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[CHP: VIII BOOK: I]

༄✦

— SPROUTS POV —

It's been two days since the incident.
Two.

Those who've needed it have had their treatments by now.. or at least the less severely injured have. Good for them, I suppose.

Almost good for everybody at least.

Poppy and Cosmo are missing.
And on top of that they pronounced ginger dead at the hospital for wounds that didn't appear to directly be from fire. The likely hood of it being debris too is about a 40% chance from what bobette's been telling me. Though they're still doing an autopsy so.. nobody really knows.
It could be debris and something else?
Either way she's keeping me updated.. and I'm thankful for it.
..Though it's only to the best of her ability that is, I mean she's grieving for fuck sake.
Who wouldn't be?
I mean, I am too.

Well-
From the searches that have happened they haven't found any evidence of remains from Poppy or cos that would provide their.. y'know.
So.. the running idea is that they escaped, and with what dandy had told me that night, Cosmo probably did just take another exit with her. The question of why is beyond me, but, he should be alive. They should both be alive.
Just.. running? Trying to figure out how to contact somebody?
I don't know..

It hurts to think about it, but at the same time it hurts to not think at all. I wanna go out there and try look for myself but Rodger told me if he found I did or do, "he'll personally make sure I have to stay indoors as a whole."
... fuck you, old man.

.. Oookay maybe not. I understand why he said it.
He cares about people — he's a family guy at heart so.. I get it. I really do.

But also come ON.

What would I, ME?? Possibly do to invade the ongoing searches as it is.
I won't! I'm not going to—!
I'm just.. looking by myself.
Yea.

...
Why does this have to be so difficult.

I sigh, staring out from the apartment window.
It's quiet for a minute,
Everything still.
.. but only for a minute.

My phone glaringly and rather annoyingly blasts out the sound of a call.
I mumble, unwillingly picking up the phone, nearly throwing it out of frustration that I couldn't open it at first.

I'd finally answer —

"Sprouuuttt.. hia."
Vanessa spoke.

St: "... oh so you're not dying anymore?? 'Yello. Welcome back to the land of the living."

Vs: "It was carbon monoxide and smoke so obviously I was out of it. YEESH. Thought you went to medical school."

St: "Yeah. I did."

Vs: "Ouch. ..... anyways just wanted to check in on you- ask you how you were?"

I blink.

St: "Peachy, 'nessa. Juuusst Peachy."

Vs: "Oh, ha-ha, seedly-dancifer."

St: "What else do you expect from me..? Imagine Shelby and one of her friends just disappeared in a fire one day and then her cousin YOU knew died on top of that."

Vs: "I'd rather not."

St: "Exactly, dumbass."

Vs: ". . .Okay but in all seriousness. Are you actually doing okay. We can come over if you need company—"

St: "I think we both know the answer to that one."

Vs: "..give me 30."

St: "Wh— I DIDN'T MEAN-"

..aaand the call cut off.
Great.
Two lesbians at my house for company.

Suppose I Can't complain, I guess,
They're my friends.
Just wish they didn't care so much half of the time.

I mean, look at me. I'm fine on my own..!
—if I ignore the mess..
And the sofa-rotting. . .

But uhm.
Other than that I'm just fine by myself.
Completely fine, even.

Yea.

I'd grumble, sitting up from the sofa properly, holding my head.
The evening of the city greets me from the window. Busy, frantic and exhausted like it normally is.
...

Where are you,
Cos?

[CHP: VIII BOOK: I — END]