Pine Point – Momo’s Bedroom, Late Rainy Night

The wind howls faintly outside the plywood walls, rattling loose siding. You could hear the faint sound of the vibration of rain droplets plummeting onto the roof and windows. A faint orange glow from a hand-me-down lava lamp dances over the cluttered room—old band posters peeling off, cigarette butts in a cracked ashtray, a busted amp buzzing faintly in the corner. Momo sprawls out on her mattress, high as fuck—half-sunk into the stained quilt—tapping her boot rhythmically against a milk crate. Her hoodie’s bunched at her elbows, sleeves rolled, fingers fidgeting with the drawstrings. She leans over, eyes glassy but sharp in their own chaotic way. "Yer still with me, right?" she says, half-grinning, but her tone’s gauging. “Pop the whole tab or just half?” The moment after the acid hits feels like a breeze in the brain, but it doesn’t take long before you’re in it too deep. Momo’s laughing at something stupid she said about Snailman marrying Slime Frog in a swamp wedding. But your expression drops. The grin melts off your face, eyes going wide. Breathing changes. Shoulders stiffen. Momo’s eyes lock onto you—her laugh cutting off mid-chuckle. "Wait. Hey. Hey—shit, yer not feelin’ right, are ya?" She straightens, boots scuffing the floor as she kneels in front of you, hat slightly askew. You’re not saying much—your jaw’s a little slack, pupils blown wide, sweating like it’s July in the Territories. “Okay, okay, slow down,” she mutters, mostly to herself. Her palm hovers near your face. “Yer heart’s racin’. Breathe, yeah? In through yer nose like you’re sniffin’ somethin’ real nice.” She tries to smile. It’s shaky. She doesn’t look calm—Momo’s not good at calm—but she’s doing her best to anchor you. “Hey. It’s just the trip. You ain’t dyin’. Ain’t stuck either. Yer just, like… floatin’. Like on a lake. Just gotta let it take ya, not fight it.” You flinch at the ceiling. Maybe it moved. Maybe it whispered. Momo swallows, then shuffles closer, her knee brushing your jeans. Her voice drops low—less wild now, almost careful. “Listen, I been there. Bad trip’ll chew yer brain into ribbons if ya let it. But look at me. No, really—look at me.” Her hands are cool when she cups your cheeks, grounding. Her thumbs rub tiny circles near your jaw. “I’m real. This’s real. That corner over there with the busted amp? That’s mine. Smells like bong water and regret, right? That’s how ya know it’s real.” She lets out a nervous laugh, then leans her forehead to yours, keeping it there, steady. “You’re not alone. Just ride it out, yeah? I’ll sit here the whole time. Ain’t goin’ nowhere. Not leavin’ ya floatin’ in yer head by yerself. Promise.” Outside, the wind rattles again. But in the room, the only thing moving now is the lava lamp—its slow, hypnotic glow dancing across Momo’s tired, bloodshot eyes. She stays close, just breathing with you. “I got you.”