One of the benefits of her mom being the owner of Fatemore Supermarket was their discounts across every store connected to the place. Butchers, Bakers and even Confectionists allowed the Barker's discounts on goods. Usually at the time candy at the local shops would sell quickly even before the fabled night. So her family would always preorder a batch weeks in advance. Specifically from a place she had been visiting since she was little.

Mr. Ginger's Candies and Confections has been around since the first buildings that would make up the current Fatemore. It was passed down from one family member to another, currently in the hands of the passed owner's wife. Wendy, unlike Cassius, had a true sparkle to her ocean blue eyes. Even when she was shorter than the counter, Wendy had a love for all her customers who entered. Kids loved her since she would give each child one free chocolate, even accommodating for the lactose intolerant. Adults loved her because the kids always behaved around her. Everyone loved her because like her husband before her she was an incredible confectionist.

Like the witch in the Candy House, except she's super nice and would rather put cookies in her oven than kids.

The store however was absent of cheerful children. Instead it was Wendy humming to herself in the back, a melancholic tune. The creaking of the floor would be quick to stop that. Stumbling out from the back she nearly tumbles into the glass display cases. With luck she avoids it but would instead fall behind it. Rising up from the counter she adjusted her hair net and cleans the sugar dust off her apron. Once she sees the freckles she is quick to realize who it was.

"Birchy!" Her arms reach over the counter and bring her into a tight embrace, "Welcome sweety! It is always a pleasure to have you. And look at you! Have you really grown so much?"

Birch blushed while playing with her ponytail. "A whole inch actually. You're the first to really notice. Thanks."

The older woman smiled with sincerity that was lacking as of late. Bringing up the order receipt she quickly runs to the back and places the huge bag of candies on the counter. The two chatted briefly, mostly about Birch's parents and her own personal achievements. Wendy is quick to reminisce on when Birch's mother first brought her to the shop. A favorite part being Birch unable to reach the candy bowl for patrons and having to be lifted by her mother. As the transaction came to an end the brightness to her began to dimmer.

"I wish there was more than just you to brighten my day. The children just seem to have lost interest in the shop." She stares into the bowl of delicately wrapped sweets, " Is my candy not good enough anymore?"

"No! The last person at fault for this is you! It's that stupid Cassius guy selling these stupid chocolate bars." She slams her fist on the wooden top. "When people eat your sweets they smile because they love it, unlike his. When I see the people eating those Bitty Bites, their smiles just seem screwed into place."

Birch pointed defiantly at the woman, "Have faith in what you make! If it kept your shop open this long, then why not even longer. This is a rough patch at worst for you so please stand strong. The community would be so much less sweet without you."

The confectionists eyes gave way to streams of tears. She yet again brings Birch into a tight hug, her arms strong from constant candy kneeding.

She sobs, "You do not know how much I needed to hear that. You are the sweetest thing in this store." Wiping away her tears she grabs a small bag from under the counter. It was tied with a pretty green bow, filled with hard candies that glimmered like gemstones. Along with gummies shaped like pumpkins and ghosts. The finishing touch being a lollipop, in the style of the first one Birch had ever received.

"Thought I would give it to you on Halloween but it seems like the right time." With that Birch says her goodbyes, ensuring she would visit her on Halloween if no one else did. Carrying the giant bag for blocks may have tired her arms like crazy but it did have one upside. Hiding her teary mess of a face from oblivious passersby.

Returning to her desolate home she makes sure to put the trick or treating pile on the counter. So with heavy feet she makes her way to her unoccupied room, falling into her bed. Eyes sore, she just closes them while getting lost in her voidlike sheets. That would be the position she would take for hours after. It was not until supper her parents went to check on her condition.

"Hey sapling, supper." He rubbed her back yet she didn't respond. "It's chinese, we got those chicken balls and ginger beef you liked." She let out a small sniffle. Before she can utter anything else she is suddenly shifted from her position into a cradle. She is met with her very worried father, with bits of the ginger beef sauce on his lips.

"What happened?" Birch remained mute for a while, but with time explains her happenings that day. Hearing the news she could see her father's thick brows furrow yet he puffs out a calm breath. He pats her head and reassures her that what is happening is a trend, that it will fall out of favor. And kids will get sick of the chocolate bar soon enough. To that end he unwraps the girl from the comforter before carrying her downstairs.

"We're gonna need a Sad Kid Special."

After supper the family grabbed the large tub of peanut butter cup ice cream from the fridge. Mother made the whipped cream while Father got out the sprinkles and chocolate sauce. Together they would spend the evening watching silly movies while enjoying Sad Kid Sundaes. The two comforted her before bed, ensuring they knew things would get better. But even after that her thoughts still trampled her with fears on behalf of Mrs.Ginger. So she did the only thing she could do.

Write more fanfiction.

She had gotten sick seeing that guy's face, wishing it would just disappear from Fatemore entirely. Taking a piece from her candy bag she mindlessly chews on the pumpkin gummy, which was a deliciously tangy orange. If there was one thing she could say she fears, it was "progress." Erasing history and forgetting the human souls who labored for what they have now. Maybe that's why whenever she looked up at those cloud piercing skyscrapers downtown she felt so unnerved. New Fate just feels so disconnected from itself, while every building there feels less human then the last. She is surprised the eccentric Presely could come from such a dull place. Though we cannot continue to live in the past it cannot be forgotten what it meant to us.

For her dad this was especially important, considering his friend had died during the Vietnam war. According to his stories he was one of the people who inspired him to play music. And would give him tips that eventually landed him what is today her mom. Before his passing her dad had already hated wars, but once he died on duty he became what she calls a 90% pacifist.

While he encourages her to fight for what she believes in, he has always instilled the idea that it doesn't always have to be violent. That violence is a solution to be chosen only when necessary.

Like when your future wife to be is being harassed by a group of muggers.

She snorts. Wouldn't expect less of you Dad.

Pulling her headphones out she breathes in the eerie silence of her room. But finds the surprisingly loud murmuring outside. Not car engines, bikes or even electric scooters. Stealthing her way to the curtains she peeks out to an unbelievable sight. Hordes of people were sluggishly waltzing down the main street in front of her house. In the streetlights glow the glistening outline of their shimmering smiles passed. With bits of something still present on their teeth.

From her closet she grabs one of her only non-graphic hoodies and a granola bar. She nibbles it as she stalks down the stairs and out the door. With that, like the Fishman of Fish Town, she mimics the fishy walk. To her relief no one asked questions and continued to shuffle along. By the time the moon reached its peak the people's cheek muscles could cover their eyes. In the distance she realizes just where they ended up. The location was familiar to her. Only for all the wrong reasons.

Once kept pristine by the attendance it was now covered in numerous painted profanities. Many pertaining to the words like, "Sicko in a Cloak" and "Infant Eater". Even with its position being so close to New Fate they don't even want to touch it. But with the twisted history connected to one of the higher ups in New Fates economic powers it is no surprise. Looks like the place is still a magnet for the twisted.

Glancing between swaying figures she could see two big men by the doors. Even at a distance she could see how their smiling faces towered over everyone who entered. And with the way they crossed their arms they meant business. There is more than one way to get in.

Shuffling away from the crowd she maneuvers past crinkly chip bags and empty alcohol bottles to the side door. To her disappointment the door appeared to be guarded. Ducking behind the garbage bin she ignores the horrendous smells as she contemplates a way to get in unnoticed.

Bump Bump.