It was weird now.

Things were just too . . .. different now and it was freaking Anti out.

He woke up in the cell to see it was kept open.

He went upstairs cautiously to find breakfast was made and Jackie gave him a plate as usual.

Anti didn't eat but that seemed to be okay. He was about to take everyone's plates as usual when Chase just got up to do it and started to do the dishes!

He must have looked confused because Henrik spoke to him, "Do you not remember, Anti? You told us and part of the deal was you'd be freed from doing chores and getting . . . well . . .."

"Electrocuted if you disobeyed?" Jackie finished, "Don't worry, man. We appreciate you finally telling us. Even though we're still trying to figure out what the hell it IS you . . mentioned"

"The merger" Marvin clarified with a huff, "Honestly, I'm not sure if he IS telling the truth. I can't think of anything I have that would fall under something of that name"

'It's still a start' Jameson shrugged.

Anti relaxed a little but that didn't mean he was going to feel just dandy now. He still needed to figure out a way to get out.

'Fuck this imaginary device' Anti finally decided, 'It's obvious it doesn't even exist so why even stay here at all now? The whole point of staying was to figure out WHERE the device was in the house but since it doesn't even exist . . .'

But the more he thought about it, the more his panic grew again, 'But I still can't just walk out of here. These bands still prevent me from leaving or hurting them or myself. Damn things. They've really thought of everything'

"So" Jackie spoke up awkwardly. Silence followed and even Anti looked uncomfortable.

The hero cleared his throat, "Uh . . . So . . . What you like to do for fun?"

Anti blinked slowly at him and sighed before grumbling to himself, "Fuck, I'd rather go rot in the cage than make small-talk with you dumbasses"

"No one's stopping ya" Marvin snorted only to be swat by Jameson, "Hey! What?"

The magician merely rolled his eyes at everyone's judging stare, "Oh whatever. I gotta go to the shop, anyway. Been leaving the new girl in charge and I don't think she can take it any longer without me"

Chase chuckled, "More like you can't take it any longer. That shop is practically your baby"

"You're one to talk!" Marvin shoved him in the chair, "You clutch onto those nerf guns like they're your KIDS"

"Go to your shop"

"I AM!"

Anti rolled his eyes at the drama, 'But maybe at least if he leaves, things might be a little smoother dealing with these idiots . . without a glare burning a hole in the back of my head'

"Anti, you're coming with me"

The glitch accidentally made the kitchen lights flicker, "Huh?"

"What? You think I'm gonna let ya just roam around here without me around? Uh-uh, bitch. Without me around, the wards are weaker. It'd make the perfect chance for you to try and escape and that's not happening. Now come on, I wanna get there pretty early this morning"

He must of had a look on his face. Worry? Fear?

Jackie grunted, "I'll come, too"

The magician snuffed, "Seriously? You don't think I can handle him?"

"It's not that." Jackie shrugged, "I'm worried you won't be able to handle being AROUND him for so long"

Marvin didn't argue but he looked like he wanted to.

'Geez, it's not like I'm gonna sneak him off into my shop basement and torture him myself. Although that does sound appetizing. . . . but the idiot's dealt with enough for now. I'll be more concerned if Dark tries to attack the shop again. Maybe it's a good thing Jackie wants to come just in case'

Anti felt a little better that Jackie was coming, too, but he was still worried. What the hell was he going to do at Marvin's stupid shop?

'Oh god, is he gonna make me CLEAN that fucking place?!' he remembered what it looked like after Dark and him arrived and fought them all. They really had wrecked the place but Anti figured he had cleaned it by now.

'Then again, he did say that other person who works there had been keeping up the fort . . it has to be clean then by now, right?' he really hoped so.

Lost in his own thoughts, Anti didn't even recognize as Marvin and Jackie were talking when the magician had teleported them.

Jackie had to shake him gently but it still freaked him out.

Anti flinched violently and glitched, "Don't touch me"

"Don't be a pussy" Marvin mumbled..

"You're one to talk" Anti muttered back but more softly to himself, watching Marvin off inside. They teleported in the back of the store so no one could have seen them appear out of thin air.

