before it even falls, through some spilled out.

"You good?"

"No, uh, yes! Claire, a few years without soda?"

"Anova," Biscuit puts a hand on her shoulder. "It's not that surprising."

"Right, sorry. What kind of parents... if you're comfortable.. do you have?"

"Uhm." Claire grabs her shirt collar. "I'm not sure."

"Are they like.. real fancy?"

Claire's eyes widened before blurting out. "Yes! Very!"

"So like, they never let you have soda?"

"There were a couple of times where I was... small."

"Like, anywhere?" Biscuit asked.

"I never got to go outside a lot."

"I-... Do your parents think you're a pet?" Anova questioned. "No offense. I could be jumping to conclusions."

"No, that's... how's it like... I'm on a leash."

"I'm sorry for that, Claire." Biscuit apologized.

"Not your fault... Blame... them." Claire said.

"Anyways, time to... ruin the mood even more," Anova said, walking over to the desk to grab her laptop. She hops on her twin-size bed, with Biscuit and Claire hopping on. Claire on the left, Biscuit on the right.

There was some time to spare, and Claire was almost honest. Though the guilt punched her slightly, what she said was true. You know, the fancy and not able to leave. She didn't want to think about it.

Anova clicked a couple of things on her laptop, going on a browser and searching for videos. 

"How are so many people named Karen?" Claire asked after watching 20 minutes of a video.

"They're all different people." Anova answered, "Also, they're not all named Karen. It's only how they act."

"So if they act like completely and utterly bullshit, they call a Karen?"

"Yeah, you got it."

"It's almost surreal that this is the real world."

"Have you ever met a Karen?" Biscuit asked. "I think we all did at one point."

"I met people worse than Karen's if I'm honest."

"Explain."

"Trust me, these Karens's all bark and no bite, while the people I met spoke no words and absolutely devour."

"Claire, you're... You had a rough life." Anova said.

"Truly, but hey, it's better with you guys." Claire blurts out.

"Aww!" Biscuit cooed.

"What?"

"That's so sweet."

"The Karens?"

"No... you!"

"Nuh huh, I'm all sour!"

"No, you're sweet."

"Said who?"

"Said me!"

"Quit it, you two!" Anova said.

"He started it," Claire argued.

"Nooo." Biscuit drawn out.

"I don't care who started it," Anova spoke. "Stop fighting."

"Fine!" They said in unison.

Anova clicked a couple of times on her laptop. "You two are unbeli-"

Slam

Anova lets out an audible gasp, her eyes dart up from her laptop and towards the window. "No..." She whispered.

"What?" Claire looks at Anova and Biscuit. The cat's ears were in airplane mode. "What!?" She said louder.

"No no no..." Anova forces her laptop off, handing it to Claire before flying up. She ran to the window.

Claire got up, holding Anova's laptop, and followed, peeking out from behind Anova. She saw a black universal car, and a small glimpse of someone walking just out of sight.

Anova walks back, her hands on her head. "Why is she home!?"

"What's going on!?' Claire asked, walking to Anova.

"Claire!" Anova snapped, frustrated, before sighing. "Sorry, just be quiet."

"Okay," Claire whispered. "What's going on... Why are you panicking?"

"I-"

"Anova!" An unfamiliar voice called.

"Uh, coming!" Anova yelled the last word. She goes over to Claire, grabs her shoulder. "Claire, stay put, please. You too, Biscuit!" She looks over at the cat on the bed. "I'll be back." Before anything was answered, Anova left.

Claire watches as the small demon opens the door and shuts it. Leaving her and Biscuit alone. Claire set the laptop on the desk before looking at the cat on the bed. The cat had his hand on his face, and his leg bounced. His arm crossed over his chest to rest between his other arm.

"You okay, Biscuit?" Claire asked with concern.

"No," Biscuit admitted. "Problem being... I'm not fully comfortable with you yet. But the real problem is that..."

Anova entered the kitchen, searching the area and finding the woman who had called. She examined the white room, the kitchen furniture, before she met with a towering woman, with the same vantablack skin likes her and matching horns. They also had multiple arms, but unlike Anova, they had 6. Anova stood at the doorway and held her hands together. She inhaled sharply before exhaling slowly.

"Mom." Anova finally let out. "Y- You're home early."

She turned around to face her daughter. "They cancelled the meeting today, and I was sent home early."

"Oh, that's... great."

"I suppose, anyway, what're you wanting for dinner?"

"U- Uh."

Just at the stairs, Biscuit and Claire were climbing down, with Claire going first.

"Claire, you shouldn't do this." Biscuit warned.

"Yeah, I know, but..." Claire made it down the stairs. "I think it's best if we try to leave."

"That's it?"

"I'm also a little curious what's going on down here."

"Claire, have you ever heard that curiosity killed the cat? I'm the cat, and I'm telling you this!"

"Yes, but listen, I learnt my lesson about being in places I shouldn't be, and I'm not about to be scolded again."

"I don't think getting spotted will help."

"Staying in one place won't either."

They made it to the door, where Claire poked her head out and saw Anova. The small demon had her back turned and stood in the kitchen. She reached over to tap her on her shoulder. Anova shifted around, her eyebrow raised, when she saw it was Claire, her eyes widening. 

"Claire," She whispered, "What're you doing!?" She shoves the teen back, pushing her behind the wall.

"Where are you going, young lady?" The mom asked, holding a cup of coffee. "We need to talk about your grades."

Anova stiffens, her shoulders raised, before turning to face her mom again. She used the brim of her hat to hide her face.

Claire stumbled back, Biscuit catching her. They both stood next to the door, keeping away from the open. The two were forced to listen in on their conversation.

"I got a call from your school..." The mom started. "Why haven't you been turning in your work on time?"

"O-oh. Because... I kept forgetting." Anova admitted. "I-I'm sorry."

"That's not an excuse. If you don't fix your grade, I will ground you." Anova's mom empathizes with the last words, using that threatening tone. "You know what that means, right?"

"Y-Yes."

"Good." The mom walked away.

Anova looks down, her eyes squinting. She reached up to fix her hat, while the other arm rubbed her face, then she threw her hands back down. She let out a sigh before walking through the door to meet with the other two.

"Why are you two down here?" Anova asked. "I told you to stay put."

"Sorry, Anova, I got curious." Claire apologized. "Your mom is terrifying."

"She's... fine..."

"Since we're down here, what do we do!?" Biscuit asked.

"Yeah, can we leave?" Claire chimed in.

"No, she went by the front door," Anova responded.

"Then what? Are we stuck?"

"No... We'll take the backdoor!"

"I know where that is," Claire said sarcastically.

"Shut, try following me and stay quiet. No wandering off." Anova looks at Claire especially.

"What-" She muttered before Anova grabbed her hand and pulled her.

They entered the open kitchen, padding, and peeked around a wall. The mom was sorting out mail, putting some in one of her hands, as she tossed the rest aside. Anova's eyebrows raised if she recognized this pattern, then she pulled her human friend the other way. Momentarily, they were out in the open before each made a turn.

They entered a hallway with pictures on the wall; Anova and Biscuit paid no mind. Claire, though, couldn't help but study some of them. Catching a glimpse of a certain picture, a family photo. They were all outside, not near the house, but somewhere beautiful. It seems like it was taken a few years ago, with Anova being so extra small, she had to held up. She looked happy... before Claire was moved away and could no longer see the photo.

That was when the trio reached the back, where most of the items were stored. A lot of junk is shoved in one area. A door came into view quickly, with Anova freeing Claire's hand from her grasp and going ahead. Claire was following close behind...

Until her instinct told her to stop. Her head snapped to the side, aiming at a certain box stashed away in the corner. She has no idea why, something just... told her to do that. Like, if this box somehow held a purpose. To what? Her? Her friends? The house?

"Claire!" Anova called, "Get over here!" She gestured over to the open door.

Oh yeah, they were escapin- oh fuck-... She quickly jogged over.

The trio stood outside, just beyond the door. Biscuit let out a soft sigh of relief, and Anova looked like a whole mountain was just lifted from her shoulders. Claire, on the other hand, was feeling a range of feelings. She was glad not to be yelled at, but she also wanted to explore. Of course, they weren't in the clear just yet, but they made it outside, out of view. This day was filled with anxiety.

"Anova!" A voice, with much restraint, scolded.

All of them stiffen...

"Mom!?" Anova said, as she darts around to face her mother figure.

The mother was in the process of closing the car door with a phone in hand. She tramped over, her voice still in that sharp tone. "Explain this to me right this instant." She crossed the first row of her arms.

...

This... was from her... dream... right? The crossed arm and-

"Mom, it's... W- What are you doing?"

"No, absolutely not, don't start that. I forgot my phone in the car, and then I saw... this. You sneaking Biscuit out." The mother points a finger at the cat boy. "That..." She stops when her eyes land on Claire.

Her face was mortified...

"Mom, I- I-"

"Who is she!?" The mom demanded, pointing her finger at the young human, making that same human jerk back.

"T- They're a new f- friend."

"You have a lot of audacity to bring a stranger into MY house." The mom pulled away.

"I- I-I'm sorry."

The mom stares at her daughter, with her brows furrowed. Anova reached up to her hat to pull down the brim and hide her face. Mom and Anova stood parallel from each other, the mom maintaining her gaze on her daughter, as the daughter refuse to meet her gaze. The two in the back were as guilty, and started to feel awkward by standing doing nothing. The slience was killing them.

"Go to your room!" The mom finally said. "I don't want to see you out of there until dinner."

Anova lifted her head a bit, her face visible, her eyes glued to the side. She gave a quick nod before stepping away.

"And I don't want you on that laptop either!" She called out later.

Biscuit and Claire watched as Anova disappeared into her house, feeling humiliated but also... wronged.

"You!" The mom started, and Claire looked at her in fear. "Don't EVER step foot in my house again, or I will call the police, you understand me?"

Claire nodded.

The mom shortly disappeared into the house, slamming the door.

Biscuit and Claire were taking the same route to get back to Spring Hometown. Neither of them had talked yet. Biscuit had his ears down. Claire gripped the collar of her shirt, her gaze out of focus. She furrowed her eyebrows, and thoughts invaded her mind. If she hadn't gone to her place, Anova would have been okay... right? Or if she didn't get so distracted and thought this through more, they would be okay.

Maybe it's not her to blame, maybe it's the mom. She was the one who made a scene. It's not like she broke anything; they watched videos from the internet. No harm done...

Or maybe it wasn't that, perhaps it was the principle. Anova broke her mom's rule... right? So was this... deserved? There was something that nudged her, though. Maybe it's the fact that they were all caught and still upset over that? It was recent... are her feelings valid here?

"Claire." Biscuit spoke. "Are you okay?"

"What? Yeah, I'm alright. Just a little... sad, I guess."

"I mean, you were making this humming noise, and I wasn't sure if you were trying to sing something?"

"Fuck!" Claire said, her grip tightened. "I'm usually good at not... doing that in front of people. I'm sorry."

"What do you mean?"

"I literally don't know half of the time when I'm doing that, it just happens."

"So you weren't trying to sing? Make sense; you had no rhythm... no offense, you... sounded like a microwave."

"I know, it's distracting."

"It's fine, honestly. I never met someone who... has a habit of becoming a microwave."

"Yeah, hehe. Hey, you seem more comfortable around me now."

"I guess it's still a little... discomforting, but it's getting better."

The two made it to the edge of Spring Hometown, where Biscuit's cabin lay ahead.

"Is... Anova going to be alright?" Claire asked.

"Yeah? I mean... Physically."

"You think what happened was really... our fault?"

Biscuit shifted his head away. "If I'm honest, I think her mom should... lay off. Anova has been stressed as it is."

