𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗼 Shorts

♔ DtM x OC - 2

DENNIS

The mega mall was huge. All glass and steel and coloured lights, it looked like something out of a movie. That is to say, cool.

The two bouncers on the door were welcoming people in pretty stiffly, and Curly and Pie-Face ran in ahead of me.

"Welcome. To the mega. Mall."

"Have a nice. Shop."

"Everyone. Is welcome. Except you."

The bouncer on the left stuck out his arm lightning fast and I almost skidded into it.

"And what's wrong with me?" I asked shortly, glaring between the two.

Don't they know who I am?

"No. Dogs. Allowed."

I folded my arms indignantly. "I'm not a dog!"

"That's. Debatable. But that. Definitely is."

I turned around and my shoulders sagged when I saw Gnasher bounding towards me.

"You can only. Come in. If you leave that. Outside."

What's more important? A boys best friend, or a new shopping mall?

It didn't take me long to decide. Gnasher's puppy-dog eyes get me every time.

"You can keep your rotten mall!" I turned away dismissively. "Come on Gnasher, lets go hang out around the small shops."

I only glanced back once, longing tugging at me. It looks so new and exciting...

I tried not to think about what I'm missing out on. Perhaps Curly and Pie-Face will pick up a new mega blaster for me.

The streets were oddly deserted. A plastic shopping bag blowed down the street, and nearly all of the cars were gone.

As we walked, I noticed most of the shops had their metal grills pulled down over their glass fronts.

Gnasher began to whine.

The stationers was open (run by old Mrs Wilcott) but I didn't fancy trawling through books. Similarly, the library's doors were ajar, but from the looks of things it was more of an accident than an invitation; not a soul stirred inside.

Finally, we came across a shop worth going into. Beanotown Bakery's door wasn't open, but the window was, and enticing sweet smells curled around me like they were beckoning me inside.

The girl at the counter looked up sharply as Gnasher and I walked in, a tiny bell heralding our entry. She was in the process of eating a triple chocolate muffin when we arrived.

She placed it down reverently and wiped her hands on her red apron. Her red nail polish almost blended in.

"Dennis," she greeted, a little clippedly. "Didn't you want to go to the mega mall?"

I smiled ruefully and glance down at Gnasher, who already had his paws up on the glass and his eye on the goodies. "They won't allow dogs," I explained. "Can I have a donut?"

She glanced outside and took in the deserted street. "Sure. I don't think we'll get anyone else in today."

She took out the tongs and smoothed her long hair over her shoulder. She dropped my donut into a paper bag and held it out to me - was that holographic red nail polish?