#parkapts.start

with a labored breath , maple turns , pushing the finger away and searching for the nearest exit. like a tired swimmer fighting against an ocean wave , maple is left exhausted trying to get through the frenzying crowd. when she makes it to the stairwell , the accusations and shouting ricochet off of the empty steps. “ stop , please. i don't know what to say to make it any less bad. ” she calls back , desperately , at whoever's footsteps were following theirs.

few   stragglers   were   left   behind   ,   one   including   her   own   sanity   as   rita   sat   back   against   what   remained   of   her   old   desk.   her   fingers   curled   around   the   edge   ,   nails   digging   into   the   surface   as   outside’s      pounds   seemed   to   seep   through   the   walls   whenever   it’d   been   this   quiet.   eyes   never   tore   from   the   kids   ,   shoulders   tense   as   the   cracked   watch   on   her   wrist   continued   to   tick   gently.   (   at   least   there   was   SOME kind   of   indication   of   time   passing   by.   )   footsteps   soon   catch   her   attention   ,   nails   now   scraping   against   the   surface   as   her   head   snapped   towards   the   door.   windows   were   boarded   already   ,   had   been   since   day   one   ,   and   any   kind   of   light   remaining   was   the   product   of   whatever   had   decided   to   peek   through   at   twilight.   all   tension   eases   at   the   sight   of   someone   normal   ,   someone   not   infected   ,   and   the   femme’s   eyelids   flutter   a   bit   -   a   product   of   sleeplessness   -   before   she’s   returning   her   gaze   to   the   few   kids   occupying   themselves   with   leftover   toys   in   what   used   to   be   a   reading   corner.   “   i   should   really   get   a   bell   for   out   there   ,   huh   ?   ”   it’s   an   attempt   at   soothing   the   obvious   tension   that   came   naturally   with   their   world’s   state   ,   forced   smile   proceeding   to   grace   her   lips   briefly.   “   everything   okay   ?   ”

“   listen   ,   you   didn’t   ask   for   any   advice   ,   but   my   suggestion   ?   ”   tone   remains   unwavering   at   his   approach   ,   steady   and   calm   before   his   gaze   wanders   in   the   slightest   towards   their   surroundings.   with   a   clear   coast   at   hand   ,   hobbs   returns   his   attention   to   them   before   dropping   to   a   lower   volume   when   he   speaks   next.   “   holland   used   to   be   a   fuckin’   fabric   fanatic.   if   you’re   cold   ,   her   door’s   not   exactly   gonna be locked   all   the   time   anymore.   ”   confirmation   of   the   neighbor’s   disappearance   ,   not   just   inability   to   show   up   ,   comes   through   minor   implications.   she’d   failed   to   show   up   at   their   latest   meeting   ,   even   the   morning   before   that   ,   and   it   didn’t   take   a   GENIUS   to   put   two   and   two   together.

hand   lifts   ,   finger   swiping   just   beneath   his   nose   and   across   his   upper   lip   before   his   arm   extends   to   tug   them   closer   to   a   small   nook   off   the   hallway   -   A   MOMENT   OF   SOLITUDE   WHILE   HELL   ROSE   TO   THE   SURFACE.   hobbs   doesn’t   know   what   to   say.   the   truth   ?   no   ,   fuck   that.   “   in   case   you   haven’t   heard   ,   we’re   at   the   end   of   the   fucking   world.   people   are   gonna   die , that's inevitable.   now   can   you   get   a fucking   grip   ,   please   ?   ”   totally   normal   ,   hobbs.   great   job   at   comforting   someone   else.