"Even before she got in trouble?"

"Oh, yeah... School is the main problem... Sometimes people are too."

"I hope she's okay."

Biscuit reached his cabin. "I need to go now. Today's been rough."

"Fair enough, I am also gonna go and... sleep away my hurt feelings."

"Cya, Claire."

With that, Claire left, heading deeper into Spring Hometown. She had all planned to head home, cause that was where she wanted to relax, deadass, where else? Where the town had no one-

"Hey," A foreigner calls to her. Claire stopped to witness a table with some food. "New around town? I think I got something for ya!" They said,

like an Npc-

Claire made it back to her cabin with some bread. It's random, but why not? Bread is bread. Sitting on the floor and eating is great. Also, logically speaking, Claire doesn't have food for herself yet. She really needs to start... gathering stuff. Hopefully, Spring Hometown will be enough... and hopefully Anova is alright.

...

She thinks it's true... maybe... She sees the future, how else can she explain... No, that... insane... impossible... Maybe... It hit her like a truck... She wished she had been insane earlier, to prove herself wrong... only to prove herself right...

She doesn't have the appetite to finish the bread anymore.

Chapter Text

A sense of familiarity with the real world drives Claire's dream. Almost a mix of green colors and white outlines, she foresaw a scenario—a small Anova, who looks to be upset, by Biscuit. Biscuit portrays disbelief, almost... anger. Anova gripped Biscuit's arm, with the cat looking down at her. What happened? Why is everything- When did everything... No. Something isn't right. Why are they upset? No one should be upset... There is a reason... A cause. Was it her? These damn... pictures without titles.

A clean counter, with a few utensils messily spread, had a hot tan placed on top. The tan had a baked cake inside, with steam coming from the roof of it. Two mittens were held up, which were soon pulled off individually to reveal furry paws. The mittens were positioned on the side of the pan, with the cat suspecting the quality. His nose twitched, with his ears going down. The cake was a brown gold color, with the outer layer appearing soft.

His train of thought was halted when the door of his cabin was opened. He shifted his head around to see his friend, Anova, walk inside and closed the door behind her.

"Anova!" Biscuit almost cheered; he rushed over to her. "Wow, you're not grounded!"

"Yeah." Anova sighed. "I managed not to get grounded. It's a miracle if anything."

"Well, I'm glad. Just means we can still hang."

"Yeah... Is she... Is Claire here? I'm not sure if..."

"Oh no, she's not mad. Maybe just a little scared of your mother now."

"Well, can't say my mom's opinion, after seeing Claire, is great. After the whole thing, sneaking out, and my mom not knowing about this. She probably thinks Claire is some rabble."

"I say, she even scolded Claire. Threaten to call the police."

"Ohh." She said, with a hint of shame. "I need to apologize to Claire. I didn't tell her that she can get like that."

"Hey, I'm sure she will forgive you. I mean, she did sound worried about you."

"She did?"

"Yeah."

Biscuit walks to his tan, with Anova following behind. He leaned down and started to suspect the cake again.

"Well, anyway, I should probably apologize to her now, then wait and forget. Do you think Claire is at the cabin or her family's house?" Anova asked

"I don't know. So far, she has been at her cabin. It's almost like..." Biscuit paused, leaning back up. "She sleeps there."

"I hope not, that place isn't very fit for living."

"When has she been at her family home anyway?" Biscuit asked. "Did she say?"

"I'm sure she's been there once or more."

"I don't know..." He raised a paw to his head.

"Wouldn't she have said it at some point? Let me just say, neither of us has a good memory." Anova mentioned.

"Hey, my memory is fine... I think. I just need to recall." Biscuit snitched his head.

"I guess let me know when you remember something?-"

"Wait." Biscuit snapped his head back at Anova. He remained quiet for a second.

"Yeah?" Anova spoke. "What is it?"

"Claire mentioned... social workers?"

"Social workers? I don't really know what that is about."

"I think they're about..." Biscuit took a moment to recollect his thoughts. "Actually, I'm not sure myself, but... now I'm stuck with a bunch of questions."

"Like, when did she say this?"

"When she first got here? She said how everyone thinks she is boyish." Biscuit approached Anova as he spoke.

"Okay, so I'm naturally not going to remember."

"Listen, I'll ask her myself. I mean, I'm worried it has something to do with her family."

"Oh... yeah, knowing Claire has issues herself. It would make sense."

"Yeah, so I'll do some research and talk to her-"

"Wait, that doesn't sound like a good idea."

"Why not?"

"We just met Claire, don't you think asking her directly about her family will be necessary? We've known Claire for a week at this point. I don't think that's enough time for her to get comfortable."

"What? But you opened up about your issues to her almost immediately."

"Yeah, cause it sounds like we have similar problems. I wanted her to know that she is not alone."

"Why are you complaining about me rushing things when you basically did the same thing!?"

"I didn't rush. I literally told her whenever she was comfortable."

"Right. So you were comfortable enough to spill your own stuff, regardless of whether Claire was or wasn't overwhelmed."

Anova sneared. "Listen, just wait a little longer. Wait for her to be comfortable."

"Fine, fine!"

Biscuit went back to his cake for the third time, with Anova rubbing her face as her other hand fixed her hat.

"Anyways," Anova said, walking over to the cat. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure I didn't mess up this cake." He answered, still judging the cake.

"That's a cake? Looks like bread."

The cat leans up and looks down at Anova.

"Bread." They both said, while giving a thumbs up.

"Annnd done!" Claire, with an exhausted tone of voice, though with a hint of satisfaction. She examined the couch in her cabin, set in the corner.

Claire scanned her cabin, and all of it looked random, messy. Claire smiled at that, though; she was tired of the good-looking nature of everything. Where things were straight, clean, and looked the same. Of course, she didn't mind the clean nature, but seeing it every day - it gets a little stale. So having things be so unorganized, so cluttered, so messy, random... It's nice.

She still had that sense of regret, staying at Anova's place, although knowing her mom could be so strict. She tried to ignore it, forget, say it wasn't her fault. Sure, it was two days ago, but it didn't fully leave her. Well, Claire wasn't sure how parents could be strict. She almost blamed herself. Maybe, more than almost. She was an idiot. A fool. You should've been the bigger person. You should've known better, been better-

The door to her cabin was open.

Anova walked in before stopping almost instantly. "Oh!" She said, glancing at Claire, not meeting each other's eyes. "I forgot to knock, sorry."

"That's fine!" Claire said, watching as Biscuit walked in after Anova. "Hey, I got that new couch in." She pointed.

"Oh, you can lift?" Biscuit asked, walking over to the old sofa. The cat plopped down on the couch, lying on it even tho it doesn't actually fit him.

"Mhm! Now my arms are noodles!" Claire jabbed. Anova shut the door before walking over to the duo.

"That's how we felt after carrying it all the way here," Anova joked. "You were somewhat lucky to carry it a few feet."

"LUCKY!?- MAN, MY ARMS COULD FALL OFF!" Claire complained. "Talk about that—you guys are stronger than me."

"Ehh," Anova said. "I wouldn't-"

"Oh, I still have your ladder." Claire realized, looking at said ladder in the corner, from across the room, before speaking. "Sorry, didn't mean to cut you off."

"That's alright," Anova said.

"Go on. Finish your sentence."

"No, I forgot already."

"Wow," Biscuit got up. "You two are like... the same. Both with such bad memories."

"Hey, don't make fun of us!" Claire defended half-heartedly.

"Claire, you're my other braincell." Anova joked suddenly.

Claire tried to get a sentence out, only to stop and laugh upon hearing that, having to reach her knees to keep herself from falling. Biscuit also joined in, giggling like a little kid.

"Wow!" Claire managed to bark out. "Where have you been?"

"Ah- waiting for you, apparently," Anova responded.

"I guess I'm left in the dark." Biscuit joked.

"Biscuit, come on, don't be like that," Claire expressed, patting the cat on the back. "I'm sure we all have something in common."

"Like what?"

"We both..." Claire trailed off, trying to think of something. "Ah..."

"SEE!"

"OKAY OKAY! I GET IT!"

"Okay, on a more serious note." Biscuit tried to change the topic suddenly.

"No! I hate seriousness!"

"hehe.. yeah, but seriously,"

"No, no serious."

"Just for a second." Biscuit said, with a hint of annoyance in his tone. Claire dropped her act and nodded. The cat sighed before raising a paw. "I just wanted to ask about your parents-"

"Biscuit!" Anova interrupted. "Didn't we talk about this yesterday?" She grabbed hold of the cat's arm. Her brows furrowed.

"Quit it!" Biscuit looks down at Anova with an annoyed expression. "It's not like you know what's best."

"Dude, I never said-"

Holy fuck. This was... In her dream- what? Fuck, she really can predict the future. That's right. She found that out not too long ago. She saw this coming. It is just so difficult to remember. To understand. To...

"-that, I just."

"Hey!" Claire yelled. "Don't start fighting!"

Biscuit and Anova halted and stared at their human friend. Biscuit had a raised eyebrow, with Anova's eyes widening.

"Listen, I don't know what the talk is about, but I don't want you two to fight over it. Especially if it's something about me." Claire exclaimed. "Let's just think for a minute, okay?!"

Silence rings through the air. Anova looks away, hiding her face under the brim of her hat, as Biscuit itches the back of his head. Claire sensed an uneasy feeling among them... and felt bad. Did that... come out too harsh? She didn't intend it that way...

"Maybe I shouldn't have yelled that. I..." Claire looks down at the floor. "I thought..."

"No, me and uh... Biscuit... should not have argued." Anova lifts her head to expose her face.

"I just wanted to ask something." Biscuit mumbled.

"About my parents, huh?" Claire asked, hesitantly.

"You don't have to tell him anything." Anova jumped in.

"Hey... Curiosity hasn't killed me yet." Biscuit quoted.

Claire grabbed at her shirt collar, tugging at the fabric. Claire didn't want to confess, not yet, or ever. But that isn't a lie she can live with forever; it's too big. Confessing now didn't seem like a good time, though. So reluctantly, Claire spoke. "That's a little bit of a sore topic, but I will tell you... with time... of course."

Biscuit stood there, his arms down at his sides now. He didn't meet Claire's eyes and, for the most part, just stared to the side. Claire prayed this work; she swore she would eventually tell them, but just now isn't a good time.

"Okay, I guess I overstepped... sorry." Biscuit admitted and apologized. He looked down as his arm raised to rub his neck.

Claire let out a massive sigh of relief, her hand releasing from her collar. "Thank you, I don't mean to be so closed off."

"I thought you would be more open, but I guess you move at a slower pace." Biscuit explained. "Unlike this one right here." Biscuit pointed at Anova, and the small demon immediately slapped his hand.

"It's fine. Hey, in Spring Hometown, there are a lot of abandoned buildings, and I wanted to know where I can find places that aren't abandoned." Claire asked quickly.

"Oh, a sudden change in conversation, that isn't hinting at anything. Well, most stores that aren't abandoned are near the front of the town." Biscuit explained.

"What do you mean by that isn't hinting at anything at all-?" Claire tried to ask.

"Can't you tell what is abandoned and what isn't?" Anova questioned.

"No." Claire and Biscuit said in unison.

"I shit you not, I found a whole ass library that was straight up abandoned," Claire said.

"And that building from the outside looks okay." Biscuit added.

"Exactly."

"Whoa, I didn't know I didn't come here enough," Anova said.

"And you used to live here." Biscuit teased. "Well, theoretically, you live so close and you visit so much, you might as well still be in the town."

"Can't we all agree to call it a village-"

"No!" Anova and Biscuit said at the same time.

"Shit, alright... My bad." Claire said.

"Why did you want to know?" Anova asked.

