An Object’s Guide to Murder

by Starrieee_333

Summary:

Fireball and Pound decided to go to a nearby park for a date after season one. Pound bought a camera for the occasion, he thought it would be fun to record their date and they would treasure it. But then...

Notes:

Hi guys!!! If you have seen me on wattpad, helloooooo!1!1!1

This is my first work on ao3 so yeah heheh

Chapter 1: A Date

"What's taking you so long, Pound?" Fireball asked, impatiently tapping his feet. The car beside them was on the verge of breaking due to the hot weather.

"Hold on a minute! I think the camera's broken." Pound said while trying to fix the camera.

"Let me see."

Pound lend Fireball the camera, asking to fix it.

"Gee, you just bought it and now it's already broken because of you." Fireball scoffed.

"Hey! It was already broken when I bought it!" Pound holding his hands up as if he did a crime.

"And you didn't even notice it." Fireball glared at him like he's guilty.

"Oh come on! The point is, it isn't my fault."

"Yeah yeah." Fireball rolled his eyes playfully, still trying to fix the camera. "I think it's fixed now."

"Wait, let me try." Pound held the camera, trying to take a picture of the object in front of him.

"Don't you dare."

Pound chuckled softly, his voice was soothing to Fireball's 'ears'. "Shall we go now?" Pound asked. "Sure, I'll drive."

He didn't want Pound to drive ever again, ever since Pound almost accidentally drowned their car in a lake. That memory's still stuck to Fireball's head.

"So, this is it?"

"Yep! Just park right there."

They hopped off the car, already feeling the grass between their feet.

"A pretty nice place for summer, huh?" Pound playfully hitting Fireball's elbow. "Yeah, I admit it is pretty nice."

"But why is there no one here if this is a park?" Fireball asked.

"Well, I made that up. It isn't a park but a nice place to have a picnic."

"Wait, we're having a picnic?" Fireball looked at Pound, surprised.

"No, silly! I'm just saying."

"Oh."

"But we should've been having a picnic though, instead of just running around and taking pictures" Pound said.

"This was your choice." Fireball crossed his arms. "Right..."

Fireball sat in the grass, it was pretty soft to touch. He watched Pound taking pictures of the plants, his face melted into a smile. "Don't get too far!" Fireball shouted.

"Okay, mom!" Pound teased him.

Fireball looked at his phone,

11:57 AM.

'What should we eat for dinner?' Fireball thought. He might want to ask Pound what he would like.

"Hey Pound! Whaddya wanna eat?" Fireball shouted.

No response.

"Pound?"

Chapter 2: Some Memory

Summary:

Boom shakalaka

Notes:

Lol

"Hey Fireball,"

"What is it?"

"Y'know, ever since we met, I kind of thought you were just a hot-headed guy who gets angry over everything." Pound looked at him, smiling.

"And?" Fireball said, still gazing at the stars.

"And you are."

"Damn." Fireball sounded unamused, but surprised by how straightforward Pound was.

"But, as I slowly got to know you, you're kind of not that... hot-headed guy anymore."

"Really?" Fireball turned to his side to face Pound.

"Yeah! And— you were slowly getting softer to me! You changed a lot."

"Just because I'm softer with you, doesn't mean I'm also soft with everyone else."

"Well you should!" Pound sat back up and scolded Fireball.

"Hah, in your dreams." Fireball also sat back up, mimicking Pound.

"Hmph." Pound looked away, crossing his arms.

Fireball sometimes find it cute when Pound pouts, he always laughs whenever Pound does that.

"Anyways, do you like this spot I recommended?" Pound asked, moving closer to Fireball.

"You always recommend the best spots, not gonna lie." Fireball chuckled.

"Oh yeah! For our next date, wanna go to a park?"

"Sure, but show me later before we go."

"Yes! Hahah! Anyways, you hungry?"

"Thanks for asking, I was starving the whole time."

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It has been 5 years ever since he went missing.

Some claimed it to be a serial killer, some claimed it to be abduction.

But I know what I saw.

I was only looking at my phone for 2 seconds, there's no way he was taken by somebody or even— murdered.

The police has found a suspect, they think it's Glitchy, but I doubt that they would do anything like that. But still, there would be a chance they could.

Chip Stack told me that he would like to help me find the suspect. And let me tell you, that was the last thing I expected for him to do.

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"Hey Chip Stack! Any— like, maybe slight evidence you found?" Fireball asked, while reading a newspaper related to Pound missing. They searched for evidence in Fireball's room.

"No luck." Chip Stack said, still trying to read a book with the title 'A Guide to Solving Cases'

"We've been doing this for days! How have you not found any evidence yet?!"

"Well, I'm trying!" Chip Stack gave up reading the book.

"And also, this was 5 years ago! Move on from your dead boyfriend already!"

"... This was your choice?"

"Right."

"Anyways stop calling him my dead boyfriend."

"Whatever."

They tried searching in documents, well, maybe it wasn't the worst choice. They slowly gathered evidence in a pin board.

Fireball put a social media post, making it sit next to the text 'Pound's birthday'.

"23rd June was Pound's birthday?" Chip Stack asked, looking at the printed social media post.

"Yep, that day he went missing."

"Looks like someone skipped the first stage of grief." Chip Stack raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms.

"Dude, shut up." Fireball replied. "Also, I already moved on from grief and Pound himself."

"Heh."

That day felt longer than usual, perhaps because they were tired from all that searching.

"I'm hungry." Chip Stack stated.

"Well, I'm starving."

"Whatever, just order some pizza."

Notes:

Heheh

Chapter 3: Moving On

Notes:

Sorry for how ooc the characters are here :(((

After a week, Fireball and Chip Stack slowly gathered more evidence, one by one, and connecting them.

"Who do you think it is then?" Chip Stack asked. Holding a bread in his hand.

"We just started, I'm not jumping onto conclusions yet." Fireball stated. "Anyways, what are we even doing in this car?" Chip Stack curiously asked.

"I dunno, just to stare at the lake."

"Oh, right! Isn't this the lake Pound almost drowned the car in?"

"Don't ever remind me of that again."

"Alright."

Chip Stack stared at the other bread, picking it up and holding it in front of Fireball.

"No thanks." Fireball looked away and stepped out of the car trunk. (They were sitting on top of it)

"Wanna help me out catch some fishes?!" Fireball waved at Chip Stack.

"How the hell will I do that without a fishing rod?!" Chip Stack shouted at Fireball.

"Plus, I won't even be able to see it."

"Fine."

Chip Stack only watched Fireball trying to catch fishes bare handed. He looked around the trees surrounding the lake.

"Hey..." Fireball looked at the ground.

"Isn't this...?"

Chip Stack noticed the sudden mood change, he hopped off the car trunk and walked to Fireball.

"Oh." Chip Stack widened his eyes.

Fireball stared into the camera, it looked like it has seen some days.

Fireball picked it up, inspecting the broken camera.

"Dude, you okay there? Chip Stack tapped his shoulder.

Fireball saw a photo in the camera, surprisingly, it wasn't wet.

He rubbed his thumbs into it, picking it up from the camera. It looked like some plant in it

"How— how did this end up here..?" Fireball stammered. He glanced over to Chip Stack, who shrugged over it.

Fireball's eyes went back to the photo, he looked like he was on the verge of crying.

"Chip Stack... do you remember when I told you Pound bought a camera for our date?"

"Yeah?" Chip Stack replied, looking confused.

"Ohh..." He realized.

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Days seemed as if they'll never end.

Fireball stared into his ceiling, holding the camera on top of his chest.

Chip Stack thought that camera was glued to Fireball, or Fireball himself was glued to it.

Fireball hasn't talked to Chip Stack for a while, ever since they went to the lake.

Knock knock.

"Who's there?" Fireball shouted, at least he tried to.

He heard the door open, as he thought he had already locked it. Fireball ran to the entrance to see Chip Stack standing there.

"Oh, it's you."

"Well, yes, it is indeed me."

"Shut up."

"Dude, you haven't spoken to me for days! Did that camera really impact you that badly?!"

"You know why."

"Alright— alright! Chill."

Chip Stack followed Fireball to the kitchen, only to receive glances from Fireball. Looks like it isn't the right time to talk.

He just noticed that Fireball is still holding the camera, keeping it to his chest.

"Why the hell are you still here?"

"I just wanted to talk to you."

"Gee, this is also the last thing I expect for you to do." Fireball crossed his arms, still holding the camera.

...

"What's wrong?! Get out already!" Fireball weakly yelled.

"Dang, okay okay!"

He walked to the entrance, looking back to Fireball with his eyes still glued to the camera.

'I don't think he even moved on.' Chip Stack thought.

Chapter 4: Another Memory

The two sat on an empty cafe, them being really late at night is the reason why.

"Y'know, Fireball." Pound stared at the window. Looking at the snow.

"Hm?" Fireball turned to Pound.

