Broken Together (MCYT au)

Chapter 30: In your Head

A few days passed by. The news of Iris Alloy's disappearance had spread like wildfire throughout the town. Helping the family who mourned in sadness and fear, practically a witch hunt for whoever could have been linked with the cause.

Otherwise, it was normal. Normal as life could be, she supposed. Putting the bread in the oven and waving her customers goodbye, head perking up as the bell of entrance door opened. A smile gracing her features as she looked at the woman who stood in front of her. Smiling and walking over, "oh Puffy! So happy to see you!" She grinned, watching the other hug her happily.

"Niki, I'm starving," she complained, leaning across the display counter as Niki only rolled her eyes slightly before watching the other change the sign and lock the door.

"Okay, which one? Bread, cake," Niki went on before her face lit up. "Oh! And Bad brought some of his muffins. Those always sell great," she smiled a bit, seeing Puffy nod and handing her one of the blueberry muffins as she got one for herself. They both decided to eat in comfortable silence before the taller of them spoke.

"You know, there's this weird person that always runs by," Puffy mentioned before finishing up her muffin happily.

"Most of the people are weird here."

Puffy nodded and rolled her eyes slightly. "No, but like really off. I only see them at night, and they're dressed all dark, even wearing sunglasses when it's pitch black," she mentioned, glancing out the window. "Maybe some injuries here and there, clothes ragged." Niki only nodded and listened to how Puffy described the person. Short brown hair yet decently tall, constantly wearing dark clothing.

"Next time you see them, you should bring them to the main building. Might save a life," Niki smiled softly, making her way to the door, having a small basket of bread in her hands. "I'm bringing Dream so bread, try and cheer him up!" She smiled as they both walked outside. It was already dark and Puffy couldn't help but worry about her friend venturing in the dark alone, but she had assumed it was over worrying.

She would be mistaken as she returned to the bakery, seeing a different coworker closing out the shop. "Um... where is Niki?" Puffy asked, watching the young boy shrug his shoulders.

"She didn't show up to work at all, check her house-" the male sighed, locking the door of the bakery. Puffy could feel worried in her mind, as she rushed over to find it empty, once again. Did she ever make it to their house? What if what happened to Niki was linked with Iris's disappearance. Running around and knocking on the door, watching as Bad opened the door.

"Bad! Did Niki stop by? Please say yes-" Her words came out quickly as she looked at the male with desperation, watching him shake his head. That's where her whole heart sunk, everything was fine yesterday! "She... never made it back?" Puffy could feel her entire world cave in, the silent tears streaming down her face. "Could she have-"

"Relax, the same hope with you is what we're having with Drista. They could even be together! I'm sure we'll find them," Bad tried to comfort his friend, running his hands through her white, fluffy hair.

She couldn't help but clench her fist and cry into him. "Bad, I work at the clinic! You know how many deaths are unaccounted for? How many times all we can find are the bony remains of someone's loved one? That's when we're lucky!"

"Puffy, look at me. We'll find them." Bad smiled a bit and let her cry. Let her shed those tears she needed.

Find them.

"I have to find her."

Those two words, said at the same time, on the same block. Two different people, their closest seemingly gone. Yet both determined to gather any information they could. Save them, that was the goal and hopefully, it wasn't all in their head.