"Cause uh... funny story. That library, I uhm... found Crazie in."

"Are you for real?" Biscuit asked.

"Seriously," Anova said after. "Why was she there?"

"I think she and Agetha chill there," Claire answered.

"They didn't yell at you again?" Biscuit asked.

"It's complicated... sorta, not really, but let's talk about that later."

Anova went over to her ladder, "Hey, I'm taking this back."

"Alright, I'm going to explore the rest of the town. I wanna see what I can find." Claire answered.

"Anova, you need help with that?" Biscuit asked.

"No, I got it-"

"I'm gonna help you anyway."

"Okay."

As Biscuit and Anova left with the ladder in hand, Claire stood in the middle of her cabin. Her mind was already envisioning something. More decorations, more stuff, and food. That's why she wanted to ask about Spring Homtown, in hopes of knowing where a good location is. There was an establishment that was giving out samples of bread, so she could try that. Or find something else, a building giving out something. So without further ado, she set out.

The small child walks through the town, glaring at the scenery yet again, for her sore eyes. Though with the context that maybe this small home would one day be abandoned, it hurts her, even if she has only been at this place a few times during her week. She was welcomed, even if Claire was questioned at first. For now, she wants to enjoy what she has.

Going into different markets, in search of what she can find. She stumbled upon a food market, and one market had vegetables of all sorts. Another was a bakery, the same as last time. Another gave out different stuff, food-related. Then she found shops that handed out items like silverware, furniture, and even electronics. Those being microwaves, toasters, and a slow cooker. The people were super friendly, helping Claire pick out some items. The child brought plenty of goods back to her cabin, especially to help with her food problem.

Slowly, the day burned away with Claire bringing a lot of stuff back to her cabin. She got stuff that isn't food-related. She got a shit ton of pillows and plushies. To show and decorate her home more, to make it feel like hers. Even while admiring the nonsense of her lifestyle, one room of hers was... in need of changing. The other room she had was still empty, and frequently, she had no plan to change it. She'll leave it as is. Maybe inspiration will come to her later.

While out, she gathered enough firewood to start another fire; unfortunately, the place she got it from didn't have much.

After going back to the town to look around one last time. To see what she can take for tomorrow. One place stood out; it looked clean and open, welcoming. She stood outside the door and walked inside. The lights were still on and the shelves... were empty.

Weird... The place isn't... deserted. Like the library, which was filled with dust, and books lay on the floor. Walking around, there wasn't anyone in sight. It was quiet; some places had music playing at least. Maybe some small chit-chat. It was... empty. She stopped by a wall with some paper strung up on it, alongside a TV. She ended up reading some of the papers on the wall.

"First-ever hardware store." She read aloud. Scanning over most of the words. Skipping from paper to paper. "New owner." Then her eyes land on the last one. "Spring Hometown..." Claire said, finally. Not sure why she decided to read these out; usually, ads are up, not papers about the place.

"Wow, you talk to yourself?"

"AH!-" Claire screamed, tripping back and landing on the shelf. Her eyes darted from one place to another, then she saw the TV.

Agetha, with a face of disbelief, that slowly morphed into- "BAAA-" They laughed. "DID I SCARE YOU THAT BAD!?"

Claire quickly stood on her two feet. Standing there awkwardly, as Agetha could not help themselves. They floated on the TV, slowly spinning around as they laughed. They finally relaxed, hanging upside down. Surprisingly, their hair didn't move; it just remained still. But maybe that should be expected. For someone behind a TV, gravity probably wasn't coded to exist there.

"Why are you here!?" Claire asked.

"Why am I here?" Agetha repeated. "I should ask you that. You're the one in an abandoned building."

"What, it's abandoned?"

"Yeah? Is it that hard to tell?"

"YES! It looks so... clean!" Claire gestured around. "Have you seen it?"

"No. I'm kinda... stuck in here."

"What?"

"What?" Agetha smiled. "Didn't I tell you?"

"Not that... I recall."

"I guess I can give you the rundown," Agetha said, still hanging upside down. "This place is my prison! Called the digital plane!" They outstretched their arms. "Ever since I got trapped inside of here, by the Silver Servant, I have never been able to get out! It's so sweet in here, so space-ish."

"It is?-"

"OF COURSE NOT! IT'S HORRIBLE IN HERE!" Agetha stopped smiling as their arms went down to their side. "Thought you caught onto my sarcasm." They crossed their arms.

"Well, damn, sorry." She said. "I don't really use technology."

"Bullshit!" Agetha called out. "Everyone uses the internet!"

"Uhm," Claire mumbled. Agetha being a little... harsh today? Not sure if that's anything different, Claire doesn't know Agetha fully yet. The teen is complicated. One second, they're nice, or neutral, then they're... like this. "Are you okay?" Claire asked.

Agetha blinked, keeping a straight face. "Yes, I'm fine!"

"Okay, I was asking because you-"

"Holy, okay, listen, I'm feeling shitty today..." Agetha responded. "It's whatever!"

"Oh," Claire responded. "Why?"

"Why do you care?"

"I-... you- you make that sound like a crime."

"Okay!- Claire, all I did was hurt you! Why do you care!?"

...

Why did she care? Agetha had a point. Either out of interest or... This interaction wasn't any different from most of the time they talked. Actually speaking, Crazie isn't with them like she normally is. That isn't really the point, is it? Could it? What!? What is it!? How did that one question stump Claire so much? Nothing comes to mind. Unless it's about books, then everything comes to mind. Why did Claire care, especially to someone who had hurt her?

"I'm not sure," Claire admitted.

"Exactly! You can hardly come up with anything!" Agetha said after. "Maybe have a reason why you're talking to people."

"Okay..." Claire hesitated as she grabbed her shirt collar. "So why are you talking to me?"

"I-..." Agetha hesitated. "be- becau- be-... UGH, FFFUCC- BECAUSE!.. Because Crazie isn't here right now."

"What was that!?" Claire asked, dumbstruck. Letting go of her shirt collar.

"DON'T! I STUTTER SOMETIME ALRIGHT!"

"That was a really bad stutter, ahah!"

"I-... I can't even argue with that; it was a bad stutter." Agetha admitted. Rubbing their face.

"Crazie isn't here, where is she?" Claire asked.

"Claire, it's August..."

Claire stays silent. Blinking. "Okay?"

"Wait, you don't know... You're new, that's right... Crazie leaves during winter to visit her family. She leaves a little before winter so..."

"Is that why you're upset?"

"No!" Agetha defended, her tone frustrated. A very quick switch-up.

"Hey, that's fine if that's the case. I'm not gonna..." Claire paused.

"Gonna what?" Agetha challenged.

"Make fun of you?.. I'm not sure what you're worried about."

Agetha stayed quiet... before looking away. "Whatever."

"So, hey..." Claire spoke, and Agetha's eyes moved to look at her. "I notice that... Since Crazie is about to leave, is it making you nervous?"

Agetha spins up, worried plaster on their face. "I don't want to talk about it!" Blue, yellow, and red electricity emit from the TV as Agetha tries to get out, only for a loud buzz to occur, and for them to be knocked back. "Fuck!" They whispered.

"What was that?" Claire asked, her eyes darting around.

They turn to look at Claire before shaking their head. "Shut up!" They yelled. "Just shut up!"

Claire, stay quiet, as she was instructed. While Agetha subconsciously searches the area. The electricity of the same colors came out again, only to meet with the same result. Agetha got knocked down, with their face morphing into annoyance even more.

Are they okay? What's going on? Why did they... do that? Claire wasn't sure if she was reading the room right, or even reading them right. One question had Agetha react this badly. Their conversation has been a rollercoaster of mood swings.

"Hey," Claire said softly. "Calm down for a second, you're... giving me a lot of mixed signals right now."

Agetha looks at them. Silent. A look of anger and... something else that Claire can't put her finger on.

"I'm not sure what happened, and it took me by complete surprise." Claire started. "Just talk to me."

"No!" Agetha yelled! "Just forget this conversation even happened!"

"Okay?.. But could you relax? What's going on? What even happened?"

"Why should I tell you!?" Agetha asked.

Claire grabbed her shirt collar. "I mean, I guess you don't have to. Just calm down, okay."

Agetha then sits on the non-existent floor below them. Clearly still floating, just in a sitting position now. Both teens let the silence ring out, neither talking. To presumably sort each other's emotions... or for Claire to understand what she did wrong here? She wasn't hurt, just more confused about why this suddenly happened. She didn't really feel at fault, but there was a chance that maybe... she was. Somewhat knowing Agetha and for their reasons, whether good or bad, or lack thereof, it is possible it was... an overreaction.

Agetha sighed. "Could you... not talk about this to anyone?" They asked.

"Yah, sure," Claire answered.

"I don't usually act like that," Agetha confessed.

"Oh, I'm sorry?" Claire said, not fully sure what they meant.

"Whatever," Agetha mumbled. "I... Move on. Move on!"

"Okay, we can. I'm guessing you want me to leave." Claire asked, releasing her shirt collar.

"Actually, uh, could you see what's going on outside?"

"Why?"

"Because for some reason, I can't... leave."

"Didn't you say you were trapped?"

"Yes, but I can travel on different devices. As long as they're uh... on. Why did I have to explain that to you? How do you think I got in here?"

"Oh, sorry, I am a little slow," Claire says modestly. "That was you trying to leave? How does that work?" She asked. Walking away and heading towards the exit.

"Uh... Claire? Claire, I can't answer your question if you're walking away! Claire! CLA-"

Claire took a step outside, finding nothing had changed, which was confusing. Agetha's sentence made it sound like something bad happened out here. Claire was expecting... anything... The road was the same, the houses were pretty normal, but when you look further down, you can see some of the houses are undoubtedly abandoned. And the sun was still setting. Claire walked back inside, going to the TV.

"Okay, so nothing really changed." Claire started.

"I was talking! Why did you walk away?"

"Oh, sorry. I was looking out the window to see what was going on outside. Again, I saw nothing."

"Fuck, damnit, ugh - The device I went into to... to get in here... must have been turned off." Agetha looks away, leaning back to lie down. "Soo, I'm kinda stuck in here."

"What device?"

"I don't fully know, traveling from devices is confusing, I aim for something that has a screen, like a phone, or TV. Otherwise, there's nothing to see. I could've gone into a light switch, a radio, anything. All I can do is sense where a device is, not what device it is."

"So, what can I do?"

"Well, if you have a phone?"

"Which I don't."

"Exactly, your parents must've hated you."

... ouch.

"I guess you're right," Claire said in a low tone. "So, what else can I do?"

"If I'm honest, I'm sure someone will walk by, and I'll get in their device."

"And if they don't?"

Agetha stayed quiet, scoffing shortly after. "Don't be like that!"

"I'm sorry?"

"You apologize too much!" Agetha sits back up. "Listen, I am not the one who gets stressed out. I'm sure things will work themselves out in the end. Wasn't the first time this happened... Or the tenth."

"Sounds like this happens a lot."

"Yes, yes, it does."

Claire sits down, landing with a thud. "So if you're going to be stuck in here for a while. You want to chat."

"I am not talking about anything about me with you. Also, why are you so invested in having a conversation with me?"

"Uhm... I guess we don't have to talk." Claire itched the back of her head before going down to grab her shirt collar. "I figured I could have asked you about... The Silver Servant, since no one else seems comfortable enough to do that. I mean, let alone say the name. You seem to be the only one who... would say anything."

"I am still weirded out how you don't know them. Like, I think I already told you they are meant to protect you guys."

"Protect me?" 