"Do you think we're together in every universe?" Pound asked, looking straight to Fireball.

"What a stupid question." Fireball said, drinking his coffee.

"Just answer it!" Pound crossed his arms.

"Well... possibilities are endless."

"Will we be together... forever in this one?" Pound asked, avoiding eye contact.

"Not sure."

"Just say yes! If you look forward to it, it will happen!"

"Fine. Yes, we will." Fireball answered, his cheeks flushing.

"Oh, I hope so."

"Enough with these questions already."

"Okay..."

They walked home together, Pound staying close for warmth. Pound decided to hold Fireball's hand for more warmth, despite how warm Fireball's hands are.

"Don't touch me."

"Why not?" Pound looked at him, his eyes shining.

"Jeez, fine. Just take my hand." Fireball said, offering him his hand.

Pound made a small 'yay!' sound under his breath, Fireball thought it was cute.

Ever since winter, Fireball lets Pound hold his hand whenever he wants to. All for the sake of Pound.

They sat in a sofa (they are roommates!). Fireball was too busy scrolling on his phone.

"Hey," Pound held his hand.

"Hm?" Fireball held his phone down.

"I love you." Pound straight up stated

"Cool." Fireball said, back to his phone.

"Wha— say it back whenever I say I love you!"

"Fine." Fireball finally putted his phone on the table.

"I love you."

"It back."

"Agh!— whatever!"

"Heh." Fireball gluing his eyes to his phone again. He seems satisfied.

Pound watched him smile on the phone, he still  loves him though. (Obviously?)

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After everything, Fireball and Chip Stack finally went back together and tried solving the case. Fireball still holds a grudge against Chip Stack though.

"Chip Stack, hand me the glue."

Chip Stack without hesitation, handing him the glue while fixated on some document.

Fireball tried to placed an old newspaper about reports in their place how people went missing.

The newspaper seemed to be written the same day Pound went missing, it could be a coincidence but it should be related to the case.

The pin board seemed to be almost full, even though they aren't even halfway close to finding out the real suspect.

Fireball drank his coffee, while standing on some chair to place the newspaper.

"Woah!—"

A thud echoed Fireball's room. The coffee splashed over Fireball's face and the papers.

"Womp womp."

"Shut up."

"Heheh."

Fireball quickly stood up out of embarrassment, he sighed to clear out his mind, immediately cleaning the mess.

They went back to their tasks. Chip Stack however, seemed to be quite surprised looking at some document.

"Yo, Fireball."

"What is it?"

Fireball walked to Chip Stack, he paused for a while trying to find the cause why Chip Stack was so shocked. (Chip Stack reads things by putting them on top of his face.)

Fireball immediately gets the same reaction as Chip Stack, he quickly stood up higher to take the document from Chip Stack.

"Wha— hey!"

He read the document, with his face really close to it

"Even MORE missing people?! And on the same date."

"Crazy as hell, dude." Fireball stated.

"Hold up, where did you get this document?"
Fireball asked, crossing his arms.

"I sneaked in a police station."

"Sounds illegal, and you managed to do it with your eyes facing the sun?"

"I am a pro, after all."

"Hah."

They decided to take a break and eat some pizzas. Fireball decided to order pineapple pizza for Chip Stack and force him to eat it.

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"By the way, were you really sure people went missing in the exact same date?" Chip Stack asked, holding the same document.

"Yeah, why?"

"Pound went missing in 23rd June, 2019 right?"

"Mhm" Fireball answered, still chewing his pizza.

"It says on the document '23rd June, 2018.'"

"Yeah? It's the same date."

"You stupid— it says 2018! Look!" Chip Stack yelled, forcing Fireball to read the document.

"Ohh."

"People going missing last year before, and then in the same date, next year, Pound goes missing too." Chip Stack read.

"Why is Pound the only one missing that day?"

"I dunno, you guess."

Chapter 5: Yet, Another One

Summary:

TW: Mention of suicide

I always admired everything about you.

The way you smile, the way your eyes squint when you do,

the way you notice the smallest details.

I remember everything, but your voice.

Everytime I try to remember a memory of you, your voice is like a blur.

And it hurts trying to remember it.

Really.

The guilt still lingers.

I always think about how I should've done, and how I should've avoided all this.

But time doesn't stop, nor reverse.

It never stops for anyone.

The camera.

I still have it with me, always holding it.

It's a way to hold you.

Holding you close to me.

...

I'm so sorry.

Pound.

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"Are you really still holding that camera?"
Chip Stack raised his eyebrows.

"How can you tell?" Fireball asked, his eyes widened.

"You always hold that thing and I could always tell." Chip Stack walked to the coffee dispenser, while talking.

"Chip Stack, you're spilling the coffee."

"Oh". Chip Stack said, with a blank expression.
The coffee was overflowing in his cup.

"No wonder why my hands feel like it's burning."

"Well, let's just continue solving the case." Fireball grabbed a cup of coffee and walked to his bedroom.

They sat in Fireball's bed, looking through their phones and reading the old news.

The sunlight went through the square window, it emits a golden lightning to the room.

Chip Stack was laying on his stomach, while Fireball was sitting on the bed frame. But how he doesn't fall off is questionable.

"Did you know that Glitchy killed their self before getting arrested or being on a trial?" Chip Stack glanced to his side to see Fireball.

"Obviously—" Fireball looked at his phone with confidence.

"Wait why do I know that just now?" Fireball said with surprise in his face, looking at Chip Stack.

"Don't blame me." Chip Stack still looking through his phone with no expression.

"I didn't say that."

"But like, I thought he was in jail.." Fireball said, facing to nobody.

"Stupid."

"Shush." Fireball went back to his phone, his eyebrows twitching.

They minded their own business, until a knock echoed through the house.

"I'll answer that." Fireball hopped off the bed frame, walking quickly while a knock still repeating.

He gently opened the door, meeting face to face with someone.

"Oh— uh.."

"Mirror." Fireball blankly stated.

"Um, yeah! It has been a... very long while since we've talked." Mirror trying to start the conversation, avoiding eye contact and fidgeting with her thumbs.

"Also, I uhh— about Pound..." Mirror glanced to Fireball, waiting for a reaction from him. Anxious she might has get on his nerves.

"Yeah, about him?" Fireball leaned into his doorframe.

"I am very sorry, for your loss." Mirror held both of her hands, still avoiding eye contact.

"It's fine, now tell me why you're here."

Mirror looked at him with a shocked face, surprised how Fireball barely showed emotion.

"Well... have you seen..."

"Hm?"

"Yearbook...?"

Fireball slightly widened his eyes.

"What about her?" He stood up from leaning into the doorframe.

"I haven't seen her since 5 days ago, I've been contacting almost every contestant but no luck." Mirror looked to the ground.

Fireball looked at her with widened eyes, he has noticed that some contestants of the show was going missing one by one.

Surprisingly, it wasn't on the news. He knew it from an online source.

"Know anything about her...?" Mirror took a peek at him, desperate for an answer, with her body still facing the ground.

"Wait, Mirror?!" Chip Stack dashed to the entrance.

"Chip Stack—?!"

"I knew I recognized that voice!" Chip Stack pointed at Mirror.

"Oh, it has been such a long time!"

Fireball observed them, noticing that Mirror talked to Chip Stack differently compared to him.

Time passed by, Mirror is seen to be sitting on his couch, chatting with Chip Stack.

"Oh yeah, Mirror. You came here to ask about Yearbook, right?" Fireball raised his eyebrow.

"Oh, right, I forgot." Mirror palmed her face.

Fireball sat on the couch, one next to Chip Stack.

"So... you said that you haven't seen Yearbook ever since like, 7 days ago?" Fireball asked.

"5 days.." Mirror corrected Fireball.

"Right right."

"Chip Stack, you know anything about Yearbook?" Fireball whispered.

"I don't know nun about that book." Chip Stack whispered back.

"Okay, so... Apologies but, we don't know anything about her and—"

"It's fine." Mirror gazed to the side.

"Sorry." Chip Stack said, with a hint of guilt in his voice.

"Well, I'd excuse myself first." Mirror sat up.

"Wait, you didn't come all the way here for nothing." Fireball reached to Mirror.

"We'd like to show you something." Chip Stack added.

Mirror tilted her 'head'.

What Mirror gazed upon was a giant pin board, 3 times taller than her. It took the whole wall of Fireball's bedroom.

"Wow..."

She couldn't believe what she saw, looking to the side left and right, reading the papers and newspapers hanging on a pin.

"You guys... did this all by yourselves?"

"Mhm." Fireball answered, slightly confident. Adding with Chip Stack nodding.

Mirror faced back to them, with shock.

"And with all these clues, is there a chance you could find Yearbook with this?"

Fireball and Chip Stack looked at each other, communicating through their eyes then shrugged.

"Maybe I could be of assistance..?" Mirror grinned, waiting for a reply.

