505 went on ahead and pulled the food he prepared earlier out of the fridge. Knowing Dementia and Melanie's current situation, he hoped things didn't get too chaotic.
Dementia was already at the table in the kitchen area, but upon seeing Melanie, she jumped out of her chair and shrieked, "What is she doing here?!"
"Nice to see you, too," Melanie muttered under her breath.
"Melanie is here to have lunch with us," Flug said rolling his eyes. "Do not try to kill her again or you will be locked up. Do you understand me?"
Dementia crossed her arms, plopped back in her chair, and sulked.
"So, you both live and work here, huh?" Melanie asked. "Do you never go outside? That's so depressing."
"Well, 505 takes Dementia on walks around the island sometimes," Flug said sitting in his chair. "And we have Hat Bots to get things for us."
"But neither of you have a life outside this place. Do ya?" Melanie asked.
"Our lives take us to more places than you think," Flug said defensively. "Other towns... dimensions, maybe through time…"
"I've heard," Melanie said unimpressed before turning to 505. "Hey, 505? Could you make some sandwiches to-go? I'd like to eat in the videogame room…"
"I'm guessing you did this at home as well, huh?" Flug interrupted.
"What are you talking about?" Melanie asked.
"You separate yourself from your family, even at home, to avoid them," Flug said.
"I eat dinner with them," Melanie replied defensively.
"Then, you shouldn't have any problem eating in here with us," Flug said as he stood up and pulled a chair out at the head of the table for Melanie to sit at. "Besides, Black Hat hates it if food gets spilled in other rooms."
Melanie rolled her eyes and reluctantly sat down in her chair.
"Not used to eating at the table, are ya?" Dementia teased.
"My parents are only home for dinner and on weekends," Melanie replied. "I don't need to be."
"Still, rules are rules," Flug said returning to his chair. "And no messing around, Dementia."
"I make no promises," Dementia said.
Melanie either stared at her phone or looked back at 505 as he finished preparing the chicken caesar salad. She tried her best not to look back at either of the other people at the table.
"So, how do you like it here, Melanie?" Flug asked.
"The best thing about this place is 505," Melanie replied looking back at the bear putting the final touches on the salad. "I love 505 so much."
505 smiled back at Melanie and made a heart symbol with his hands to show he loved her back.
"Hmph," Dementia grumbled. "That bear?"
"Oh, yeah," Melanie began looking back at the two other diners. "He's the best part about this place by far. I'm glad we're social media and texting buddies now. 505 will be the only part about this place that I miss when I go home in the morning. But you two, I don't mind not seeing."
505 then carried out the salad. He served chicken Caesar salad in Melanie's bowl and poured water in her glass.
"Thanks, 505," Melanie said.
505 answered her with a few positive grunts and watched her take her first few bites before going on to serve everyone else.
"Well about that…" Flug began nervously.
"What?" Melanie asked between bites of her salad.
"Well, your parents are willing to do whatever they can to help you," Flug explained. "So…Black Hat is gonna recommend that we are put in charge of your re-education. In other words, you might be staying here a bit longer than we thought."
Melanie froze in shock. Her mouth fell open, her fork fell in the bowl, and angry tears formed at the corners of her eyes. It took another moment for her to find the wherewithal to speak.
"WHAT?!" Melanie spat out. "No! No! NO! I'm not living here! There's no way in hell! You can't do this!"
"Well, it's not up to me," Flug replied calmly. "It's up to your parents, but considering your case, Black Hat might insist."
"Que?!" Dementia yelled finally recovering from her own shock. "I don't want that little brat of a traitor living here! On the other hand, though..."
"No!" Flug said. "You can't mess with her!"
"Then what are we going to do with her all summer?" Dementia complained.
"We're going to show her how to be a villain," Flug said smugly.
"Like Hell!" Melanie yelled from her seat. "I will never be a villain!"
"Fine with me," Dementia said with a wicked giggle. "I like destroying heroes."
"You won't destroy me," Melanie said as bravely as she could.
"Melanie, if Black Hat decides it, you will be staying here until you go back to school whether you like it or not," Flug replied sternly.
"You won't change me," Melanie snarled angrily.
"We'll see about that," Flug said adjusting his goggles menacingly.
"So, she's a hero?" Dementia asked. "Does that mean I can destroy her?"
"No!" Flug replied in frustration. "Now, stop asking!"
"You're both idiots if you think I'm going to go along with this!" Melanie yelled as Dementia sulked in her chair.
"Well, from my observations, we never thought you'd going along willingly," Flug replied calmly.
"Good," Melanie said angrily.
"Well, if you refuse, I can't say what will happen," Flug began calmly. "Worst case scenario, you'll be sent to Black Hat's Institute, and if that doesn't do anything. Well... No one under the organization can have heroic children and the fault usually falls on the parents…"
"You wouldn't dare!" Melanie cried angrily.
"Well, you will or you will never leave this island ever again," Flug continued just as calmly and threatening as before. "It's up to you."
Melanie sat back in her chair and stared at her plate feeling all the color flush from her face as the tears began flowing down her face.
505 saw the tears and tried to approach her, but Melanie grabbed her bag and bolted away from the table.
505 whimpered for a moment before running after her.
Flug sighed deeply as he went back to eating his salad in silence while Dementia continued to sulk.