Bad Hair Day

''( TW- mentions of blood and gore and ~~old lady violence~~)'' I sit on the bus, a sigh escapes my lips. Another day, another person trying to tell me my worth. I lean my head against the back of the seat when I hear a voice beside me. "Miss, your hair is beautiful!" The voice exclaims. "Oh, thank you," I look over. A sweet, older lady peers at me through glasses that slightly slide down her nose. Her own hair, curly and graying, is pulled back into a high ponytail. She's wearing a bright pink shirt, with a white jacket and white pants and black wedges to pull it all together. Honestly she didn't look to be too far past sixty. "What kind of products do you use?" She asks. "None really," I reply. "Wow! May I touch it?" She smiles, and reaches a hand out before I can reply. [[Let her touch your hair.]] [[Flinch away.]]

The woman gently strokes my hair. "//Wow//," she says again. "You know, I used to work as a hairdresser in Hollywood and I knew a girl with hair just like yours." [["You worked in Hollywood?"]] [["Oh. Cool."]]

The woman (either:"smiles harder","ignores my reaction","grimaces") and touches my hair anyway. "Wow," she breathes. "You know, when I worked in Hollywood as a hairdresser way back in the day I knew a girl with hair just like yours..." [["Hollywood?"]] [["Oh. Cool."]]

(set: $name to (prompt: "What's your name?", "name")) "Yep!" The lady laughs, a light, melodic sound that slightly puts me at ease. "That was, let's see... I retired just ten years ago, right on my eighty-eighth birthday." She laughs again as my eyes go wide. "You don't look ninety-eight," I whisper. "Why, thank you, Miss," she holds out her hand. "I'm Charlotte, your name?" [["I'm (print: $name)."->My name is]]

The woman's smile (either: "falters","drops") and she frowns, her voice going cold. "That's the problem with you children these days always acting like you're grown, too grown to show your elders respect." She reaches pass me and stands as the bus pulls up to the next stop. "Good day," she says to the bus driver before getting off. [[You lived.]]

(set: $name to (prompt: "What's your name?", "name")) "Yep," the lady shrugs as if that's the most casual thing in the world. "That was, let's see... ten years ago, directly on my eighty-eighth birthday." "You don't look ninety-eight," I say. "Thank you," she holds out her hand, "You can call me Charlotte or Char, your name?" [["I'm (print: $name)."->My name is]]

Congrats, you lived. Even though you had to be rude to an old lady to do it, but you lived. "//Lived through what?//" You might ask- hop on the [[Bus]] again to find out.

"(print: $name), what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl such as yourself." Charlotte sighs wistfully and turns away for a moment, only to turn back a second later, her face split in half by her grin. "You'll have to forgive this old hag for feeling nostalgic, might I ask you for a favor?" [["Of course."]] [["What kind of favor?]]

"Would you mind coming down to my house one day so I can do your hair? It'll be free of charge, yes ma'am, just think of it as a favor to a friend." Charlotte looks at me expectantly, an almost desperate plea in her eyes. I find myself nodding along. [["I'd love to!"]]

"Not a terribly big one, all I ask is that one day you come down to my salon- well, it's less of a salon and more of a special room in my house, but all I ask is that you come over and let me do your hair free of charge. What do you say?" Charlotte looks at me expectantly, an almost desperate plea in her eyes. [["No thank you."]] [["I'd love to!"]]

Her face lights up and she reaches into her purse, rumaging around in order to find something while muttering to herself a few choice words. "Now where did I put my... darn it... here? No..." Finally she pulls out a small piece of paper, once she hands it to me I realize that it's a hand made business card written in nearly unintelligble cursive. "I don't hand those out everyday you know," she winks and nudges my shoulder. "Whenever you're in the mood call me and we'll arrange something, alright?" "Alright, sounds good to me." A week goes by and Charltte's invitation looms in the back of my mind always popping up when I catch myself losing focus, then after a particularly busy work day I decide that it's time for a change. With excitement pumping through my veins I [[dial the number]] on her business card.

Charlotte frowns, but nods in understanding. "Thank you for your time anyway," she says quietly. The rest of our ride is silent and awkward, I gaze out the window attempting to avoid Charlotte’s stare … Finally, when my stop comes I hop off, unable to shake the feeling that I’m under the scrutiny of a wrinkly pair of eyes. I spin around to watch the bus drive off, catching a glimpse of a figure in bright pink watching me. Weeks pass and I haven’t thought about my interaction with Charlotte once. I continued taking the same [[Bus]] that I always did to get home, but I never saw her again.