Fireball and Chip Stack side eyed each other again, and shrugged at the same time.

"Please?"

Chip Stack glanced at Fireball, waiting for him to respond.

"Well, if you'd like to." Fireball said, looking to his side.

"Yay! I wont let you guys down!" Mirror shook both of their hands, then skipping to the entrance.

"Well, are you guys free at Sunday?" Mirror looked back at them before leaving.

"Uh, I don't— we don't have any plans this month."

"We got all the time in the world." Chip Stack added.

"That's great, see ya!" Mirror closed the door.

They stood there for a while.

"I'm already missing Caramel Apple." Chip Stack stated with a blank face.

"I think I would've preferred Caramel Apple too." Fireball stared at his door.

"Well, looks like it's almost night." Chip Stack trying to start a conversation.

"Mhm." Fireball nodded.

Notes:

Hahahaha

Chapter 6: The Solver

Summary:

TW: Swearing!!

"Hey Fireball," Chip Stack looked at Fireball.

"Hm?"

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Chip Stack fidgeted with his flashlight.

"Yep!"

They both gazed at a large cave opening, right in the middle of a forest.

"Also, is your flashlight fully charged?" Fireball took Chip Stack's flashlight from his hands.

"Um, yeah?"

Fireball played with Chip Stack's flashlight, then pointing it at him.

"Stop."

"Okay." Fireball chuckled.

They stepped in to the cave, the sound of dripping water echoed the cave.

Fireball seems to be quite brave, walking much faster than Chip Stack.

Fireball himself is a torch so he doesn't need a flashlight.

They went deeper until there was no sunlight. The deeper they get in the cave, the less oxygen they could breathe. Staying there for a long time would be pretty dangerous.

Fireball took a peek at Chip Stack who seems hesitant, despite that he was just betting he could lead Fireball in the cave.

They end up in a place with different paths, one looks bigger than the others, the middle one is humid with the water, and the last one is smaller.

Fireball looked at Chip Stack, making sure they have the same thing in their mind.

"Rock, paper, scissors shoot!" Fireball betted a rock, while Chip Stack was paper. Chip Stack didn't know what Fireball chose, but he heard a sigh from him which means he won.

"Yes!" Chip Stack exclaimed.

Fireball groaned, knowing what Chip Stack would possibly choose which path to go.

Fireball muttered to himself "Please don't choose it." repeatedly.

"I choose the middle one."

"Fuck!" Fireball yelled. "I just know you did that on purpose." He glared at him.

"Heheh." Chip Stack putted his hands to his hips. He looked braver than before.

"You're trying to kill me, aren't ya?" Fireball crossed his arms.

Chip Stack raised his eyebrow, even though Fireball can't see his face fully, he can tell that Chip Stack was smirking.

"Ugh, whatever."

They stepped in to the path. Fireball could already feel like he's dying from humidity.

The water beneath them echoed, each step makes a ripple.

"Wait what were we here again for?" Chip Stack asked.

"To find more evidence just in case." Fireball answered.

"And?"

Fireball stopped in his tracks, looking down at his reflection in the hollow water.

"To find his body."

Chip Stack also stopped. He seems confused at Fireball.

"I don't remember you telling me that."

"I know."

"Wait but— isn't staying in a cave for too long pretty dangerous?"

"I don't know much about caves."

"And also, I don't want to look for a body, big pass from me."

Fireball continued walking, his flames seems smaller from the humid cave.

'This man has mood swings like crazy.' Chip Stack thought. "Maybe he might be on his period." He muttered under his breath.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing." Chip Stack looked away, rubbing his head.

The cave seems smaller than before, they were forced to crouch a little to walk.

"Look." Chip Stack pointed at something in the dark. When he was pointing at nothing.

Fireball side eyed Chip Stack.

They stepped through the vines blocking their way. They were met with a hole that has a sewer below it.

"Chip Stack, are you seeing this?"

"Seeing what?" Chip Stack was still walking, not noticing a hole in his way.

Chip Stack yelped, but Fireball catches his hand in the right time.

"Well thank you."

"This is my first time seeing your face and I'm on the verge of vomitting from how cursed this is." Fireball stated with a blank face.

"Rude."

Fireball pulled Chip Stack up, surprisingly Chip Stack wasn't that heavy.

"Also, did you smell that?" Chip Stack pinched his 'nose'.

"Smell what—?"

"Oh."

"I think it's coming from the sewer." Chip Stack said, putting his index finger up.

"No shit Sherlock." Fireball crossed his arms.
"Also, it's a sewer. Expect it to smell bad."

"Hm."

After some while they finally got out of the cave, might be because they were on the verge of suffocating due to lack of oxygen.

"Welp, looks like we didn't find any clues or hell— a whole body." Chip Stack stated.

"Consider us lucky we haven't found one." Fireball added.

On their way home, Fireball spotted some trail of maggots in the forest, it led to the cave they just went through, but Chip Stack was already calling him.

Fireball was surprised he didn't notice the trail, but thinking about maggots made him shiver.

"The car's waiting," Chip Stack shouted, leaning on a car trunk.

"Hold on!"

Fireball was still curious about that trail, but then realized that he has plans.

Not long after that, Fireball went in the car to drive, Chip Stack driving has chances as low as you getting a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Chip Stack keeps skipping songs in the radio, pretty much gets in Fireball's nerves the whole time.

"So.. about Caramel Apple," Fireball tried to distract Chip Stack from the radio. The question pretty much worked.

"What about him?" Chip Stack glares at Fireball.

"When did you last see him?" Fireball asked,

Chip Stack looked out at the car window, then skipping songs in the radio once again to annoy Fireball.

"I'm asking you a question." Fireball was still focused on the road.

"What the hell do you want to know about him?"

"Whatever, it wasn't that important."

Chip Stack scoffed.

"Just curious." Fireball smirked.

Chip Stack rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. But still, pretty shocked how Fireball knows about Caramel Apple, despite that he has never told Fireball about him.

"Oh yeah right, Mirror is going to help us with our investigation, remember?" Fireball added.

"Right."

They sat in silence.

It stayed like that for a while until Fireball dropped Chip Stack to his house.

Fireball was on his way to his house, but a notification caught his eye.

STOP DIGGING FIREBALL.

He stopped in his tracks, park the car in the middle of the road.

"That's weird."

Fireball didn't open his phone, waiting for another notification from curiosity. He thought it was some prank.

He then continued to drive, unbothered by it.

He pulled over to his garage, parking his car inside. But his phone kept buzzing.

Fireball felt goosebumps, he took out his phone and looked at his contacts.

Unknown number: You don't know what you're doing

The unknown number kept sending him threats, it got on Fireball's nerves.

Fireball: who the hell are you?

Fireball patiently waited for a response, tapping his feet.

But then, no answer.

'It must be some kind of prank.' Fireball though. He walked to his bedroom, sitting in his bed and looking out the window.

He hadn't realized it was dark already, time flies really fast, huh.

Fireball lied down on his bed, staring at his ceiling.

He opened his social media, scrolling through his phone.

Some post caught his attention, he clicked on the post and read it.

It was a post made 5 years ago, he was confused why it was recommended to him now.

The post was seen with a group photo of Caramel Apple, Apple Fritter, and Chip Stack behind them both. He looks annoyed.

Fireball glanced at the date,

23rd June, 2019.

His eyes widened, he sat up from his bed. He tapped on the account. Looks like it was an account made my Caramel Apple.

He noticed that it was the last photo Caramel Apple had ever posted.

Fireball dashed towards his printer.

A social media post was then printed. He grabbed a pin and put the printed post on the pin board.

He thought it could be a new clue for the missing contestants.

He heard his phone buzz, he inched towards it.

Unknown number: Nice pin board, that's a lot of stuff.

Fireball felt a shiver sent down to his spine, he opened his curtains and looked left and right on top of his bed.

Nothing was to be seen.

He sat back down in the bed, staring into nothing. He looked to his window once again, he could hear his heartbeat going faster than usual.

Fireball tried to call Chip Stack, but no answer. He tried calling everybody else but they were asleep.

Fireball looked to his door.

He heard his cat calling for him, then opened the door to let the cat go in.

Fireball let his cat rub against him, it seemed that his own cat made him calm down.

His cat had a white fur, with orange-yellow accents on it. It reminded him of someone.

"You hungry?" He asked the cat.

The cat seems lighten up after hearing it, spinning around Fireball and leading him to the kitchen.

Fireball grabbed some cat food, putting it on the bowl with a decent amount.

The way the cat jumped right into the bowl made Fireball smile, petting it before leaving.

Fireball walked towards a hallway and passed through a door, one that hasn't been opened for years.

He turned the doorknob, turning the light switch on and was met with a bedroom. It used to be someone's room, but it smelled like dust the second he got in.

He looked around the bedroom, hovering his hands to a bed with a yellow blanket. His cat followed him after finishing its food.

