Chapter 48

It had taken you quite a while to return back to the group, understandably so. You expressed a few concerns to Caine about C&A tracking your...

FaceTime?

Whatever it was.

You'd brought up the issue with C&A watching, only for him to quickly dismiss all worries you had. He'd explained his own view of your digital world, and how he had complete control inside your phone. Which made sense, it was his new home after all.

"Well the coding aspect may be a bit bizarre to explain. I'll put it like this. It's kinda like I'm shutting a door on someone before they walk through repeatedly. But they don't know that the door is there before I shut it."

You had giggled at his little analogy as he dramatically waved his hands around going through the motions of the action. Some anxiety had nestled its way into your heart, but for the most part you trusted Caine to be able to handle himself in there. Maybe if things went south you could erase the evidence of it by bringing him into work? Who knows.

That would only be a last resort though, considering the extensive security both physically and digitally. Sure their cameras weren't the best, and they'd been slacking by leaving any of the previous computers behind. But at the end of the day the company had zero intentions of letting their little secret out of containment.

You shook the thoughts away and struggled to regain composure walking up to the others who had stopped their little shopping spree to wait around for you. Admittedly some of the group like Ragatha was concerned while others like Zooble just rolled their eyes wanting to continue the day. Arguing that they could just text or call you later to regroup. Ragatha on the other hand was adamant to stay behind reminding the others how hard it was just to get you here in the first place. After all these years you'd spent pretty much in complete isolation from the world.

They all visibly stiffened as you approached and halted their conversations, "Oh, Uh—hey y/n!"

Ragatha awkwardly rubbed her shoulder and looked over at the others before glancing back at you.

"Are you—alright?"

She was almost certain you'd caught at least the very end of their discussion. Which you did, but you refused to ruin the good mood you'd suddenly been put in. A smile was plastered all over your face as you perked up.

"Never been better! Just got some good news actually."

Zooble's eyebrows knitted together in confusion and suspicion before relaxing once more, "Hell yea! Thats awesome. What was it if you don't mind me asking?"

Your heart sank.

'Why the fuck did I tell them that. Fuck. Shit.'

You fumbled for an excuse before blurting out a half baked response.

"Oh! My pregnancy test came back negative."

Zooble was now fully invested, "Wait? Did you and—"

You immediately caught onto the fact she was referencing Damien and scoffed. Tension seemed to be leaving the group little by little

"What Damien? Pffft!!! No, he wishes though."

Pomni, Gangle, and Ragatha all begin chiming in giggling.

"Tell me about it! I thought it was bad enough in the circus." Pomni nudged your shoulder as she spoke.

"I don't know how you deal with it." Gangle shook her head sympathetically.

"How many years has it been?" Ragatha stopped thinking maybe asking how long you'd been free of that place wasn't the best idea for your mental health. "Actually. Forget I asked! Let's go back to having a good time instead. Let's forget about that and focus on spending some money."

Gangle and Pomni smiled and nodded in agreement, but just out the corner of your eye you caught Zooble giving you not the nicest look.  You couldn't make out exactly what it was, but you had a feeling she was suspicious about your new improved mood. Taking note you toned down the hype for a bit and mellowed out.

When you had approached the signature duo in almost every mall you suddenly froze. (hot topic and Spencer's) The others catching onto your discomfort.

"Listen if you don't want to you don't—"

"No it's okay. Sorry I spaced out there for a sec. Let's go on in."

Zooble and gangle went to look for matching tshirts while you sat and stared at plushies. Halfway zoning out and halfway actually browsing. Your eyes occasionally darted over to the lingerie wall that was so similar to the one you'd seen back in the circus. A knot had tied up and tangled in your chest before you unraveled your thoughts. The familiar constriction causing your once warm smile to fade from your features.

How long had it really been since you'd bought that pair in the circus?

A lady nearby interrupted your train of thought, "Excuse me, could I get past you to—"

"Oh! So sorry. I'll get out your way."

Unsure of how long you'd been standing there you decide to move elsewhere in the store. Grabbing a band tee from your favorite artist before heading out with the others. Gangle and Zooble had gotten cute couples tees and Ragatha had gotten some new cute accessories for her hair and some necklaces. Lastly Pomni had bought a ridiculous fish hat. (If ykyk xD)

The thick scent of salty and sweet treats hit you hard as you passed a pretzel stand. The food court following not far behind the scent. Suddenly you felt your stomach remind you that you hadn't eaten in quite some time now.

"You guys wanna grab something here for lunch?"

"Hell yea!" Pomni excitedly bounced with her new fish hat already on her head.

"Wait when did you even put that thing on?" Zooble groaned at the sight.

Gangle smiled, "I think it's cute."

Ragatha had her eyes set on a Chinese food storefront in the food court, "I'm gonna go grab something from The Zesty Wok if you guys wanna grab a table."

Gangle nodded, "Sure! I always have a hard time choosing. So I'll probably just sit for a bit. I kinda wanna see if what you get is any good. I might get the same if it's better than the place I usually go to."

Zooble nodded, "I'll get whatever you get. It's on me."

Your eyes darted over the options before landing on (insert your favorite mall restaurant), "I'm gonna head over there and grab something. I'll be back over in a second too!"

Pomni decides to join you deciding your place looked pretty good. Meanwhile Zooble and Gangle sat down alone. Zooble speaking up first,

"Alright back to what I was saying. You don't just go from complete isolation to drinking at bars and going to malls with people you barely spoke to for years on end. Don't you think it's a little odd y/n suddenly wants to be around us?"

Gangle felt herself getting a wee bit uncomfortable, "I really don't think it's like that hun. I mean— sure she's been away for some time. But wouldn't you feel better finally hanging out with friends like this after being alone for so long? Maybe she didn't know she was missing out until now."

Gangle shrugged and smiled at Zooble. The softness of her smile relaxed them. An audible sigh then came from Zooble, "Look you're probably right. I'm just worried that after all this time she'll pull some shit."

They look off in the distance at you and Pomni waiting in line.

"I don't want to be right. I really don't. Just— be cautious okay?"

Their hands wrapped around Gangle's. She then gave them a reassuring squeeze.

"Of course."

✨1290 words✨AHHH I love mall scenes. This was so fun to write. :))