Charlotte picks up on the second ring. "Hello?" There's some kind of TV show playing in the background and she sounds uncharacterstically tired, not to mention annoyed. "Hi, Charlotte, remember me? (print: $name)." As soon as my name leaves my lips the line goes completely silent, as if she put herself on mute. I wait a second, chalking it up to old lady ignorance. Eventually the sound of the TV show returns. "Oh! The girl from the bus, right?" She laughs. "I thought you had forgotten all about little ol' me." [["Oh, I'm sorry."]] [["About that favor..."]]

"Oh, right. //Right//." I can hear her voice change to being annoyed again. "Do you have any dates in mind, (print: $name)?" "I know this is kind of short notice, but can I come in an hour or so?" ... There's a beat of quiet before she responds again. "By all means!" Even though I couldn't see her it sounded like Charlotte was smiling. What a sudden switch. I shrug off my paranoia and nod. "Thanks so much, I'll be [[there]] shortly."

"No, no, I'm all too happy you decided to call!" Even though I couldn't see her it sounded like Charlotte was smiling. I was glad that she wasn't mad tat it took me a whole week to talk to her again. I can't help but smile a bit myself. "So, do you have a date in mind, //(print: $name)//?" "I know it's short notice, but I was wondering if I could come in an hour or so." ... There's a beat of quiet before she responds again. "Of course you can!" She says brightly. "Thank you so, so much," I beam. "I'll be [[over]] soon!"

I arrive at Charlotte's house an hour later just as I said I would. It's a big, fancy two story white [house description] with not too many neighbors. Most of the other houses that lined the street had 'for sale' signs posted on the lawns, and the ones that didn't had a noticeable lack of cars in their yards, so I was left to assume that everyone was busy at work. I marched up to the porch, knocked, and waited for a minute. When no answer came I rang the doorbell and waited longer. To no one's surprise, after a good five minutes my impatience got the better of me. [[Call her.]] [[Sit.]]

I arrive at Charlotte's house a little over an hour later. It's a big, fancy two story white [house description] with not too many neighbors. Most of the [[other houses]] that lined the street had 'for sale' signs posted on the [[lawns]], and the ones that didn't had a noticeable lack of cars in their garages, so I was left to assume that everyone was busy at work. I gingerly stepped onto the porch and rang the doorbell. A heartbeat passes, no answer. I go to ring the doorbell again when suddenly the door swings open revealing Charlotte wearing a sleeveless, crimson dress that looked like it came straight out of a movie from the forties and a pair of matching colored gloves that went up to her elbows. "Something about you just has me pining for the good ol' days," she opens the door wider with a grin, "I have an idea in mind that I think you'll like! Do [[come in]], (print: $name)."

I call Charlotte again, it goes straight to voicemail so I call again and again and again until she picks up. "Hello, (print:$name), I'm busy at the moment, but I'll be out there in a moment." There's a scratching sound in the background. A crash. A wet crunch. "Um... Fido! C-calm down!" She hangs up before I can get a single word in and I'm left standing there, wondering if she was actually speaking to some kind of animal. A rogue tiger maybe. I huff, deciding to wait when suddenly the door opens revealing Charlotte wearing a sleeveless, crimson dress with darker shades of red splattered all over looking straight out of a movie from the forties and a pair of matching colored gloves that went up to her elbows. "Something about you just has me pining for the good ol' days," she opens the door wider with a grin, "I have an idea in mind that I think you'll like! Do [[come on in]], (print: $name)."

I enter the house, careful not to get any dirt on the pristine carpet. I sniffed the air, it smelled like bleach. "I'm so sorry," Charlotte giggles into her hand, "I just cleaned, maybe I should have laid off the cleaner..." "No, it's alright." It's not alright. The closer we get to what I assume is the kitchen the worse my (either: "eyes water", "nose burns"). My assumption was right, we enter the kitchen where all the windows are open- clearly I wasn't the only one the cleaner was affecting. "Are you hungry? I could whip you something up," she turns her back to me for a moment to rustle through her fridge, only to whip around when I approach. "Do you want anything?" She asks, warily. [["I'd appreciate a snack."]] [["I'm good."]]

