Chapter Text
“Ragatha…” a chilling voice echoed.
A shadowy figure, nearly mirroring her circus avatar, loomed tall among her.
“Ragatha…” She wasn't Ragatha, She was… she was…
“RAGATHA.”
The redhead awoke in a cold sweat—just another nightmare, the same haunting nightmare.
Since escaping the circus, Suzie and her girlfriend Abigail haven't been able to shake the relentless nightmares that no medication can cure.
And god did it leave an aching migraine that she’ll wallow in for the next hour.
She groaned as she swiftly took the medication bottle and swallowed a painkiller, and then her mood stabilizers. She then finally downed a glass of stale room-temperature water. In her mind she congratulated herself for remembering to take her meds, especially after last time’s incident.
..
She could hear the fan gently breezing across the room, the clock ticking every so often, and the pitter-patter of the forgotten faucet.
But not her girlfriend's lawnmower snores.
She then turned her head toward her beloved’s side of the bed, only to find it cold and empty. It was unusual for Abby to be awake at this hour.
The clock read 5:57.
“Abby…Abby!” she called out, her voice hoarse from sleep.
Panic surged through her like an arrow piercing her chest. Where was she? Was she in danger? Hurt?!
She shrugged off her morning grogginess and hurried into the kitchen, like a mother rushing to her baby's cry, it seemed she'd forgotten to take chill pills too.
There stood Abigail, confused as ever, staring at her as if she had a third tit.
“Areee...you okay?” Her voice was cautious and small, uncertain how to respond to the sudden outburst.
A tense silence settled over them. Suzie let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She was safe. Her girlfriend was safe.
Lately, Suzie’s behavior had been . . . strange—something she noticed after the nightmares began. Ever since they escaped, her girlfriend seemed to be walking on literal eggshells.
Abby notes her solemn expression and gently guides her lover to the peeling leather couch.
“Listen, Suz, we're not there anymore. We’re safe, you know that, right?”
She places her hand on Suz’s thigh, her grip so soft that the pressure is almost invisible but just noticeable.
“I... It just, it still feels like we’re there, trapped, under him.
Him.
Caine.
…
“Dr. Honey called, which is why I was up this early; she's said we can't miss any further appointments or we might get placed on strike.”
Oh, her… their therapist.
After the first hospital visit 2 years prior, once being in a cryopod for 10… 1 year, right, time worked differently in the circus–Abigail and her had been mandatorily assigned to the highest-rating psychologist in St.louis, must be the most expensive too, which is why they only could afford to share one.
Though after everything, Suzie still can't believe it's only been 2 years since they escaped, feels like it was just yesterday the ringmaster placed them in their digital hell.
Therapy didn't help at all, mostly because they had to keep 90% of what actually happened a secret. They couldn't tell sweet Dr. Honey they were forced to go on sick adventures by a gleeful AI floating pair of dentures, and that their living quarters were in a vivid oversaturated circus that gave them piercing headaches.
If they did, they would be in the mental hospital instead.
“I would go if it helped at all…” the tall woman said, exasperated.
What she needed was to speak to her lover, the one person who had her back inside the circus. But nowadays it’s like the shorter woman avoided the conversation at all costs.
“I know you hate talking about it, but we can't ignore it forever.” Suzie never sounded so pained before. Gosh, Abby couldn’t resist that adorable, vulnerable tone that she used on her.
‘I–” before Abby could get a word out, the house phone rang. Abigail was surprised they were still able to afford a line after they had sold most of their belongings to pay rent., due to them losing their well paying jobs.
Rinngg
Rinngggg
Rinnngggggg
Looks like they would have to continue this conversation another day.
“(816) 654-3471” the pixelated 2000’s screen read.
Abby lets out a deep exhale and leans over to answer the call.
“Hello?”
“Suzie, Abby?” It was Riley, known as Zooble.
“Riley!” Suzie shot up; she had so many questions.
The urgency in their voice was as clear as day. “We have to talk; come to the Triangle.”
__________________________________
Not having a car was pretty difficult for the two, but they made it work by scheduling plans near bus times; this–this was unexpected.
They quickly threw on some clothes and made their voyage to the bar a few blocks away.
The rainy winter weather did them no justice as well, for they did not have an umbrella.
Minutes passed as they finally arrived at the Triangle. Soaking wet and clothes all soggy, they rushed in only to see 3 familiar faces.
There’s Jax–Leeory–Lilly, A tall, slim, bony woman with mid-length shaggy greasy straights, yellow-stained buck teeth, and pale vampire-like skin that only differentiated near her droopy puffed eye bags. Wearing a black 100% polyester hoodie and dirty ripped jeans, her shoes didn't do much justice either. She was leaning against one of the many pillars with an… unreadable expression.
