[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] MAYBEQUEST: PART 1

[skinstealer]

 
You keep quiet, standing in awkward silence, but that only seems to spur Nelson on to speak.
 

NELSON: I think we-

 
As Nelson pipes up, you immediately cut him off, speaking to the both of them at the same time. 
 

MAY: Does this really matter right now? 
FULLER: Yes, as a matter of fact, it-
MAY: It’s none of your f- ...none of your damn business.
FULLER: It’s my business when I have to worry about someone potentially grooming and psychologically damaging any of us, especially us maybecats-
MAY: Not the time for any of this.
MAY: We're going, why don't we just go already?
FULLER: ...fine. 
FULLER: But I don’t want anything to do with him. 

  
Nelson looks more than a little uncomfortable and confused, avoiding eye contact with both you and Fuller. You aren’t sure what to make of Fuller’s comments yourself, but something about it makes your stomach tie up in knots. 

You don’t want to think about them being right. 


 
The party stocks up on supplies, Dwayne and Chance piling up backpacks with more bandages and from the look of it, various kinds of pills. You figure they know what’s in them better than you do. 

People start filing out into the hall, but Nelson approaches as you're standing over one of the boxes.

He gets close and opens his mouth, but Chance steps between you and him, holding a backpack.
  

CHANCE: Hey, Nelson?
 

 
He holds up the pack, unzipping it to show that it was filled with water bottles.
 

CHANCE: Could you take these to the kids and check if any of them are thirsty?
CHANCE: Especially Maes, she was really sick before and I want to make sure she hydrates.

  
Nelson fumbles over his words.
 

NELSON: Oh, I...
NELSON: ...uh...
NELSON: ...Sure thing, Chance.

 
He shoots you a sad look as he takes the pack, but you pretend not to see. Chance waits for him to make it out to the hall, then turns to you.
  

CHANCE: You okay?
MAY: Why wouldn’t I be okay?
CHANCE: You seem pretty shaken up after that.
CHANCE: If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay.
CHANCE: But I’m here, alright?
MAY: ...thanks. I’ll think about it.
MAY: I gotta figure out how I feel about it to begin with. Not like I even know what to say.
CHANCE: That’s okay. Take all the time you need.

  
Chance smiles as he grabs a backpack, and makes his way out into the hall with the others. You follow suit, turning off the light behind you. 
  

  
No one speaks this time, the entire party awkward after Fuller’s outburst. The kids seem to pick up on the tension just as much, keeping close to Chance and Dwayne. Mason looks back at you every so often, and you manage a wave every time.

Without warning, the hallway lights power on.

Fuller’s fur starts standing on end, and Nelson looks like he’s going to be sick. You’re starting to panic as well, but a crash coming from the saferoom behind you gets everyone backing away. 
 

FULLER: ...run.
NELSON: What...what is that?
MAY: What’s what?! What’s happening?
FULLER: Just run, goddamnit!