Out of curiousity I walk over to a house with a 'for sale' sign sticking out of the ground. There's no phone number on the sign and from the corner of my eye I see a curtain in one of the upper rooms open slightly. Nervously I go back to [[Charlotte's yard ->over]] .

The lawns aren't in the best condition. The dirt has clearly been dug up by someone, I look around now noticing that most of the yards had been messed with. Was this the work of teenage pranks? Dogs? Jealousy? I shrug and [[pay it no mind ->over]].

I sit on a nearby porch swing, laying back on a pillow with a (either: "sleeping cat","realistic labeled pig heart","eye") lovingly embroidered on the front. I find myself nodding off for a moment after a sweet smell began emanating from the cushion I leaned my head on. //"Charlotte's perfume is really strong,"// I think as my eye lids slowly shut. [[Nap for a bit.]] [[Stay awake.]]

When I awake (either: "I realize I'm bound and gagged. Charlotte is standing over me pulling on a pair of gloves, looking like she hadn't had time to prepare for my arrival. I look to my right unable to stop a gasp from escaping my lips, at least, I would gasp if I wasn't gagged. A girl who looked terrifyingly similar to me layed in a bloody heap on the floor. Her eyes were wide and glazed over, her mouth open in a silent scream. All of her limbs had been hastily hacked off and were probably inside of the dark, plastic bags splayed out on the table across from me. I turned to Charlotte who said nothing. Did nothing. Hardly glanced at me before holding a gun up to my forehead and pulling the [[trigger->Bus]].","I'm bound and gagged in a room, no, more like a cell. The sting of Charlotte's perfume still lingers in my nose, making me question wether or not it really was just perfume. I [[look around->slam onto the floor.]].")

Determined to stay awake, I stand and walk away from the tempting chair. I lean against the side of the house when I hear it. It's soft at first. A light scratching sound, but it quickly becomes more frenzied, more panicked, like a cage animal. "Charlotte, are you there?" I call, knocking again, (either: "panic","dread","fear") edging into my voice. "Charlotte, are you ok?" The scratching sounds cut off abruptly, along with what might have been a muffled cry. I back away off the porch and begin to run, hands scrambling into my pockets to call for help. Something happened to Charlotte. She fell or someone is holding her hostage or someone broke in or- [[Bang.->Bus]]

She nods and holds up a plate, on it lays a single cupcake. "It's cherry." She says with a waggle of her eyebrows. "Oooh, my favorite." I take the cupcake off the plate and take a big bite. It //is// good, there's even jam in the center. I wasn't sure why, but there was a hint of that iron-y taste like when your gums bleed, not that I was complaining. "Enjoy, my dear," Charlotte says while setting down the plate. "Are you ready now?" I yawn before nodding. "I'm glad. Now, if you'll follow me." I follow her, stumbling down the hallway that seems to stretch on forever. I feel tired all of a sudden, I drag my feet as if they're made of concrete, I struggle to keep my eyes open. "Oh? Feeling tired already?" A voice comes from far away, no from behind me, no directly in my ear, no from above. ''No. From everywhere.'' "Looks like I'll have to drag you the rest of the way." I gasp and I'm out before I [[sink to the floor.]]

She nods. "I get it, we women have to watch our figure, but..." she holds up a plate, on it lays a single cupcake. "It's cherry." She says with a waggle of her eyebrows. "When you put it that way," I take the cupcake off the plate and take a bite. It //is// good, there's even jam in the center. I wasn't sure why, but there was a hint of that iron-y taste like when your gums bleed, not that I was complaining. "Enjoy, dear," Charlotte says while setting down the plate. "Ready for your new hairdo?" I yawn before nodding. "Great! Now, follow me to my salon." I follow her, stumbling down the hallway that seems to stretch on forever. I feel tired all of a sudden, I drag my feet as if they're made of concrete, I struggle to stay awake. "Oh no, feeling tired already?" A voice comes from far away, no from behind me, no directly in my ear, no from above. ''No. From everywhere.'' "Looks like I'll have to drag you the rest of the way." I gasp and I'm out before I [[hit the floor.]]

I enter the house, careful not to get any dirt on the pristine carpet. I sniffed the air, it smelled like bleach. "Sorry about that," Charlotte chuckles into her hand, "I just cleaned." "No, it's alright." It's not alright actually. The closer we get to what I assume is the kitchen the worse my (either: "eyes water", "nose burns"). My assumption was right, we enter the kitchen where all the windows are open- clearly I wasn't the only one the cleaner was affecting. "You hungry? I can get you something," she turns her back to me for a moment to rustle through her fridge, only to whip around when I approach. "Do you want anything?" She asks, warily. [["I'd like a snack."]] [["I'm fine."]]

