Chapter 17
The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side
As Blossom rode in the jeep with Brick she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at what may lay ahead as the car jerked of the main highway. What lay behind the trees could lead to knowing more about the mystery behind they boys' past. Her only question is if she truly wants to know…
-Blossom-
The Fuzzy Lumpkin residency, just like it was a decade ago, is like an island in the midst of a giant federal protected forest reserve. So not only is there no chance of real estate happening soon, but with the legacy Fuzzy left on the place, there's not a soul in Townsville that would step foot in this area.
The perfect hideaway for criminals. It's a shame such a nice area had to be wasted on the likes of them.
I stole a glance over at the driver's seat and wondered if agreeing to go to his place was a bad idea. Was trusting an old rival really my new perspective of gaining progress?
It's better to just change the subject. "What ever happened to Fuzzy?"
Brick stayed focused on the road ahead, as if trying to ignore the fact that I was the same car. "Don't know, don't care."
"And I suppose you're the one who came up with the idea for this?"
"Why not?" Seems like it was his mind behind everything anyway. There are only a few cars designed to handle the durability of a forest trail, and they most likely told school officials that their 'dad' commutes to a job far east, meaning they had to find a place in the middle of the two. A long drive home would have seemed natural to anyone with that reasoning.
Where to hide, what to drive, and how to act. A chill shivered down my spine as I thought of what kind of criminal Brick could've been at this point.
But if he was so good, then why leave?
"Welcome home." Brick mused. "Butch! Boomer! We got company!"
Boomer was the first to come out, only to have his face sink in disappointment. For a split second, I thought he was hoping for a girl with blond pigtails.
"Oh," He mumbled listlessly "hey."
Butch sulked in afterwards, and his look of indifference soon transformed into seething rage. "What the hell is she doing here?"
"Shut it." Brick ordered before turning to me. "We cleaned up most of the damage, or at least what we could make of it."
After a closer look, I could see what was left of the house. The giant jagged hole caved into the side of the house left a wide weak spot for anything to come in.
"It looks like…"
"Like a car drove right through it?" Boomer offered "Cause that's kinda what happened."
"Like it?" Butch snarled "One of your sisters did it for us, and I'd be more than happy to thank them!"
"Calm down Butch, it's not them we're worried about." Brick handed me his phone "Cole sent me this when he was repairing our car. Any ideas?" A weird eye sketch was etched into the car's side. It was small and barely noticeable, but still there nonetheless. It almost looked familiar.
Looking up I was surprised to find three pairs of eyes glued to me with a mix between suspicion and curiosity. I was taken aback. To be dependent on an outside opinion had to be a new low for these guys. And I didn't have a clue what to do with this thing either!
I looked at the three of them with confusion.
"Well you're the one that saw the whole thing. What do you think?"
"We think it's a cult." He took out a scrap of paper to reveal the eye in a clearer image. "The Eye of Horus symbolizes healing and restoration. Whoever had this symbol must be trying to 'cleanse' Townsville of any seen threats."
"And because they know about us…" Boomer said.
"They think we're the biggest threat to Townsville's 'restoration.'" Brick turned back to me to gorge out my reaction. I felt like I was the one being investigated on the whole thing. Looking back at him, I wondered if that might actually be true. I know I didn't do it and neither did my sisters. This may be the only chance I have to clear our name and get us away from this mess.
"I'm still confused over how this affects us. We didn't do anything wrong."
"But you have a record." Brick countered. "You think everyone would just forgive and forget? That shit never leaves, Pinky take my word for it."
I clenched my jaw at the vile nickname, but decided to hold my tongue and listen to his reasoning.
"We're sure that this symbol is a part of their goal for restoration. And because we all have powers that have put Townsville in danger in the past, this cult's not going to go away."
Brick paused for a moment to let the words sink in. "So in other words, they're going to make sure we're all taken care off."
I gazed back at the gaping hole in the house in awe before turning back to the three. Boomer and Brick were staring right back at me, with Butch seething from the background.
"How did this even happen?"
"I had the guy pinned to the car, which dented the frame with the eye symbol." Brick explained
"No, I mean how did someone plow through all three of you guys like it was child's play?" I could just barely hold back a snicker at their bad luck "Your defense must not be as strong as you played it up to be."
Brick gave a look of disdain. "Don't make it seem like you're so special."
