Happy Place//Chapter Two

Instructions

Cocoa 11:50 am --------------------------------------------- I hopped down the hallway of the /new/ Gardenview (now called the Garden). By new, I mean a small village, with rooms that acted like houses, and little shops lined up against the street. Other Toons passed by me, the Event ones giving a timid wave. I gave a wave back, managing a weak smile. I knew why they were worried. Today was the day the Event Toons would get their jobs, and we were nervous like HECK. I slowed down in front of my favorite shop in the Garden, Gardenside Street Sweets, to get a snack before the interviews. The shop was run by Cosmo, since Sprout was... gone. Before entering, I adjusted my headband, shook myself (like a dog, ew) and opened the door. Fresh, delicious smells filled the bakery, and so did.... Fighting? Why did /fighting/ fill the shop? I glanced at the line, which consisted of Brightney, (who was always kind to the Event Toons) and Ginger. Ginger, who was currently crying and yelling at Cosmo. I immediately pushed my way to the front, paused, and looked at Brightney. She smiled. "Go for it, tiger," she mouthed. I managed a smile. "You mean bunny," I mouthed back, then politely dipped my head and made towards Ginger. "What happened?" I whispered, slipping my hand into her's. She sniffed, glaring daggers at Cosmo. "He thinks we shouldn't be found talking, and it would be best if we didn't talk at all." She whispered, managing another sob into her sentence. "I can't believe his nerve." I patted her back, glancing at Cosmo, who was behind the cash register and was looking uncomfortable. "Look-" Cosmo began, shrinking back, but I refused to let him continue. "This is your COUSIN!" I snapped at him. He looked genuinely shocked, so I softened a little. "This is your cousin," I repeated, "so why don't you want to spend time with her? Or at least TALK to her?" Cosmo looked down in shame. "The new rules say no interacting with Event Toons more than needed, or no interacting at all, if it isn't needed." He said, then snapped his head up as if he just realized I was an Event Toon. Ginger stepped closer to me. "When are the interviews?" She asked quietly. "I appreciate the support, but I don't want you to have a bad reputation." I squeezed her hand tighter. "I would take a bad reputation any day then see you suffer," I whispered back, then pushed her forward. "Cosmo, I'll take care of the shop, thank you very much," I told him. "You spend some quality time with Ginger." With that, I shoved Cosmo out from behind the counter and then nudged the two of them out of the bakery's doors and slammed them out. Silence. I could breathe. I turned around from the doors. Then- "Tsk, you're a brave one. Brave ones should never have a part in the Garden, should they, Brightney?" "..." "No." I (sadly) recognized that voice. Taking a deep breath, I turned around to face Vee Version One. "Hi, Vee," I said, holding my head high. The look on Vee's face satisfied me. "You," She snarled, as if I was a pesky fly, "are one big trouble-maker, aren't you?" Her tone changed to silky and smooth. "Do you know what we do with trouble-makers like you?" My throat clogged up. I heard stories, received rumors, and SAW Eclipse get taken to the place no Event Toon wanted to go to. The 'Abyss'. Was I going to go there? I hoped not. "Come with us," Vee cooed. "We'll have a BLAST." Then I blacked out.