"Don't mind him" Jackie cracked a smile, "He's still just grumpy about the scars and when you and Dark ravaged the place . . .. . and other things"

"That's supposed to make me feel better?"

"No, just a little less worried that he'll kill you the second I leave you two alone"

"Alone?!" Anti could feel the pixels vibrating off his skin, he wanted desperately to disappear.

The hero chuckled evilly and whispered to him, "Got ya. I knew you were afraid to be around him. Don't worry, I'll keep your secret"

Anti blushed a little but just scoffed and growled, "Fuck off"

They went inside after Marvin but Anti was pleased to see that the store looked just as it did BEFORE Dark and him had fought with them.

Nice and clean and soothing with what seemed to be rip-off Minecraft music playing on the speakers. Anti remembered how much he had actually wanted to chill here before on the bean bags under the fairy lights with a book. He usually didn't care for reading but these books DID look interesting. So did the trinkets even if he had no idea what they were for or did.

He finished speaking to a young woman and she looked relieved Marvin was there, "You have NO idea how many Karens called the police wanting to shut this place down. How is this store still running!?"

Marvin just waved it off, "Don't worry about it. Just take the rest of the week off with pay, hun. I got it from here. Got new help, too" he motioned behind him.

The woman gawked a little, "Oh, I see! Hi, Jackie!" she waved a little at him and the hero grinned sheepishly, waving back, "Hey!"

But she stared strangely for a moment at Anti as if thinking, "Is this another brother of yours? Hi! What's your name?"

Anti wanted to growl or bark a nasty remark at her on how he was NOT their brother but Jackie answered for him.

"Oh this guy!?" he gave Anti a big side-hug, ignoring the other's desperate attempts to get out of his grasp, "This here's Anthony! But he goes by Anti! Still in the goth phase, this one! Heheh!"

'I will kill you, mark my words'

The girl just giggled, "It's nice to meet you! Enjoy the store! I know I do. Just . . . not alone . . for a long amount of time . .. . with angry religious people wanting to riot at the door"

"Eh, that's just a Tuesday" Marvin waved off, "Have a good vacation, hun! Have fun!"

With that, the girl said one last good-bye and left, leaving Marvin, Jackie and Anti alone together in the shop.

"Alright" Marvin started, "So here's the deal. I have to read through a bunch of angry comments and listen through ragey voicemails to catch up since I've last been here. There's a bunch of paperwork and claims that my store is 'unsafe' and a 'bad influence' on the kids or whatever. What I need YOU to do, Anti . . . ." he snapped his fingers and created a nametag with his name on it, "Is to work here while I do all that shit. Got it? Heheheh Free~ Labor~🎶"

Anti stared at him, "What?" he didn't get it, "Why? You DO realize I could make your business worse, right? You can't order me anymore, remember!? Loophole!"

"What? You have anything better to do?" the magician sneered at him, knowing what would happen in the end anyway, "As for you wanting to destroy my business, that's where Jackie comes in. He can . . .supervise you. Who knows, it just might make you a better person, working like a normal human being" he teased.

Anti wanted to snap at him or even break his mask again, wipe that smirk right off his face . . . . . .but Marvin just came closer with the nametag and he looked away shamefully in submission, wincing slightly as Marvin softly pricked him with the pin.

"There we go! Now all you'll have to do is when someone comes in, greet 'em and try and sell them something . . . . or not. They'll probably buy something anyway without your help. Then work the cash register. It's easy and if you have any confusion with it, Jackie'll probably help you. DON'T steal any money. I'll know if you do. Try not to sell drugs or weapons to anyone under the age of 18. Blah, blah, blah . . get it?"

Anti wasn't prepared for this! His anxiety was through the roof! He couldn't just TALK to random people and BE NICE! He couldn't do this!

But Marvin must have taken pity on him, "Don't worry too much. . . most of the profit I make is from online sales. Hardly anyone ever comes in here, too afraid of being judged. You need anything, Jackie, or are ya just gonna people-watch again?"

"Eh, I'll probably mess around on your computer or whatever and play some games." he shrugged, "Unless a crime happens somewhere nearby, then I gotta go. But I'll let you know if that happens, Marv"

"Cool. I'll be in the back" he walked away and suddenly Anti was in the thick of it.