"Is that what I said?" I gestured toward the hole as proof of the problem. "If one person could do this much damage, and this is a cult like you assume, then you've got a lot more problems than fixing a car."
"Okay Einstein," Butch growled for the first time "when's the next time they're gonna hit us?"
I examined the tracing as I tried to grope back at lost memories. I did do a bit of research in river valley civilizations with my endless free time back in Western Pines. Maybe it could work here. I traced the symbol carefully, thinking back to the lunar calendar they followed and something finally came up.
Egyptians follow the lunar calendar, so you can't predict when the intruder comes by day, but by night.
"The night you guys were hit was on Friday 24th, the moon was at the last quarter of its lunar cycle."
The three of them replied back with nothing but blank stares, signaling me to elaborate.
"According to the Egyptian calendar, the night when the moon was on its last quarter, 'Feast of the Part Day', Renepet, was sacred to the God Horus. It also precedes the new moon."
"Which happens next week." Brick finished, beginning to get the picture.
"In the legend it states that when the new moon comes it marks the restoration period when Thoth began to heal the Eye of Horus after his battle with the god Seth. The Eye of Horus represents order, therefore the healing process could mean another attempt at 'restoring order' in Townsville."
"So last night was like, a warning of what's gonna come?" Boomer asked, finally putting the pieces together.
"That's what I think. So if I were you, I'd be getting ready for next Friday."
The sound of the forest roared in the silence that followed. Brick kept his eyes focused on the eye sketch on his phone as Boomer shuffled his feet nervously. It was clear to me then that a small part of them wanted to believe it was a crazed burglar. That this all had to have been a big misunderstanding. With this being the first serious threat since we fought years ago, to have me confirm something like this would probably make it even tenser for them.
"Fucking bullshit." We turned to see Butch glaring daggers in my direction. "Don't tell me you guys are actually believing this crap."
Brick let out a deep sigh. "Butch listen–"
"Don't you get it?" he snapped in disbelief "It was all THEM. They did this and now they're trying to get on your good side. And now they know where we freaking live!"
"Butch." But instead of stopping he stepped closer as his voice rose.
"Do you know who they're hanging around? A freaking FBI agent. You fucking morons! What the hell are you doing with this chick?"
"We don't have time for this!"
"Can't you just sit your ass somewhere and listen to us?" Boomer snapped, for once losing his patience.
"Hell No!" Butch shot back "You expect me to let Strawberry Shortcake come over here, at MY house, and spit out this load of bullshit?"
He looked at the two of them for an answer, but when there was none, he gave a look of bitter resignation.
"Whatever." He grumbled before turning away.
Brick made a final attempt to cool him off. "Look, next time–"
"There won't be a next time." He said coldly
"And where do you think you're going?" he demanded
"Out!" Butch scowled at me before shooting into the sky without looking back.
"Butch!" Brick shouted "Butch you can't–!"
He realized there wasn't a point in yelling anymore with him miles away. With that he returned carrying a dark grimace over his face that sent chills through me before grabbing my arm.
"Get in the car." He growled. I fought against his grip as he dragged me to the car.
"Hey-Wait–"
"I said get in!"
"Let go of me!" I yanked my arm back before glowering at him. This was definitely a mistake.
"I'll be fine walking home." Heading off into the forest trail sucked, but it beat standing there with someone like him. Why I agreed to getting yelled at by these idiots is beyond me. I could still hear them in the background, probably talking about their next move.
"Think that's the last time we're gonna see her?" Boomer asked
But after that I heard nothing but the sound of crickets coming from the side of their wrecked house.
-Brick-
"You know you should at least walk her to the main road."
"And why the hell would I do that?" I yelled back. Butch's gone off the edge again and now Boomer wants to play hero?
"Whose side are you on anyway?"
He lowered his gaze "The side that wants us all to be friends…?" he muttered to himself.
Of course you do. Where the hell did he get that goody-two-shoe attitude from anyway?
"Well I say good riddance to the bitch, not like we need her around here."
"We kinda do."
I froze at the insult. "Excuse me?"
"You just brought her here to try and figure out the sign."
"I wanted a second opinion!"
"Since when do you need a second opinion Brick?" he shrugged and gave a dubious look. I gripped onto the railings from the porch in deep frustration. I never thought I'd live to see the day Boomer was right about something.
…
"Pinky wait up!"
"That's not my name!" she shouted from fifty feet away. Seeing her fight through the branches to go the opposite direction of the trail, it was obvious she had no real clue where she was headed.