Fireball petted his cat, "You eat pretty fast, huh."

He glanced to his side, picking up a photo.

It was a photo of Pound and Fireball.

He rubbed his thumbs against it, then putting it down back to the side table.

Fireball grabbed a pillow, holding it close to him. 'It smells like him.' Fireball thought.

He sat down in the bed, still holding the unwashed pillow. His cat sat next to him.

A notification ringed.

Chapter 7: Before It Alll

Pound was seen leaving a gadget store, holding a cheap camera in his hands.

"Took you long enough." Fireball walked with Pound, putting his hands on his shoulder.

"I would blame the line." Pound chuckled.

The street lights turned on as they walked, the golden sun shines through the road. Though it looked like the sky is getting darker.

"Oh yeah!" Pound snapped his fingers. "Remember the place I recommended?"

"Yes," Fireball sighed. "but we should head home first." Fireball tapped his shoulders.

"So it's tomorrow then?" Pound lightened up.

Fireball nodded, looking away.

Pound skipped through the sidewalk, Fireball only watched him. His face melted into a smile.

Once the sun goes down, they walked towards their house. Thankfully; the store was pretty close to their home.

They were greeted by a kitten. Not a really small kitten but kind of like bigger. It rubbed against both of them, making them stop in their tracks.

"So... you got a new name for our cat?" Pound put his hand up his chin.

"Nope, never thought about it." Fireball said, petting the cat.

"Maybe like; Soup?"

"Basic."

"Uhh, Tostada?"

Fireball stopped petting, he thought about the name.

"Ehh, I guess that's fine."

"How's that name, Tostada?" Pound crouched down to the cat, scratching its chin. The gesture made the cat purr.

"Maybe she likes it!" Pound stood up, facing Fireball. He seems busy with his phone.

"Well, looks like you're Tostada now." He bent down.

Fireball went to get tea for Pound. He grabbed the scorching base so that Pound could hold the handle.

"Awh, for me?" Pound looked at his reflection on the tea, then to Fireball.

"I put poison in there; drink with your own risk." Fireball teased. He kept a blank face.

"Well what type of poison?" Pound held his laugh.

"Love."

Pound felt his cheeks flush, he stared at Fireball for a while then looked away.

"Well that's unusual of you." Pound stated. With a hint of embarrassment.

Fireball chuckled softly, while making his own coffee.

Fireball took a peek at Pound's priceless face, he can't help but quietly laugh at it.

"Anyways, where's Tostada?" Pound asked. "She's literally sitting on your shoulder." Fireball answered.

Pound immediately turned around, with a sight of Tostada loafing. He noticed that Tostada has her tongue sticking out.

Pound giggled softly at the cat, he thought it was pretty cute.

"I'm surprised you didn't notice her." Fireball sat with Pound, holding his coffee. "I would blame what you just said."

"You don't wanna call it flirt?" Fireball rested his head on his hands.

"I— ugh." Pound looked out the window. It was dark, though the moon shines bright.

Pound noticed that Fireball was glued to his phone from the window reflection.

"Hands off of that phone already!" Pound scolded.

"Fine." Fireball put his phone down, but still holding it.

They sat in silence, waiting for each other to open their mouth and start a conversation.

"Did you know—"
"What colleg—"

They stared at each other, with an equal amount of surprise.

"You first." Pound gestured Fireball to talk.

"So, what college did you apply?" Fireball fidgeted with is hands, and still kept an eye contact.

"I went for Cambridge," Pound looked away. "sadly."

"Wh— isn't that like, in your hometown?" His eyes widened.

"My parents forced me to go there," He looked down. "there's nothing I could do about it."

Pound kept avoiding eye contact, rubbing his head.

The silence felt loud, so Pound decided to ask what college Fireball what college he's going to.

"Well,"

"I'm going to The University of Toronto."

"Lucky, you're not as far as mines." Pound crossed his arms.

"I would blame your parents though." Fireball rested on his hand, gazing at Pound.

"But I like to think that they want the best for me." Pound defended. "I don't want to disappoint them too."

"Gee.." Fireball muttered. But it was loud enough for Pound to hear.

"But, would you visit me when you have the time, though?" Pound tried to lighten up the mood.

"Of course."

"Then don't blame my parents, when you can visit me." Pound chuckled.

"Whatever." Fireball playfully rolled his eyes

"So, what would you like to major in your college?" Fireball asked.

"I dunno. Science related perhaps." Pound answered. "What would you like to major in?"

"Maybe art."

Pound snapped his fingers. "Ooh! Speaking of art, I haven't seen yours."

Fireball stared at Pound. "Don't you dare."

"Blimey! I just wanted to see." Pound pouted.

They talked until midnight, though they haven't even realized it. Sacrificing your sleep schedule for someone is crazy.

"Looks like it's getting late." Pound checked the wall clock.

"You realized that just now?" Fireball snickered. His hand holding the coffee..

Pound scoffed, looking away. "Whatever, we have a date tomorrow. I don't want to ruin my sleep schedule."

"Yeah, yeah."

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"Dude, what the hell happened to the camera?!"

Pound rubbed his head, looking to his side.

Fireball gestured Pound to give it to him. He held the camera, inspecting it.

"Oh God..." Fireball muttered.

"I'll fix it myself." Pound took the camera.

The weather got hotter. Fireball thought that the car was smoking from the sun but he might just be crazy.

"What's taking you so long, Pound?" Fireball tapped his feet, with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Hold on a minute! I think the camera's broken."

"I'll fix it." Fireball snatched the camera, he was impatient. He kept turning the camera, looking for a problem.

"Come here." Fireball gestured Pound to come closer.

Pound leaned in, his eyes stuck to the camera.

"You put the battery— IN the wrong way." Fireball aggressively poked the battery, making Pound flinch backwards.

"Oh, golly."

Fireball sighed, his hands on his face. Pound seemed anxious.

He groaned, still trying to fix the camera.

"I think it's fixed now." Fireball handed Pound the camera, he immediately took the camera and tried taking pictures of Fireball.

"Don't you dare." Fireball crossed his arms.

Pound chuckled, then gazing to Fireball.

"You might want to hold that tightly, otherwise it would break down again." Fireball held the car door.

"Of course." Pound sat in the passenger seat.

The inside of the car smelled like leather, the AC was still on. Though, summer won't give mercy.

"So this is it?" Fireball slowed down the car.

"Yep! Just park right here." Pound pointed to a place.

They hopped off the car, the breeze immediately hit them.

"A pretty nice place for summer, huh?" Pound playfully hitting Fireball's elbow. "Yeah, I admit it is pretty nice."

"But why is there no one here if this is a park?" Fireball asked.

"Well, I made that up. It isn't a park but a nice place to have a picnic."

"Wait, you didn't tell me we're having a picnic."

"No, silly! But it would also be nice though." Pound laughed. "I'm going to take some pictures."

"Go ahead."

Fireball watched Pound running around with his camera, his face melted into a smile.

Pound took photos of the plants, flowers even.

A tree caught Pound's attention, he positioned his camera to his face.

"What the..." Pound took his camera off his face, staring into something. His eyes squinted to see better.

"Hey Pound! Whaddya wanna eat?"

Notes:

Ruh roh

Chapter 8: Surprise! I Guess

Fireball sat in a couch, next to a fireplace. Drinking his coffee.

A knock echoed the house.

"Hold up." Fireball weakly shouted. He put down the coffee, walking over to the door.

"Who is it—"

"Surprise!" Pound smiled, holding a chocolate cake with candles on.

Fireball stood in silence, his eyes widening. Pound grinned awkwardly, waiting for a response.

"Ehh..?" Pound held the cake closer to Fireball.

Fireball wrapped his arms around Pound, making him flinch slightly.

"Wha—"

"Thank you."

"Uhh... okay. I guess." Pound hugged him, patting his back slowly. His other hand held the cake.

 

They sat in the floor with gifts surrounding them.

"So... I got you some stuff." Pound lend him a birthday gift. It was the smallest one out of 5.

"You didn't have to do this." Fireball smiled.

"Of course I do!" (Why is pound so autistic coded bro)

Fireball laughed. He thought Pound's doing was kind of cute.

They talked for a while, until the clock hits 11:57 PM.

"So... should we go to bed?" Pound suggested.

"Yeah."

Pound walked towards his bed, sitting on it. He stared at the photo of Fireball and him, making him smile.

His cat followed Pound to his bedroom— sitting on his lap.

Pound chuckled, "You're so small." He held the cat. Its eyes looked like as if it never blinked.

"We're still workshopping on your name, don't worry!" Pound put down the cat.

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Fireball decided to walk on the town, whilst  Pound was still asleep.

A group of objects his age caught his eye, looks like they're laughing at him.

"Hey, you're a normal guy, right?" One of the objects snickered.

Fireball tilted his head, confused by the specific question.