For once . . . .he had absolutely NO clue what to do and he was slowly freaking out.

'Fuck, I hope no one comes in the store'

Jackie say he was still worried. It was kind of funny really to see but he didn't want him getting too worked up, "Hey, just relax, alright. No one's in here. You have plenty of time and opportunity to just gawk around if you want. If anyone comes in, the door's bell will ring"

"Yeah, I know that!" he still didn't want to be seen as scared or weak but . . . even if he knew it or not, he was kinda failing.

He trampled off to the other side of the store away from Jackie. The hero just snickered silently to himself, 'Damn, he's like a fucking kid. This is almost kind of fun seeing him like this.'

There was the worry that maybe he'd find the device he was looking for but since it was discovered that Marvin had NO idea what it was, things were relaxed about it happening. And besides, Marvin really did need all the help he could get. Who's to say his other employee wouldn't quit soon what with all the Karens' calling the police?

Anti stopped in front of a corner of the store with a bean bag chair with fairy lights hanging over it. It was a little nook with bookshelves surrounding either side. On one of the bookshelves, it had a few openings with a couple plants. He didn't know what the plants were but they looked exotic.

He leaned in to sniff one, though and realized what it was, 'Sage' the more he looked around, the more he recognized the other plants, too and could smell them each separately, 'Garlic, Ginger, . . .. Mint and Rosemary. Is he secretly running a fucking restaurant, too?'

Jackie could still see him and watched him sniff around looking confused. Starting up Marvin's computer and getting it ready for a chill session of Minecraft, he called out to him, "Marvin says those herbs and plants are special in other ways except for in food and mindless eating. Garlic for blessing a new home, Ginger for protection against evil, Mint for protection and healing and Rosemary for . . psychic reasons. I think he said something like past life recall and weird stuff like that"

Anti just stared at the herbs in disbelief, "So he's a con-artist"

Jackie shrugged, "Eh, whatever pays the bills as long as it's not illegal. People can believe what they want and Marvin can sell it as long as it's not harmful"

Anti wandered over to another plant, "What about this one?"

"How about you ask him yourself later?"

The glitch just scoffed, "And inflate his ego? Fuck that"

Jackie shrugged but Anti was still curious and wandered to the books, "What are all these books for?"

" . . . . spells, remedies . . . .information about herbs, deities, astrology, witchcraft, pagan culture and how to make your own potions and healthy ways of living."

Anti just stared at him, "Sounds lame"

"You're welcome to read some if you'd like. No one's come in yet"

Anti scoffed but wandered around the store some more. Marvin had another section with dark trinkets and fake skulls and emo and goth versions of things that were unlike the stuff at the other end of the store.

Jackie saw his curiosity again, "Sometimes you gotta sell what people expect, too . . even if it's not correct. Still looks pretty cool and sick, though"

Anti couldn't help but agree. He liked the chokers Marvin sold and the other kinds of accessories. That's when he then moved on to the cash register and under it on the outside was a glass container full of fancy weapons, either jeweled or engraved or even just made of a different kind of metal. He couldn't take his eyes off the knives.

'They're pretty . . . . I like the rainbow one. The metal gives off a glare that looks like a rainbow.. . . . I want it' but then he saw the price, "Jaysus, five-hundred dollars for a fooking knife?"

"Like I said . . . whatever pays the bills. And someone online will probably buy it"

Very slowly, Anti could feel himself having an appreciation for this business. It was weird and creepy and different . . . which was why he liked it.

Marvin had some of this sort of stuff in his room and he had seen some of it but was never entranced in wanting to go look at it. At the time, he had just wanted to do whatever Marvin had asked of him and get the hell out. And do the chores or find the device in his room and get the hell out. But now . . . he found himself getting curious of actually wanting to gawk and look around at what was in Marvin's room.

He just could never let Marvin know he liked any of this stuff.

'His head would probably outgrow his mask . . . then he'd probably blame me for scarring his face again' he snorted.

Interrupting his thoughts, however, was a small 'ding' at the door.

'Uh-oh' Anti froze, not knowing what to do.

His first customer just walked in.