𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐗 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄.

five.

❝ Filler. ❞ : 005
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＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ 𝐏𝗛𝗢𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗫 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘 ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

AFTER HEARING THE NEWS, [Name] [Last Name] shoved the briefcase into her father's hands and ran off with the moon / the stars led her home that night. Those same stars fell from her eyes—the teenage girl had cried herself to sleep and never returned to school for the next two weeks. Instead, her days consisted of tending to costumers and continuing to do rotten work in the streets.

And whenever she had the chance, she took advantage of the opportunity by engaging in late-night drinking, sneaking out to watch her favourite bands perform, or decorating the city with her art. The moon often supported her decision as it laid atop her head while the stars twinkled to show theirs, sometimes moonlight snuck into her room and cradled her to sleep.

But one faithful night, her mother was cooped up inside the house, eating ice cream while enjoying a cheap romcom she bought from the video store down the street, and invited her to have a seat since the pizza baking in the oven was nearly done.

[Name] obligated and took a seat at the end of the couch, far away from the woman and her laughter.

"Is something or someone bothering you?" Her mother asked as she kept her eyes glued to the television set and continued taking spoonfuls of ice cream.

"No, why?" she murmured out dryly, bringing her knees to her chest then embraced them with her arms.

Her mother was not convinced. The woman glanced over in her daughter's direction with a frown, as she pushed her wispy bangs out her face and revealed the ones inhabiting her eyes.

"Are you sure?" Mari pressed, sounding concern.

However, she grew agitated and could feel her anger ignite without drawing match.

[Name] rubbed her face. Her droopy eyes burning holes into her mother's skin. "Yes, mom. I'm fine. Perfectly and utterly fine. Can I go now?"

"No." Her mother scoffed.

The woman then sent her a narrowed, dangerous look full of burning anguish and sweet sorrow.

"Look, [Name], I might not be in your personal life but I know when something's bothering you. You stay out late despite being forbidden to do so, you stay awake late night, you've been skipping school and working more at that tattoo shop and you're doing your missions quicker than usual. So tell me, what is bothering you—is it Moebius?"

[Name] titled her head to the side. Then, she asked, "What's a Moebius?"

"A gang full of dangerous delinquents," Her mother explained with a shallow tone. She fiddled with the ring on her finger as she continued. "There most recent crimes are endangering a family, robbing them, destroying property and raping a girl."

"What—"

"—so just be careful, okay?" Her mother quickly interrupted with a firm tone melting in her words. She discarded the ice cream cup and crossed her arms before continuing, "I know you're prepared to take down attackers but just in case, walk with pepper spray, a taser and a knife. I'll even send people to watch over you because I don't want you experiencing that either."

"Alright," [Name] sighed exasperatedly, nipping at the hems of her night gown and avoided eye contact. "I'll be careful."

Mari beamed at her daughter's response. Then, clasping her hands together when the timer beeped, she jumped off the couch.

"Come on now, the pizza's ready!" Mari practically squealed as she rushed off into the kitchen.

[Name] heaved out a sigh, then followed her mother into the kitchen. She went to the marble island to get a cookie, and since the island was positioned directly across from the oven—which was open because the pizza was steaming—she also had a clear view of the perfectly cooked pizza. The smell of a garlic, the molten-hot tomato sauce and the crispy crust filled the air.

She bit into the chocolate-chip cookie, smiling slightly as she eyed the pizza resting on the burners. "Smells good," [Name] then complimented.

Her mother hummed sweetly and pulled out a slice—gooey strings of melted cheese clung onto it—she later blew on the pizza to cool it quicker.

Finally, it was cool and [Name] watched her mouth take a large bit out of her slice. An approving hum soon trailed after as well as a nod.

"It tastes good too."

"I can tell."

"You can't say that if you haven't tried it yet," her mother pointed out and motioned for her to come take a slice.

"Fair point..."