And it's just like a puff to act like she knows regardless. I tried to narrow the distance between us by stepping over the debris she left.
"You don't know where you're going anyway!" But she kept ripping through the trees like a raging lumberjack, meaning she wasn't going to stop soon.
And it's just like a puff to ignore everything that doesn't agree with her! "Look Pink–Blossom!"
"What!" she whipped her head around to reveal eyes full of fierce loathing. "You brought me here so I can get yelled at by your stupid brothers, wasting time I could've used with Bubbles. So thanks for nothing!"
"Butch is an asshole! Everybody knows Butch is an asshole! Deal with it!"
"Christ, you're all the same!"
"So are you!" I screeched. "Look, it wasn't easy putting my guard down. We've been there for almost two years with no problems until you showed up. And now I have to work with you to get back to where we were: hiding in the middle of a damn forest!"
She finally stopped fighting the trees, willing to bless me with at least two seconds of her precious time.
"You…" I said grasping at ten years' worth of resentment.
"You think you're the only one who's got problems when you're the one who doesn't have shit to deal with!"
"Don't act as if you know my life you pretentious bastard!"
"Then don't make yourself out to be a self-righteous bitch!"
She recoiled at the sudden attack as a small silence crept into the forest. She lowered her arms and for once actually looked at me. No hate, no vengeful glares, just actually looked to see someone who was a real human just like her.
But in another minute it'd be back to normal. Us hating each other for something that happened ten years ago when we were at an age that just got out of shitting diapers.
Would it really be so surprising to say that I was done with it all? To be normal and have a life, friends, girlfriends, and just move on?
But of course I couldn't tell her that. She still thinks of me as the monster next door, even though it was her and her precious sisters started the whole thing in the first place!
And it's just like a puff to be the Hero of the story. "You know what? Forget it."
She looked confused. "You're done?"
"Yeah. And unless you want to get lost in the forest I suggest you follow me to the clearing at least."
The rest of the way was quiet, thank God. Eventually we got through to the trail we use to drive up here. By the time the clearing gets into sight the main road comes right next to it and I can get this girl away from me, which would be the best news I've heard all day.
"Never thought of you as a quitter." I turned back to see her looking straight at the trail road, never once in my line of sight. I brought my hood down to cover my face from the sun rays.
"What can I say Pinky, you bring out the worst in people."
"Anyone can bring out your worst, that's what makes you so unbearable."
"And I bet you're just a walk in the park then huh?"
"Pretty much."
"Don't kid yourself."
The clearing came up with a bright flash of sunlight from the opening of the trees. From there the only thing you could see is a small meadow lining the edges of the main street, followed by the border of trees that line the entrance into the forest area. The only thing that marks our existence here is a faint trail of tires where the car drives to get to the trail that I need to cover up.
"Follow the tire tracks and it'll get you to the main road. Then we can forget this whole thing ever happened." With that I sauntered back into the forest with a clear conscience. No need for a thank you, the only thing she's used to is receiving that type of crap from thousands of her fans of course. Or maybe ex -fans now that I think about it.
"You're just going to leave me here? What if something happens?"
"You fly away." I mused, still keeping my pace to go home after a bad day.
"These tracks go for miles!"
"You wanted to walk."
"I'm not risking my identity Brick!"
"You're a smart girl, figure it out." Okay, when I get home I'll probably tell Boomer to get find Butch cause I'm not dealing with his shit today. Maybe I'll make a sandwich…
"What'll happen to your brothers if we stay out of this?" I stopped my train of thought to see her still in the same place I left her. From the clearing, her eyes were practically radiating. If anyone were to take one peak at her now, it'd be over for her family right here.
But she was still there. Looking back at me as if she had all the time in the world to get an answer.
"And you care why?"
"I don't care!" she protested before regaining her practiced composure "But Bubbles does, and she'd be upset if something bad were to happen to Boomer."
I rolled my eyes. Of course she would. "So what do you propose Pinky?"
"That's not–!" she sighed, dismissing the topic. "I'm proposing that we meet in private at school. Without your brothers."
"When?"
"Monday at 12 sharp–"
"Done."
"I expect to see you there!"
"Okay Pinky."
She eventually started to head off to her place, leaving me in peace. Heading home I thought through the scenario and yeah, it could've went better, but it could've also been way worse.
