Chapter Two
"Molly? Hey, can you hear me?"
"Beartrap, answer us, c'mon"
"She definitely hasn't been well… feverish, fatigued, most likely starving by the looks of it… This isn't good. We need to get her to the hospital."
"Are you sure, nerd? Pretty certain her family would at least notice something like this."
"Giovanni, this isn't a joke. She's a literal skeleton."
Voices drifted above her, slowly rousing Molly from her sleep. She hazily blinked the sleep out of her eyes and saw the people she'd grown to call friends these past months. From the pain coursing up and down her spine along with what she saw meant one thing. She fell asleep at the counter. Again. Not like anyone was coming to buy anything anyways.
"What're you guys doing here?"
"Oh! Heya, Beartrap! You doing alright?"
"That's an impossibly stupid question. One look could tell anyone that she's unwell and needs to see a doctor."
"No money or time for that..." she mumbled, resting her head back on the desk.
Giovanni stared at her as though an alien had waltzed out of her hoodie and began introducing itself. "I'm sorry, what? What do you mean no time or money for a freakin' doctor? Your family owns a store!"
Molly didn't bother to raise her head, mumbling a simple "Economics" as her answer.
Sylvester let out a sigh. Of course! Why hadn't he thought of that before? Due to the increased chaos of the market, the community would only buy the necessities. Who needed toys when you couldn't feed your family?!
Taking a second look around the shop, the evidence of their small friend became ever more present. No lights even when the store sign showed its 'open' side. No difference in temperature from the outside, most likely meaning their heating was out as well. Actually… Is it colder in here than outside…? Sylvie wondered to himself.
"Molly… I don't mean to be rude or anything it's just… Are you doing okay? Your whole family in this environment?"
"Yeah… They're fine…"
Sylvie frowned "But what about you?"
"Mmm…" was all the response he got.
Giovanni cocked his head to the side, kneeling down to be at the same height as the seated girl. "Beartrap? You okay? You still with us?"
"She passed out. Can you pick her up? We should get her to the hospital."
Giovanni hoisted the small girl aloft, saely keeping her in his arms as they left the store, wrapping her bear hoodie and a blanket tightly around her frail figure in an attempt to keep out the cold. Sylvie took the lead, bringing the trio to their destination within twenty minutes.
By the time they arrived, Molly was shivering and absolutely miserable, unconsciously bringing herself as close as possible to the warmth Giovanni gave off. It was comforting, his soft scent of basil and pine. She didn't quite know where they were taking her. Could've been upstairs to her room for all she knew.
Time was just a concept which didn't hold sway to what happened in her life anymore. Events came and went without significance of differentiation from all other aspects of the day. Everything was a monotone grey blob. Time wasn't real anymore to her.
Sylvie had been talking to the nurses at the desk for quite some time, trying to explain what had happened so that Molly might get the best care possible for her situation. It was rather surprising how much he really didn't know about her. Her birthday? Allergies? Pre Existing conditions? Well he at least knew of the misophonia and depression… But aside from that he knew next to nothing!
Molly began to wake up as the warm environment wrapped around her. She'd gotten so used to the cold of the shop that this was almost unreal. Serene and otherworldly. She sighed, opening her eyes to the bleach white walls a worried pink haired man. There was a muffle of voices, and it all faded out again.