The other object wheezed.

"Um, pardon?"

"Say, are you close with that— Pound 'guy'?" The other object held his laugh.

"Uh, yeah? We've known each other for a while."

They burst into a laugh, it annoys Fireball every time.

"So, like— do you feel like a girl or something?"

Fireball stood in silence, refusing to answer it.

"Chill! It was just a joke!"

"How was that a joke? I'm not even laughing right now."

"My bad, turns out you were a normal guy."

"What— the hell does that even mean?" Fireball crossed his arms in annoyance.

"Huh?" One of the objects turned back to the group.

"He doesn't know! Hahahah—!"

"But like, you've known each other for a while, right?"

"Then you could've known it!"

Fireball's POV!!

Huh?

What the hell...

Then—

"You go shopping in a mall? That's kind of girly."

Pound only chuckled in response.

He didn't talk to me for a while after I said that.

Then—

What he wanted to talk about was...

———

Fireball turned around to see Pound standing beside him, staring hopelessly into nothing.

"I—"

"I tried to—"

"..."

"No..." He muttered.

"Pound...?"

He ran away, without saying a word.

"Wait— Pound!" Fireball tried to reach out to Pound's hands, but failed.

He chased after Pound, who took a turn to some alleyway.

"Pound! I swear to God—!"

He ran as fast as he can, looking for Pound.

"Pou—" Fireball bumped into Pound.

"Pound..."

He didn't say anything, he just stood there.

"I'm sorry."

His eyes widened.

"I should've told you sooner." Pound curled himself into the floor, not facing Fireball.

"You were pretty shocked, right?" Pound wept his tears.

"I—" Fireball opened his mouth.

"I'm—" Pound interrupted him.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to...-" Fireball tried to reach his hand to Pound.

"I just know that..."

"I— after knowing this, you would act normal as if nothing ever happened." Pound sniffled.

"Oh, Pound..."

"But—"

"After all these years, that I didn't tell you about it—"

"I'm sorry."

"And not being able to face it,"

"I'm sorry."

"I just don't want you to—"

Fireball wrapped his arms around Pound once again.

"It's fine." Fireball reassured, his voice was soft.

"You don't need to worry about that."

Pound flinched from the sudden gesture, he held Fireball's hands that was holding him.

"You wanna go to some café or something?" Fireball tried to lighten up his mood.

"I, uhh."

Fireball smiled at him.

"That... would be nice." Pound grinned, still confused.

Fireball stood up before Pound, gesturing to hold his hand.

Pound grabbed his hand and stood up with Fireball.

"But— you're not..."

"Oh, come on! You've known me for a long time. Why would I be mad at you?"

Pound's eyes widened, his cheeks flushed.

"Forget these guys."

Fireball leaned in to whisper. "I accept you just the way you are."

"So, don't even think about it!" Fireball cheered him up.

"I—"

Pound looked away. Sniffles were heard.

"Wait, are you crying?"

"No... I'm not."

Fireball chuckled, patting his back.

The sky got brighter, and the roads became more crowded.

"Come on, you don't want some tea in that Café?"

"I do..."

"Then let's go!" Fireball pulled Pound's hands, surprising Pound.

Notes:

Wow he’s trans

Chapter 9: Wake Up

"A camera— for me?"

Yearbook stood in shock, grabbing the item handed by Mirror.

"Obviously. I couldn't stand seeing you without your camera." Mirror pitied.

"Oh, thank you!" Yearbook softly chuckled. A tinge of red glowed in her cheeks.

"Of course." Mirror held a thumbs up. They laughed together in sync.

"No, seriously. I actually love this so much. And the camera lens work so well!" The book held her camera in position, facing it to Mirror.

"What can I say?" Mirror laughed at herself.

The same day, they walked together back home, before the sun touches the ground.

"So, Mirror..." Yearbook tried to make a conversation. She fidgeted with her camera.

"Hm?" She turned to her side, facing Yearbook.

The concrete below them made a noise each step they made. Cars passing through, and the sidewalk made a turn.

"Have you decided on what college you're going to?" Yearbook asked.

Mirror rubbed her chin, looking to the side as she forms a thought.

"Maybe..."

Yearbook leaned in for an answer, raising her eyebrows.

"I think I'm going for Toronto." She smiled.

"That's great to hear, looks like we're going to the same uni!" Yearbook grinned.

Mirror chuckled, her eyes were stuck to Yearbook.

The surrounding was muffled, so was Yearbook's voice. The only thing Mirror can hear is her thoughts.

Mirror can only focus on Yearbook. Her smile, her dimples and the way her eyes squint when she does, yet, her voice was muted to Mirror's ears.

"Mirror?"

A certain voice snapped her back to reality.

"Were you even listening?" Yearbook made a small laugh with her mouth closed.

"Oh— uh, yeah! I was— I was listening." Mirror stammered.

The response only made Yearbook raise her eyebrow.

"No, really. I was listening." Mirror added.

"Alright then." Yearbook went back to the path. "As I was saying, what are you going to major in?"

"Biology." Mirror watched the golden sky. "You?"

"I think you already know." Yearbook stated.

"Oh yeah." Mirror muttered under her breath.

Their chat went on and on until the sun sets. They finally reached their destination.

"I'm gonna go home now, nice talking to you!" Mirror waved her goodbye.

"See you!"

Yearbook watches her close the door, knowing that she's all by herself with no one to talk to.

She walked back to her house, following the path.

'Someday, maybe I will let her know.' Yearbook thought to the sky. 'And what if she really does feel the same?"

'Ah! What am I thinking..." Yearbook shook her head. Snapping back to reality.

The book noticed that the camera had dropped, making her crouch to the floor and grab it. (Her camera didn't have a strap btw)

A noise caught her attention, it seems that the bush in front of her was the source.

It rattled repeatedly until Yearbook decided to investigate it.

'It must've been a rat or something.' Yearbook thought, stopping herself from going forward.

But the bush still tried to get her attention, getting on her nerves.

The book sighed, inching towards the bush then.

She was still hesitant, holding her camera tightly.

But she has other thoughts in her mind. Yearbook took a turn and went back to her path.

The sky echoed a dark blue gradient. As the street lights flickered as she passed through the streets.

The air gradually gets colder.

The freezing breeze shivered Yearbook, in response; she held both of her arms, with the camera in her chest.

She could feel goosebumps sent down to her spine, either because of how cold it is or, something else.

Her guts told her to turn around, as she ignored the command.

But her reflexes made her turn her body, noises of concrete beneath behind her did.

She looked around, inspecting a sign of life.

Paranoid, the word stuck on her head.

She brushed aside these bothers, back to her destination.

A tap on her shoulder widened her eyes.

Chapter 10: Seriously, Wake Up

"Mirror?"

The mirror jumped slightly, sitting up back to her last position. "Uh, yeah?" Mirror nervously chuckled at herself.

"Gee," Chip Stack crossed his arms. "You've been asleep for a little too long."

"Sorry." Mirror mumbled. "I'll help you guys with the printing." She immediately stood up.

The room went quiet again, while the three was focused on their job.

No thoughts went through Mirror, but the dream she had.

"Yearbook.." She muttered. Her raspy voice didn't quite reach their ears. Her hands stopped working as she had to figure out the dream.

But her brain can't form a memory of that dream, not even a single one.

She went back to work, grabbing the printer's plug to the laptop on the floor.

"I'm starving." Chip Stack stated.

"Order it yourself, I'm low on money right now." Fireball said, while reading the documents.

"Well, I can cook some food for you guys." Mirror added, wanting to be of help for them.

"That would be nice." Fireball sighed.

"You're welcome." The mirror headed towards the kitchen.

The two of them sat silently, glued to their own tasks. Fireball decided to cut the silence.

"So, about Caramel Apple.." He put down the document.

Chip Stack didn't say anything, even if he heard Fireball.

"Is it actually true?" He tried to grab Chip Stack's attention. "That he really went missing."

"Why do you want to know?" Chip Stack didn't even budge to look.

Fireball scoffed, back to reading the document. The pile of documents surrounded them, in fact; they're supposed to read all of them.

Though, seems like no evidence is yet to be found.

They have no choice but to go and investigate the forest. Again.

Mirror agreed that they should go to the forest if they haven't found an evidence yet. Guess they'll go with it.

"I found some frozen pasta, is this enough for you guys?" Mirror opened the door with her elbows while holding the plates of the heated pasta.

The two nodded, putting back their documents. It didn't take too long until they started to eat.

They may not look like it but, the two were pretty thankful for Mirror.

Mirror sat down from the opposite side of them, digging in to her meal.

"So... have we decided?" Mirror said, lighting up a conversation to end the loud silence. "To go to the forest?" She asked, still chewing on the pasta.

"I guess so," Fireball answered. The atmosphere was quiet, but yet, the sound of the rain interrupts.

"If you mean right now, I think it might be too late for that." Chip Stack added.

