How is it that school was more sickening than the last four days? Bitty Bites had really hit the school, and it showed in their dipped cheeked faces. In Gym class the student body seemed to flail more than throw during dodgeball. Making her overwhelming victory afterwards so much less satisfying. And this was when the equally tired teacher joined in to only slightly help. Everyone was ready to fall over by the school's bell.

No matter where she went everyone had smiles practically stapled to their lower eyelids. This was sadly including her friends. Visiting them only made her worries so much worse. Presely may have been all smiles normally, but the plaque on her teeth had her wondering if she slept like that. And Lou, his glazed gaze had her shrinking into her hoodie. The two spoke highly of the Bitty Bites when brought up. With Lou specifically stating how much more happy his mother has been since trying it. Her heart sank at the comment.

As much as Birch wanted to explain what she saw, it could possibly get back to HIM if she did. So she simply stated the obvious when it came to affects. Gym class, the constant smiling, and how it all started with a candy that doesn't even have the ingredients listed. Even when bringing up how she wanted them to question it they seemed to laugh it off.

Frustration mounting there was only one other thing on her mind, "You didn't even see how I was! I was bedridden for three. Days. STRAIGHT!"

They stopped laughing. Tears rolled down her bright pink cheeks. Wiping them away she found her friends smiling, but not happily. Their hands were paused midair while their eyes focused on the scene in front of them. For a moment she could see the red flags finally wave in front of them. But only for that moment.

Instead of a single word the two walk away from their distressed friend. Disappearing into the crowd of absent minded youths and cackling teachers. Leaving her in a melancholic state as she sank down the white painted brick. Even as other's passed her none offered any word of concern. Too preoccupied by their delicious snacks and fake enthusiasm.

She tightened the hood around her head as she went through the school's double doors. Groups of kids were chatting or catching a football in the school's courtyard. Many kids sat near the sidewalk as they waited for their parents to arrive. And then there were her friends. Talking by the bus stop as if they hadn't abandoned her just half an hour ago. With her hood up she passed the two with an aching pain in her heart.

They abandoned me.

Going to Hans also didn't help as he had not been able to uncover the entirety of its contents. Though he did mention her glow in the dark dice had finally arrived.

But who can I play with?

Birch started to sniffle. Hans whipped out the tissues like he was the quickest draw in the west. Scrambling around he offers her his chair to which she obliges. Putting her face into her hands she attempts to hold back her weeping. Hans wheels her off into the backroom with some snacks. Giving her the space as he returns to the front desk. She completely hid herself in the hoodie while the corners of her mouth ached from her frown.

It took her sometime before she stopped crying. Now she was just numb. Numb in a way where it may hurt but you're too tired to acknowledge it. Hans peeked inside and did a meek wave.

"Can I come in?"

Birch nodded as she re-tightened her hoodie strings.

He took a seat on one of the plastic chairs next to her. Her reddened eyes no longer had the same shine he was accustomed to. It was as if Prometheus took the light from them. He took in a deep breath before speaking.

"If you don't want to talk about it I'll understand. Just know if you want to, I'm here. We can even hold onto the dice till your feeling better." She turned away at that. Hans could make a few guesses as to why, possibly pertaining to Presely as she was her DM. Maybe they had a fight of some kind?

He offered her a granola bar, "Whatever has happened you can get through it. After all, you know who you are." He stands up as he places his foot on the coffee table. "You are Birch Barker! Practiced Paranormal Investigator! No matter what conflict, supernatural or otherwise, you always come through!" Han laughed before slouching awkwardly back into his chair.

"That was a bit ridiculous. Heh."

He looked at the hoodie goblin again. To his shock she wasn't cringing at the weird display. In fact, her eyes sparkled brighter than he had seen before. Not even getting the fake blood dice had her this happy.

She jumped up to hug him. But fell over as her knees were still stuck in the hoodie. The two laughed together as she rolled around on the floor hysterically.

He's right. I am Birch Barker! And this case will be solved like any other!

Giving up is not an option. EVER!

Earphones in she goes at a breakneck pace with her renewed vigor. In her hand was the granola bar to remind her so. Sadly she hadn't seen Shaliver yet but maybe he was chilling near the Fatemore Supermarket. Especially if it was recovering from the flu-like state she was in. Wouldn't be a loss just to check in.

In many horror movies there are scenes of closed grocery stores where their intercom is still playing music. Which in turn made the lack of human bodies even more unnerving. Scanning the floor there were very few customers perusing the aisles. Even Lou's mom was absent which considering she was a manager was especially bad. Kyle, one of the cashiers, waved her over.

"Good to see you haven't been infected." He said while twiddling with his pen. Despite his scrawny stature he was a certified health nut. If he didn't know what the ingredients of the food meant he didn't buy it. Something that made it obvious to her why he didn't join the latest food trend.

"Same. Feels refreshing to talk to someone my age that isn't braindead at the moment."

"When are they not?"

The two share small talk, between school life along with the crazy goings on with Fatemore.

He sighs, "-Anyway. Some people decided that those bars had priority over their jobs. So we are understaffed today which unfortunately isn't a problem. Your mom said she will be closing the store tonight since some of the managers aren't coming in."

Birch perked up, "I'll see if I can take a shift. Maybe that way everyone isn't as bored just standing here."

So after asking her mother she dawns her apron before getting to work. It was fun cleaning up the only slightly out of place shelves and mopping up the occasional spill. Just seeing the store clean was like finishing a good puzzle after a long day. Kyle seemed happy just to talk about his health tips to someone who actually seemed to listen. Other coworkers held a similar sentiment for the few times they had conversations during the shift. Even her mother seemed happy to see her daughter not falling for the noxious trend.

