THE WORLD that Hates You [MASA ZERO}

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

As soon as you hop into the hot water, you feel your mind ease.

Nostrils clear, breathing steady, a moment to really collect yourself and your thoughts...

It's clear today won't be the end of it, you're just worried what you'll wake up to now.

Why did you have to go and do that..?

You got what you wanted, right?

You didn't even have to kill the old man to do it but..

What was the point of being mislead in that case?

What was Dr. Godhead keeping in his pockets to make him a target?

Are all proxy that fucked up? Solly seems pretty normal though..

You should talk to him after this..

How is food entering and exiting this place at all if it's fake? Are we in hell? Did we do something bad? But..

It was almost entirely the rich kids and their families who dipped early, right? Did they know something was up?

We still got the internet, phonelines sorta, TV so... it's kinda like that movie, right?

The one with uh... you watched that last with your dad..

God you wish he was here right now, he went pretty early when things headed south..

You can't picture his face clearly these days though. Anytime you do it's a impression, based off one of the remaining pictures in this house more than what he looked like at the time but..

You can still hold onto how things felt. When he picked you up from school, defended you from your teachers when you got in trouble all the time..

Why did he even have a angel radio to begin with? Did he have a proxy?

Maybe that's why he would keep going out after dark...

You remember he'd wear this device strapped to his arm going out, said it would warn him when danger was coming.

No really that useful though, it always does. Hit him as hard.

At least you had time to take care of him though. He wasn't that chatty in his final days...

You cut it pretty close getting back yourself...

You hope Ono and Reyes got back home in time, at least somewhere they could hold out through the night... though..

Suddenly it makes sense how much Mr. Ono could spend the whole night roaming and helping people out.

....The fact that one of those ghouls can just crawl into someone and use their proxy like a trained hound though..

Would that happen to you if you died in the middle of the night?

What if yours got too strong? What if you're setting yourself up to be a bigger danger now?

Something for later..

Your mom had set aside your PJs for you in the bathroom, guess she figured you'd be coming home from work dirty either way.

Probably not as scuffed as you are but... you need the reminder sometimes.

You dry yourself off, get dressed and-

There's another voice outside.

???: Mmhmm, he's been such a good helper at the library lately.

Mom: I didn't know.. he still shouldn't be out so late though.

???: One of our staff had brought it up to him, it was getting a bit dark and he had apparently been out working. He was really insistent... we offer a place to sleep and hot food to folks 
who can't get back before curfew but by the time someone had set up well..

Mom: He really ran off?

???: Mmhmm.. I guess he must have not wanted to worry you with a impromptu sleepover. We're sorry about the whole situation..

Mom: Next time call me, please.

???: We will, I just happened to be in the area to address things on their behalf and well-

You make a audible creek leaning against the corner of the hall to the living room.

???: Is that him right now?

Mom: Probably. Pato! One of Mr. Ono's friends is here, Miss Reyes? I didn't know you were working at the library??

Pato: Reyes...?

[Image Description: A female anthropomorphic cat in a uniform, some kind of fancy clerk with a little hat and a waist apron against a dress looking at the viewer with a tired expression.]

You take a peek, a cat in uniform.. sure looked about Ono's age.

She's probably related to the other guy.. maybe you should ask about him.

Miss Reyes: Mmhmm! He's got good ties to the library, with most folks downtown really.. he asked me to check on you since I was in the area.

Pato: Ah.. yeah he walked me home most of the way but had to go off. He okay? It's pretty late and-

Miss Reyes: I'm sure he made it back safely, you know how he is. He's got a little magic in his sleeves..

Pato: Yeah...

Mom: I should really invite him over sometime..

Miss Reyes: Mm...

Mom: You two never-

Miss Reyes: No, not properly. Just at a distance, the staff speak well of him though like I said.

She looks you dead in the eye.

Miss Reyes: Unfortunately with what chaos happened in the area, we're going to have to ask you to avoid downtown for a bit. We don't really... well, there's a hole in the sky now. We 
don't want any of our young volunteers risking themselves.

Pato: ....What about work with uh-

Miss Reyes: Mr. Ono? That's up to him and your mom to figure out I think, can't imagine he'll have you out late right now.

Pato: He never really does...

Mom: Speaking of.. is it safe for you to drive back over?

Miss Reyes: Me? I'll be fine but-

Mom: It's past dark, I don't want you getting hurt... we have a guest room that hasn't gotten used in a bit and well..

Miss Reyes: I mean.. that depends on if your son is comfortable too.

Pato: You're close to Mr. Ono, right? Like he sent you...

Miss Reyes: In a way.

Pato: I think it's fine.

Mom: Mm.. right now all we can really do is offer each other what we can. If you'd like I can heat you up something too..

The cat pauses, expression looking unsure.

Pato: Yeah, you should eat something if you haven't..

Miss Reyes: If you're sure, I can just head straight over to the guest room after if you want me to not intrude on your evening.

Mom: Mm, you're welcome to talk a bit over the table but..

Miss Reyes: We'll see, I'm pretty tired admittedly..

Mom: Up to you. Pato?

Pato: Tired too..

Mom: See how it is.. I'll be up if you wanna squeeze in some tv. Still have time to figure it out.

She gets up and makes her way over toward the kitchen.

Mom: You both can settle on the couch if you'd like, or take it to your rooms. Can tell none of you are up for the table much...

Pato: Yeah..

Miss Reyes: I don't mind but I'm really trying to keep myself minimal here today..

Mom: Give me a sec to get food going then.

---

This is not a interactive project.

You have a moment alone with Miss Reyes.

Solly is online.

You have a good 3 minutes of your mom heating things up to figure out what's up.