Rabbit Hole Carnival: Bloodline

You’ll be seeing this small intro for a fair of the next few posts. Due to a more locked down schedule, and just feeling better over all with the help of therapy and friends. And just an overall love of Rabbit Hole, and all the love it’s gotten I’ll be trying to post something every Sunday. Most of my traffic comes in on the Sunday people know I post, so I recommend you all scroll a bit further down this time round. You might have missed one.

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“Welcome to the Rabbit Hole—” Renee said, as she paused her game, and looked up. “Oh, Fruit Roulette?”

“You don’t even wanna talk first?” The woman who walked in replied.

“Don’t flatter yourself, mom” Renee said, as she got up and made herself a Shocking Apple. “You and I both know we don’t talk until we’re both a bit tipsy”

“Should you be drinking on the job?” Renee’s mom, Jill asked. “Is Nicholas going to approve?”

“You demanded we close down the bar for this, and we did.” Renee replied. “You saw the sign on the door, and can read, yeah?”

“Well, pardon a mother for worrying about her daughter's health.” Jill replied.

“You delay your Fruit Roulette if you want, but I need this even just from that.” Renee took a massive swig of her drink, and set it back down. “That’s better.”

“Sweetheart, can’t we really just talk?” Jill asked.

“I can.” Renee replied. “But you can’t talk about anything that doesn’t support an abuser, or give me some kind of non-answer, if not lie to me.” Renee replied, mixing up a Fruit Roulette, and setting it down across from her.

“What happened?” Jill said. “You walked out of the house a million times before. Why did this one change anything?”

“It didn’t.” Renee answered, and as both gave cheers before taking a swig of their drink. “There were a lot of those times when I thought of just figuring out how to live on the streets for at least a few days.”

“Why would you do that? Nick is right here, and you always gotten along” Jill replied.

“I was about to abandon his brother, and didn’t exactly think that was gonna be the best start.” Renee said. “But it was 2am that night, and I needed a different shelter that night.”

“He is getting better, honey.” Jill said. “You don’t need—”

“Stop it.” Renee interrupted.

“He really is.” Jill said. “It’s been a few—”

“Days? Weeks?” Renee asked. “Probably weeks, if you’re bothering to show up. So let me make this as clear as possible. I. Don’t. Give. A. Shit. Not after everything he’s done. Not after everything happened.” She sniffed a bit as some water ran down her cheeks. “I’m finally home. I finally get to experience what that's like. I finally get to be a little weak, and lean on others for once. I’m not letting anyone take from me, not again. Not even you.”

“I’m the reason you’re even here!” Jill shouted.

“A fact you often try to remind her of.” Nick said, as he changed the sign on the door. “And here you are again blaming her for deciding to live that life.”

“I think it’s time you go.” Renee said. “Honestly, I’m not sure why I bother to give this chance anymore.”

“Your father is sorry.” Jill replied.

“My father is a piece of trash that will say literally anything to get his way, and make both of us bleed if he doesn’t.” Renee said. “So you if want a list of place that’ll keep you safe you tonight, I’ll give you my old one”

“Minus this one” Nick replied. “I’ve seen that list, it has a lot of good places. May I reopen my place of income now?”

“Well, mom?” Renee asked. “Can he, or do you have something to say?”

“No, I don’t see that point.” Jill Replied, and chugged her whole drink down. “Not much one can say to a blood traitor.”

Nick watched her leave before turning to Renee. “We can keep the place closed, if you need.”

Renee shook head, and wiped the tear from face. “It went better than I thought it would. I expect Mike to come with anyways, knowing him. I wanna mix someone a drink.”

“Well then.” Ray replied, right after he swung the door open. “I do believe I know which drink will be my festival.”

“Welcome back to the Rabbit Hole Carnival.” Nick said.

“I’ll get right on it.” Renee replied