"It's dark already?" Mirror looked out the window, checking the sky.

No one answered, but the rain did.

Mirror shivered out of the cold, holding herself for warmth. The other two didn't bother.

"Oh right, how is Mirror going back to her house? It's pretty far from ours." Chip Stack asked.

Mirror looked back to them, "True. Well, if you don't mind; is it okay if I stay here?" Mirror asked for a favor. "Just for the night."

"That's fine by me." Fireball sighed. Holding up the empty plate.

"I'm going to the kitchen, are you guys done with your food yet?" Fireball stood up, holding the door, waiting.

They lend him the plates, soon he walked through the hallway to the kitchen.

The chilling air filled the house, rains in night are in fact the coldest. Though, it's pretty relaxing to think about.

Tostada slept on the pet bed, which is covered in Pound's jacket.

But no matter what, the text he received was still on his head forever. How did they know what he's doing? What do they want from him? And who even was that?

Answers are that he yearned for.

Fireball cleared off his mind while washing the plates, he tried to think of something else. He dried his hands, going back to his room.

But a certain figure in the dark caught his eye.

He looked out the window without hesitation, watching left and right.

'It's probably just a hallucination.' Fireball thought.

Snapping back to reality, he walked away to his room. Chattering echoed from it.

The door were inches from closing. He then pushed it slowly.

"You two should be sleeping right now." Fireball rubbed his eyes.

"But where would I sleep in?" Mirror asked. "Just go sleep on the couch. You can make it a bed."

"But how about Chip Stack?" She asked before closing the door. "His house is close to mines." Fireball answered.

Mirror stepped towards the living room."There's a spare blanket in the wardrobe close to the TV." Fireball added.

As she opened the wardrobe, something she had lay her eyes upon was a photo of Pound on the wall.

Brushing it off, she took the yellow blanket. It was pretty warm, she thought. Though it smells like dust as it has been years ever since Fireball opened it.

The fireplace lit up the room, the contrast  between warm and cold was perfect. Mirror opened her phone, opening the messages app and stumbling upon Yearbook's contact.

With a tap of her finger, messages from 7 days ago appeared. It was a conversation between her and Yearbook, a discussion before meeting up.

 

Monday

Yearbook: so it's 3 pm then?

.                      answerrr

waittt im finding my car keys :You

NOO I LOST THEM          .

 

Yearbook: oh nouu :c

 

You activated a voice call

im here :You

where r u          .

Yearbook: im in front of the music store

.                     the one with the guitar lights

 

She frowned a bit. Putting back her phone, she reached out to the blanket and covered herself.

The sound of the raindrops silenced her thoughts. The perfect temperature made her eyelids heavy.

Though the couch may be a little small, it was the perfect size for Mirror to sleep in.

As the night passes, Mirror was seen to fall off the couch, waking herself up. She rubbed her head, then her eyes.

The sunlight shined through the square windows, landing upon her face.

Mirror opened her phone to check the time.
10:34.

I slept for too long, Mirror thought. She immediately got up so that no one would lay upon their eyes on her, literally on the floor.

As she passed through Fireball's room, she went back to the room and noticed the door was open the whole time.

She took a peek at Fireball, who's surprisingly still sleeping. At least I didn't wake up later than him, what she said to herself.

Mirror thought that it was time to leave, not wanting to be of bother for Fireball.

She packed up her stuff that she left on the table. Opening the unlocked entrance and stepped down the small stairs.

She took out her phone, texting Fireball that she's going back to make sure and not cause a panic.

Chapter 11: The Forest

Summary:

TW: something that certain bugs eat idk

Mirror stood there in shock, holding her flashlight close to her chest.

"Alright. So, our goal here is to find an evidence. It doesn't have to be more than one."
Fireball faced them, pointing his flashlight.

Why a flashlight when it's still day, you ask? Just in case it gets dark before they even leave.

Fireball walked first before them, leading the group. The others then followed.

Chip Stack seems used to it now, while Mirror was pretty hesitant. She kept fidgeting with her flashlight, turning it on and off.

While Chip Stack and Fireball was ahead of her, she catches up to them out of desperation.

The leaves beneath them crunch as they walk. As the sun rays and the mist meet, the breeze passes through them.

"Scared already? It's not even dark yet." Fireball teased her, looking back to see Mirror slightly trembling.

"I'm not!" She denied. Fireball rolled his eyes then faced his tracks.

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There's a chance that I'm going to die from this cold. Seriously. It's not even winter yet and the weather is unnecessarily cold.

My flames are dying and, well, I can't do anything about it. But I noticed Mirror shivering either from the breeze or that she's just scared.

"Scared already? It's not even dark yet." I teased. I'm just trying to hide the fact that I'm on the verge of dying from this cold.

"I'm not!" She denied. It's kind of funny because it was way too obvious she is.

But not that I care about it. My focus here is to find some evidence because the police here are stupid anyways. And I thought, why not solve it myself? Or with some company.

I might sound crazy, but, I could've sworn that the breeze is getting colder than before.

I saw a glimpse of their faces. Looks like I'm not the only one to notice it. And my fingers are feeling numb already.

I looked around my surroundings, trying to find something that might catch my eye.

In fact, something did.

That darn maggot trail.

The others haven't noticed it already. I might have to tell them first. "Guys. Look over there."
I pointed them to the trail. Mirror looks confused at first, but then found the trail I pointed at.

"Look over where?" Chip Stack squinted his eyes. I grabbed his face, making him easier to see. His eyes looked left and right, scanning for something.

I groaned, giving up. I saw Mirror walking towards the trail, I had no choice but to follow her.

As Chip Stack tried to catch up, he yelled for us to wait. Mirror crouched over to see clearly where the trail leads to.

She gestured to me to go where it leaded. We ran through the trees while Chip Stack seemed tired already from the running.

But my feet suddenly stopped, as if it did it on its own. Though seeing Mirror going even farther didn't make me stop.

"Is it that hard to wait?" Chip Stack yelled. Looks like running isn't his thing.

"Mirror, wait!" I tried to reach her, thankfully she stopped. "What?" She turned to me.

"I have a bad feeling about this." I said.

She nodded. We faced back to Chip Stack desperately catching up. "Dang it. Why can't you guys just— wait?" He panted mid sentence.

We both chuckled. "Not our fault you suck at running." That statement made Chip Stack scoff.

"But still, I really want to know where it leads to." She looked down, then to the trail. "Well, it's worth a try to give it a chance." I stated. But my gut says no.

We faced to Chip Stack, he shook his head as a response. "Well, you only live once!" Mirror said. She dashed to the trail. "Last one to get there will pay for dinner!" Mirror shouted.

I followed her tracks, running even faster than before. I could hear Chip Stack groaning, then walking towards us.

Looks like the trail leaded to some— cave? It's smaller than where we went before though. A statue was blocking the entrance, Mirror gestured to me to move it.

I scoffed, but there's no other way than doing it. Surprisingly the statue wasn't that heavy. For me.

And dang. I could feel the oxygen leaving my lungs inside there. I turned my flashlight on, crouching slightly to get inside. Mirror followed.

I could barely breathe here! If I don't get out in the next few minutes there's a chance I could die right inside this cave.

Though,

Is it me or why does it kind of smell here? More like—

"Mirror."

She stopped in her tracks, confused.

"Get outside. Right now."

"Wait— what?"

I turned to her, telling her to get out without saying a word.

"Fine." She went back to the entrance.

Going back to where I was, I continued crouching. The smell gets stronger each step I take.

The smell pierced through my nose, as the air gets thinner and thinner. I was getting farther from the entrance. I looked down to my feet, realizing I have been stepping on maggots the whole time.

I shivered. I don't want to admit this but, bugs are actually my biggest fear if I'm near them.

But I couldn't care less about that. I just know there's something that I need to find far over there. My brain keeps telling me to stop, but nothing is making me.

The deeper I went through, the more loud the echoes of my footsteps are. But seriously, I have heard about something when flames near caves that lack oxygen is a hazard. (Not sure tho)

My breath gets heavier than before, as not enough oxygen is getting inside. I could die here.

As I continued crouching—

A sound echoed the cave.

I look down out of reflex,

My flashlight dropped from my hands.

No.

The word that repeated in my head.

I stepped back, covering my mouth as my eyes widened. My lungs begged for oxygen. My heartbeat gradually kept going faster. I was on the verge of throwing up as my eyes darted left and right.

I felt like I was having a heart attack. I couldn't even move, or even breathe properly. The sound of my heartbeat echoed through my whole body, accelerating.

The knife that was dug across his face, and the open wound in his stomach. Maggots surrounded his wounds. I could feel vomit creeping up my closed throat.

"Fireball!" A muffled voice reached to me, but I couldn't even notice it.

My whole body ached, and it felt like hell. My hands trembled, desperately trying to find my flashlight.