I might have to get Butch myself, wherever he is.
But his words did force me to pause on the trail, like echoes from a conscience.
Do you know who they're hanging around? A freaking FBI agent. What the hell are you doing with this chick!?
What the hell am I doing? Feels like I'm starting to lose control of the situation with every passing day. And I'm dreading to see the day when I actually do.
'I expect to see you there!'
Still, seeing her flip out always makes my day a little brighter anyway.
-Butch-
Assholes…
It felt good to fly again. Heck, it felt AWESOME flying again. In the clouds above everyone down below. Makes you feel empowered. Like you hold everything in your hands.
But it's different now. People don't really see you like they saw you back then. Nowadays they just see a bird or a plane. It could never be a real human flying. People like that don't exist in their minds anymore.
To feel like myself again. I'd give the world to have that again.
But you have the power to make it that way again. You can be YOU.
Just ignore. Just ignore. Eventually he'll go away, like a little mosquito bite. I headed into the gym from the back to try and cool off. From there I'll just go home and act like nothing happened. Brick's gonna try and talk about it, play the dad I guess, and I'm gonna ignore it all as hard as I can. Agree with him, tell him he's right, and everything will be…
Back to normal…God that sounds even worse than I pictured it.
I went down into the basement to see Mitch getting his ass beat by the one and only.
"You're getting better at this Bree. I think it's time for a new rank.
"Yeah I hope." She beamed. She probably just tries to imagine me falling down like that. I snickered to myself at the thought. Not a chance in hell.
The green puff looked up at me like she saw a ghost, but in a split second her face twisted in an angry rage and marcher up to me fists balled.
"You're a real piece of work you know that?" she snarled "I should kick your ass right now for what you did!"
"Did? What the heck did he do this time?" Mitch asked gaining consciousness.
"You know what you did." She growled "People always wanna show their true colors when we need them the most."
So she wants to play that game? "Takes one to know one." I said in an icy tone. "So you wanna get mad at me because I didn't want to play hero for a couple seconds?"
"She was on the floor ready to give out and all you had to do was break the stupid thing!"
"I couldn't give a rats ass about what you and your sisters go through on a daily!" I marched towards the private room so I can beat the shit out of the punching bags like I'd want to beat the shit out of her.
"What kind of monster are you?" her question stopped me from heading in for just a minute. Monster. Now that is something I haven't heard in a long time.
Monster… Just hearing it sent chills down my spine, the type that gives you a rush of adrenaline. Adrenaline you get from beating people up in alleys and having them at gunpoint. It reminds you of what you were.
What you should be!
"Lemme get this straight; you think I'm the monster. I'm the one causing all this stuff to happen to you guys."
I got real close to her then, so close that she could feel my breath on her face. So she could feel what real fear is like. She didn't dare lose my gaze of course, but I could sense her fingers starting to tremble, her skin starting to sweat, her bright green eyes narrowing to see what I would do. Right under my thumb.
That power, it felt like I was revived. My lips spread into a wide toothy grin at the thought.
"Well let me let you in on a little secret kitten."
Despite how loud her heart was thumping, she still managed a smirk. "This another one of your threats?"
"If you think I'm a monster now, you haven't seen nothing yet." I leaned in a bit closer to reach her ear so I could whisper it just between the two of us.
"And that's a promise."
-Bubbles-
"Gladys! Gladys!" Instead of seeing her I saw the Professor in the kitchen "Hey Professor, where's Gladys?" The professor put down his glass of tea with a long sigh. Crap, that's never a good sign.
"Um, sweetheart," The professor began "Gladys won't be around much anymore."
My heart sank. "She's not coming back? But why not?" He approached me carefully, as though trying to soothe a baby before it started to cry.
"Because well…"
"Don't lie to me. What happened?"
"After the watch incident…"
"It was nothing! I was running around campus a lot that day, I haven't used my powers in a while, I'm a thin person so my blood flow was probably low!"
"You don't really believe that do you?" Blossom entered inside of the house with an arched brow "Bubbles since when have you ever had any of those things happen to you before?"
I reached for a reason. Anything to prove my point. They couldn't just blame her! Whatever happened to don't shoot the messenger?! It's just…it…it's…
"It's not fair!" And then it was over. Blossom raised her eyebrows and dropped her bags like she expected this to happen and the Professor rubbed his temples. That's it, I lost their tiny, brief respect for me and now I'm back to being Baby Bubbles.