Gangle–Zoey stood around the same height as Lilly, but instead of being slim like her, she was much bigger and more lean with midtone brown skin and wide bug eyes, along with her silky long waves and fleshy nose. She was wearing an ankle-long pleated black skirt and a maroon red sweater, sitting on one of the stools next to her girlfriend.
And finally Riley, standing at a broad 5’11, being the taller of the group, with their pink tie-dye curls and piercing gaze; they were wearing their casual bartender clothing: a hot pink button-up with a yellow polka-dotted tie tucked into their black denim pants with a matching buckle belt.
But no Grant to be seen, Grant… where was he?
After the two strain their dripping hair, Abby breaks the awkward silence.
“What’s going on? And why were we called?...” An out-of-breath Abigail said.
The question everybody was wondering.
Riley speaks up.
“Grant, he… got into a bad accident, totally totaled his car–”
A gasp was heard from Zoey.
Nobody moved.
“B-but the good thing is he's fine, just a little more…woozy than usual, but as a way to say “get well soon” I decided we could all go get him some stuff, you know?” The tension was lifted ever so slightly, but worry still coursed through the group.
“And how did you find out before any of us?”
Lilly raised an eyebrow; it was pretty odd that Riley knew before even Suzie knew, them being close and all.
Riley sighed.
“Destiny– she came in to get piss drunk, then chose to spill everything that happened.”
An audible scoff was heard from the bartender; Destiny had a habit of being so closed off from everyone but her husband.
“Per usual. Woman was as stubborn as a bull. ” An indifferent shrug came from Lil.
Abby frets
“And we know what hospital he's at? Is Destiny there? When does visiting time cut off—”
“Babe…”
Suz places a comforting hand on her girlfriend's shoulder, she lets out a deep exhale, she was getting carried away. They were all worried so it was understandable for the panic.
“He’s at Mercy Hospital South… “ Rie keeps a cool demeanor. “Destiny she…she’s recovering from a shitty hangover and trust me by the time we finish we’ll get there on time.”
…
“Should we get going? I really want to see if he's okay…” A small, wimpy voice said. Zoey sounded genuinely alarmed, at Grant’s age injuries were especially worrying and even he knew such a thing. A series of murmured agreements were heard.
And with that, the group hopped into what Riley liked to call “The Square-Mobile" and drove their way down the busy streets of St.Louis.
Several petty arguments, missed speed bumps, and snarky remarks later, the 15-minute drive that felt like 30 in the presence of Lilly finally came to an end.
The mall was packed today; people swarming the stores from left and right, Vendors trying to convince people to buy their products, alongside the lingering scent of warm cinnamon buns, pretzels, and retail stores.
“Hey looking for a free waxing? Come to—” a particular salesman broke their path.
“Not interested” Riley cut in.
They just knew they were going to struggle finding their old man a decent gift.
Suzie noticed Grant always seemed to be drawn towards the more vintage smells in Bath & Body Works, so that was their first stop.
“Babe, look at this! You think he would like this or the Cafe scent more?”
She was holding two small candles, something that could fit on a hospital bedside table.
Abby chuckled at the excitement in her voice.
She carefully took the first candle in her hand and took a good whiff.
“Maybe the first one? It smells like lemongrass, so it might remind him of outside.”
Suzie grinned and gave her a light peck on the cheek
“Good thinking!”
Abby could've sworn she melted right then and there.
Lilly was in a long, torturous line at Auntie Anne’s, all this to get 5 fucking Pretzels!
(Grant preferred the cinnamon bite)
Once she gathered the goodies, she made her way to where Zoey and Riley were told they’d be at, Barnes & Noble.
—
“Hey my favvvoorite gays!” The cheeky remark instantly ticked them off from a mile away
“Here she comes.” They utter to their girlfriend in an exasperated tone.
Dramatic as ever, Lily gets on one knee to mockingly propose to the two women with their pretzels.
“Foorrr you, my ladies”
A wide yellow grin spread across her face like it was the funniest thing she’d heard this year.
.
“Har har, I'm laughing.” They deadpanned.
“You know you love me.” Lil winked.
Riley was not amused.
They let Lily join them on their quest to find a lovely insect book for Grant, specifically a butterfly one. The trio spots the entomology aisle and gets to work. Looking at the various sectioned columns, they finally spot the butterflies section.
“What do we think about this one? I-it seems really nice!” Zoey points out.
The book was titled “Butterflies 101: Spread your wings”.
“A bit corny eh? Or maybe he's into that”
Lilly picks up a lower quality book titled “Butter and Flies”
The book was shitty.
“Now this is what he would like!” The prankster humorously declared.
Only to be immediately brought down by Riley.