"Humans." Agetha started. "Listen, all The Silver Servants do is lock up demons who are innocent. Okay, I don't believe they've done one good thing. If I did something so bad that I deserved to be put in here, wouldn't I remember!? Even if I were the world's most delusional person, shouldn't I be able to recall what wrong I've done!?" Agetha stands up, flaring their arms around. "Yes, I can fucking be hurtful. Yes, I say mean shit. Yes, I do things that could... annoy people... But hardly any of that means I should be in here! It's on the levels of torture. You don't arrest a school bully."

"So, The Silver Servant unfairly put you in the digital plane? But... how?"

"I wish I knew!" Agetha said. "Otherwise, I probably would've figured it out. I've been here for so damn long and..." They sighed.

"You don't know a whole lot about the Silver Servants... do you?"

"You caught onto something." Agetha turned around, no longer facing Claire. "They are known to do that. How else would I be in here?"

"How bad is it in there?" Claire asked, scooting forward.

"I'm not telling you that!" Agetha said. "The last thing I need is for you to know how to hurt me. If anything, I told you enough about me."

"You can always talk to me." Claire comforted. "I know how it feels to have something bottled up and have no way of spilling it. Especially feeling like you shouldn't, as it could lead to hurt. A lot of that-"

"Blah blah blah! Don't get under my skin! Just because you're nice now doesn't mean you'll stay like that."

"Damn... Emotional and possibly wholesome bonding moment gone..."

...

Agetha chuckles. "Okay, I wasn't expecting that."

"It's true, though, it could've been something, but you rejected it before it even... got off the ground. Hope and dreams don't exist for you, I guess." Claire continues to joke.

"Hey, don't guilt me!" Agetha turns back around, talking as they do so.

"Sorry, but again, if you want to talk. I can be there."

"Why, we didn't really become friends."

"Oh, so you talk to anyone like this?"

"No... I actually don't. You're more of an excuse. Anyone that my age is either too self-righteous, too sensitive, just fake, has no feelings - maybe, or... they're... you."

Claire raises an eyebrow.

"You're new, so I haven't really... found out anything about you," Agetha admitted.

"Oh, you're describing certain people. That's... worrying. I mean, I'm not sure that only seeing the worst in people is a great idea. Also, it's kinda weird to be worried about me knowing anything about you while you need to know something about me, entirely makes this feel one-sided... That's probably just me, though."

"Whatever, I'm only talking to you because you haven't done anything."

"Done anything?"

"Like fuck up? I'll give you some respect, but I'm not hesitant to take that away. Hurt me or Crazie and I'll rain hell."

"Oh, understood."

Agetha's head darts up, looking out to the side. "And I think I got my ride," Agetha said.

"Oh? Your ride-"

The TV emits the same colors as before, zipping across and out of the TV. It exits the building, leaving Claire completely alone.

Claire made it back home, where the sun had set. She pushed the door open, closed it behind her, and went and sat on the pillow floor. With the firewood she got from the town, she tossed two in and lit them up. The chimney gave life, with the smoke going up. The child stares at the fireplace, the flame crackling just before her. Slowly, spreading to the rest of the logs to consume them as well. Being here, by herself, only consults.

The silence, like always, makes her thoughts go rampant and unpredictable. Her mind hasn't done this for a while now. Mostly due to the new... life Claire has been living. There have been enough distractions that Claire's mind was free from all... the thoughts. Now they're back. Usually, the child would go and find a book to read, even if she didn't like it. It helped to keep her mind at bay.

Staring at the ceiling as the flames below her spoke. It was the only sound she could hear, beside the emptiness of her loneliness. Wow, that's depressing, anyways. 

You know, she usually avoids her own feelings. That's why she dives deep in reading... Maybe that's the problem. She has been doing this since she was younger, and it only helped her in the moment, never really fixing the issue. It was easier to ignore it than to face it, obviously. Maybe that can change. Maybe instead of feeling stressed and kinda shitty, although most of what she thinks about was so far in the past it probably shouldn't mean shit. She can't help it, well, she hasn't tried...

How would she go about doing that? To simply feel better. These whining and bullshitting she does in her head, it's.... it needs to stop. That kinda means putting energy, time, and hope into actually... healing? Is that what you call it? Healing? Can she heal by herself? She almost prefer stay broken than be... fixed? Either that, or she doesn't know what she is talking about.

But wanting to change isn't a crime, nor is thinking. Even if said thinking could be flawed. That's okay, right? Damn... 

What if she thought about the event that happened today, the present is here now. What can she do?

What happened with Anova and Biscuit could've been avoided if Claire hadn't lied. That's plain and simple, but guessing what'll happen next isn't easy. She doesn't want them to ditch Claire, not after the week they had. Yes, it's just a week. 

But that means so much more.

She will eventually tell them.

Agetha, though, Claire doesn't know about that one. They acted nice, but entirely switched up. Well, if Crazie leaving so soon, which caused their turmoil, then that's understandable. Doesn't excuse their actions, but gives reason. Agetha didn't really make excuses for themselves. That's probably who they are as an person. Not a very good person to be around, but... Agetha didn't act like that last time. Like, they...

Wow, what a complicated Individual.

There's more to it; it has to be. Claire doesn't have the full picture. If... the full picture actually tells the story it's portraying. Agetha was so hesitant to give Claire information about themselves. Well, they told her they were trapped in this... digital plane, but that was probably because it was so apparent due to them being behind a screen 24/7. They're nice to selective people, maybe... Surely not, Agetha described one bad thing about certain people and makes it seem like that's the reason why their not friends. If that's the case, Crazie would have to be the PERFECT girl anyone had met, and obviously, she is not perfect.

Is it an excuse? Maybe their flaws, even one, are truly that bad? Do they have high standards?

Claire stop... Maybe instead of focusing on that, she should find a different way. That focuses on her. That's going to be hard in itself.

This is confusing. What does she do here!? Focus on herself, or others?..

She flops down on her pillow bed, not wanting to think about it anymore. She groaned as she massaged her face, before plunking her arms on the pillows below her. Maybe she'll think about it in the morning... If her future vision dreamy thingy doesn't preoccupy that. She closed her eyes and hoped her mind wouldn't decide to relive one of those past moments again.

Chapter Text

Oh boy, this gets old really quickly. The same shade of green with lines of white, the static noise only her mind could conceive. Her mind played out art, well knowing the scene before her would later happen. She saw two girls, both of whose faces were blurred, strangely. One approached while the other held them back. Then, Anova, on the floor, with a pot that held a cactus, was tipped upside down. Then... nothing...

What... What happened? Did the two girls hurt her? Where did they come from? Did she hurt Anova?

She and Biscuit just fought. Why is she dealing with this now?

Her stomach twists.

That was when the child woke up, with a gasp, flying to prop herself up on her elbows. Her eyes widened, only to close after. She blinked a few times to ease the sting, realizing the sunlight was beaming in. The kid looks out. The sun was out, telling Claire it was morning. Trees covered the sun, though, so only rays could cut in. She rubbed her head, her eyes closing in the process.

She sat up, resting on her knees. The anxiety slowly subsides. It was a dream... one she can see the future... and she is still very unsure how to feel about it. But it's not about her, not right now, it's about Anova.

Anova is fine... right? It's not like she died there. This sleep dream shouldn't get the better of her.

But what if she is in trouble!? Like right now!?

"Oh shit!" She called out, flying up to her feet and running out the door. She didn't bother to shut her door, as she trails the same forest as she always does. Her footing was covered in dirt, and the white lacing on her red shoes was smudged with mud. Though after a little bit, the mud under her foot picked up salt.

Running on the salt circle, she once had to trail around to avoid the feral woman; she no longer found reason to take the same route after releasing her. Especially running in the open area that once entrapped the beast.

It was shortly after Claire sprinted under the same sign that welcomed her into the town, while the town had not changed. She took the usual path to Biscuit's cabin, still running as she did so. She guessed Anova would be there; she is almost always there. Why would this- "Oof!" Claire yelped as she bumped into someone.

"Agh!" Anova yapped, quickly balancing herself.

"Sorry!" Claire yelled. "I didn't mean to... wait, Anova!"

"Oh! Claire." Anova looks over. "Why are you running?"

"You're okay!" Claire said, winded. "You're... holding a bunch of planter pots?" She looks at the many pots Anova holds in her hands, five stacked on top of each other. A few more gardening essentials stick out on top.

"Oh, they're for my club."

"Club?"

"Yeah... I-..." Anova stuttered. "Uh, okay, I made that sound like I own the club. I'm just a member, and I go there once a week. I don't think I told you."

That was when Claire noticed the change in her outfit, instead of her usual brown shirt with a moon and a skirt with a small cloth hanging over it. She is wearing a black apron and a shirt with a gray pattern. The hat is still the same.

"Definitely not," Claire answered, "and based on context clues, you're going to a garden club?"

"Yeah," Anova replied, with the stack tipping over. "Also, what did you mean by- Whoa!"

Claire ran in front to stop the falling pots, with Anova grabbing them with her other arms. Luckily, nothing fell, and the stack began to straighten again.

"Even with four arms, it's still terrible to hold everything." The small demon complained.

Claire took some pots into her own hands, allowing Anova's arms to feel lighter. With two pots at Anova's disposal.

"Hey, that's fine. Just because you... uh... how do I word this... because you got more arms doesn't mean you should burden more."

"Uh, thanks, Claire. I somewhat... don't get your point."

Both girls walk side by side, heading past Biscuit's cabin and into the woods. While walking, Claire took the time to look inside the top pot, seeing the amount of stuff inside. Some gloves, an already-grown cactus? And-

"Hey, Claire," Anova spoke. "Once you drop my stuff off, you should leave like immediately."

"Why?' Claire asked as Anova's house came into view.

"Remember last time, with my mom."

"Oh!" Claire realized. Looking up at the modern house. She remembers everything now... and... felt off.

Walking ahead, they entered a driveway with the car that Claire had seen last time. The truck was already open, with more supplies inside.

The pots were put in the back of a car, stacked on one another. Claire looks around before grabbing her shirt collar. "Okay, this was short-lived. I'm going to go before-"

"Anova!" The mom yelled. The two girls faces dropped. "I thought we talked about this..." She walks over, snarling as she looks down at Claire. "And about her."

"I AM ACTUALLY A PLANT! DON'T HURT ME!" Claire tries to divert.

"Mom! Wait!" Anova called out, stepping in front of Claire. "Listen, Claire isn't what you think, alright? She hasn't done anything, besides breaking into... the house..."

The mom crosses her arms, her face unconvinced.

"BUT!.. T- That was more on me!" Anova said, raising her hands. "I sh- shouldn't have... sneaked her in. Please, don't be mad at her. She isn't... bad... She's a good kid, and you know I wouldn't hang out with anyone that would hurt me... or anyone, or do something horrible. Please, just let it slide."

Claire remained quiet as she hid behind her tiny friend. She was more focused on avoiding eye contact... and praying she doesn't get Anova in trouble.

She sighed and dropped her arms. "Fine." Said the mother. The two kids' eyes light up. Anova dropped her hands. Claire came out of hiding from behind her small friend, with her stance straight. The mom approached Claire, and Anova walked to the side. The human kept her head down.

A lecture, a scold, another threat. It would be fine; Claire can block it out. Like she did most of the time with Adults.

A hand was placed out, a handshake. Claire stared for a moment, largely because of the sudden gesture. And the mother must've picked up on Claire's confusion. "Since we're now meeting formally, without you trespassing,"

Claire grips her shirt collar even tighter.

"And you are one of my daughter's friends... so... it's nice to meet you." The mother finished and waited for the child to grab her hand.

The child finally released her hand from her collar and timidly reached out. Clutching her small hand into the clawed, bigger hand. The two shook on it.

Anova from the side exhaled, her shoulder slumping.

As the mom freed Claire's hand, she turned toward Anova. "You have anything right?"

