Episode 20

***Maggie***

Cyan was sitting at the kitchen table, looking for new recipes on her terminal, when Maggie came in.

"Morning, Cy."

She smiled at Maggie. "Morning, Maggie. What would you like for breakfast?"

"I think I'll wait on that. There is something I'd like to talk about, though."

Cyan put her screen away. "What's that?"

"We should try to get Collin out of the house. I know the kid is still recovering, but it can't be good for him to be cooped up in his room all day."

"I get where you're coming from, but how could we do that?"

"Maybe we could take him to the park?" Maggie asked.

Cyan raised her eyebrows. "What would he do? Unless he likes walking, that would probably be boring for him."

Maggie furrowed her eyebrows. "Maybe we can use his puppy? He seems to respond to her more than he usually does to either of us."

"Maybe…" Cyan had pressed her lips together.

Collin had his sling on when he came into the kitchen with Honey. The pair immediately went out in the backyard.

"Should we have told him it would be a good idea to put a coat on?" Cyan asked.

Maggie shrugged. "He should be fine as long as it's just long enough for the puppy to do her business."

"I don't think trying to use Honey will work." Cyan frowned. "She really seems to like the backyard."

They looked out the sliding glass door to see the boy and his puppy. The bulkiness of the cast on his arm and the sling supporting it slowed his movements, but he seemed to be playing chase with her.

Cyan smiled. "Well, at least he's smiling, so he must be enjoying himself."

Maggie laughed. "True, but the backyard is just a tiny sliver of the world. He should have the chance to experience things when he's able to."

"That will definitely be easier when his arm isn't broken. It could get hurt again if he tries to overdo it."

"What has he been doing when he's awake, anyway?" Maggie asked.

"Cuddling with his puppy or watching some kids' show after I taught him to turn on the TV."

Her jaw dropped. "He didn't know how to turn on the TV?"

"If I had to guess, he was used to using some sort of really old model."

"What makes you think that?"

"Once I got it turned on, I had to show him how to look over the shows, but otherwise, I think he likes TV."

Maggie shook her head. "What show was it?"

"I'm not sure," Cyan replied.

That was when the boy and his puppy came back inside. They went off to their room.

***

Maggie knocked before entering their room.

Collin had taken his sling off and was resting his arm on a pillow.

"Are you going to go to sleep soon?" Maggie asked.

The boy excitedly shook his head. "I'm still watching my show!"

"What are you watching?"

Collin winced he went to move his arm.

"I don't think you need both arms to take that off."

When he held the visor out to her, Maggie put it on. She then pulled up the series trailer.

Valiant Overdress? Didn't her brother have cards from it? Maybe Collin would agree to go out if she offered to buy him some.

That was when his stomach growled.

"When was the last time you ate?" Maggie asked.

"I ate when Honey had her breakfast."

Maggie gasped. "How are you not starving?"

The kid tilted his head. "Isn't it lunch time?"

"It's eight o'clock at night!" She held out his sling to him. "Come on. Let's get you something to eat."

The puppy bolted out of the room as her human got his sling on.

"Is it alright if I make something quick?" she asked. "You really should have gotten me before now."

The kid nodded.

Her brothers loved instant Ramen. Maybe he would, too.

When it was done, Maggie set the cup in front of him. "Wait a few minutes, so it can finish cooling."

The kid then preceded to burn his tongue, because he wouldn't wait.

Just as the ramen finished, Cyan came in wearing a dirty pink apron. "You're eating at this hour?"

"Yeah." Collin hung his tongue out like a dog. "Haven't eaten since you left."

Cyan glared at Maggie.

"Cy, the kid isn't that much younger than us. I figured he'd get me when he was hungry. Or least grab a snack. My brothers do and they're twelve and ten."

Cyan gave the kid a glass of water.

After he finished it, Collin grinned. "I have a little brother, too! His name is Noah!"

He was talking so fast. Maggie couldn't even understand what he was saying anymore.

Maggie sighed. "Eat your ramen!" she said before running out of the kitchen.

The boy clumsily ran after her while holding his cup in one hand. He continued rambling about his brother. Guy must've really adored the kid.

"Aw! Maggie, look!" Cyan called after them. "You're bonding with Collin!"

"This wasn't what you or I had in mind!"

***Alastair***

[Next day]

Knock-knock!

"Collin, can we come in?" Cyan asked.

Alastair said, "Open," to undo the voice lock.

"Collin," Maggie said, "it's not good to stay at home all the time. Will you go with me and Cy to the mall?"

Alastair turned his head toward the wall. He didn't really feel like doing so.

"It'd be nice if you came," Cyan said. "You know that TV show you've been watching? There's a store in the mall that sells cards from it."

Alastair groaned. It was called Valiant Overdress. That wasn't hard to remember.

Maggie turned his face toward them. "If you come with us, we'll buy you a deck from it, and maybe some extra cards if you don't complain."

"Doesn't that sound nice?" Cyan asked.

Alastair sat up and put his sling on.

"Here." Cyan handed him a white bag. "Enjoy."

Alastair grinned when he saw the waffle and proceeded to wolf it down.

Cy giggled. "The mall isn't going to grow legs and run away."

"Yeah, it isn't a mobile mall," Maggie said.

Alastair stood up. "Those exist?"

"Sure they do."

"Whoa!" He picked up his puppy. "Honey comes, too."

"Uh... Do you have a leash for her?" Maggie asked.

Alastair grabbed his jacket and flinched when he tried to put it on.

Cyan took his coat out of his hand. "Here. Let me help." She then zipped the jacket up.

Alastair smiled at Cyan. It was like having Angie around. She used to help him with things like that, too.

Alastair put his arm back in his sling. "Will you put Honey in my jacket?"

She smiled before she picked the puppy up. "Sure."

Maggie said, "You shouldn't try to put on your coat on your own just yet, Collin. Your wrist is still healing. Ask Cy or me next time. Okay?"

Cyan giggled.

"What?" Maggie's cheeks reddened.

"You have a soft spot for Collin, don't you?"

She gritted her teeth. "Shut up."

Maggie then stormed off.

When Alastair put his shoes on, he realized the laces were untied.

"Would you like me to tie your shoes?" Cyan asked.

"Please?"

Cyan double knotted Alastair's shoes. "Here. They shouldn't get untied again."

Alastair smiled. "Thank you."

Cyan shut the door behind them.

"How are we getting there?" Alastair asked.

"What do you mean?" Cyan asked.

He held out his terminal. "To the mall."

"I wanted to walk," Maggie replied. "It's a nice day to get air."

Why would anyone walk when they could teleport?

Cyan smiled. "Let us know if you need to rest."

Alastair huffed. It wasn't like he was sick. He was a way better long distance walker than En.

"Well, I love walking too!" he said, smiling. Although, he liked running more. Too bad he couldn't, thanks to his bad wrist.

'Coco, the humans just don't want your owie to get mad.'

How would walking do that?

"The mall isn't that far away. Maybe we can have lunch at the mall before we go," Maggie said.

"Maybe you'll find something else you like," Cyan added.

What more did Alastair need when he had his puppy and would get cards?