VRRRROMM~

Birch excitedly ran into her father's arms, nearly slamming into the sliding doors. Her mother stood on her tippy toes to peck him on the cheek. She put her his daughter down before lifting her mother up to shower her in kisses. All Birch did was shrug at the affectionate display. A few of the coworkers came around to say hi along with catching up with him. He took the opportunity to notice how empty the store was. And with his wife being the only manager on the floor it looked like she was staying late tonight.

"Thank you all for coming in despite everything going on. And as a thanks why don't we make dinner tonight my treat." Everyone was elated at the suggestion, Kyle being the first to make a few suggestions. Her father bought some meat, vegetables along with a few other things from the store. Then brought out the indoor ovens for special events. Once the cooking utensils and pans were cleaned the preparations began. Kyle had joined her Father, taking care of the vegetable preparation to prevent cross contamination with the meat.

Corvine decided to bring the toaster oven from the backroom to make bacon bits. Of course he also used the chance to grab a hairnet for her father along with Kyle. If he wasn't bald then he would have had one on too. The three men gave each other tips while also chastising each other for their techniques. Like how her Dad flipped steaks like they were pancakes or the fact Corvine was using an oven rather than a pan. Kyle just told them to shut up so none of their saliva got in the food.

This would get the attention of remaining customers who were endeared by the scene. Some were even enticed into buying some just from the smell. Leaving a few sticking around just for the atmosphere. The display before her brought her a sense of comfort she had forgotten. Seeing her mother, coworkers and even regular customers being honestly happy never felt more uplifting. Not a soul left the store for the rest of the night unhappy.

Even as more people got hooked on the sickly sweet treat she held her head high. Visiting Mrs.Ginger to bring some fun stories, checking in on Hans for any updates on the candy, and recording the symptoms of the bar. From observation it was found some were reaching levels of manic "happiness". This had them becoming more numb to pains, as seen from the man getting his foot runover. There was also the conclusion that they were replacing meals with the Bitty Bites bar, which she spied through many open windows. And how their arms were slack when not holding onto a Bitty Bite bar. Hans would conclude her findings as Halloween was a little over a week away.

"This guy has to have some kind of mage informant, no normal person would have access to this." On the list were ingredients she was familiar with, such as the dreaded molasses, but the others were completely foreign. Simply put, these bars were sucking the magical life force out of people. But when mixed with the right material the excess could be made into the ultimate beauty treatment. She shivered at the thought of Cassius bathing in it.

"If I am to guess, you're going to say a cure will take time."

He awkwardly laughed, "Yes. But I can get it done before Halloween! And the materials I need are surprisingly easy to get my hands on. So don't fret and leave it to me."

She couldn't help but smile at the earnest man's efforts. It was nice to have someone on her side and hope this city could be saved. Though the question of how to distribute such a cure was still up in the air. Speaking of which, she still wondered where Shaliver went off to. Her prayers went out to his safe return.

She played around with the granola bar in her hand before she bumped into someone. Picking it up she was about to apologize till she looked.

Darker eyes than even the most black coffee and plastically perfect skin.

Cassius.

Being near him just had her wishing she could throw up on command. That way he could stink as much on the outside as he likely did inside. His smile was of course without a single imperfection. They seemed more white, shiny and dare she say terrifying than before.

"How do you like the Bitty Bites Freckles?" He sounded polite but his seering eyes were far more honest. "Care for one?" Cassius takes out a bar from the side pockets of his backpack. She immediately smacks it out of his hand into a puddle.

"They smell like shit. Something that the two of you have in common."

He coyly laughed into his manicured hand. Birch just crossed her arms, not breaking eye contact for a second.

"So you really are just the world's most picky eater? No sense for the exploration of flavor? Stubborn to the end?" Birch said nothing while continuing her eyeing down of the hairy chested man. No amount of words could describe her growing hatred of him. He seemed to understand that.

Cassius leaned over, without a hair falling out of place, all the way to her ear. Whispering with venomous vanity, "I hope you enjoyed your first ceremony. Because it won't be the last."

Her heart stopped.

"Taking videos without someone's permission is rather inconsiderate. But knowing you're that rude woman's daughter I'm not surprised." Birch could feel her blood run cold at his words.

He knew.

Cassius took the opportunity to flick her forehead before straightening up. "But since I am the generous sort I will let you off if you stop now. If you don't, however, then I can't say that I will stay like that."

Birch bit her tongue and curled her toes in rebellion of her own trembling. Cassius sent the final blow as he said, "It would be awful to have your mommy's business going bankrupt. Can't have the competition dying off too quickly."

He takes the opportunity to leave her standing there, shocked. As his laughter disappeared into the distance she finally let herself relax. Instinctively she took out the granola bar from her pocket, remembering Hans's words.

If there is anyone who can be a wrench in that man's scheme, it's me.

Her Father made sure to text her his intent to wait for her mother after work, so she was fending for herself. Getting out the strawberry jam and peanut butter she fixes herself a lovely sandwich, along with a glass of arctic cold water. And adding in freshly cleaned cucumbers for a healthy side. She was thankful there would be some alone time for her to calm down.

Opening the door was a sight both relieving while also concerning. Shaliver had returned, tapping the tip of his tail impatiently against her comforter. Hatred was painted clearly across his scowling face. Rather than the concave cheeks everyone else had his stomach appeared to have dipped into itself. Just above it his exhausted breathing highlighted his exposed ribs. She knew he didn't like pity but how could she not feel terrible for him.

The first words he spoke were practically a hiss, "Took you long enough."