Two Rattatas play in a nearby dumpster while Ava trudges through the dull alley with her arms crossed. Why is it so cold?
("I don't like cutting you hair. Makes me feel like you don't want to be my child" Nancy snips at Ava's hair, each snip like a flicker of light in the darkness of the silence.)
Why do I feel so weak? Every Step is so difficult; and all my mind can do is just reference back to back then.
(Alain steps through the kitchen door, stripping their black school blazer as she tiredly step through the door frame. "Well I'll be, I didn't think you'd actually cut Ava's hair." Alain digs in her pocket before pulling out some paper dollars.
Nancy looks wide eyed as Ava takes the money with an palm. "Told ya. Aevia and Ariana wouldn't unless they had too."
The mother playfully pouts. "You girls are no fair."
"You do know I style hair too right?" Aero peeks from behind the fridge door.)
Ava waits a few seconds tapping her fingers on her thigh as she hears the occasional light chime. Why can't she hurry up!-
("Hurry up Ava!" Aevis shouts as Ava and Axel lag behind.
"What about me?!" Axel questions with a tired smile.
"What about you? I told you, you'd slow us down you sack of bones!" Ariana peers her head over the small ridge. "Plus you're piggy backing on Ava!"
"I can... I can handle him." The intersex student struggles while Axel locks himself on her stomach.
"Aevia and Ava's mom is going beat the shit out of you when they find out. I don't think Alain will even get the chance." The young brown skinned girl nods in agreement.)
-It only gets colder the longer I stay out here. Ava's breathing becomes more and more labored as the cold sets in; the whir of the A.C to her own heartbeat slowly deafen until all she can hear is Nancy's voice-
("Ava, get out of here! Have a life! Make friends! Don't come back or look for me! And remember that I love you!")
-over the creaking metal and distant beeping.
Ava takes out her pokegear. "Huhmm, thanks." She simply turns back to the broken door and gets to marching. Could I just call her and go back to the Vasile's? I mean surely-
(I need to find mom, then we can get out.)
-The world seemingly coils around her heart, the empty stairwell homing a strange comfort. -.… how well did that work out? I lost her, I lost Melia, I almost fucking died twice "TWICE!"
"A job."
(Nancy fixes Ava's hair while Alain holds the mirror. "'For it is through that pursuit of hope that opportunity will show it's path.' End quote."
"So that's the original quote? I haven't been able to find it anywhere in the school readings."
Alain smiles.
"Well it is an old book, and an even older play. Its been rewritten through so many generations I doubt that even those where the original words." Nancy does a few more sprays before stepping away from Ava's hair. "Let the chemicals rest before you rinse your hair."
"Thanks mom. My hair will finally recover!")
Ava starts heading for the exit. "We can talk about it later."