"Sweetie…" he sighed. Dangit! I'm tired of being 'sweetie'! I'm tired of being the sweetheart! Why can't they just listen to me!?
"We can't trust her Bubbles. Or any of them." Blossom said flipping through her history book "It's better off like this."
They always do this…
"See? Your sister agrees with me."
"Now if only Buttercup would come home to help with dinner."
"Where is she by the way?"
They never LISTEN to me…!
"Pulling extra time at Eagle Fitness."
"Who'd have thought she'd like the place–"
"–She was like a mother to me." Suddenly all conversation stopped. This was unexpected.
"She was like the mom I never had." I murmured, with the tears finally slipping away "And you ruined it for me."
You know if this wasn't so tragic it'd be funny. Seeing how their mouths fell agape, the shock and heartbreak in their eyes. They could've never predicted that from baby Bubbles.
"I gotta go. I'm not hungry anymore."
Before either of them could stop me I flew down the flights of stairs and ran outside. The tears filled my eyes and blocked my path but it didn't matter. I wanted to go away, far away, as far as I could from them. All anyone ever does if protect me as if I can't make my own decisions! I'm my own person dang it! I can live, breathe, and act out just fine on my own without anyone's–
"Ow!" GOD it felt like I just hit a brick wall! I landed on the concrete sidewalk only to see two sneakers instead of a building.
Crap it was a person! Great Bubbles, you just hit a person! A person with a really strong core sure but…
"You know we should really stop bumping into each other like this." Looking up I saw Boomer of all people, offering a hand with a sad smile on his face.
"Sorry I just came up to ask if you were okay after everything that happened and…" He took a moment to look at the sniveling wet face in front of him.
"…It looks like you're far from it. What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Of course it's something Bubbles."
"It's your fault it happened anyway!" I snapped before finally breaking into sobs.
"Gladys is gone." I breathed out. It hurts so much more to actually say it. How much she was willing to be there for me, talk to me, and help me with anything that the Professor couldn't at the time.
And now she's gone!
"Come on." He took my hand and led me in the opposite direction, back to my flat.
"Where are we going?"
"The Cabana Café of course!"
"Boomer I'm not hungry. I just wanna be alone"
As if on cue a loud growl erupted from my stomach. I glared down at the thing with annoyance. Traitor.
"Your stomach seems to disagree." Boomer teased before seeing how frustrated I was. "Look okay let's go to the Cabana Café, or wherever you wanna go, then we can go to the park and you can tell me everything. I'll even pay!"
I grimaced. He was giving me one of his renowned pleading looks. It was like kicking a puppy if I said no.
"The Cabana Café's fine."
…
"And they never LISTEN to me!"
"Well they're not gonna listen to you if you keep throwing tantrums like that." Boomer said before taking a long sip of the decaf latte he ordered.
"It wasn't a tantrum."
He almost choked on his drink and set it down with a snicker. "And I quote. 'It's not FAIR!'"
"I don't talk like that!" I protested.
"'I'm not hungry and Blossom's being a big fat MEANIE!'" He squealed in a high pitched voice.
Two can play this game. I lowered my voice and sat as straight as I could. "I do not speak in that manner."
"Don't do that then you'd just be mimicking Blossom."
"Can you do a Buttercup impression too?"
"Now she can throw a tantrum." He smirked "'Why are we here? Why can't I fight the bad people? WHY DO I SCREAM SO DAMN MUCH!?'"
I threw back my head in a fit of laughter. Even though he was gone for ten years, he still knew my sisters down to a tee. From glancing at how much of a wreck I looked, it was all Boomer could do to keep himself from busting out either.
"Stop laughing you're face looks like a tomato!"
"No it doesn't," I giggled "it's just red."
"And puffy, and swollen." His smile suddenly faded away "I hate seeing you cry Bubbles." I wiped my nose to try and look decent, but that doesn't help me much. I have the worse crying face.
"I hate it too. Maybe if I stopped crying they'd take me seriously."
"No they won't. Even if you changed your face, your clothes, and your attitude, you'd still be the baby of the bunch. Trust me I've tried that whole thing a couple years back."
Great. "Well that's not very promising."
"But that's just it. In their minds you're always going to be Bubbles, and you shouldn't try to change that, just accept it."
"But they don't listen."
