Off Her Joy (A We Happy Few Self-Insert)

Making Tracks Through Maidenholm

Once through the vent, Victor and I found ourselves in another longer storage room, though it was more like a hallway with another door at the end. We opened the door and stepped inside, met with a...small house? There was only one room, partially separated with a countertop of sorts. A bed, wardrobe, dresser, TV, sofa, and other different pieces of groovy décor sat around in different spots. Right near the bed sat the pneumatic stash that we'd put our things into.

Hurrying over to it, I opened it and prayed that my things were all still inside and undisturbed. Thankfully, they were.

Putting my bag over my shoulder and placing all the new useful treasures I'd found inside, I turned to Victor who had flopped down onto the bed and stretched out. A sign above the bed read 'Cozy Cottage'. This seemed to be a place for newly-rehabilitated wellies to stay for the night in order to avoid breaking curfew if they went through the rehabilitation process at a later hour. Fortunately for us, the clock read 2 P.M. and so we had to make the most of our daylight.

Which meant that Victor wouldn't be able to nap.

"Get up, we've got to go. I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to."

"Aww, come on...just a little nap? You can sleep on the couch if you want, but the bed is mine and girls have cooties, therefore I don't want you cuddling with me."

"Rude, not that I'd want to be next to you either. Boys smell."

He let out a long sigh and a groan, before stretching again and begrudgingly getting up.

"Fine, but you owe me a nap. Let's go."

Through the next door we went, being greeted by yet another constable. Didn't these guys have anything better to do? Weren't there damsels in distress somewhere?

Other than me, of course.

The bobby didn't say much, only reminding us about the curfew and not behaving like a downer would. He ushered us down another tiny, cardboard street of Hamlyn Village, to another elevator. Once inside, the doors slid shut and Victor pressed the button, sending us to the very top floor. The doors slid open and Victor and I stepped into a brightly lit room. The place was very well-decorated, with balloons and crepe paper and confetti everywhere. A crowd of wellies stood on either side of the lit red carpet in front of us, roped off with pretty velvet ribbons adorned with more balloons. And right in front, above the door sat a beautiful heart-shaped sign that read 'Welcome Home'. Classy music played from some unseen speakers as we walked through the room, being showered with confetti and compliments. The wellies clapped for us, even offering us flowers.

"Oh, isn't this wonderful?!"

"I can't remember the last time someone came through!"

"Welcome back to civilization!"

We waved to them, before reaching the last door.

Finally, we left the room and stepped back outside, now on the outskirts of Maidenholm.

I had to admit, I wasn't too thrilled about being back in the village. Things felt so much more tense than before, and I found my eyes constantly scanning my surroundings on high alert for threats and possible escape routes or weapons. We began making our way towards St. George's Holm, and I hoped there'd be no more interruptions or distractions from here on out. We had a job to do, and we didn't need any more annoyances crossing our path.

Apparently, I had thought too soon.

"Jada! Oh, there you are! I've been looking for you all week!" An enthusiastic voice rang out from across the colorful street.

"Oh for fuck's sake! What is it now?!" I threw my hands up in defeat, turning towards the interruption. A smaller, thinner man stood on the sidewalk, waving excitedly at me.