?MoonShell?

This chapter will be from Shelly's POV, focusing on her thoughts, her decision to stash the ichor, and the weird feeling creeping up on her.

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Chapter 5 – A Fortune or a Curse?

(Shelly's POV)

As the elevator doors slide open, I step into the lobby, clutching my overflowing stash of ichor.

Shelly: "Okay, yeah... now that you put it that way, Astro, this is kinda creepy."

Astro crossed his arms.

Astro: "Took you long enough to realize."

I frown.

Shelly: "I mean, come on! We've gotta be super, super lucky to find this much ichor in one run! That's gotta be it, right?"

Astro gives me a look.

Astro: "...Yeah. Sure. Luck."

His voice is flat. Well.. he's just being protective!

Okay, okay—maybe it's suspicious. But also, we just got so much ichor! Imagine the things I could buy!

Shelly: "I'll just, y'know, stash most of it in my room so it's not super obvious. I'll just take a little bit with me to the mall!"

Astro hesitates.

Astro: "I dunno, Shelly..."

Shelly: "Oh, c'mon! What's the worst that could happen? It's just ichor."

Astro sighs.

Astro: "okay... Do what you want. I'll wait here."

I smile, hugging my ichor like it's a pile of treasure.

Shelly: "Be right back!"

I happily skip away towards my room.

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Shelly's Room – The Feeling Sets In

As soon as I enter my room, I kick the door shut behind me and dump the ichor into the corner.

Clink. Clink. Clatter.

It glows faintly..

I step back, hands on my hips.

Shelly: "Hah! There we go!"

I feel weirdly proud looking at it.

All this ichor... all mine.

...

Then, a shiver runs down my spine.

I freeze.

The room suddenly feels... off.

I glance at the pile again. It's just sitting there. Doing nothing.

But I can't shake the feeling that it's watching me.

I shake my head, laughing nervously.

Shelly: "Okay, nope! Not doing this. It's just ichor! I'm just being weird."

I quickly grab a small handful—just enough for shopping—and step away from the pile.

...

Before I leave, I glance back one last time.

Something about it feels wrong.

Like I just invited something in.

I swallow hard.

Nope. Not thinking about it.

I turn away, shut the door, and head back to Astro.

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Back at the Lobby – Off to the Mall

Astro is leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking half-bored, half-suspicious.

Astro: "Took you long enough..."

Shelly: "Well, I had a lot of ichor to organize, okay?!"

Astro shakes his head.

Astro: "Whatever you say, Shells."

Shelly: "Anyways—I'm ready! Let's head into town!"

Astro sighs, pushing off the wall.

Astro: "Alright, let's go.."

As we step towards the exit, I feel that same weird chill crawl up my back again.

Like I'm being watched.

I ignore it.

Whatever it is, I'm not gonna let it ruin today.