No Fun

Frankie rushed after Max as they both delved into the cave, Katie following close behind. All were watched by Willow, who again chose not to interfere as she suppressed a slight grin.

Seeing light up ahead, they all entered a small hollow. Inside, a golden treasure chest- that Maxine seized first.

“Back off! I got it, not you!”

The tourists faced her pathetic, cornered form, backed against the cave wall- all the while, she took a peek inside her stolen prize, and cracked up at the enormous value.

“What the hell? Give it!” Confronted Frankie.

“You didn’t win!” Katie doubled down, about as angry as she’d ever been at someone.

Instead of communicating with words, Maxine blew another bubble.

“Dammit, not again!“ Frankie cupped her mouth and nose, hoping Katie would do the same-

But before Maxine could pop the bubble, she froze. Eyes like giant egg whites, she was shocked, gazing behind them.

Coming down, they could hear Willow faking a laugh as she stiltedly conversed with some strange man.

“Er- so… nice of you to drop in. Were you… looking for your daughter?”

Maxine put the bubble back into her mouth and swallowed.

“Max. You ran away again. Did you win that treasure fair and square?”

Everyone’s heads turned to see the handsomely dressed man, all but Maxine grateful for the situation to be stopped in its tracks.

“…That’s a “no,” isn’t it.”

As if they weren’t even there, the tall, blonde gentleman stepped passed the girls to wrap his arm around his daughter’s shoulder. It came off as far more threatening than it did comforting. She set the treasure down immediately.

“I'm gonna take you home now.”

He was clearly wealthy. The sisters were instantly reminded of Kiddie Parker, and his own impudent brat of a son, Drew. The parents of the rich seemed to be both distant and yet also ready to swoop in and collect their child at a moment’s notice- that is, as soon as they started to threaten their image.

“Tell me what my daughter did to you.”

Suddenly he was talking to them. And like he was following a script, he asked the same sort of things Kiddie had- maybe even with the promise of a similarly juicy reward. The sisters were only excited about this for a fleeting moment, however, as his disgusting aura began to sink in. His language was less than forgiving, and even as he smiled, they could see the anger under his eyes for his child. It was understandable, to be sure- Maxine had been about as awful as some random cheater on the street could be to them- but they didn’t like it. Not here. Not now.

“Uh…” Even so, as her sister just froze, Frankie’s first instinct was to do the obvious- tell the truth. Let him know every terrible thing she’d done. Let her get what she deserves. See what kind of grand apology he’ll make- doubtless he has more tokens than they could imagine, or could easily get some. He could be just what they need.

Then she saw the hand.

The hand he’d placed on Max’s shoulder, gripping it so hard the blood must’ve sealed up there as it became almost purple. His veins pulsed as he only gripped tighter and tighter, slowly taking his anger out on the girl. She had no doubt in her mind there would be more to come once they were out of sight.

Frankie had never found lying so easy in all her life.

“Maxine’s great. Me and her had this huge camel race and I only barely beat her. We hit it off so well I decided to let her into the treasure room with me.”

“And she wasn’t… taking the treasure for herself just now?”

“Why would she do that? You raised her right, didn’t you sir? I dunno who else to thank for her manners.”

Frankie’s usual ego prodding seemed to work. He eyed Max suspiciously, not even considering that anyone other than her could lie.

“I’m gonna believe you. But I’ll ask this… Max did use her power on you, didn’t she?”

“O-oh… the cool scents?” Frankie stuttered. “Yeah. She showed us. I mean- it’s been awhile, but she showed us… I-is that bad?”

Mr. Portman sighed.

“I guess it’s alright. Just- know it’s not illegal trickery, we- we work for the park, you see.”

“…Oh?” She was so scared that any moment the ordinary conversation would turn to yelling.

“Yes, we operate our technology through the whole city.”

“You… wait, so… what do you mean by that?”

He pointed to the outside, up the stairs.

“Every area in Kidneyland is stocked with my family’s invention. Dispensers send the pheromones out into the air, making you feel things as you breathe it in. Though small, it’s… one of the reasons this park feels so magical, if I do say so myself.”

“Really? Ooh, that’s cool.” Katie felt like things were calm enough for her to talk now. It made sense, when they thought about it- that the delicious scents of this place were really some kind of special substance. It was a tad scary, to be sure, but Katie minded a lot less than her paranoid sibling.

“It’s not top-secret, but it isn’t public knowledge. Don’t disclose it. I hope that makes up for having to spend a day with my wretched daughter.”

He began to step away the second he stopped having things to say to them. Even though Katie was satisfied, Frankie was still worried he might hurt Maxine. She made one final attempt to protect her.

“Hey, uh, we might stop by here tomorrow, can we see your daughter again then?” She hoped he wouldn’t- god forbid- hit her or something, if he thought someone would see the bruises later. And horrifyingly, as if to prove he was already planning on it, he thought through her simple question for just a little bit too long.

“…Yes. That’s fine. I don’t care what she does.”

Max gave them one last look as she was taken away- it wasn’t spoken aloud, but they could hear it by looking at her.

“I’m sorry.”

By the time the Portmans had walked by Willow and left the cave entirely, the sisters still hadn’t claimed their treasure.

“Frankie…” Katie began, worried about something. “You know we won’t actually be able to check up on her- I mean, we have to keep moving.”

Frankie set her eyes on plain rock.

“Yeah, I know.”

Willow kept trying to smile as they picked up their crate full of tokens. They didn’t even bother to open it as they walked past her.

“Was it a good game?” The old woman asked as they left. “I’m sure Kidney wouldn’t have approved if he really knew what I was getting at with it… but, if you see him, will you tell him what you thought?”

“I’ll think about it.” Frankie bluntly offered, walking out of the rainy subzone forever.