Those In The Forest

Part 49: Rose

"Why is it so fucking loud?" I grumbled, trying my hardest to avoid covering my ears.

          My mates and I cringed as we walked into the mall. Our sensitive hearing was overloaded with loud conversations, squawking feet, and a place that was bright and unbearable, with small children running around. Reagan said it was called an arcade, and it looked like the most overwhelming place to be in here.

          Bryce laughed at our struggle. "Is it really that loud? I usually drown everyone out when I come here," she said easily.

          I wish I could do the same.

          Today had already turned to shit the moment we walked into that witch's shop. She knew things. Things that could impact our future, but she was a bitch and decided to torture us with half ass information.

          Reagan put her hands in her pocket and looked at the large map that was in the middle of the mall.

          "What do you need from here so we can go." Ivy groaned.

           We were all with her. This is hell.

          The humans also kept looking at us. I couldn't quite read their expressions, so I'm unsure why they were so interested in us, but it was just as irritating as the sounds.

          "You four can't go with me, actually," Reagan said, turning back to us.

           We all kind of froze.

           "What do you mean?" Iris asked quickly. "We have to."

           Bryce frowned. "Why do you have to? She is her own person." she declared.

           I had to stop myself from growling at her. I'm aware Reagan is her own person, but Byrce is unaware of our way of life, and we can't really tell her either. Fuck we look abusive. I sighed.

          "Where do you want us to go while you... shop?" I grit.

           My mates turned to me, confused as to why I agreed when clearly it was the worst idea to let Reagan go by herself.

          "We are starting to look like coddling abusive mates to Reagan's friend. While I hate the idea of having to leave her, we have to... be human." I explained through the bond.

           They all snuffed, which made Bryvce stare at them funny.

            Reagan smiled at me. "Thank you," she said softly through the bond. "The food court is just over there. Sit. I'll be back in about fifteen to twenty minutes." She said, and Bryce grabbed Regan's hand.

          "Awesome! We'll be back!" Bryce exclaimed, and they walked away.

          We all just stood there for a minute, watching her walk away. Once she turned the corner, my entire body went on high alert.

          "Humans are exhausting," Hazel grumbled.

           I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Tell me about it."

          Iris turned in a circle, assessing the mall. "Do humans really need this much shit?"

          I looked around with her. "I can't imagine so," I replied.

          We made our way to the food court, and I felt nauseous. The food court, as Reagan called it, did not smell nice at all. We sat down, and I couldn't help but look around at the options the humans called food.