Well, okay then (open)
Annie wandered downstairs from her apartment into the shop below. She was pretty sure she'd stayed the night at Tony's, as that's where she was 99% of the time now. Yet she'd opened her eyes to the Halo City sign that the City had thought she might want to have hanging in her room.
As soon as she was in sight of the shop bodily, a ruckus sprang up. It was almost deafening. Every machine in her shop calling for her all at the same time.
ANNIE. ANNIE we missed youwhere have you beenit's been too longAnnie you were gone gone gone gone Annie gone nobody here to take care of us like you did Annie don't leave us again Annie Annie Annie Annieannieannie
She had to cover her ears, but of course that didn't block out the machines. She didn't really hear them with her ears. Tears came to her eyes, rolling down her cheeks. She couldn't stop them. It wasn't just the pain of the noise, either.
How could they say that she had abandoned them? How could they believe that? She would never! She came by every day to check up on them and make repairs. She visited! She would never ever forget them!
"No." Annie said, her power truly springing to life then. Her words came in a choked sob. "No, I wouldn't. Please, please be quiet. I would never leave you. Stop saying that, I'm begging you."
But they didn't stop. They only got louder and more insistent.
Slowly, the little mutant fell to her knees and tried to cover her head with her arms to block out the sad calls and accusations.