"Yes!" She answered quickly. "I got... new gloves and all. In case they get stolen... Again..." Anova said.

"Get stolen?" Claire asked. "What is this about?"

"Oh... Claire, I would tell you," As the small demon itched the back of her head, "but we need to go now. We're already behind schedule, but once I get home, and there's still time," She gestures toward the sun. "I'll tell you."

"But can't I come with you?" Claire asked, worriedly, hurriedly. "I mean, if that's possible. I'm not doing anything today, and hanging out with you seems fun." Despite the tone in Claire's voice, and the seemingly normal sentence. The dream still lingered in Claire's mind, and the fear that Claire wouldn't be there to...

"Uh... the club allows visitors, even wants guests to come, but uh... It's in the city, and if you don't already know where it is. You won't find it. I don't think my mom would let you drive with us... Sorry."

"Oh, that's okay." Claire grabbed her collar. "You'll be fine, right?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Alright, I'm just... asking. Just be careful."

"You know what," The mother intervenes. "I'm sure she's fine driving with us."

"What!?-"
"It is!?"

Both Anova and Claire said at the same time.

"Yeah," The mom affirms. "I don't see why not. Besides everything else." She points at the human child. "I don't hold grudges." She walks to the front of the car.

The two watch as she gets in, closing the door behind her before looking back at each other.

"I guess you're coming after all," Anova said.

Claire sighed in relief. Also... A smile started.

Anova got into the back of the car like normal, then Claire practically jumped inside, shutting the door with both hands. Anova buckled herself, strapping the belt around her torso. Claire mimics this, pulling at the belt and clicking it in place. Then the small girl sits up happily.

"You seem excited," Anova mentioned. The car started and drove off.

"Yeah!" Claire admitted enthusiastically. They hit a small bump when they left, which made Claire feel the need to spread out her arms to hold onto the environment around her. "Whoa!"

Anova chuckled. "You're acting like you've never been in a car before."

"I guess it's that natural adrenaline." Claire joked. "From nature herself. Since we are visiting a garden."

"Oh, right. Let me guess, she's giving you strength."

"She is giving me all sorts of things. Like... CARBON DIOXIDE!" Claire said as she struck a pose.

"Carbon dioxide?"

"The stuff we breathe in?"

There was a moment of silence, possibly for the loss of brain cells for Anova and her mom.

"Do you mean oxygen?" The mom asked.
"That's oxygen," Anova said at the same time.

Then a moment for Claire to recollect her thought- "OH FUCK!" and there the realization.

Anova erupts into giggles, with the mom bringing a hand to her face before quickly focusing back on the road. Claire cowers in her hands, as Anova hatches down.

"First of all," The mom started, with a hint of laughter still in her voice. "Language!"

"Sorry, ma'am!"

"Second, how did you get that confused?"

"I don't know, it was the first thing that came to mind."

"Hey, it's okay. That's something I would also get confused on." Anova reassures.

The tree stopped blocking the sun as the building came into place to take the job. Claire blinked as the sun blinded her, but opening her eyes again, and slowly leaned on the door. She looked out, seeing the city for the first time since she had left it. She didn't see much, though, so everything was new to her. The building was intimidatingly tall. The streets are filled with people, demons, and humans, all small and tall. The car took a few turns, revealing more of the sunlight.

Being in a car with Anova to visit a garden, with a friend, and seeing all this new stuff. It almost made her feel... different? Happier? Of course, she knows what happiness is, but she is slightly... confused. She can't describe it.

"Hey," Anova tapped the human's shoulder. Doing so, Claire looked over in Anova's direction. "You okay? You look... mesmerized by the city."

"Oh, sorry. I uh... not sure what it is."

"Don't apologize. If you're a city person, let yourself be one."

"I know. I know." Claire smiled. "I didn't realize seeing this like this would be... terrifyingly beautiful."

"That's weird wording."

"I'm weird!"

"Fair! Fair!"

"So, how is this club even like? I have never actually been to one." Claire started a conversation.

"Oh, it's fun. Just... I didn't know the club would have this rating system for random people to judge your plot with." Anova hesitates.

"Wait, rating? Plot? What?"

"You'll see once you get there."

"Well, this rating thing... I'm assuming you don't have a whole lot of ratings, huh?"

Anova reaches up to fix her hair, despite it looking fine. "Actually, mine is the second most ranking."

"Oh!" Claire smiles. "That's good, right? You worked hard to achieve that."

"It's just second place."

"That still counts for something."

"Yeah, well, I didn't exactly try to... do that. It basically went from me doing all of this for fun, and next thing you know, the club leader is taking people to your plot first thing when visitors come... Especially, doing it when you're not there." Anova whispers the last part.

"Oh... Does that stress you?"

Anova lifts her head toward Claire's, not meeting her eyes. "I want to quit," Her voice distant and echoing... but her lips didn't move. "A little." She said vocally, her mouth actually moving.

Claire was a little stunned by the sudden change... wait...

It's... that thing again? It's back. Anova talked but didn't actually!? Like, she heard something? Hearing things she didn't... actually hear. She isn't sure what it is, though. She is convinced it's... Something, Something, inner thoughts, something, something... Where is she going with this?

"I'm sorry, don't force yourself to do anything you don't want to, okay." Claire comforted, patting Anova on her shoulder, before Anova pushed her hand away.

"I'll be fine, Claire." Anova said, "Plus, you get to see my plot. A special tour. Not one run by the club leader."

"If you insist," Claire said.

The car took a turn into a parking lot, and Claire saw a silhouette of a building. "Oh! Are we here?" Claire asked, leaning over to look out the window, though it was Anova's window. So the kid got close to her small demon friend. Anova raised a hand to Claire's face and pushed her back to her side.

The mom pulls up to the sidewalk before turning to the two kids. "You both behave yourselves. I'll pick you guys up in a few hours."

"Yes, mom," Anova said, while Claire gave a thumbs-up.

Anova and Claire removed themselves and the items in the back from the car, with Claire holding more of the pots than Anova.

The kids stood on the sidewalk, and the car pulled out of the parking lot. Anova waved her hand goodbye, as Claire watched, and did the same, albeit with more enthusiasm. Waving her own hand like a maniac. The car fully exited the parking, having Anova start and walk down the sidewalk. Claire was still waving like the maniac... for some reason... Claire herself probably didn't know. Stopping to realize her small friend had walked ahead, and hastily caught up.

"Is this it? It's huge!" Claire admired.

The flowers, rocks, and the grass, tall and short, align well with the outer, dark-wooden walls, with massive glass showing inside of almost everything. Claire couldn't see in fully, but did catch a glimpse, some tables that had plants. Simple, nothing noteworthy.

"Hey Claire," Anova spoke. "Just know, I won't be hurt if you don't always follow me around."

Claire blinked, tilting her head. "What?-" She looked ahead. "Oh, yeah, I know I can be a little wonderous, but I think I'll stick by you. I don't want another Agetha-Related incident."

"That isn't what I meant... but okay. If you're... okay with that."

"Why wouldn't I be? I mean, if I wander off now, how are you going to give me the tour?"

"U- Uh. Never mind it, then. Let's get inside."

The sound of two big doors opening as the two friends walked inside. There was already a generous scenery, some hanging leafy thing going along the top of the walls, windows everywhere. Plants in pots welcome you in. Hanging signs telling you where to go. A plate next to some doors, reading out words which Claire didn't get to read, due to Anova walking ahead.

"This is... so cool!" Claire declared. "Look at this place!"

"Claire, I come here every other week. I've seen it more than once." Anova says.

Exploring the place even more, she turns to realize what is inside these rooms. A garden, many, one, two, three, four. And all were different. Some were basic, some actually had something to look at, and some were straight up empty.

"Who is decorating these rooms?" Claire asked.

"Uh, other members." Anova said, "These are plots."

"Oh! Why are they so... basic?"

"You actually have to explore more to find the good ones. Also, I think most of these members just joined today, so you'll need to give them time."

"Likes yours, yeah?"

"U-uh. Yeah, you can say."

Walking still with Anova, Claire looked down the hall they were passing. She saw two girls, one taller than the other. One seemed distressed, as the other listened. Claire felt her guts twist... that was rather a disgusting and disturbing metaphor... Now think that in a literal sense. When the two were out of sight, that was when her gut feelings disappeared.

It was so random for no apparent reason. Did it have a meaning?

They reached two doors, one with a plate next to it. Claire, deciding to drop her thoughts, while Anova fumbles with the keys she left in her pot. Claire notices the plate and reads the words since she has time.

Anova Beverly's Plot, Member since 2022, rating 4.5/5, number #2

"Oh, this is your plot?" Claire asked.

"Yep, behold!" Anova said non-theatrical, opening the doors. "My humble garden."

Claire walked in and- "HOLY SHIT!"

The room was filled with many specialties, from the roof to the floor. There was a single table that you could hardly see due to over grown of the plants. It's compact, with almost no room to stand in. It was virtually a small replica of Anova garden back home. There were way more cacti, Eucalyptus, Snake plants, split leaves, mushrooms, some spilled dirt, and moss growing everywhere. The leaves towering over them, the cacti holding some leaves back. The snake plant is untouched from the bottom, with mushrooms growing out from nearly everywhere. With many of the sun rays bleeding in through every corner.

Claire could only stand there, awestruck, mouth ajar.

"Do you... always have this big of a reaction when you see a garden?" Anova asked, pulling Claire out of her trance.

"Uhm... well, yes," She admitted. "But nothing like this!"

"I know, it's a mess. I haven't really had much time to clean it."

"Wait, what's bad about it?"

"There's dirt everywhere..."

"Well, I see that, but I thought that was an aesthetic choice. It really goes well with everything."

Anova sets down the supplies she has been carrying, as Claire follows suit. Setting the clay pots onto the table behind them. "I am honestly amazed how you can see beauty in... this," Anova said. "Or... you're not the most critical person."

"That's probably it." As they face each other. "I can see how you're second. This is incredible." Claire gestures toward her plot again, taking it all in once more.

"You don't have to praise me every second. You did it in the car and now here."

"Oh, come on, it's not every second! Give yourself some more credit."

"Sure," Anova said, turning back to her stuff and sorting out each object.

"Anyways, how long did this take you?"

"It-"

"How much did all of this cost? Did it go through different styles?"

"Can we not play 50 questions like you did with Biscuit... while you ask all 50 questions simultaneously."

"Oh- Yeah! Sorry, I got carried away."

A large bag of soil was slammed down on the table, making the human jump out of her skin. Anova walks in front to examine it. "Hey, since you're a special guest, can you help me with emptying this?"

"You want... You trust me with planting... anything?"

"Have you never planted one? I mean, I think you said you wanted to... I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I thought you planted one."

"What?"

"I- I kinda assume... Like you said, you wanted to have a garden or a plant... I... Whatever, never mind. How about I show you how to plant a cactus?"

"A cactus!? Okay!" Claire said, grabbing at the soil. "What do I do?"

"Calm down, let me just get something for you," Anova said, pushing clay pots and belongings out of the way to make room on the table. Reaching over to retrieve a small Cactus that has been left in the corner. Set it down as she brought over a small, black pot. Claire walked to the other side of Anova as she leaned down. "See this?"

Claire takes a look inside, noticing a hole in the center. "Anova, I think you shouldn't use this pot. There is a hole."

"That is meant to be there. So that water can drain and the roots won't rot."

"Oh! Okay, that makes sense."

"Here," Anova gestures as she moves out of the way, and so Claire took her place, reaching out and holding the pot in her own hands. "It's easy, really." As she said, she handed Claire a good-sized bag with the label cactus and succulent potting mix.

"Cacti need specific soils?"

