Chapter Text
Vacation was something every kid looked forward to and it certainly hadn’t changed now.
Becky Botsford couldn’t deny the excitement she felt over finishing her final year of middle school. High school gave her a better chance to learn, only hoping she might continue being a part of the debate team. Or maybe something like a literary club? The possibilities were endless!
“Becky, dear!” Sally Botsford called from the first floor. “Could you come down for a second? We have something to tell you.”
“Coming, mom!” The young teen exclaimed as she bounded down the stairs, standing expectantly in front of the kitchen counter.
Her little brother, TJ, peered up from the couch.
“Ah, there you are, sweetpea!” Tim Botsford’s voice followed. He ruffled Becky’s hair despite the girl’s awkward groan of protest, but her lips quirked up into a small slimmer of a smile. “Alright then. Here’s the surprise! Your mom and I were thinking about taking the family on vacation outside of Fair City!”
Becky gaped for a second, mouth hanging slightly ajar. She almost hadn’t processed what her dad said, but then again – she’d almost thought it’d be something else. Like maybe she’d been accepted into a program at the high school. Not an impromptu family vacation.
“Uh, well-” She stammered, only to clear her throat.
Could she leave Fair City abandoned like this? If there happened to be even the slightest chance of a villain attack, but then again, criminal activity seemed to have dipped a bit as of late. Word had it that Mr. Big had taken a business trip and the rest of the usual villains also took breaks. Until they decided to pick up the usual habits.
“Where are we going?” Becky asked suddenly, trying to keep her mind on something else.
“Oh, it’s this little city in Oklahoma! Norrisville,” her mom answered.
“ Woah , seriously?! Cool!” TJ grinned.
Norrisville? Becky hadn’t heard of that place before. Okay, maybe she could use for a little change of pace over the summer but Fair City needed Wordgirl. Could they really handle a few days without her?
“We’ll only be gone for a few days, don’t worry!”
She bit her lip slightly before giving a nod in response. This might just be her chance to take it easy for a moment and then she could worry about classes and villain attacks.
Just a day later, the Botsford’s had finished packing their bags and getting everything ready to go in order to make the drive toward Norrisville. Becky had given her closest friends the heads up, feeling a little relieved to see Violet and the others agree over making sure nothing happened. And to text her right away if something went wrong.
Bob stood at her side, giving Becky a few comforting chattering noises so as to lessen her sudden distress. He hopped into the car once Sally and Tim double checked to make sure their suitcases remained secure in the trunk, and then they were off into the unknown. Becky kept herself busy by reading, playing a few random crossword puzzles on her phone. Taking a drive felt like relaxing if she was being honest, but she couldn’t deny the restlessness she’d occasionally experience.
At some point, her parents had begun singing in the ride which Becky and TJ (the latter of which had been texting Johnson) promptly tuned out.
She was just too focused on her book to focus on anything else.
“We’re here!” Her dad excitedly shouted.
Becky jolted from the chapter she was on and tucked the bookmark in, peering out the window to catch a glimpse of Norrisville. The city was huge which reminded her of Fair City, but this one seemed a bit more, well, technologically advanced than where she’d grown up in. Lights shone brightly from some of the buildings along with signs promoting a variety of products she didn’t recognize. Not that she spent too much time thinking about it.
They’d be spending the trip at a nice hotel her mom had found. Not that Becky knew too much about it. Only that it was a bit more on the pricier side though nothing the family of five wouldn’t be able to handle.
She also had to admit the apparent lack of villains made it all the more worthwhile. Not that she held anything against Fair City’s eccentricities, but Becky knew she needed a break from time to time. Even if she wasn’t sure she could stop. It was her personal responsibility after all to keep Fair City safe.
The sight of the hotel came into view, almost causing her to gasp at how luxurious it seemed. How in the world did her mom happen across it? She found herself a bit wary, but she didn’t dare voice this out loud – only staring at the decor with wide eyes. Becky had seen something like this during one of Mr. Big’s latest hypnosis schemes, leaving her stomach flip-flopping for a moment. No, it was just a normal hotel and she’d simply been imagining how peculiar this situation suddenly felt.
She knew Wordgirl wasn’t needed right now, that she’d come here with her family on vacation. Even then, if something did go wrong-
Well, she’d get to that later.
Though she found her eyes landing on the painted words just above the front doors.
McFist Hotel.