A finger landed on my shoulder. My heartbeat seemed to slow down slightly. "Fireball?"

I looked to the side to see Mirror. My mouth tried to make words, but I just couldn't.

Her arms wrapped around me, which surprised me a little bit. My hands were finally able to move, holding her hands that were wrapped around me. (Not a ship btw!)

She didn't say anything. Just straight up held me and I think it was the best choice as questions could make me lose my mind even more. Really.

My breath got its rhythm back. "Thanks." I muttered. She chuckled, letting go of me.

"This stupid cave is so narrow—"

Chip Stack stopped in his tracks. "What." He looked down at the corpse. Even though I can't see his face, he looks like he was on the verge of throwing up.

"Looks like that's something we should take care of." Mirror stated, as she was visibly avoiding to look at the corpse.

I looked back at Pound, sitting on the floor while leaning on the cold wall. I held his hand one last time. His hands were as cold as a marble floor.

 

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Fireball sat in the bench of the police station, wrapping himself with a blanket that was given by a police, which is pretty nice of her.

The others were talking to one of the policemen. "We'll be back soon!" Mirror told him. He nodded in response as he watched her follow them.

Fireball curled himself into a ball, hiding his face under the blanket.

The cold there shivered Fireball even though he's wrapped in a whole blanket. Sighing, he looked back up.

That stupid hallucination was back again. But, this time it felt real. He could feel it's presence before him. The shadow disappeared as he blinked.

He furrowed his eyebrows out of confusion. What the hell even was that? Fireball asked himself. Questions ran through his head.

Yet, what's important isn't even close to that. He needed to answer some questions after Mirror and Chip Stack were done interrogating with the policemen.

He sat in the interrogation room, still wrapping himself under the blanket. This time the room was even colder than the hallway.

"How many years have he been missing?" The police took out the notes. "Five."

They nodded. "Where have you last seen him?"

Fireball flinched slightly at the question. "At..." He thought before continuing. "In some kind of field. It was close to the nearby powerhouse." His breath shook slightly.

The police wrote down the notes. "And what is your status between him?"

"I, uh..." He hesitated. "I'm his partner." Fireball looked down. The police raised their eyebrows as they wrote.

The questions continued on and on until it got dark. Mirror and Chip Stack had waited for quite a while.

Mirror groaned. "Finally! They weren't giving you mercy for those questions." Fireball chuckled. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting."

They walked down the parking lot. It got pretty empty as it has been midnight already. "I'm going home now." Mirror unlocked her car.

"See you." Fireball quietly waved. They watched her drive off to the street.

Notes:

Omaygat

Chapter 12: If Only…

Fireball walked over Pound's grave, holding flowers. Most of them were yellow hibiscus ones.

He crouched over, reading the gravestone.

'The sun shined brighter when he was here.'

He slightly frowned. Fireball then gave over the hibiscus flowers, sitting with Pound. "I could've done something." Fireball murmured.

The breeze answered as leaves fly over him. He put his knees up to his chest. "I'm sorry."

Trees swayed as a response.

 

It isn't your fault, Fireball.

Chapter 13: It Isn’t Your Fault

It isn't your fault, Fireball.

Really.

It's nobody's fault.

So please,

Why won't you forgive yourself?

I should be the one that's

Apologizing.

It was so selfish of me.

I didn't even know what I was thinking.

...

I'm sorry, Fireball.

I caused all of this.

All of your problems.

I should be the one at fault.

And really, please, it's not your mistake,

That our fates were disrupted by my own choice.

...

Right.

You can't see me.

But just so you know,

It isn't your fault, Fireball.

I'm sorry.

Notes:

Awh that’s so sad

Alexa play despacito

Chapter 14: Chapter Title

"You're going to Cambridge?" Fireball asked, with a hint of surprise in his voice.

"It's not like I chose to, duh." Pound sassily answered, yet he still felt guilty to leave Fireball for his hometown.

"It's your mother, isn't it?"

Pound jumped slightly, but didn't budge to face Fireball. He nodded to admit.

He sighed, putting down his coffee. "Guess it's futile." Fireball looked through the window. "How long will you be there?"

"For..." Pound counted with his hands. "Two weeks, I think."

Fireball widened his eyes. "That long just for a 'surprise'?!" He slammed his hand into the table. Pound flinched slightly.

"You know my parents." Pound looked down.

"Nothing we can do about it anyways." Fireball admitted.

 

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"See you then, Fireball!" Pound waved in the distance before running through the airport. "See you."

Fireball frowned, walking back to his car. Two weeks without anybody accompanying him, talking with him, or even someone to annoy him? Hell.

Sure, without anyone to annoy him 24/7 is nice enough. But all alone in a house when you're used to have someone to talk to? Hm.

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"Oh my goodness, you're finally here!" Pound's mother hugged him.

"What's with the short hair? I preferred you when you have long hair." She complained, pulling away from the hug. (I forgot this isn't humanized pls pretend)

"Mom, you know I've already graduated from school. I'm basically an adult now. I can do whatever I want with my appearance." Pound stated, though slightly anxious.

"..."

"Your father is waiting for us! Let's not make him impatient.." His mother held his arms tightly to the car, brushing off.

"Right! When I told you I had a surprise, I really meant it!" She opened her bag, searching.

"You have been accepted to Cambridge! Isn't that amazing?" She pulled out a letter.

"Oh." Pound widened his eyes. "That's... wow."

"It's your dream college! Lift your mood up a little." She said.

"You're going to have an interview next week first though, but just enjoy your time here." She held his shoulders.

"So, how was Canada?" His mother asked, while still focusing on driving. "It was great." Pound answered, looking through the window.

They stood before the entrance. "It's been a while ever since you've seen this house, huh?" She said, grabbing the keys to unlock the door.

"Your room is over there! It hasn't changed for years..."

Pound sat in his bed, it smelled of dust. He looked around the walls, posters and lights filled the room.

A diary caught his eye, he reached for it.

'Do NOT open this!' He read. He had this book ever since middle school, which made him hesitate to read it.

Opening it, he was greeted with a text. 'Owner of this book: Pound ^_^'

He smiled a little. He began flipping the pages until one certain page appeared.

'I don't know anymore. I wish I was just a normal girl. The little things I do, I get teased for them. I hate it. I hate it so so much. I don't want to be in this school anymore. The students here sucks. Why am I getting made fun of for just existing? Leave me alone already.

My mother keeps telling me that "oh! They're just jealous of you!" Shut up already. You don't know anything about me. I just want to exist as a person, not a toy for other people.'

Pound closed the book, thinking about his choices. 'Damn.' He thought.

Notes:

Boooo boringggg

Chapter 15: Give me title ideas😢

"So, are we going to let the police be responsible for the case?" Mirror sat in the couch, next to Chip Stack. "The body, I meant."

"There's no way we're investigating the body, especially Fireball." Chip Stack crossed his arms.

Fireball was across the couch they were sitting in, he listened to their conversation.

"He's still sensitive about it too, so was everybody else." Chip Stack added. "We'll just wait for the police about the news."

They sat in silence, waiting for someone to talk. The fireplace lit the room, thus emitting a golden lighting throughout.

"Um. So like, what are we going to do?" Mirror asked. "I'm not going home back and forth."

"Wait." Fireball's voice echoed the room.

Both Chip Stack and Mirror looked at him in surprise, as he hasn't spoke for days.

"Rather than doing nothing, why don't we just go and investigate the park?" Fireball invited them. "Plus, the investigators haven't checked the park out yet."

The two stared at him, eyes widening."What? Don't look at me as if I just confessed a crime."

"He's right." Chip Stack stated. "Let's just go there. I don't want to sit here."

They stood in sync except for Mirror, hesitating. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but then followed them to the car.

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"So this is the park?" Mirror walked around in the grass, eyeing around her surroundings.

"It looks more like a field, though." Chip Stack said. "So, where was the place he um—"

"—Went missing?"

Fireball flinched slightly, turning to Chip Stack. "... Well, just— follow me." Fireball instructed. He led the path to a place full of bushes.

"This is it." Fireball pointed to the clutter of grass.

"Wait," Mirror said. "You don't think there's a whole forest behind that bush?" She pointed out.

Chip Stack looked to the side of the giant bush, checking.

"Why don't we just check them out?" Mirror asked. "We could be one step ahead of the police!"

"We're already ahead of them." Chip Stack said. "But we haven't found a suspect yet?"

"Not if I find it out myself!" Mirror squeezed in between the bushes before they could ever stop her.

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"Mirror—" I tried to grab her. "Ugh, come on!"

"What the heck are you doing?" Chip Stack said.

"Not my fault you guys can't fit here!" Mirror scoffed.

We stood in silence for a while. "... If you ever get lost or even die don't even blame us." I crossed my arms.

"Wait! There's an alternate route over there! Just go to your left."

We followed, searching for the route Mirror mentioned.