"Yeah... Some other soil... will hurt the roots. The moisture is too much in regular soil; if you feel it, you can tell the difference."

"So... How much do I pour?" Claire asked, grabbing the edge of the bag and peeling it open.

"Near the brim."

"Okay, A lot I see." Claire lifts the bag, tips it over, and pours the soil in gradually. "You're probably really good at this. You have so many plants."

"U- Uh. Yeah, I planted my first one when I was... six? I don't know really."

Claire moved the bag up as it started to fill a little past the brim. "No wonder you're into gardening."

"Well, that's what happens when you give me something to spend hours on."

"Like me when reading! One time, I read for like five hours." Claire mentioned. Dropping the soil bag down on the floor, letting it land on the table leg."

"five hours!?" Anova said, astounded.

"I know! People always have that reaction when I tell them that."

"I don't see how reading can be that fun," Anova admitted.

"You find gardening fun! How long do you spend on planting in a day?"

"Uh... a few hours... I guess, one time I started at eight AM and stopped at eight PM."

"How many hours is that!? Hold on! I'm not the greatest at math," Claire looked down to think, mouthing the numbers.

"Take your time." Anova reply.

The kid counted, one PM, two PM, three PM... four, five, six, seven, eight.

"Wait.." Claire expressed disbelief. "Anova, that is like... twelve hours."

...

"Wait..." The demon threw up one of her hands to her hat as she looked away, probably now realizing it herself. "Wait... I never did the actual math. I assume it wouldn't have been that..." Then she couldn't finish the words.

Claire let out an audible laugh, wheezing as she covered her face; she almost struggled to breathe. Anova faced her friend, laughing silently.

"It's not funny. Why are you laughing?"

"I don't know! It is so fucking absurd. First, I, self-proclaim, read for five hours. I felt all proud, then you hit me with I did gardening for TWELVE FUCKING HOURS!" Claire over exaggerates. "What were you even doing in those twelve hours of farming? You were playing a farm video game!? Not sure if that counts. How can you focus for that long!"

"No!" Anova said, amused, "It was here, actually, when I first became a member. I was like fourteen. Though I did lose track of time, so I was here even when the place was closed."

"Aww, that's cute!" Claire looks out at Anova garden from behind. The scenery was still stunning, even if Anova didn't agree. "I completely forgot what we were talking about." She admitted.

"I also forgot." Anova recognized.

It was when the two saw the cactus on the table, alongside the bowl.

"Oh! I was showing you how to plant a cactus, that's right!" Anova waved for Claire's attention.

"Right! Right... What was the next step?" Claire asked.

Anova tossed some gloves at Claire's face. "Here." She said as the gloves stayed on her face for a second. Claire removed them from her face and... made an attempt to suffocate her hands as she desperately tried to slide them on.

"Anova, these gloves, their weird."

"Yeah, Claire... We don't have the same hands..." Anova pointed out.

Taking them off and dropping them on the table, before looking down and grabbing hold of Anova's hand. She raised the small demon's hand to examine it. "Oooh! You have like... Long nails. Almost like claws." Claire freed Anova's hand. "Like Mother, like daughter."

"Eh, L- lets not compare me to my mom. Not of as right now."

"Oh, sorry. But I can't wear those gloves... I don't like how it feels. It's too small."

Anova sighs. "I think I can find a spare somewhere, so you can pat out the soil. Give me a minute." As she walks out.

Claire looks at the soil inside, holding the pot slightly up to get a good look. Why did she need the gloves to pat it out? If that's the case, she can do that with her bear hands- Claire, no... Claire, god, please no.

"Okay, Claire, you're in luck, there was a spa-" Anova was trying to say, while walking into the room.

"I did it!" Claire shows Anova the pot, holding it in her two dirty ass hands, and the dirt had been smoothed out and patted down.

Anova just stared... so confused. "Did you seriously... Are you serious!?"

"What? I got my hands dirty before. I can wash them." Claire said.

"Okay," Anova set down the gloves. "I didn't know you didn't have... public decency. Never again, please."

"Oh... Yah. We should finish planting the cactus." As Claire sets the pot down.

"Put the gloves on," Anova demanded.

Claire, with her newly found gloves, grips the small cactus that was in a too-small jar in her hands. "So I removed the cactus from this," Claire asked Anova, who was standing next to her. She handles the top and pulls it out of the jar. "So glad I have gloves for this."

"Yep, you want to scoop out of an area from this pot, so you can plant," Anova instructed.

Claire finally got the plant in the pot, patting down the area around the cactus as she looked up. Awaiting more commands.

"You're done," Anova expressed.

"I am!? Oh shit! This is my first-ever thing I planted." Claire jumped back, spun around. "That's history! That's amazing!"

Anova let out a soft giggle. "You're acting like me when I first started planting."

"I can see why! It was so simple!" Claire walked back over and leaned down to be level with the cactus she had just tilled. "I gave you a better home, little... little Jeremy. How are you liking it?"

"Did you seriously name it Jeremy!?"

"HIS NAME IS LITTLE JEREMY AND HE'S MY BOY!" Claire instantly exaggerates.

Anova was left smiling while Claire admired the little guy.

"Anyways, go and clean up," Anova mentioned. "I don't want you being stuck with dirty hands."

"Right, I'll be back, it won't be long," Claire said, walking out, until she called out. "Where are the-?"

"Take a left and down the hall, you won't miss it."

Claire explored down the hall, studying the environment she was walking through. Plants, the wood walls, and the many windows. Not what you think a greenhouse would look like... lacking the green aspect, either that, or she hasn't seen a real greenhouse.

She really does love to admire things she has already seen. Then again, she's new, and no way she has seen everything, but give credit, it's easy to tell how the rest of the building would look if it stayed the same, like every other hallway she has already walked down, it looked the same. The plants gave great diversity, with none being the same.

Approaching, Claire saw the bathroom signs. It's time to clean the dust off her hands-

"Hi!" A random ass girl yelled out. She stepped in front of Claire as she clapped her hands together. "I didn't know we had a visitor!" She added.

"Uh, hi?" Claire hushed.

"Pardon my excitement." She said as if she were hand-selecting specific words to use. "We just opened, and I didn't know someone had already come in. By chance, have you been to any plots? Rated any?"

"Yes?" Claire answered. "What's your name?-"

"Oh! You have..." her voice drops in disappointment. "Rated a plot."

"I meant... the first part of your question. I was at a plot. I haven't rated any yet, not sure how to-"

"PERFECT!" The other woman said with too much enthusiasm and a loud voice. "Wa- Uh- I mean. That's good," her voice drops.

Claire started to back away from this woman. Either she is just having massive mood swings, or she has just escaped an insane asylum. Claire didn't want whatever she was on.

"Are you already harassing-" A taller girl came over. "The visitor-" A hand was placed on her mouth

"Don't word it like that!" The girl retorted as she moved her hand away from the taller girl. "Anyway, Newcomer, how about I show you how to rate plots?"

"I am... good," Claire answered. "I was just-"

"Oh, come on, it won't take that long." The girl claimed and went behind Claire. She shoved the girl forward. "Come on now."

Claire grabbed her shirt collar.

She was forced down the hallway, with the two girls walking behind her. She hasn't been down this way, escorted by two girls who weren't helping her mentally, quite the opposite. She didn't know either girl.

"Sooo, newcomer!" The girl started in. "What's your name?"

"Claire..." She answered slowly.

"Claire, what a sweet name!" She said, walking Claire into a plot.

"Thanks... you're the first to say..." Claire trailed off, noticing the plot that lay in front of her.

It was a garden, definitely... But uh. All it had were plants in pots just randomly set on a table. There wasn't any form of beauty, just a showcase, if anything. In... Claire's opinion: It had a variety of plants... that's it really. Claire didn't see much appeal.

"This plot looks okay," Claire said.

"Okay, Claire," The girl drew out. "If it's just okay, then how is it first place? Hm?"

"You have first place!?" Claire searched around, wondering if her eyes were working right.

"Duh! You won't find a plot better than this." The girl said. "Trust me, the last plot you saw is how everyone else's plot looks."

"Is that the case? Wait, how does this system work!? Wait, are you actually last place? Is first last place!?" Claire asked, confused... very... if this is how Anova plots look and... no... What?

"What are you on about!?" The girl asked, staring Claire down. "Are you stupid!?"

"Sorry! I'm not the best at explaining myself."

"You know what! It's whatever!" She pushes Claire out. "How about you give a rating to my plot!" She said, giving Claire a pen and a sticky note. "Then we can be done with this..." She stood next to her plate.

Claire stood there, moving the pen and sticky note out. "What am I supposed to do with... this?"

"You write your name on the paper." The taller girl, who's been following quietly, spoke. "If you see here... on the plate." She walks next to her friend's plate, pointing at a rectangular hole right above the name, Scarlet. "That's where your rating would go."

"Oh. But how does putting my name on a paper show my rating?"

"It's like... one and a half stars, the more papers in here, the more it stacks. So one paper equals half of a star, as two would equal a full star."

"That's a weird rating system."

"I'm convinced who came up with it - was an idiot."

"Yes, now write your fuc-... write your name." The other girl, who was named Scarlet, said, frustrated.

Claire looked between them before looking down at her paper, then she slowly wrote her name.

Should she be doing this? The rating seems... wrong. Claire wants to give a decent rating, but she is forced to give one star. Not that she would've given the plot a good rating, maybe 50/50. It could truly improve. With that, what doesn't she know? She is surely missing something important.

"Hey," Claire started, after she finished writing her name. "What happens exactly if I give my rating?"

"You won't be able to rate plots again." The tall girl answered.

"Excuse me-?"

"Oh no!" Scarlet yelled, reaching over and yanking Claire's paper.

"Hey!" Claire exclaimed.

"Your paper slipped out of your hand," as Scarlet pretends, waving the paper around. "And it's soaring through the air and-" She shoved the paper in the hole. "Landed safely!" The girl finished and looked back at Claire.

Claire was left agape, blinking, completely bewildered.

"Oops!~" Scarlet said, in a condescending tone, covering her mouth as she walked away. Her tall friend followed along. Leaving Claire at the plot.

Claire watches as they leave, never batting an eye. She looks back at the plate, quickly going to look at it.

She has to get the paper back; the girl in no way deserves it.

The plate was bolted shut; no way of getting it open. Go figures. Claire looks away, grabbing at her shirt collar. What does she do? How does she get it back?

Anova was walking out of her plot, realizing that her friend was taking way too long. She followed the path Claire took; she would know, since this is where she told Claire to go. It wasn't any different; she walked through all these halls. It shouldn't be taking Claire this long to get back.

Though it's possible that Claire could've ditched her and found some new people... but... that's...

She doesn't know Claire, but if she did leave, it wouldn't hurt her. That... if her first statement is true... Anova wouldn't color herself surprised.

When finally reaching the bathrooms- "ANOVA!" Claire yelled.

"Oh!?" Anova said. Witnessing a running Claire, she stopped before Anova.

"There's a problem!" Claire declared. "I rated a plot."

Anova looks at her friend. Not really expressing anything. "That's it? Claire, rating plots is completely fine."

"But I rated someone else's plot!" Claire admitted.

"Okay? You didn't have to rate mine if that's what you're implying."

"No! I wrote my name on a piece of paper, and the girl took it!"

Silence. "W- wait, what?" Anova blinked.

"The girl... first place, the one who has first place! She took the paper out of my hand and put it in her thing. She didn't give me any time to think."

"Wait!? Scarlet took your paper!? So you didn't put it in there yourself!?"

"No! She took it out of my hand!"

Well, color Anova surprised, just not for the right reason. The small demon had to fix her hat. "I'm sorry, Claire. I didn't know... that's how she acted. I dealt with her before..." Anova said.