"They do, it's just they hear you as Bubbles, the baby of the trio. It's the same way for Buttercup, when you hear her, you're always scared she'll pounce on you." Thinking back to just a few days ago in Blossom and Buttercup's fight, I could see where he got that from.
"That's actually pretty accurate."
"Because Butch is the same way! And if you want them to hear you out on something, just sit them down and tell them straight up how you feel instead of doing it tantrum style."
I took this in for a moment. Maybe if I tried to be more like Blossom and…
I stole a glance over at Boomer. Seeing his deep blue eyes staring right back at me in concern pretty much said it all.
No, I have to speak to them as Bubbles. I can't hope to be anyone else, cause I'm not.
"Did I help you out in any way?" I turned back to see Boomer still staring at me. "Or…"
I threw my arms around the guy and gave him a tight hug. He's almost like a blessing in disguise.
"More than you could ever imagine. Thanks Boomer."
But just seconds later he wriggled out of the hug and got up from the park bench. With the awkward posture he carried it almost seemed like he was uncomfortable, and it made me feel sad.
"It's Brandon by the way. Gotta keep that cover!" He joked with a tight lipped smile before offering his hand again "So what do you wanna do now?"
Taking his hand I stood up and looked around. "Well, I don't wanna go home just yet."
It looked like everyone was at the park. Dogs running around, kids playing tag, it just looked like a great day to be anywhere but home.
"Why don't we just stay here? Unless if you're busy."
"Hmm well lessee…" he mused "I gotta go home, fix the house, clean the interior, find Butch, get yelled at, find Brick, get yelled at again…I think I'd rather stay here."
"Well I'm glad. I don't know what I might have done if it wasn't for you back there."
"No problem. That's what friends are for, right?"
I felt a sudden pang. Just a second, but it was there right when he said that. Friends. How could I hope for anything more than something as great as that anyway?
And yet…
"Yeah." I grinned widely, wide enough with the hope that he wouldn't notice anything. "Friends."
-Buttercup-
you haven't seen nothing yet
"They just don't get it!" I yelled out, but the only thing I'll get out of that are some scared kids. Maybe the park wasn't the greatest place to think about all this."
Why is it always me? Just then my phone rang off.
—Blossy— Speak of the Devil.
::Buttercup where are you?::
"Cool it Blossy, I'm coming home anyway."
::It's not for you!:: She snapped ::It's Bubbles, she just stormed out five minutes ago. Is she around you?::
"She just left?" Glancing around the park it was clear this place was busy. And if this place was then who knows how hard it'd be to find her in the whole city.
"I could try to look, but I'm not promising anything." I hung up the phone without a single clue on where to even look. Where would Bubbles go? Where does she like to go?
A mom looking over her kids by the playground…three guys from school playing three on three basketball…a dog playing Frisbee with his owner…
She was preaching about this one café nearby. The Cabana? Wait…there she is!
Walking across the park I could see her now. She's standing on the other side of the park with this other guy from school. At least now I can find out why she barged out in the first place. Now I can tell Blossy mission accomplished and brag about how she couldn't have found her without me…!
Hold on, that guy looks REALLY familiar…
Crap…CRAP…!
"I don't know what I might have done if it wasn't for you…"
They're tearing us apart…
"That's what friends are for, right?"
"Friends my ass!" I grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him from my sister "What the hell do you think you're doing with her you prick!"
Bubbles tried to pull me back. "Buttercup leave him alone."
"This is your plan isn't it? You don't even care about her!"
"O…Of course I do!" he stammered.
"Bullshit! All you guys talk about is being innocent when everything around you just gets worse! You wanted her to stop breathing in school so you'd get rid of us sooner."
"Why the hell would I do that when I came to help!" he argued back as he got up.
"Buttercup I said stop!"
"Tell me all about it then! Because I'm really starting to wonder if Butch is the only bad appleof the three of you guys. Maybe you're all just working for Him."
"Enough!" I turned around to see Bubbles fuming over her tear soaked face. What the hell happened while I was gone?
"You know what Buttercup?" Boomer reappeared with fists clenched and a stern glare. "No he's not the only bad apple, okay? We all are!"
"What?" we both muttered.
"You act as if everything's just black and white. Like we're just 'the bad guys' end of the story. Well maybe I don't want to be the bad guy anymore, okay? Maybe I'm tired of running, of losing, of being locked up in jail cells when I should've been on a damn swing-set somewhere!"
