GRINSTONE CITY
10:12 AM
Vroom!
A sleek black electric Hummer rolled into the mall's parking lot, humming softly as it glided to a stop. Behind the wheel sat Mrs's mutt, her face lightly brushed with makeup that did little to hide her weary expression — beautiful still, but not quite cheerful. She wore a red dress, elegant yet heavy with quiet sadness.
Beside her, in the back seat, was Marie — elbow resting on the half-open tinted window, unflinching as the fresh wind brushed her face. Cleaned up and calm, she kept her tradition of wearing blue jeans, though this time she paired them with a good blouse — not her first choice. She'd wanted to wear a gym vest, something light and free, the kind that screamed I don't care about the world.
But that morning, after Ross left for the elderly home, her mother had insisted.
"If you're going to walk with me, you have to look like it."
Marie had no other choice but to comply, picking the outfit she hated least.
Next to her sat Linda, a close family friend — and her mother's chatterbox for the entire ride. Her mom had even lent her some clothes; they couldn't have Linda looking like a goth in a mall, a place where everyone pretended to forget their problems.
"We're here, girls!" Mrs mutt announced, pressing her finger to the biometric tab on the dashboard.
A cheerful holographic interface flickered:
[Destination Reached]
[Car Off]
The engine wound down, humming softly like a child drifting to sleep.
"It's shopping time!" Linda cheered, bursting with energy reminiscent of her teenage years — though she was only twenty-one.
"Ahh…" Marie sighed, still staring out the window.
She already knew what was coming — hours of walking through endless stores, her mother pacing from shop to shop in search of "the perfect product." The same routine: leaving a grocery aisle only to return minutes later for something they'd already bought. The eternal struggle of shopping with your mother — billionaire or not.
Still, deep down, Marie didn't mind today. Not really. If it helped cheer her mom up — even a little — it was worth it. Her father's death had broken her mother more than anyone else.
[Doors Open]
Squeak.
Three doors opened in sync — probably the automatic system's doing. A neat touch from ROSTECH, one of the many companies the Turtle Companies had stolen.
Thud!
They stepped out one by one. The sun greeted them warmly. Marie's mom slipped on her black shades — she'd come prepared.
Handbag in hand, she led the way into the mall, her morale unusually high, a contagious brightness about her that briefly lifted the others' spirits.
The mall wasn't futuristic, but it had touches of modern flair — cameras that followed every movement with eerie precision, and helper bots scattered around, chirping cheerfully as people walked past.
"Don't be shy! Smile Robot is always on your side!"
They said it so playfully that, for a moment, you could almost forget they were machines.
Crowds drifted through the wide halls — families, friends, children — laughter and chatter floating in the air.
Amid it all stood the trio, outside a beautifully designed store labeled "Women Care." The front wall was covered in lush green grass panels, even the door framed in it.
Mrs Mutt was mid-conversation with Linda when she suddenly stopped, eyes catching on a mannequin in the display — a sleek black dress that stole her words.
"Ladies, shall we begin?" she said, slipping into her best fancy accent — one that almost matched the store's elegance.
As they say: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Squeak.
The doors slid open.
Mrs mutt entered first, handbag swinging confidently. Behind her followed Linda, practically glowing with excitement.
Marie was about to step in when she felt eyes on her.
A nerdy man stood nearby, staring with interest. Round office glasses framed his face, and he wore a neat gray suit that somehow — against all odds — actually suited him. In one hand he held a black sheriff's hat; in his mouth, a lollipop. His hair was overly neat, his face freshly shaven — the kind of man who still lived with his mother.
He started walking toward her, as if he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
"Howdy-do, young missy!" he said, bowing theatrically, sweeping his hat to the side like a cowboy greeting royalty. His accent — thick Texan.
Marie froze mid-step, caught off guard like someone busted doing something forbidden. Her face said it all — she knew this man. A sharp frown formed on her forehead; she exhaled sharply, holding back a scream.
"What the fuck are you doing here, Rodgers?" she hissed through clenched teeth, her voice low but furious.
"I told you, my love," he said smoothly. "I'll follow you to the ends of the earth. Turns out that end just happens to be the Community Mall."
He grinned, standing up straight.
"Go away, you little freak! I'm here with my parents — I don't want them to know about you!"
She didn't realize that Linda had turned back, curious about what was taking Marie so long.
"Marie? What's keeping you?" Linda asked, approaching slowly — like a detective catching someone red-handed.
Marie sighed, glaring at her. "This weird stalker!"
"Don't talk about us like that, sugar!" Rodgers protested, placing a hand on his chest like a disco dancer.
"Who the fuck is your sugar? I'm reporting you to the firm chief!"
"Who's that?" Linda teased, grin widening.
He straightened his glasses, dramatically clearing his throat.
"I am the greatest lawyer of our generation. The ladies call me Vorrinder."
He said it with pride — a ridiculous kind of confidence that only made Marie's irritation worse.
"I told you to stop stalking me or I will personally kill you !" she snapped, her forehead creasing deeper.
"And I told you — I won't stop looking after you, my love. Never!" he said, determined.
Squeak.
The store door opened again.
There stood Mrs mutt, her expression collapsing into sadness that no smile could hide. She removed the phone from her ear, her lips parting slowly.
Tension thickened in the air instantly. Something wasn't right. Everyone could feel it.
"What's wrong?" Marie asked softly.
Her mother's voice trembled. "One of my employees at the hospital… committed suicide."