Insanity

Returning to Cellous Industries

It's been a few days. Peps made me sleep in his bedroom where he keeps an eye out. But it's the day I get to go back to work. Back to the lab.

I awoke to Peps slightly shaking me. It was 5:30 am. He already got my clothes out.

"Get ready. I'm driving you to work." He'd say, rubbing my head.

I pushed the blankets off of me and yawned. I haven't woken up this early in a hot minute.

"Come on." Peps said, walking off.

I nodded and slid off of the bed. I looked at the clothing neatly folded on the end of the bed. I'd walk over. I started to unravel the bandages on my chest, but not my wrists. I lightly touched the plugs. They hurt slightly.

"Oh yeah, Coke. I've been meaning to talk to you about those." Peps said, reappearing.

I jumped slightly.

"Where did you get them?" He'd ask.

"Can I answer you later...?" I'd ask, looking at him sadly.

He nodded his head with an uneasy look.

I put on my work clothes and looked at the boots on the floor. I'd grip my chest slightly. They were still stained with oil. I stared at them.

"Coke...?"

I blinked and looked at Peps. He seemed worried.

"Are you okay? You froze up." Peps said, holding my hand.

I quickly pulled my hand out of his grip.

"I- uh-" I'd stammer. "It's fine-"

"Coke, are you ok?" He'd ask.

"I'm fine! I don't want to talk about it! Okay?!" I'd say, my voice is rising in pitch slightly.

"Ok! Ok!" Peps said, holding his hands up.

I sighed and quickly put on my boots.

"I'm sorry, Pepper." I'd say.

"You're ok..." He'd respond, walking to the door.

"I'm done getting ready for work." I'd say quietly.

"You're not going to brush your hair or teeth?" He'd ask, looking at me weirdly.

"Oh- forgot about that." I'd say, quickly walking out the door and to the bathroom.

I'd grab my brush and put toothpaste on it. As usual. When I started brushing my teeth, I stared at myself in the mirror.

There were dark circles around my eyes, and I looked very tired. My light-ish grey and pink turned darker. I also looked way thinner than I was last time everyone had seen me.

I sighed, finished brushing my teeth and brushed my metallic hair. I then walked out of the bathroom.

"You're not going to tie up your hair?" Peps asleep eyeing me with an odd look.

"I'm too tired." I'd wave.

We walked out of the house and turned to Pepper's truck. He unlocked it and walked to the driver's seat.

"Why don't we just take my car?" I'd ask.

"Because yours is too small. It also doesn't have pistols in it. Care for some target practice?" He'd smile.

I smiled, too. Been a while since we went shooting together.

We arrived at Cellous, the lab, and he parked.

"That was fun!" He'd say.

"It was." I'd respond, laughing a little bit.

His smile faded, "So- I guess I'll pick you up around 10?" He asked.