"Is this it?" I stood in between the bushes. I never wanted to go in but, it's better rather than worrying.

"Yep!" Mirror's voice muffled from the other side.

I squeezed in, though, there's a really high chance I could burn these bushes to ashes. I have always hated my flames.

I finally made it in. Mirror asked where Chip Stack was, then we faced back to him.

"Gee, took you long enough." I said. I had millions of things to say about how his fat ass can't even run nor fit in— woah.

"So, uhh..."

"I want to go home." Mirror said blankly.

We both turned to her. "Dude, what."

"Mirror, I swear to— y'know what. Let's just go ahead and find whatever we can."

We did not. Unfortunately. That was the time I had never trusted Mirror ever since. Though, we did get along pretty well later.

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"Look, a witch!" Mirror pointed at Chip Stack. "What? Me?"

"We have found a witch! He confessed it himself!" I followed along.

"Wait, aren't witches supposed to be girls—"

"Burn the witch at stake! We must not let him taint our town!"

He groaned. "I'm supposed to solve a case, not take care of you guys as if I'm a babysitter."

I must admit, being with them wasn't a bad choice.

Notes:

Chip Stack is a witch guys

Chapter 16: You.

Notes:

The chapter title is scary

It wasn't long until we realized there were no more clues to find out.

"Guys! Because of our evidences we showed to the police, they have found a suspect!" Mirror showed her phone screen.

"Already? That was fast." Chip Stack said.

I immediately dashed towards Mirror, no words or even hesitation.

"Who."

"It's this guy, I don't really know him."

"It's getting late now, I should go." Chip Stack left.

"Right! I should go back too."

"Wait, Mirror— do they have his location?"

She turned to me. "Uh, yeah. I'll... send it to you lat—"

"Give it to me. Now." I said, like a child would.

...

"Okay..."

She sent it to my contact, then left.

"I'll see you, Fireball!"

I waited for them to leave with their car, though, it felt like time was slowing.

Then I grabbed my car keys and drove to the said location. (Fireball stop you're scaring the author himself)

I was at the opposite direction of their way, so they wouldn't see me.

It wasn't long until I finally arrived at his house. I stepped out from my car, then knocked his door even though there was a doorbell.

He opened the door without hesitating. "Oh. You're uhh... Fireball? The one the officer told me?"

I didn't say anything.

"What... brings you here?" He swallowed.

"You."

"W-what?"

He realized.

"Sir, I— I can explai—"

"You KILLED SOMEONE. Someone who had hopes and dreams, plans for the future, surprises to be waited, memories of the past, and all of that were WIPED DOWN. All because of YOU."

"I HAD WORDS TO TELL HIM. I HAD— I— ALL BECAUSE OF YOU, ALL OF MY LOVE FOR HIM, IS NOWHERE FOR ME TO PUT."

He was the heart to my blood, he was the sun to my earth, I could recognize him by his touch alone, the way his breaths warmed all over me.

I could know him by the way his feet struck the earth. I could know him by the way his heart beat over mines.

He stepped back, trembling. "Sir, please, wait—"

I grabbed a kitchen knife from the counter.

"Fireball, sir— wait, wait— let me— let me explain!" He stepped back only to end up on a dead end.

I stopped, my grip over the knife loosened.

"He was— he was already dead when I saw him, alright?!" His voice shook, with his breath unsteady.

"Then who did it." I said, like a delayed storm waiting to strike.

"I was a lumberjack! I was just cutting the trees, and— and— I—"

"I couldn't see him..."

I tightened my hand over the knife, taking one step forward.

"It's— it's not a lie! I promise!"

"I said who did it."

"It was Poun— your partner himself!"

The words that had left a void inside of me.

"What?"

"I saw the knife in his hand—! It was he himself."

"I took the knife from him and—"

Am I hearing this properly?

"So you're saying Pound killed himself?"

I inhaled.

"And you confessed to them that you were the one who had killed him?"

He nodded, sweat all over him.

The stillness in the air was for a while. I threw the knife away to the counter, leaving.

I could not see his face, but I know relief was all over him.

But, Pound?

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That was the last thing I expected him to do. All of the questions ran through my head.

Why?

Answers, the things I yearned. Was it myself who drove him to—

It was me.

All of these years, I was the killer.

I wasn't enough for Pound.

All of my doings for him— it never was enough.

I had driven him to take his own life.

The memories of him were like trying to play a song with an out of tune piano, causing you to mess up on the notes.

The memories of you I could not flood back in, no matter how much I wanted to, were all gone.

All because of me.

The people that I blamed, the small things I get mad over—

—I was at fault.

The words I told myself, 'you could have saved him.'

It was no longer. There's no point for it now.

 

It isn't your fault, Fireball.

Chapter 17: Sorry guys haha

It was the time,

the time to escape.

To escape my mother, her expectations, and everything.

To escape my thoughts, to escape myself.

I will finally be free from all of them.

...

But,

what about Fireball—?

No.

I don't even want to know.

This was the day you had waited.

The day you waited for years of torment.

...

Don't you think this is the only solution you have?

Come on, do it.

This is your own choice; do it.

...

What's taking you so long?

I just want to see him again...

No, that's not what's important.

Slash that knife to your stomach,

and embrace the pain, the feelings you have yearned for.

But—

STAB

...

Blood drips from my insides, crawling through my throat.

Was this what I wanted?

My legs gave up.

Blood warmed all over me, though, it felt like boiling water to my skin.

Was this what I wanted?

I called his name, I think. But only chokes and gurgles came out.

I longed for his touch, I had always wanted— no, needed it.

But how will I call for you now?

I could feel my heartbeat slowing down, as less blood were pouring out.

If only death could feel like being cradled by your arms. If only you were here.

But was this what I wanted?

Notes:

Oops uhhh

*runs away in Indonesian*

Chapter 18: I Missed You

In the end, all of the other people who were missing,

they haven't been found yet.

Caramel Apple, Yearbook, and others is yet still to be found.

...

I missed you Yearbook.

Even with all these evidences, I still couldn't find you, everybody couldn't.

Please, wherever you are,

wait for me.

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Helping Fireball wasn't the worst choice.

Sure, I didn't get to find Caramel Apple, but,

At least I finally found people to be with, even in my lowest.

But it doesn't mean I won't forget you.

I never will.

I never will forget your tricks, your personality, and the way you talked to me.

Hah, now I sound kind of stupid.

Notes:

Well, looks like in the end, everybody else was grieving too!!!! Hahahahahaha
Anyways uhh goodbye

*runs away in Indonesian again cutely while my ass cheeks clap and flies away beautifully to mars*

Chapter 19: The End

Notes:

Yes it’s the end

It has been years now. Three.

Their bodies have finally been found; Caramel Apple and Yearbook.

Caramel Apple has been found in some sewer, near the cave Pound was in. With a wound on his head.

Yearbook was found in an abandoned alleyway. With her limbs torn off.

Mirror and Chip Stack haven't been recovered from all these informations. They haven't talked for a long time.

But, the police still don't know if it was suicide or not. It could be murder, it could be something else.

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After all these years, they have finally found her.

It should have been me. I should have known where she was earlier.

But, I'm still relieved you were found, Yearbook.

...

I have been rotting in my bed for days now.

I had reached the age that my younger self had wanted to.

But, what was it for?

I achieved everything. A house, a job, my dream college, and you.

...

I guess there's no use for me to be here anymore.

You're not even here, and I am.

Where would I pour my love to? I need you, Yearbook.

...

Looks like it's decided.

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They were all gone, one by one.

Caramel Apple, Pound, Yearbook, Fireball, and Mirror.

I still yet, live.

Notes:

Uhh...

Well, looks like it's finished now... *gulp*

Anyways there's no good ending bye bye

(I bet on losing dogs by Mitski plays)

Back in the days😁 poor old me😓 didn't know what to believe😱 now I can see I'm that girl🤪 baby she's all that I need😎

Chapter 20: Sobs of Your Own

I lifted my head to see a silhouette.

"Pound...?"

"Fireball?!" He turned around. "Why are you— wha— why..."

"I'm sorry." I hugged him, surprising him with a sudden gesture.

"Fireball..." He hugged back. "Why— did you do it...?"

I pulled from him, looking away as in guilt.
"I just... I don't know."

"It isn't your fault, Fireball."

I looked up to face him. "What?" Shock was all over my face.

"It never is." He smiled. Has he not realize how much he could do with one smile?

Tears filled my eyes, but I can't let it out. I never will. One tear out and I'm done.

He wiped away my tears, though I don't remember it never hurting.

"I'm sorry." He looked down for me not to see his face.

"Look at me." I said softly, cupping his cheek. It's almost like a whisper you could barely hear.

He followed, tears streaming down from his gleaming eyes, wiping it away.

Sobs of his own filled the void. It echoed all the way like a ripple in a puddle.

"It's all over now."

Notes:

Oof