He dropped his fists and dropped his glare, as if he just gave up on the effort.
"We're human too." He stormed off from the park. Whatever he's crying about won't get to me anyway.
"Boomer wait!" But it works like a charm on pigtails over here!
"Please don't tell me you're going after this guy Bubbles? Can't you see it's a trick?" I tried to take her arm but she yanked it away from me, as if she refused to look at me.
"I have had enough of you guys ruining my life."
"Ruining? Bubbles I'm trying to save it before it's too late!"
"It is MY life. Can't I at least spend it choosing who I hang out with?!" she spat.
"Yeah the same guys who almost got you killed today. Perfect choice as always!" I yelled.
She whipped her head back to me with a snarl rising in her throat. "That had nothing to do with them and it still didn't give you the right to kick out Gladys!"
"Are you kidding me? Bubbles not even you're this stupid! This lady implanted watches that almost killed us! Do I need to replay what happened a few hours ago?"
"What's your point Buttercup? The only thing you're telling me right now is that this paranoia you guys are having needs to STOP! Do you even know why I went to Boomer? Because he understands what it's like to have siblings who don't listen to you. Who think you're the baby, that you're too–" she paused as if in disgust at the word.
"–STUPID to comprehend what's going on!"
By now the tears were starting to drip down in streams. Okay I really went too far this time.
"Okay Bubbles, okay! Look I'm sorry—"
"—Well I am not stupid." She whispered approaching me "And the only thing I'm seeing right now is this family tearing apart. And the only people you'll have to thank are yourselves." She started to leave in the same direction as Boomer, not a good sign.
"Where are you going Bubbles I came to take you home–"
"–What home!?" she shrieked. "Whatever home you're talking about…"
She shook her head in disappointment. "It's not there Buttercup. And it won't be there unless we fix this"
-Butch-
…
Right underneath the floorboards…There it is…Perfect…
Wait…wait a little longer…when the time is right…
Then we Strike…then we Conquer…
…
The next morning
-Brick-
I woke up to what sounded like someone ripping through the house. As if we needed more of that happening too!
But at the same time it wasn't like I got much sleep anyway. I haven't seen Butch ever since that fight yesterday. And I just had a rude awakening to come back to that problem.
He needs space. Just to blow off some steam is all.
But this seems…different. He's never been gone this long, and in a city this large, he could be anywhere at this point. Then there's that meeting with Pinky, should I even go? Is it some trap?
I knit my eyebrows in frustration. This is for another time. The ripping noise hasn't left since I woke up, which is another sign of more bad news.
I swear to God if someone throws a car at me… "Butch? Boomer?" But instead of a car I get a plank of mahogany wood spiraling to my face before I whisked out of the way in time, only to find another plank of wood flying two feet next to me, and another following that one.
"What th–Boomer aren't you supposed to be cooking breakfast?" Breakfast shouldn't be the first thing on your mind when you see your brother tearing through the floorboards, but still.
"Oh my God…" he murmured. He looked like a crazed maniac searching for his stash. The blonde locks that usually fell down his face twisted in every direction imaginable, which gave a better look to his ashen white face and gaping eyes, almost black as coal.
It was all I could do to keep myself from slapping the kid and yelling at him to get his shit together. Because the last thing I wanted to do was actually ask Boomer what's wrong. God knows I can't handle more bad news.
"…Boomer?" For a long moment he looked ahead at the fireplace before turning back at me with a blank face, like someone who just realized he forgot to put out a fire at the sight of a burned out kitchen.
"Yeah, uh, change of plans. The Trans Ray…it's gone."
And just like that everything that was remotely important slipped away. The Transmutation Ray, something that can control fucking matter, is now in the hands of my sociopathic brother, who is currently being controlled by an imprisoned, pissed off, sociopathic GOD.
"Butch must've taken it while we were asleep." Boomer mumbled to himself. Telling by the look on his face he knows exactly how much shit we're in now. The rest of the conversation (pretty much Boomer talking to himself) went on in a blur while I dropped onto the nearest chair, unsure of what to do with myself.
"He's working for Him now…"
"He left us…"
"He could be giving it to Him any second now…!"
"W…what happens now…What..what do we…"
"We?" I scoffed. "The second Butch goes to that military base…"
If only Boomer knew. I wish I order him around like he's hoping I will, that there's something we can do, but at the point, this late into knowing…
"we're screwed."