"Is there a way to get my rating back, right? I can't let her have it; she doesn't deserve it."

"I'm... not sure. I never actually went through this."

"Oh... But you know this place better than I do. Is there anything I could do?" Claire asked, approaching a little closer to Anova.

"I mean... You could try and talk to... the leader." Anova suggested. "I don't know how much help he can be."

"Great! Where is he?"

"In his... o- office." Anova reaches up to fix her hat.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why?" Anova finishes fixing her hat to look up at Claire.

"You seem nervous."

"Well..." Anova looks away, "Scarlet is... horrible. I don't want to deal with her. I saw what she could do... and what she did."

"What did she... do to you?"

Anova froze up, having to divert her gaze momentarily. She, so happened, had to fix her hat again. Claire, with her usual sore eyes, reached up.

"Hey, Anova, what's wrong?" Claire's hand lands on Anova's shoulder.

The little being shutters away, making Claire's hand remain in the air, frozen. Claire's eyes twitched to her hand and back to Anova... how Anova only moved away when... Claire brought her hand away.

"It wasn't anything extreme..." Anova faces Claire. "Probably a misunderstanding."

"Anova... you know you can talk to me."

"Don't worry about it. Let's go and find the leader, see if we can talk to him." Anova takes the lead, with Claire promptly walking behind Anova.

Claire held her collar as she observed her environment. If she hadn't noticed her friend's early reaction, all these thoughts wouldn't be floating around her head. Is Anova scared of her? Weirded out? Why did she back away? Why isn't she telling Claire anything? All these thoughts in her head... it could be... unnecessary.

Then again, it is not unfair... Claire doesn't discuss any of her personal issues. Anova actually took the initiative to open about something of her own, for Claire to shut it down...

She didn't mean to. She didn't know it would've gone that way...

What is she thinking... how did she even get to that conclusion?

"Here we are- Claire?" Anova said aloud. Claire walked ahead.

"Oh." Claire stopped. She faced her friend. "Sorry. I must have gotten distracted." She went and stood by Anova, looking up at the door. "This is it?"

"It's his office," Anova confirmed.

Without a moment further, Anova and Claire open the door together.

The entrance was boxed by counters with tall, thin glass panels on each side. A small waiting area was available to them. The leader, Claire assumed, sat behind the counter holding a piece of paper. A small opening in the glass panels to presumably exchange things. Paper? Pens? Who knows.

"Did you ever get to..." Anova spoke, looking down at Claire's hands. She still wore the gloves since she planted that cactus.

"Oh, no. I should go wash them, right?"

"Yeah, make it quick. I'll try and talk to him."

Claire gave a thumbs-up before leaving. Luckily, a bathroom wasn't far and just in sight.

After a short minute, Claire came out of that bathroom with the gloves off. She wasn't sure where to leave them, so she shoved them in her jacket pocket. It's weird, there aren't pockets outside, but there are pockets inside. Does that matter right now? What matters is getting to the office and settling the issue they have.

Walking down the hallway, she came from. Reaching the room where she has left Anova-

"Is this seriously about Scarlet again?" A young male voice spoke out. Claire froze and looked around with an eyebrow raised. She didn't see a man around.

"W- Well, yes..." Anova said.

That was when Claire realized where the conversation was taking place. Anova did say she was going to talk with them.

"But it isn't about me. It's about-"

"I don't want to hear it." The boy cut her off.

Claire stood outside the door, shocked by the sudden harsh tone.

"Why should I believe that ANY demon that comes in here wouldn't lie. You lied about Scarlet before." The boy mentions. "I am more inclined to believe whatever Scarlet did was reasonable and, like normal, you're overreacting."

"B- but..."

"Do you want to be removed from Nature GreenWood Club?" He threaten.

Anova suddenly went quiet.

Claire felt something boil under her skin, a certain emotion. Something she doesn't normally feel. She looked at the ground, rubbing her face. She doesn't recall feeling this... like this. 

She ran in there screaming, "HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!" She had an animalistic voice that she didn't know was hers. She saw herself running past Anova, trying to grab at the man to only hit the glass and-...

"What is that noise?" The boy asked.

Claire exhaled sharply, her vision returning to her as she removed her hand, her breathing instantly going back to normal. She felt the emotion under the skin shimmer. She still stood at the door, where she had always been. What happened was just in her head. She doesn't usually let the emotion get the better of her... Not one's where she acted out a scenario like that.

It was a thought... nothing more...

Claire walks in.

"Oh!" The boy said, immediately noticing Claire. "My apologies, I didn't realize we had a visitor. We don't have guests this early."

"I have a problem," Claire said, walking to the counter.

"Oh, I am so sorry for the inconvenience." The boy turns towards Anova. "If we can have some privacy?"

"Actually," Claire spoke up quickly. "She can stay."

"Oh... hehe, if you wish." He said, uncertain and hesitantly. 

"Someone named Scarlet has been treating me rather poorly. She forced me to her plot, and when I wrote out my rating on a piece of paper, she snatched it out of my hand and put it in her... Plate thing. She insulted and taunted me the whole time."

"Oh!.. I had no idea that one of my members was being so rude. I promise you she will be dealt with accordingly."

"I would also like my rating back. I know someone else who deserves it more." Claire demanded.

"Of course! Consider it already done!" The boy said, getting out a notepad and pen to write on. "And may I quickly get your name?"

"Claire."

"Claire. Thank you for your report. I promise nothing like this will happen again."

The boy continues to write on his notepad as Claire turns to Anova. The small demon turned her gaze to Claire, not meeting her eyes. Claire didn't meet her eyes either, instead giving her a thumbs up. Anova smiled a little, also giving a thumbs up.

The girls were walking down the hallway, Claire with a new piece of paper with her name written on it, and the promise of consequences for Scarlet. She looks at Anova. "What... a day." She claims.

"Yeah," Anova agrees. "Something always happens with you."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when it's just me and Biscuit, nothing like this would have happened, but with you, the strangest things happen."

"Strange? You mean, getting in trouble with your mom because of me, and me having to deal with Scarlet at this club?"

"It's slightly wild. It feels like an adventure. A... A tiring one."

"Yah, real."

They make it back to Anova's plot, with Anova going and grabbing a pot. She raised it and showed Claire. "I added my own to your little pot."

"Add your own what?- GASP!"

It was another cactus, next to the one Claire planted. It was still empty, but it was a start. "LITTLE JEREMY HAS A FRIEND!" Claire expressed loudly, as she made that mumming noise. She caught it this time. "Sorry-"

"What was that?" Anova asked.

"I don't know. It just happens, I think it's whenever I feel something too much."

"Wait, were you making that noise when I was talking with-"

"Yes... Yes, that probably was me." Claire admits, knowing damn well that when she had that scenario, she was possibly mumming as well. "Anyways!"

"HEY!" A harsh tone cut through the air. Caused the duo to turn around. It was Scarlet. "I know it was you!" She yelled right at Claire.

"Oh shit-" Claire said.

"You got me suspended!" Scarlet yells. "What the fuck is wrong with you!" She stood a yard away when her tall friend caught up.

"Scarlet, leave it! You did it to yourself." The taller girl said, blocking her way.

"No, if she thinks she can just fuck with me, she has A WHOLE ANOTHER THING COMING TO HER!"

"Listen to your friend!" Anova said. "You already got suspended, do you want something worse to happen?!"

"Shut up, Bitch! You're completely deficient compared to others! Fuck you!" Scarlet yells, shoving past her friend. "What do you think you're doing with a demon!?" Scarlet gets right into Claire's face.

"What about it?" Claire questioned.

"She's a demon!"

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Yeah, right! Who else are you gonna give your rate to? Her!" As she pointed right at Anova.

"Yes!" Claire said.

"What!?" Scarlet said... in disbelief.

"That's right!" Claire said, walked past Anova, Scarlet, the tall girl, and to Anova's plate.

She looked at the rectangular hole right above her name. She's seen how it was done. She can do it again.

Like that, she inserted her rating in the gap, no hesitation, no force, and no shame. That's when she proudly turned around and saw a much infuriated Scarlet.

"What... THE FUCK!" Her voice reaches deafening levels as she flares her arms around. "SHE'S A DEMON! A GOOD FOR NOTHING RANT!"

Claire put her hands up as a small defense. Anova backed up slowly; her tall friend even took a step away.

"YOU DON'T DESERVE ANYTHING!" Scarlet looks at Anova. "LOOK, YOU ARE RUINING THIS SPACE FOR ME! NOW YOU AND SHE GOT ME SUSPENDED! THAT'S FUCKING IT!" Scarlet runs up to the small demon.

The two others watched in terror as Scarlet shot her arms up and slammed them right into Anova's shoulders. The small demon dropped to the floor, right on her side, with the pot being flung out of her hands, crushing on the floor with dirt spilling everywhere. The pot was tipped upside down, being supported by the cacti that were left inside.

Scarlet violently grabbed Anova's sleeves to pull her over, to wind up a punch. Claire instinctively ran and slammed herself into Scarlet, wrapping her arms around the girl. The aggressor let a runt go as she was pulled away from the demon, as she twisted and fought to free herself.

The taller girl got involved as she yanked Scarlet away, too. Holding her upper torso and forcing her away.

Anova slowly moved to her side, looking at the ground. The poor thing found herself shaking, her back shuddering in pain. She darted ahead, finding the pot behind her ruined. The same pot that she and Claire made.. Why... just why... All of this just to say Scarlet was ruining her space!?

"LET GO OF ME!" Scarlet yells.

"HEY HEY HEY!" A male voice calls. "What is going on!?"

That was when the three stopped, Claire froze, the taller girl froze, and... Scarlet froze. All of them looked back at the leader, who had just seen... a lot.

His eye twitched.

The four of them have been sitting in the office for a few hours now. All of them tried to tell their side of the story, but the leader wasn't having it.

"All of you were involved in a physical fight, and that goes against policy." The leader stated

The sky outside was darkening, and street lights were turning on.

"We've been in here for hours!" Scarlet argues.

"Quiet!" He demanded. "I've decided your punishments... What happened today was unacceptable... and so prevent any further conflict,"

He looks at the four of them.

"You all will be banned."

"What!?" Anova, the tall girl, and Scarlet all yelled.

"You can't do that!" The tall girl argued.

"Then you shouldn't have gotten into a fight!" He argued back.

Claire looks over at Anova, her head hanging down. She had her hand over her face. All voices in the back, no matter how loud they were, turned into whispers.

She's upset... Claire is sure Anova said she wanted to quit... well, she thinks that, she can't fully remember... but... she surely didn't want it to go like this. Or maybe have it be today, she hasn't really considered that... is she jumping to conclusions not being enough?

Anova did say, whenever she's with Claire, things like this happen...

Is she a burden? A curse? Why has she done this? Why did she come along!? She saw in her dream Anova getting hurt, but Claire didn't think she was the cause of it... Like, what if she never came? Would this still have happened? She never meant it... she...

Needs to stop thinking of herself and start thinking of others, and do something about this...

Voices faded back in. "Are you-"

"Stop!" Claire yelled, standing up. "You can't ban Anova!"

"What!?" Scarlet and the leader said. Anova looked up in fear.

"Listen, Anova hasn't done anything!"

"She was in the fight!" The leader stated.

"No! She was a part of a fucking assault! You're punishing someone who has done nothing wrong. The only real person who should be banned is Scarlet!" Claire argued.

Scarlet stands up. "Shut up! She was in a fight."

"No! You got upset that I put my new rating in for Anova, and that you got suspended."

"Wouldn't have happened if you kept your mouth shut! Also, she's a demon, that's in her nature!"

"Stop!" The leader yells, "Sit back down!"

