I'M YOUR PUPPET; invincible

chapter 3

    "It's not. This is new, I get it, but you need to keep that separate. What happens out there, the mistakes, even the victories, you can't bring it home."

    Loren pushes up from the sofa, slipping past Debbie, who brushes a gentle hand against her shoulder. She makes for the stairs, hearing Mark's footsteps not far behind her own.

    Immediately after entering his room, she sits on the floor, leaning against the edge of his bed. She tugs her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

    She sighs, looking up at where Mark sits opposite of her on the bed. She notices his expression, how it never seems to remain still.

    "You should call her."

    His head snaps to her. "What?"

    "Amber," Loren says, leaning her head back. "You should call her. She'd probably like that. You know, since she did give you her phone number."

    "Yeah," he sighed, avoiding her eyes, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I, uh, I guess."

    She stands, quickly walking past him. "I'm going to the bathroom."

    He watches, then, as she leaves. As she keeps her arms wrapped around herself, falling into whatever hole had been created in her mind. He can tell. He can always tell, even when she doesn't say anything about it.

    Loren sits on the edge of the bathtub, looking through her phone until she finds what she was looking for. Lifting it to her ear, she braces, waiting.

    "Hey, Sweets, it's Dad. I was just calling to check in and let you know I won't be home until later, so you'll probably be asleep by then. I love you and miss you already. See you in the morning."

    She lowers her phone, reaching to set it on the floor. Leaning her elbows on her knees, her head collapses into her hands. Sobs rack through her, muffled only by her hand.

———

    Loren couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her at the expression of absolute awe on Mark's face. He, alongside Robot, approached where she stood, looking at the group of heroes who stood before them. All to be selected as new members of the Guardians of the Globe.

    Loren looked through the group, brows raised. She, herself, wouldn't be trying out for the team due to a deal with Cecil, but she would be overseeing. And, of course, offering assistance where it was needed through the course of the following months.

    Soon, Robot stands before them all. "Thank you all for coming here today. The Guardian's of the Globe were more than a group of heroes. They were icons. Those of you who pass our trials will be among the elite...the best of the best. Needless to say, not all of you will be up to the challenge. Those of you who are up to the challenge will succeed not just by the uniqueness of your abilities, but by the uniqueness of your tactics...the agility of your minds."

    The trails begin, then. Fight after fight, they watch. However, when Eve steps into the large white room below them, Mark and Loren leave closer to the glass, watching her every movement. When the fight concludes, the redhead declared as the obvious winner, she glares up at the glass.