I'm bound and gagged, so I squirm on the floor trying to get purchase on whatever is around me in the dark, but there's nothing. I feel nothing. I am alone. I can feel my hair pulled back into a too tight ponytail, so I guess Charlotte stuck to her word. Abruptly, out of the darkness I hear muffled sobbing. I try to call out to the person, but hardly anything gets past the cloth wrapped around my mouth. The sound comes again, more frantic, more slurred. Maybe they had eaten a spiked cupcake too? I begin to work my way over to the sound by pushing my feet against the floor, it's slow, but eventually I feel my head knock into something fleshy. "Hm?" I knock my head into it again, harder this time. A pair of hands wrap around my arms, I try to scream. Something warm drips onto my cheek, I scream until my throat gives out. The rope binding my wrists loosen before falling limply into my lap and that's when I stop trying to struggle. The sobbing person in the darkness was actually helping me. I tug off the gag, then bend down to work on my ankles. [[Help the sobbing one.]] [[Escape.]]

I'm bound by my wrists and ankles, my head has been poorly shaved, my limbs are numb, and my mouth is bleeding profusely. My tongue is also gone so there's that. I move to get the feeling back in my body when I feel something cold slip out of my fingers, I wince hoping that it wasn't what I thought it was. I squirm on the floor trying to get purchase on whatever is around me in the dark, but there's nothing. I feel nothing. I am alone. Until, from the darkness I hear muffled footsteps. A light suddenly burns brightly above me, I throw up my arms to cover my eyes. "How do you like your hairdo?" Charlotte asks, mockingly. [["What are you gonna do to me?"]]

She nods and holds up a plate, on it lays a single cupcake. "It's cherry." She says with a waggle of her eyebrows. "Oooh, my favorite." I take the cupcake off the plate and take a big bite. It //is// good, there's even jam in the center. I wasn't sure why, but there was a hint of that iron-y taste like when your gums bleed, not that I was complaining. "Enjoy, dear," Charlotte says while setting down the plate. "Are you ready now?" I yawn before nodding. "Good. Now, follow me." I follow her, stumbling down the hallway that seems to stretch on forever. I feel tired all of a sudden, I drag my feet as if they're made of concrete, I struggle to keep my eyes open. "Oh? Feeling tired already?" A mocking voice comes from far away, no from behind me, no hissing directly in my ear, no slipping into my mind from above. ''No. From everywhere.'' "Looks like I'll have to drag you the rest of the way. Pathetic." I gasp and I'm out before I [[collide with the floor.]]

She nods. "I get it, we women should watch our figure, but..." she holds up a plate, on it lays a single cupcake. "It's cherry." She says with a waggle of her eyebrows. "When you put it that way," I take the cupcake off the plate and take a bite. It //is// good, there's even jam in the center. I wasn't sure why, but there was a hint of that iron-y taste like when your gums bleed, not that I was complaining. "Enjoy, dear," Charlotte says while setting down the plate. "Ready for your new hairdo?" I yawn before nodding. "Great. Now- to my salon." I follow her, stumbling down the hallway that seems to stretch on forever. I feel tired all of a sudden, I drag my feet as if they're made of concrete, I struggle to stay awake. "Are you feeling tired already?" A mocking voice comes from far away, no from behind me, no hissing directly in my ear, no slipping into my mind from above. ''No. From everywhere.'' "Pathetic. Looks like I'll have to drag you the rest of the way." I gasp and I'm out before I [[slam onto the floor.]]

I'm bound by my wrists and ankles, so I squirm on the floor trying to get purchase on whatever is around me in the dark, but there's nothing. I feel nothing. I am alone. I begin to hyperventilate against my control when something hard and cold strikes me across the face. "Quit your whining." It's Charlotte. [["What are you gonna do to me?"]] [["I thought you were going to do my hair."]]

