"Thankfully, the month I was suspended was much easier to deal with than what I had to endure."

At The Everst Family Home, Marcus, Ronnie, & Mrs. Everst are cleaning up after eating some dinner. Marcus is rinsing some of the dishes.

"You didn't need to help me this much," Mrs. Everst says as she puts the rinsed dishes into the dishwasher.

"Nonsense, it's the least I can do for you guys being so kind to me," Marcus says with a smile.

"Well I see, I'm just glad there's someone who's helping me with the dishes," Mrs. Everst says loud enough for Ronnie to hear.

"Oh c'mon! I'm helping out today!" Ronnie says as he's putting the leftovers in the fridge.

"Most of my days were spent with Ronnie and his mom and they were some of the most fun I had."

As they're cleaning up, Sally Everst notices Marcus's sleeves are down despite cleaning dishes under running water.

"Hey you might want to pull those sleeves up," Mrs. Everst says.

"Oh, y-yeah," Marcus replies.

"However, there were still some issues I needed to overcome."

As Marcus rolls up his sleeves, Sally notices that there are several scars all over his arms. Scars that were left behind by Hunter.

"Hey Ronnie, you're going to clean up the rest of these dishes, Marcus & I will be right back," Mrs. Everst says as she grabs Marcus by the hand and walks towards the front door.

"Oh, okay!" Ronnie says as he looks at Marcus for answers, however, Marcus is just as confused as he is.

____________________

In The Everst Tattoo Parlor, a Hispanic man by the name of Santiago Hernandez is in the shop getting ready to close up for the night. He has his black hair in a bun, round eyeglasses over his green eyes, is wearing a black leather jacket with no undershirt, has on a pair of black jeans, is wearing black boots, has several tattoos across his body including one of the moon on his chest, is wearing a silver ring on his pointer finger, and has a nose piercing. As he's closing up shop, he hears a knock on the door. He stops cleaning up and goes to the door to see Sally Everst outside with Marcus. He rolls his eyes as he lets them in.

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"What are you doing here on your day off?" Santiago asks his boss before looking down at Marcus, "and who's the kiddo."

"This is Marcus, and here's here to get a tattoo," Sally replies.

"I am?!" Marcus asks.

"Look, I only agreed to help you out since you were covering my shift at the affiliate, now you want me to work overtime?!" Santiago asks.

"I'll pay you double," Sally responds.

"Where do I start?" Santiago asks as he takes out a tattoo gun.

As Marcus sits down, ready to get a tattoo, Sally clears her throat and explains, "Listen, Marcus, you don't have to get one of these if you don't want to. I was just thinking you'd rather think about pleasant memories whenever you see your arms."

"Yeah and make sure you don't go tell your friends you got tattoos here, you can get us shut down," Santiago exhales.

As Marcus thinks about it he looks at his arms, arms covered in scars made by the most painful experience he's ever had, a permanent reminder of his trauma...but with the tattoos, he can get rid of that old meaning and instead create a new one.

"Sure, let's do it!" Marcus says.

________________________________

Back in the present, Marcus is showing his tattoos to Elizabeth & Alex as they sit in the park. There are several tattoos on his arms but the most prominent one is that of a butterfly. After doing so he pulls down his sleeves.

"But yeah I'm not supposed to show these off so make sure you don't tell anyone. And that's the whole story behind why my arms are like that," Marcus begins to say as he looks at Elizabeth & Alex, "are you guys okay?"

Elizabeth, who's been eating popcorn, nods while Alex just gives a thumbs up as his brain processes the whole story.

"Sorry if I told you guys too much information, I just felt like you should know the whole story," Marcus quickly utters.

"No no, don't be upset man," Alex says, "I'm glad you were willing to tell us this."

"Yeah, it means a lot that you let us know," Elizabeth adds, "though I do have a question."

"Oh sure, go ahead," Marcus says.

"When Ronnie posed the idea of changing the club, is this the reason you were so on board?"

"Y-yeah kind of, it felt like I had a chance to give back for once and help make miracles for others, the same way Ronnie did for me,” Marcus says before lamenting, “Although, I haven’t really been that much of a help so far. Ronnie’s the one really carrying the club while I just follow behind. Guess that makes me pretty weak, huh?”

"You're wrong," Alex says, "The only reason why Ronnie is strong, is because you're strong too."

As Alex says the words, a gust of wind blows by as Marcus' eyes light up. He then smiles and says, "thanks, you guys."

As they sit there, Ronnie finally returns covered in scratches but also holding some popsicles.

"Guys you won't believe what I just went through to get that kite," Ronnie says, "I did get these popsicles though."

"Oh thanks," Elizabeth says as she grabs one.

Alex goes to grab one but stops himself and yells, "Hey Ronnie, I'm stronger than you!"

"Um...okay-" Ronnie begins to say.

“Oh please, are you guys going to fight again?” Elizabeth cuts him off before adding, "And besides we all know I'm the strongest one in this room."

"Okay basket weaver," Alex retorts.

"We were both in the same club you narwhal," Elizabeth retorts.

As Alex & Elizabeth begin to argue, Ronnie walks over to Marcus and whispers, "so uh...what happened while I was busy?"

"Not much, we were just taking a quick look down memory lane," Marcus says.

"I see," Ronnie replies, still confused, but happy nonetheless.

As the group continues to enjoy the day, Marcus begins to wonder if maybe he could try and get some new tattoos soon, so he could remember the memories he’s making now.

See You Next Chapter!~