The bartender snatches the book and puts it back into its correct spot before scolding the younger woman. Zoey giggled, they really were like Siblings.
“Hey guys! All done?” Suzie’s sweetheart voice was heard from the entrance of the store. Her hands interlocked with Abby’s.
Zoey looked at the bickering siblings then turned back to them and shrugged.
“Uhhh…”
Once the crew gathered a few more snacks and items from Hot Topic, they made their way to Mercy South. Abby never liked the environment of hospitals, it always smelled like… rubber gloves, sterile equipment, and sick people. And she disliked it even more now that her close friend was here as well. Her discomfort was so bad that when she was little her dad would attempt to care for her in the comfort of her own room, she really missed her dad.
One by one they hopped out of the vehicle and strolled up the cobblestone trail.
Before they could make a foot into the building, a crabby receptionist with stringy, thin brown curls and a bombinsky build announced an apathetic greeting
“Welcome to Mercy South Hospital here to visit or have an appointment?”
Wow, she didn't even look up.
“We're here to visit a friend named Grant best? He got into a bad accident a—”
“Room 157 a nurse will be here shortly, names?”
Abigail snarled at the lady's harsh tone.
When they all shared their names that is when the woman finally gave them a second glance and a raised an eyebrow, but instantly turned away afterwards.
The group took their seats on the stiff plastic ocean blue chairs, the tension was dull.
“Welp, maybe he’ll be happy to see me in allll my glory. My presence does tend to brighten up the room.” Lilly said cockingly in her usual bullshit tone, she really had never changed from the circus.
“More like dim it down” Riley muttered under their breath. Her arm around Zoey tightened.
Looks like they didn't either.
.
💤
.
“Visitors for Grant best?” a tall slim nurse announced in the waiting room.
“That'll be us!” Suzie piped up from her sleep.
The nurse led them to room 157. On the door were colored cut-outs of butterflies that looked like it was done by various toddlers, below the drawings were crafty cardboard letters painted blue, most likely done by Destiny.
“He’ll be in here” The nurse smiles and quickly leaves to give them privacy.
Abby turns the doorknob to see Grant, reading a magazine called “200 freaky facts about arachnids!” Typical.
“Grant!” Suzie runs to him at lightning speed, but is careful not to give him a crushing hug.
“Hey, Suzie.” He gives her his usual polite smile and turns to the others.
“I'm glad you all came!”
Riley steps forward
“How could we not? It's the least we could do after everything you've done for us.”
Lilly speaks up
“You feelin’ a 100% okay or do we gotta snap bones back into place old man?”
Lil gives him a soft nudge.
“No no I'm okay, thanks, Leeroy."
He quickly realized what he’d done.
“Lilly, right, sorry my memory has been fuzzy lately.”
“It's cool.” She shrugs.
Then Zoey fully walks in, gift bags in hand.
“We got you gifts! Thought that you might want some things while you're here.”
She flashed a toothy grin as she carefully laid all of their gifts on the floor beside the bed.
The first gift he opened was the book.
The cover was straightforward just how we liked it, an abstract drawing of a butterfly and the title in Roboto Serif font, God he wanted to sit up and hug them, if he could.
“Oh thank you thank you! I've been wanting a new book about these lovely creatures!” he exclaims. Zoey and Riley both let out a soft smile.
He then opened the Bath & Body Works bag, which had a small doodle saying “From: Suzie and Abigail!” with a cute chibi cat most definitely from Suzie.
“A candle…” he thought. He loved candles, thanks to Destiny always lighting one from morning to night.
He took a fat inhale of the candle and practically moaned
“Smells wonderful, I will put this riiight here!” he placed it on his small bedside table.
“Thank you Suz and Abs, though Destiny will most definitely appreciate it more than me.” They all chuckled.
Finally, he opened the best-smelling gift, Auntie Anne’s.
“Food!” he exclaimed.
Lilly grinned.
“Yeah yeah it's no biggie, just thought you would like some real food instead of hospital slop.”
She was right, he could barely survive a day of hospital food.
He instantly opened the bag and took one of the bites, he was incredibly grateful for this as he refused to eat the last frozen bean and carrot porridge that the kind nurse tried to feed him.
“I appreciate all these thoughtful gifts… really! I wish I could get up and give you all a smushing hug but the nurse suggested I lay down until my back feels better.”
For the remainder of the day, the gang sat and chatted to their older friend about usual nonsense the chaotic friend group talked about. Lilly’s antics, future plans, and love, they were comfortable with each other.
Abby and Suzie laid back, excusing themselves from the conversation to just spectate. Everything was fine, Grant was okay, They’re okay. And they have the best friends anyone could ask for.
What could go wrong?