I'm bound and gagged, my limbs have gone numb, so I must squirm on the floor trying to get purchase on whatever is around me in the dark, but there's nothing. I feel nothing. I am alone. I can feel my hair pulled back into a too tight ponytail, so I guess Charlotte stuck to her word. Suddenly, from the darkness I hear a muffled cry. I try to call out to the person, but hardly anything gets past the cloth wrapped around my mouth. The sound comes again, more frantic, more slurred. Maybe they had eaten a spiked cupcake too? I begin to work my way over to the sound by pushing my feet against the floor, it's slow, but eventually I feel my head knock into something fleshy. "Hmm?" I knock my head into it again, harder this time. I'm kicked back. I shake off the impact only to be attacked again. The figure in the darkness slams into me, scratching whatever parts of me they can reach. I scream against my gag and try to kick back, but they're moving around so much I can't land a solid enough blow. Eventually I get enough. I pull my knees back to my chest and wait. The next time I feel something tugging at my shirt I kick at them as hard I possibly can. I cringe upon feeling my shoes make contact, even worse when I hear the gut churning [[crunch]] of a bone breaking.

"Well, normally I'd keep you alive to slowly cut off your appendages to eat, but-" Charlotte lifts a red shoulder. "You annoy me so I think I'll just kill you outright and salvage what I can for a nice sashimi." "You... you'll //what//." She doesn't respond. Instead she walks over to the table and picks up an axe. "I'll make this quick. [[Promise.->Bus]]"

"I //did// do your hair," Charlotte snaps back. "Doesn't your head feel any lighter?" I reach up to rub my forearm against my bare scalp. "Now that's mean." I whisper, too afraid to actually speak up. I don't hear a retort, just the sound of something metal clinking against something else, then footsteps approaching. I try to shimmy away to the best of my abilities. "Wha-what are you going to do to me?" A light suddenly burns brightly above me, I throw up my arms to [[shield my eyes.]]

There's a table in the center of the room. On It sat the head of a girl who looked terrifyingly similar to me. Her eyes were wide and glazed over, her mouth open in a silent scream. All of her limbs had been hastily hacked off and were probably inside of the dark, plastic bags splayed out on the floor around the legs of the table. I dry heave. "Isn't she beautiful?" Charlotte asks with a wistful sigh. "Honestly, I don't think I've ever done a cuter hair style... unfortunate good things must come to an end." "Are you going to do that to me too?" "No." She doesn't elaborate. "Feeling hungry? You've been out for quite a while." "How long is a while?" "Long enough." She doesn't care to elaborate on that either. "Hungry?" [[Nod.]] [[Shake your head.]]

I wiggle back and inch along the wall to find some way to escape as the cries become shrieks. I suck in a breath as a hand wraps around my ankle. There was suddenly a flash of light, the sound of a switch being flicked and Charlotte's smiling face standing in the doorway. "Girls, girls, don't fight!" She laughs. "You have too much in common to not get along." I look at the other girl, my eyes wideding upon the revelation that we look damn near identical. Our eyes are different colors, our face structure a little off, oh, and her nose is broken, but mostly we could be twins. The girl's face twists in disgust. "What can I say? I have a type..." Charlotte walks over to me, grabs my arms to hoist me up to my feet. For a ninety eight year old she's surprisingly strong. "I'm sorry, (print:$name), I didn't know Violet over here could be so rude. How about you come upstairs for a nice, hot meal?" [["...."]] [["..."]]

After I've undone the binds on my ankles I grope around to feel for the other person. My hands come into contact with theirs and soon enough neither of us are tied enough. "Thank you," they gasp, their voice cracking from misuse. "Run. Forget about me- I'll only slow you down. Please, just //run//." [["I can't leave you behind."]] [["No. You're coming with me."]]

Silently I stand and began feeling along the wall to find a door or window, //anything// to escape out of. I hear a sob and choose to ignore it, who knows what Charlotte'll do when she comes back? God, what did I do to deserve this... My hand wraps around a handle causing a door to swing open without so much as a squeak. I rush out, the only thought slipping around in my mind being to see the precious light of day. Something small slips out of my hair and ont the floor. It's small and white, but I choose to ignore it. [[Go left.]] [[Go right.]] [[Go down.]]

Going left is a good choice. After all, most people think that right is right so Charlotte'll think that I'll think to go right, but knowing that right is always right I'll go left but with that logic I'll go right anyway to confuse her so anyway, yeah. I veer left and am met with the sound of metal hinges snapping shut. Pain shoots up my left leg, it hurts too much to shout. If only I had stopped to help rescue the person who decided to risk their life to help me first... or maybe that's just what they want you to think. Maybe if I helped them they would've backstabbed me anyway. Oh, well, judging by those quickly approaching footsteps I should've chosen to go [[right.->Bus]]

Going right is always right so I turn that way, only to find myself lead to nowhere. I look around. There's a picture frame with Charlotte's stupid grinning face shaking the hand of a long dead celebrity. Out of pure frustration I punch it as hard I can. The frame clatters to the ground and shatters revealing a [[vent->Amog us]] behind it.

