this is not a dream

“Ugh, there was a reason I dropped out of high school. Why did I think this was a good idea? Maybe I can get the classes for tomorrow canceled.”

“Hypothetically...how would you get class canceled?”

Lachesis let her eyes slowly slide up until they met Barrel’s. This wasn’t what she wanted to be dealing with right now. “What’s it to you? Just let the crazy girl be crazy.”

“No. I don’t feel like it.” Barrel says with a blank expression. “Fucking tell me or else. You don’t want me to get pissed, trust me.”

“Nothing.” He said sneering right back before rolling his eyes. “Nope. You really think a one word answer is worth it?” Nuka pushed himselfoff the wall and started to walk away.

 Barrel follows. This guy was starting to piss them off.“And uh how do you know I’d give one answer? For a cigarette I’ll give you a fucking speech if you really want it. And I don’t normally ask so you should consider yourself fucking lucky.”

Lachesis had found herself feeling empty since Clotho left. There was an overwhelming weight that had fallen upon her shoulders. She felt hopeless. Hearing the door to her hiding spot open immediately caused her anger to flourish. “Go away, I don’t care what you want or why you’re here. Leave. Is that clear enough for you?”

Barrel stares long and hard at the girl. She didn’t leave Barrel alone when they wanted it. So why should Barrel? “The fuck is your problem, crazy? You look more unhinged than normal.”

“Alright. Humor me and answer this dumb question I have for a stupid paper?.” Nuka asked blowing out a puff of smoke as he casually leaned against a wall.

“What the fuck do I get out of that?” Barrel sneers. “Give me a cigarette and maybe I’l humor you.”

Persephone’s now purple lips turned to a frown, “I’ll let you take as many pictures of me as you want but please help me out. I can’t feel my hands”

“Do you not get it, chick? I don’t want to take pictures of you alive!” They roll their eyes. “I’ll help you if you can convince me to save you.”

“H-Hello? P-Please if someones there… P-please h-help. The waters f-freezing.”

“That sucks. Picture looks good still. I prefer of one as you freeze though.”

It always showed when Victor was in need of a break. His constant obsession with perfection made it impossible to sleep or really do anything but work when he was on a project. But when he nearly collapsed on all his notes he finally gave in. “I think it’s about time I get a coffee.” He mumbled. “Actually… what day is it?”

“It’s Monday. How long have you been in here? You smell like shit and this place looks horrible.” Barrel looks around. “What are you actually working on?”

His body tensed at her words. It wasn’t being a victim of a prank that really concerned him. It was more about how he’d react if caught off guard. He did enough damage just from being awoken from a nightmare. Who knew what he would do if someone tried to play a prank on him. “I’d strongly advise against that.” He said, taking on a more serious tone.

“As much as I asked for your advise, I am going to be pranking.” Barrel wasn’t the smartest. It probably wasn’t a good idea to brag about their pranks, but they couldn’t help it. “You can’t stop a prankster from pranking.”

“I do not like people nearly enough to be this good at my job.”

“Then quit. We will all be better off.”

Esme was perched outside on one of the picnic tables, sitting on the table part with her feet on the bench. She had chosen a less popular area to avoid bothering too many people as she performed mainly for herself. She held a guitar in her hands and started strumming a bit before she started singing along.

“Far over the misty mountains cold, To dungeons deep and caverns old, The pines were roaring on the heights, The winds were moaning in the night, The fire was red, the flaming spread, The trees like torches blazed with light.”

Barrel stops in front of the singing girl,half tempted to smash her guitar. “Can you shut up? What is with these music people singing outside all day long....” They roll their eyes. “You’re not that impressive.”

As the scenario started to unfolded laughter began to trickle out of her mouth like worms from damp soil. This was the stuff the voices lived for, the worse it got then the more fuel they received. Lachesis kept her eyes on the other while she was completely unfazed by the entire ordeal. “So? The voices said it was a good idea so I did it. They’re really smart, they know what’s best for me.” A switch began to happen, much like Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde. Her mind was starting to blur with the input of the ever-lurking peanut gallery stored in her mind. “Someone’s got a little temper. Whatcha gonna do? Hit me? Go ahead, do your worst.”

“The voices? So you’re fucking loony?” Barrel gritted their teeth. They didn’t like that laugh. In any other situation, Barrel could imagine that laugh to be beautiful or something of the sort. But at them? Not even a little attractive.Barrel wasn’t much of a thinker, but the moment she asked them if they were going to hit her their one hand was around the girl’s throat while the other shoved her against the dirty wall. Barrel’s dysphoria had many forms, and sometimes it was whispers. They didn’t like having shit in common with someone else. And they were so upset they didn’t know what they were capable of at the moment. All Barrel saw was red and this girl’s eyes and her laughter.”Do you like pain, doll?”