"No! I'm sure..." Claire looks at the tall girl. "...She, I'm sorry, I dunno your name... Would advocate for me."

Scarlet scoffs, "Really! You think my friend would support you? You don't even know her name!" Scarlet looks over at her tall friend. "Right, Margaret."

Margaret, is her name, looks down. One hand on her lap.

"See!" Scarlet said. Claire and Scarlet face each other, while Claire refuses to make eye contact. "You are actually stupid-"

"Claire is right," Margaret said, standing up.

"WHAAA!" Scarlet said, dumbfounded, slowly peering at her friend.

"The only person who never got physical was Anova. She is the only one here who doesn't deserve to be punished." Margaret vouched. "Claire and I were holding her back," Hinting towards Scarlet. "I'm sorry."

The room was left in utter silence. Anova had her head hang low, hiding her face.

The leader looked around before sighing. "Well... if that's the truth... Anova." He said.

Anova lifted her head a little more to expose more of her face.

"You're free to go." The leader said.

Anova completely exposes her face. She didn't look as upset, maybe equally awestruck as Scarlet is. The room held still, time stopped even. That was when she gradually stood up and headed for the door.

She glanced back at Claire, concerned. Claire threw up her hand, giving a thumbs-up alongside a smile. Giving Anova small confidence that Claire will be fine, before she left the office.

They watch as the door closes with a soft click.

The leader looks back, "As for the rest of you, sit down, and wait until your guardian or parents get back. Claire, you need to call your parents."

...ouch.

"Oh!" Claire grabbed her collar. "Someone is going to pick me up here soon. I came with someone."

"If that's the case, then sit."

The three sit down. Scarlet chooses a distant seat away, as she hides in her legs. While Margaret and Claire sit a good length away from each other.

Eventually, they were allowed to leave. Exiting the office, the Scarlet left quickly. Margaret just got out of the room. She looked at Claire, waved, and left. Claire stood there for a moment, glaring at the girl leaving. She looked down at her feet.

Anova was right... These adventures... they're tiring.

She sat in the office for many hours, witnessing Anova get into an altercation, getting involved with the altercation, then... getting banned. A lot happened. She wants to go home.

She managed to find the outside. Walking out the same doors she came in. The sky was dark, streetlights were on, the lot was empty, and Anova was sitting on the pavement.

Claire walked over to where Anova was, sitting down next to her. The city was loud, you know, with cars and people walking by once in a while, but it felt like the normal silence for the people here.

For a minute, the two didn't talk. Just soaking in the noisy silence. Should Claire take the chance to talk, she isn't the best at knowing what to do in these situations.

"Hey," Claire took the chance. "I'm sorry for all that happened to you. I didn't mean any stress... and..." Claire glanced at Anova, who hadn't looked at her. Claire's mouth didn't move, wondering if she missed with this. Her eyes moved ahead, watching the empty lot.

What was the point of this? Maybe Claire should've stayed quiet like Scarlet said... Maybe this wasn't worth it.

"I- I don't understand." Anova said something finally.

Claire darts to her friend and raises a hand. "About what?"

"You." She shows her face to Claire. "I don't mean to be rude or... mean. But why are you going to so many lengths for me?"

"What?"

"I-... I don't know. You're confusing! I-... I-" Anova sighs, before looking down. "I don't know, I may still be stressed. I'm not thinking straight."

"That's okay. Give yourself time. We both need it. Alright?" Claire suggested.

"You're right about that." Anova agrees. She stood up. "Come on. I usually walk down the block for my mom. I was waiting here for you."

Claire gets up, following Anova behind.

Once in a while, a few cars went by. Some people were seen in the distance. Some lights in buildings were still on. And, of course, the noisy silence.

"So, why do you walk down the block for your mom?"

"I like the walk. A walk always clears your mind."

"You know what... yeah, I can see why."

Claire caught a feeling in her guts, telling her something, it was so random. Like, the day she met her Anova's mom, or earlier with the girls. It told her to look...

She got a glimpse of someone walking by, who was wearing a suit, a hat with a cross on it, two-toned hair, and a blue streak through their hair... And scars on their face? Claire didn't know them, like, at all, and she has no idea why she needed to look at them.

Their gaze fell upon Claire.

She quickly looked away as the two walked past each other, that feeling in her guts disappearing. That was unnecessarily awkward. Why did she listen to her guts?

When the two reached the end of the block, a car conveniently pulled up. It was the same car they got here with. The two jumped into the car.

They were in their previous spots. "So," the mom spoke. "How was the club?"

The two looked at each other.

How the fuck is either of them supposed to answer that!?

"It was great," Anova answered. Okay, either that's a lie or she somehow meant it.

"That's good. What did you two do?"

"I help Claire plant her first cactus."

"I named him little Jeremy," Claire added in, uncertainly. Granted, she's not sure how adults would think of it; sometimes, they didn't like it.

"That's cute." The mom said.

The car drove through the dark city, passing by people and other vehicles, and occasionally had to stop for a red light.

The two friends have been sitting quietly in the backseat. Listening to the music that the mother left on. They were just making it to the outskirts when Anova finally spoke up. "Hey, Mom. Could we get takeout?"

Claire looked over, slightly confused.

The mom shook her head. "Well, Anova, do you have-"

"What's takeout?" Claire cut in. "Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am." She raised an apologetic hand.

"I meant fast food," Anova answered, turning her head toward her friend. "Did you ever have fast food? I'm pretty sure you said you only had soda a few times."

"Whoa, you remember something?"

"I-" Anova wheeze, digging her hand into her head.

Claire raised both of her hands. "That was by mistake, I didn't think about how that sentence would've come out."

"No, I'm not upset! I found it funny with the way you said it." Anova reassured. "Also, the genuine shock you had when you said it just added to it."

"What were you about to say before you... laughed."

"I already forgot."

Claire sat there, both arms dropped to her side, noiseless, until- "So you can remember something I said a few days ago, but you can't remember the sentence you were about to say five seconds ago?!"

"That's how my memory works!" Anova joked.

"Damn, I guess you have a short memory span but a massive memory bank. I guess a moment with me got accepted in there." Claire lifted her hand to poke at Anova's head, with the small one pulling away slightly. It was such a small, subtle movement, you miss it, but this is the second time Claire had caught it. So, respectfully, she retracts that hand and sets it back down to her side.

"You can call it that, actually," Anova said. "It's just very strict."

Claire tossed up her hand, pointing with her thumb at Anova's mom, mouthing the words Like her?

Anova smiled amusedly and nodded.

"Anyways, what fast food do you usually get?" Claire asked, changing the subject.

"Anything with nuggets," Anova said.

"Nuggets?"

"Chicken nuggets with ketchup."

"I didn't know chicken nuggets were a fast food thing."

"I think anything can be fast food; it's really where you get it. Like, if they make them fast."

"May I ask?" The mom jumps in. "How do you not know that?"

Claire grabs her shirt collar. "Uhh."

"She's from the Southern part of the city," Anova answered for her, though Claire doesn't recall ever knowing that. "She probably used to eating really fancy food or... something."

"Oh! Yeah!" Claire agreed. "I had a lot of haute cuisine. Normally, I would eat pan-seared yeast-leavened flat bread, croissants, and Linguine."

...

"What!?" Anova said out loud.

"What?" Claire answered back.

"seared yeast..." Anova trail off before the word even came out. "You're doing this on purpose. You said you would. Using long words just to annoy me." She Jokely calls out.

Claire laughed. "No, wait! I didn't realize!"

"Yeah yeah." Anova dismiss.

"You really never eat fast food?" The mom asked.

"I don't... recall the last time I had," Claire answered the mom. "Why?"

The mom sighed, "Anova, what place were you thinking?"

"Oh, I know the perfect place!"

"This is a fast food burger?" Claire asked.

"It's just called a burger, Claire," Anova added.

They were sitting on the edge of the sidewalk in the lot, which was fairly empty. The two friends, with their food in hand. Claire has just unwrapped her meal from the wrapper, while Anova had already hers set up.

The mom leaned against the front of the car, doing something on her phone.

"You talk about fast food if it's some..." Anova tried to find the word.

"I never had it, leave me alone!" Claire argued.

"Okay, sorry."

Claire took a bite outta the burger. "Whoa!"

"It's just a burger," Anova assured.

"That's the shocking part! It's literally just a burger!" Claire said.

"What... else would it have been?"

"Honestly, I expected it to taste bad."

Anova shook her head. "You know, out of all the time I've brought people over to the club. I didn't expect you to change that."

"You're going to stop bringing people over?" Claire asked, lowering the food from her head.

"Oh, no! Sorry, I should've clarified. You're the only person who... did something? I mean... You got yourself banned for it."

"It wasn't fair if you got the punishment."

"Why would you... Do that for me?" Anova asked.

Claire blinks. "What? Why wouldn't I?"

"I get it. It's not like you were a member or had anything meaningful... but..." Anova trailed off. "But that's the thing, that's so confusing."

"Anova, we're friends," Claire answered. 'Just because you got more arms, doesn't mean you should share the burden."

"I- Okay, you have a weird way of saying things."

"I know. But remember, I will always be there for you!"

"Oh... That's random... But thank you."

"Also, I'm weird."

"Uh- oh-  Amen."

The two continued to eat their food.

Like usual, they had to go home and split ways for now, Claire walking on her normal path, using the moonlight to guide her way.

Once she opened the door to her... Empty cabin... She threw some logs in the fireplace and lit them up. The flame gave life to the surrounding room as Claire sat down on the floor.

To think about... A lot happened today. She wasn't sure if Anova appreciated it. She even said it herself. This gets tiring. What can she do?

For starters, she can try and think of others, rather than herself, but it's just her in the room. She wouldn't call herself selfish for thinking of herself, especially in this moment... that isn't assuring everybody else agrees.

Maybe she has to do more with her dreams, if she has this power to see IN THE FUTURE... who is she kidding?

The ability is near worthless... if she hadn't come to Anova...

...

She already had this talk with herself... Why was she doing it again?

Think about it, Claire. When Claire came to the club, she got tricked, pushed around, and used, then she got into a fight, and then banned. At least, Anova didn't get banned, and doesn't have to deal with them again.

Anova doesn't have to deal with them again.

That's... a good thing... right? Sure, it was hella painful, but in the end, it can't happen again. It's over.

Well... Scarlet seems to hate Anova because she... is a demon... that's a hard pill to swallow. And Scarelet didn't seem like the the only one in this cruel world... not everyone in the club was so discriminatory, margaret wasn't... that one less discriminatory person that Anova has to deal with...

The leader also seems discriminatory, but still made good choices... she thinks. He chose to understand the situation and not ban Anova despite... threatening her before?? Or, the boy falls under peer pressure... fast. More like... zero pressure... She hasn't talked much to the boy... Don't know what his deal is.

Wait, Scarlet was in first place, since she is now banned, isn't Anova technically in first place now?

That... God, so much more happened in the background...

Also, why did Anova say Claire was from the southern part of the city... Claire doesn't think she is. Shouldn't she know this? It's literally about her.

Maybe it was a lie; she wouldn't put it back past Anova if that was the case. Going back to the events that happened earlier, so she can understand what she's feeling.

If Claire hasn't gone, then... would it have been normal for Anova? She didn't want to quit, but without discussing it, she wasn't sure exactly what Anova meant. That IF Anova really did say that, and she isn't just finally falling to insanity, but... she is okay.

What is she doing? She is trying to survive the impossible... luckily, it's not all impossible, she has a town to draw resources from... 

and now realizing she went off track... let's get back on track.

She'll be okay

She will be okay.

Okay, Claire, what's your conclusion for today...

It was... the best it can be...

That's enough thinking... It's time for rest.

Otherwise, her head will explode.