A Glitch In The Circus

Remember

It's now the VERY next day after the previous chapter. Zooble, Ares, Gummigoo, Pomni and Ragatha are standing at the railing on the floor with the player's dorms. looking down in shock. As an Abstraction whooshes past the screen, which is actually running around down on the ground floor, the holes being fixed by now.

Ares: Oh. Jax....

Everyone looks in concern and horror as the beast growls, glitches, and storms about. However, the croc seems to have a hollow look in his eye, as if he were gutted emotionally. He says nothing as he silently walks away, pulling his hat down over his eyes. Pomni tries to go after him, but Ares grabs her shoulder.

Ares: Let him be. This is... hard on him, especially.

Ragatha: *concerned* What do we do now...?

Zooble: What CAN we do?... *frustrated* Of course he'd do this! Of course he'd wait until there's nothing we could do about it! That's just so... God dammit, Jax.

The triangle head turns around and walks toward the wall behind them before punching it. They then walk to Gangle, who is sitting against the wall with a sad expression, and sitting down next to her.

Gangle: *whispering* ....I'm sorry...

Zooble: For what?... It's not your fault.

Gangle: But... Why can't I cry for him?

Back with the others...

Ares: Alright... Jax Abstracted and... *writhes and cringes* I hate it, it's so gross!

Ragatha: Ares-

Ares: I'm sorry, but I do! *shivers* Urgh, he's all squirmy and lurchy and- Oh, god, I hate how it walks!.... Okay... Okay, I'm fine now.... *to Pomni* You guys know this better than me. What's the game plan?

Pomni: Usually, Caine just throws him in the Cellar, but now with him gone... I suppose we should try coming up with a plan to keep him contained.

Ragatha: You know... I always thought it should have been me.

Pomni: Don't say that!

Ragatha: We were friends once. I mean... sort of friends? As much as friends as anybody could have been with Jax. We could talk to each other, at least... But then... what was it? Something like... The Snowy Summit. I can't really remember... Something happened between him and... her. And... *starts sobbing* Ribbit. Her name... was Ribbit.

Pomni: Yeah. Jax told us about them. I think I remember you mentioning her before during that whole thing with Abel. *to Ares* The... The FAKE Abel, I mean

Ragatha: I wasn't supposed to. After Ribbit was gone I- I tried to comfort him. He told me to never mention Ribbit's name again. He made me promise... and I did. I think that's where our friendship really... Finally ended. I wonder if things would have been different if I had said no. It was... It was so hard for me. I still don't know why I did it. I... I just wanted him to know he wasn't alone. That I was there for him. And I guess I just didn't wanna lose any more friends. *laughs sadly* Shows what I know, huh?

Pomni: Ragatha, even before we found out the truth about each other, you were the first real friend I made here. And despite all that's happened... I still consider you one of my closest friends.

Ragatha: ...*smiles small* I'm glad we're still frie-

Pomni suddenly hugs Ragatha. Ragatha looks shocked, then starts crying and hugs Pomni back. They hug for a while, the screen turns partially reddish. During their embrace, they move their hands a few times.

Ragatha: What are we gonna do?

Pomni: *sobbing* Make sure Gangle and the others are okay. They need someone like you right now.