[[Lentil soup. Cabbage Patch. Sprinkles and a bit of ham.->Bus]]

I tug at the vent grate, much like the door it opened rather easily. I set it aside, then brushed my hands off onto my pants with a sigh. I managed to hoist myself up and into the tight space. Once I was nearly in there I found I couldn't move. The vent was so small half of me still hung out of it, it'd be comical if my death wasn't imminent. High heeled footsteps quickly approached. [[(either: "Well, shit.","I'm screwed.","To think I just wanted a new hairdo...")->Bus]]

"She took my leg, some teeth, and both my eyes. Trust me when I say I'll only slow you down." "But-" "We don't have time for you to play hero! You need to get out and call the police so this won't happen to anyone else." A pair of hands abruptly clamp down on my shoulders and shove me away. "''Go.''" "What-" "She. Will. Eat. You. Limb. By. Limb." That gets me going. I nod then wince remembering that my motion can't be seen. I stand and began feeling along the wall to find a door or window to escape out of. My hand wraps around a handle causing a door to swing open without so much as a squeak. I rush out, the only thought slipping around in my mind being to see the precious light of day. Something small slips out of my hair and onto the floor. It's small and white, when I look down I see that it's a tooth. I gag and run a hand through my hair, feeling that's it's been done up into an elaborate braid with teeth thrown in there like they're decoration. I decide to undo it all as I run down the hall, trying not to get sick the whole way. I make a [[left.]]

"She took my leg, some teeth, and both my eyes. Trust me... I'll only slow you down." "But-" "We don't have time for you to play hero! You need to get out and call the police so this won't happen to anyone else." A pair of hands abruptly clamp down on my shoulders and weakly shove me away. "''Go.''" "What-" "She. Will. Eat. You. Limb. By. Limb." "And what will she do to //you//?" In the silence that follows I feel around and take the person by the wrist. It's so skinny I can actually feel their bones, I supress a shudder and hoist them to their feet. Foot. "I can carry you." I pick them up fireman style and felt along the wall for a [[door.]]

I veer left and am met with the sound of metal hinges snapping shut. Pain shoots up my right leg, it hurts too much to shout. A tear falls onto my cheek as my knees kiss the cold floor. I close my eyes, too afraid to look at the mess that is now my foot. [[High heeled footsteps quickly approach.->Bus]]

[[Bang. Bang. ->Bus]]

Charlotte clasps her hands together. "I was hoping you'd say that, (print:$name)!" //~~~// I sit down to my meal with Charlotte, my gracious hostess. She sets a plate down in front of me. It's liver smothered in gravy and (either:"mushrooms","onions") with a side of baby potatoes and a crisp, white wine. I take a bite, my eyes watering, nodding along as my gracious hostess tells me about how her family practically invented [[gravy.->Bus]]

"I was hoping you'd say that." Charlotte walks over to the table and picks up an axe. "I might have to buy a second freezer..." She walks over to me and hoists it up. "W-" The last thing I see is the axe swinging down in a swift, [[painless arc.->Bus]]

"If you won't eat my meal, you will become my meal. I will only ask once more- would you like to join me?" [[Turn away.]] [[Silence intensifies.]]

"I'll take that silence as a yes!" Charlotte happily loops her arm in mine and begins dragging me out the room, away from Violet who couldn't look any more resigned to her fate. ~~~ "Wellington, my dear? I don't respond so she puts the plate down in front of me anyway. "Eat up, (print: $name)." I pick up my fork with a shaky hand and begin [[eating.->Bus]]

Charlotte comes out of the kitchen carrying a big pot. The other guests seated at the table clap for their gracious hostess. Tonight it's [[curry.->Bus]]

"I'll take that silence as a yes!" Charlotte happily loops her arm in mine and begins dragging me out the room, away from Violet who couldn't look any more resigned to her fate. ~~~ "Spaghetti, my dear? I don't respond so she puts the plate down in front of me anyway. "Eat up, (print: $name)." I pick up my fork with a shaky hand and stab it into a [[meatball.->Bus]]