"What do you mean? Why won't Barry be there when we get back? Lauryn, is everything okay?" You asked, the familiar rush of anxiety flowing through your veins.

"Barry and I are more than just editors, (y/n)." Lauryn lowered her voice and dug around in her backpack for her car keys.

"Barry more so than me, actually. Barry is a hacker who worked for some not-so-nice people in the past. People who were.." The editor rubbed her temples. ".. Working on some weird stuff.." Lauryn retrieved her keys and adjusted her glasses before she slipped into the driver's seat.

"What kind of stuff?"

"..."

"What. Kind. Of. Stuff."

"Weird stuff."

"Lauryn, me and Mark are in danger! Tell me!"

"Not to be a jerk, but it's Mark and I."

"Tell. Me. Now."

There was a sharp exhale from Lauryn, before she shifted the car into drive and pulled out of the driveway onto the road.

"You know Suicide Squad, right?" You nodded questioningly "Basically that. Mind control and explosive kill-switches."

'Oh god..'

"So.. Yeah.. The kind of stuff that made Bristol.. How she was. For some reason, this particular organization- which I have nothing to do with, so don't accuse me in your comment! -may have it out for.. You." Lauryn shifted uncomfortably, glancing at you from behind the multicolored frames of her glasses.

"You can't be serious!" You yelped loudly, causing Lauryn to jump and swerve slightly. "You are saying that the editor of the frickin' Game Grumps worked for an evil organization that made Bristol?"

"Basically, yeah."

You slumped down in the pleather seat, covering your face with your hands. You felt like there was a truck on your chest.

'I can't handle this..'

"Okay, on the bright side, we- WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO DRIVE DEAR LORD -don't know that one hundred percent, so who- hang on" Lauryn rolled down her window and stuck her hand out, extending her middle finger at the car next to the one you were in.

"GO BACK TO DRIVER'S TRAINING, JACKHOLE!" Rolling up the window, Lauryn shook her head a little. "Sorry about that, hun. I hate driving and dillweeds like that just... ugh. Anyhoo~ What was I saying?"

"Mind slavery."

"Oh yeah," she chuckled quietly, turning the wheel to enter the mall parking lot. "We don't know for sure. Maybe it's a fluke and some crazy fangirl implanted a bomb in her stomach to kill you? Eliminate the competition so- oh my gosh I know what's going on.."

"What? What's going on? Are we gonna die? What's happening?"

"This store is closing, that's why it's so busy at the mall at two in the afternoon on a Thursday. Aww, rest in peace Yonkers. Say high to Sears and Toys R Us in retail heaven."

You took a couple seconds to stare at your imbecile of an ally, who was humming the tune to Numb by Lincoln Park. You gawked as she parked crookedly and giggled.

"Ha. Lincoln Park, and I just put my car in par- alrighty let's go." Lauryn grabbed a wallet adorned with the wings of freedom from Attack on Titan, and a white sweatshirt reading 'BTS' on the back in Sharpie. She noticed you staring, and slid the sweatshirt on over her shirt.

"Ya like it? I couldn't afford the licensed merch, so I made my own. I could make you one too if you want!" She chirped enthusiastically, clapping a little.

"... We'll see.."

BE GONE THOT

"Ah-ha! It's a text from Molly." Lauryn hopped a little as she started walking to the entrance. "She says that she and Bob.. and Wade.. Darn it.. They're going back to Ohio.." She sighed sadly, pushing up her glasses.

"Maybe that's for the best? Distance them from me and Mark?" You asked, cocking your head.

"Mark and I."

"Shut it."

The editor laughed through her nose, clearly reveling in her own grammatical superiority. You scowled as the two of you entered the automatic doors.

"Back to the topic at hand, um, do we know who's in charge?" You asked, reigning in the girl's all-over-the-place attitude. Lauryn removed he glasses and wiped them with her sweatshirt.

"Hun, please, I'm just the comedic relief. I happen to know some stuff about some things sometimes. My.. skills.. weren't good enough to go into business, ya know?" She held her glasses up towards the light fixtures on the ceiling before continuing the rhythmic wiping "I'm just a paramedic in training with crippling ADD and an addiction to Asian stuff. Ninety-percent of my knowledge about such computer-related skills are used to climb ranks and get the good loot in Eve Online and League of Legends."

"You have to know something!"

Lauryn sighed and returned her glasses to her nose, where they immediately slid down a little.

"I mean.. This is just a theory, but.. Barry might have mentioned a few other names of people involved in his.." Lauryn glanced around, making sure no suspicious eyes were on the two of you ".. Workplace situation. They'll know more than me, I guarantee you that."

"Who are they?" You asked, grabbing Lauryn's shoulder with your now-shaking hand.

"Well, the only one I really only know is Matthew Patrick, AKA MatPat."

Ooooh shoot~ look who's back again with plans to stay! It's your favorite mediocre nonrealistic fanfiction author~ Sorry for the, you know, almost five month long hiatus. College isn't big on students enjoying life. On the plus side, I'm a paramedic now! I'm trained a licensed and all that good stuff!

Oh yeah, I pre-wrote a couple more chapters. I'm going to try and make it either every Sunday or every-other-Sunday updates. No promises, but I'll do my darnedest. *Anime girl cheeky peace sign pose*

Thank you for sticking with me through my months of silence, cramming, and emotional obliteration. I don't deserve your lotalty. Y'all are too great. ;-;

Alright, I'll stop boring you with my pandering and appreciation. I'll catch you in the next chapter. See ya! ~Lauryn

P.S. Everyone has their own enemies. Every set of friends has a single common rival.