Chapter 3

You spend the rest of your night alone in your room. Staring up at your four corner framed bed, with flowy curtains that shimmered in a f/c hue. Thoughts swirled around your mind in a never ending loop about everything that's happened so far. Unable to shake this odd feeling of being under constant watch.

I mean Caine did say he had all seeing eyes over every part of the circus. Did that include your room?

You looked at the hand he held once more and interlocked your other hand with it. Left wondering how his hand would feel in place of your own in this very moment.

A soft knock at your door made you immediately unclasp your hands. Sweeping away any silly thoughts still lingering about before.

You hopped up out of bed and wandered over to the door, opening it to see Pomni awkwardly standing outside.

"Uhh Heeyyyyy— how's it... going?"

You cock your head to the side curious as to why she was stopping by. Pomni sat up a little more straight and cleared her throat to act a little more confident, "I just want you to know I get how you feel. The circus can be a lot. And it hasn't been that long since I got stuck here either, so I know how overwhelming it can be. I mean it's only been a few months, but you get used to it after a while it's not so bad. These people can be strange and quirky here, but they've all got their own ways of making you smile. And I know Jax especially can be kind of a jerk. I just don't want it getting to you, or making you—" she trailed off as if something was bothering her deeply the moment she stopped talking. Like her mind went elsewhere to a horrible time.

You rest your hand on her shoulder, "Why do I feel like you're the one who needs to be reassured right now? Cmon in. The bean bags in the corner are actually pretty comfy. Let's talk it out."

You make your way over to the corner of your room where fluffy pastry themed bean bags sat. One was in the shape of a giant croissant and the other was a donut. You plopped down in the hole of the donut and leaned your head back while Pomni laid her back against the croissant like she was on a therapist's bed.

Pomni slowly inhaled and deeply exhaled before speaking like she was mentally preparing herself, "The first day I got here I watched someone abstract."

You look at her funny, "Abstract paint?"

Pomni giggled before returning back to her original somber state, "No, they.. died?... I guess." Your face turned white at her words. Your mind began to panic a little. A steady fastening heartbeat could be felt pounding in your chest.

'People can die here?'

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea people could even die. Caine told me we're basically immortal." You sat there now staring at the ceiling, "How do people...kind of die?"

Pomni turned on her side to face you, "Abstracting means your body turns into this... monster kind of. You get all these eyes everywhere and they're all attached to this black spikey huge body. And abstracted people just start attacking everything and everyone."

You felt a shiver run down your spine, "A monster huh?" the two of you sit in silence for a moment. You sit up, "So we either live forever or become digital monsters?" Pomni nodded her head still facing you.

Pomni continued, "When I first got here it was Kaufmo that abstracted. Apparently there was this guy named Ribbit too. Ribbit was Jax's friend who abstracted and I think it still bothers him. He's even taken his trauma out on me. And while understanding why he does these things doesn't justify him doing it, I wanted to let you know he's not always all there mentally. He seems to enjoy insulting and belittling people to get by. He just kinda lashes out. Messed up I know. I hope someday we get past it, but he still likes to push me away. I think him seeing Caine actually show emotions outside of making adventures rubbed him the wrong way."

You sigh, "I guess it's my own form of karma having to deal with someone like him here. I don't remember much about the outside world, but I do remember kind of being the same way out there. Always pushing others away. Afraid to get close."

You smile, "I'll do my best to help you guys. You seem like a cute couple honestly. I'm surprised he ever pushed you away with the way he looks at you." Pomni turned red and her arms and legs flailed as she nervously scrambled. Her body bounced around like a ball as she clipped through the floor for a moment.

"Wha!! !bah!! Ga— I uh I."Her eyes turned into swirls as her red face showed no signed of cooling off. "The way he looks at me..?"

You giggle, "Yea silly! He definitely has the hots for you."

Pomni sat up, "I —I think I'm gonna go visit Jax."

You sit up and offer your hand to Pomni, "Thank you, Pomni. Really. It's nice getting to talk like this."

Pomni nodded, "Yea. It was." She takes your hand and you exchange a brief hug.

As she leaves you still can't help but feel like you're being watched.