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The arcade was a loud and bustling place, children running in and out, with no parental supervision in sight. Michael assumes this is how his father had led those children to their demise, snatching them from the arcade and bringing them to the storage room only to do god knows what to them. Because there was nobody to watch them, all the parents had either dropped their children off or were talking amongst themselves. Because they trusted Henry and William, they trusted Henry's calming words and William's charismatic smile. And who wouldn't? Who would've thought you were leading your kids to their deaths?
Michael shuddered, bringing a hand to tug at the beaded bracelet around his wrist. It had been Elizabeth's, or well, she had made it for him. Michael vaguely remembers scoffing and making a retort that pink and bracelets were for girls, now, he's not so sure as he twirls the stupid my little pony bracelet around his wrist.
Henry's hand on his back is supposed to be comforting, to assure them that whatever they wanted he would provide. And Evan wanted to go to the mall, and who was Henry to deny him? But that meant dragging Michael along with him because Helen wasn't home to supervise him. Honestly, he'd rather go to his friend's house, his dad was okay with them doing whatever as long as they didn't block the tv.
His eyes moved over to Evan who stared at the blocky machines in wonder, eyes sparkling up like the night sky. A cotton jacket was wrapped around his shoulders, because despite it still being summer, Evan had always been a bit sensitive to the cold. In the jacket's pocket, the inhaler was starting to fall out of his pocket, tilting to the side and Michael moved to shove it back in the pocket before an idea came to mind. He still had some money from the last allowance he got from William, why not put it to good use?
Gently, he tugged on Henry's sweater to catch the man's attention, and soon enough those warm brown eyes were on him. "Uncle Henry? Do you mind giving me like five bucks? I can pay you back when we get to your house I just don't have the money on me right now."
"No need to pay me back Michael, buy whatever you please." He said, opening his wallet to hand Michael a ten-dollar bill. Michael's expression lit up and he took the bill with eager hands. He shoved it in his pocket, being careful of the pack of gum also in there as he nodded.
"Thanks, Uncle Henry! I swear I'm putting it to good use! I'll be back in a jiffy!" Henry grinned giving him a small wave before leading a distracted Evan inside the arcade where they could buy some tokens for the games. Michael grinned, running down the tiled floor of the mall, darting past different shops. In all honesty, he was looking for a shop his mom would've gone to, to buy her purses or something. All he needed was a satchel and maybe a little something for himself.
Michael paused right outside an art shop, his shoes skidding across the pristine floors. Based on the sound alone Michael had definitely left some dirt marks. Right, he needed a canvas satchel or something. It had to be light enough for Evan to carry around but the boy would surely appreciate having a place to put his inhaler and Fredbear plush.
Sighing, he walked into the shop, fully prepared to just ask for a similar bag and go. But an open wooden box caught his eye, displaying dozens of colorful paints along with a paint-pad that Michael just had to get his hands on. And that's why he walked out with two items instead of one, a satchel around his shoulders and a paint-set in his arms.
Just as it had been before, everyone in the arcade is screaming in glee as Michael walked in, eyes roaming around in an attempt to find his brother and Henry. He finds the two hunched over a game 'The Princess Quest' is its title. He walks over silently, squeezing through a crowd of kids. Once he gets to the two, he taps Evan's shoulder, causing the boy to jump and lose the game. Evan pouts, staring at the game over screen before turning to Michael.
"Yes?" The boy asks, crossing his arms with a huff. Michael snorts and steals the inhaler from his pocket and the plush from Henry's hands, shoving them both into the satchel. Then he hands it over to Evan who's looking at the leather bag in confusion.
"So you can carry your shit around," and in the background, there's a quiet 'Language!' from Henry. "It's easier to protect them from the rain when they're in a bag, is it not?" Evan nods, a small smile splitting across his lips as he drops his remaining tokens in it, continuing to let Henry hold the tickets.
"Thank you, Mikey! It's the best gift ever!" The boy cheers as Michael puts down the art kit, leaning it against Henry's bag which rested on a nearby table. As soon as it's out of his arms, Evan is leaping at him, and despite the bruise, he's sure to get from the bag smacking into his abdomen, he catches the boy with ease, twirling him around slightly.
"Ah, ah, ah. Just you wait till your birthday comes up, then there's gonna be an even better gift." He teases, poking Evan's nose with a finger. The younger giggles, looking up at the pre-teen with laughter-flushed cheeks as he cuddles further into Michael's shoulder. "Now, are you hungry? Cause I could surely go for some lunch right about now." And Henry seemed to realize that was a question, asking if he could leave so Michael and Evan could be alone, and he grins.
"I'll go find something for the two of you, maybe Michael can help you win this time, Evan." And with that he's gone, leaving the two to their own devices.