Sweet Penelope

Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater

I paced the hotel room. My palms were sweaty and my veins were flowing with adrenaline. Allison was getting food from the hotel cafeteria, even though we had just eaten. She was always hungry, she said she wanted "something sweet" after we had the steak meal. My clingy ass needed her, I was going crazy in my own mind. I looked at the gun, laying under a T-shirt in the duffel bag. I imagined I should've shot myself when I had the chance. Allison wouldn't have met me so the pain of losing me wouldn't be there. But, what if she does need me? I don't know. My mind is clouded and my heart is hurting.

I dozed off on the bed watching a stupid sitcom. I woke up abruptly, to find that Allison still wasn't back from the cafeteria. I texted her and threw on my flannel over shirt. She still hadn't messaged me back as I pressed the buttons on the elevator. Maybe she was too busy getting her favorite dessert. Allison always took pride in her quick replies, eating or not.

"Ally?" I looked around the cafeteria and not a soul was there. I walked over to the front desk. "Um, excuse me? Have you seen a red headed woman? Kinda short? She's my girlfriend and I just don't know where she went." The receptionist looked me up and down and clicked her pink acrylic nails on the desk. "Controlling, aren't you?" I raised my eyebrows and shook my head. "Controlling? I'm worried about her. It's a yes or no question, please." The receptionist pulled her glasses down. "Has she cheated on you before?" I was starting to get angry. "No." The lady started chuckling. "Well, she certainly has now. I saw a red headed girl leaving with a man, she said she wanted help him carry his luggage out to his car. She never came back in, I imagine she left with him. Sorry, kiddo." I frowned and my eyes filled with tears. What? Did Allison bail on me? I swallowed hard and I tried to recollect my thoughts. Allison wouldn't bail on me. Not like that.

Or would she? I paced the hotel room again. I texted her phone again and again. She ignored them, along with my calls. I slid down the wall and Penelope walked into the room. She sat down calmly in front of my and took my hands into hers. "Mason, are you that blind?" I looked at her through my tears. She wiped one away from my cheek. "I think Allison is in danger, Mason. She loves you too much to do this. To leave you like this." I rubbed my eyes and nodded. "I know, Penny." Penelope let go of my hands. "You couldn't save me. You blamed the creaking staircase on the age of the house. So, don't blame Allison's disappearance on disloyalty. Get off your ass and go. Find her." I blinked and Penelope was gone.

I threw my clothes into the duffel bag. I picked the gun up and I loaded it. I made sure the safety was on and I laid the gun on top for easy access. I stopped at the receptionist desk again. "Hey, what did that guy look like?" The lady shook her head. "Why? You want to kill him for taking your sweet honey?" I shrugged. "Maybe." She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Young love, I'll never quite understand it. He was tall, he was black headed. Had some stubble. Good luck with your relationship, kiddo." I clenched my fists and I ran out the doors. I threw the duffel bag in the passenger seat of my truck and I took a deep breath. It was on.