The Ape King

The Trade Off

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Penny had filled Eddie in on everything that had happened with Zane. Including the diaries but she didn't give his real identity. Eddie had seemed speechless for a moment.

"I know you don't think so but it seems like you both fancy each other."

"And I have to disagree with you. I'm telling you, he's just a good person." Penny sighed.

"Alright but Sandra has her eyes on him. If you don't make a move, she will. Is that something you will be able to live with?"

Penny stayed silent as she chewed her bottom lip.

"Penn, if there's one thing I learned about love, it's to take that jump into the unknown. Love can't be done halfway. It's got to be all or nothing. I...I had hoped to tell this to you with Des but I don't know if I'll get the chance. I proposed to Des. We had planned to get married as soon as we get back home." Eddie's voice cracked a little as he spoke about Des.

Penny covered her mouth and gave him a hug. Tears sprang to her eyes.

"Oh, Eddie. Congrats! I'm so happy for you both."

"If everything turns out okay, we want you there Penn. We already talked about eloping with just you...and maybe now Zane as witnesses. I guess my point is not to wait, yeah? If you truly love him, don't let him go." Eddie grabbed her hands.

Penny bit her lip again and nodded. Eddie was right dammit. What had she been thinking? She needed to talk to Zane.

"I'm going to take a walk to clear my head." Penny told Eddie as she got up.

Eddie gave her a thumbs up and went to work packing everything up. Most of the camp had been packed away and what wasn't, couldn't be taken. Penny was near the border of the camp when creepy guy and his friend cornered her. His buddy blocked the way while creepy guy came into her personal bubble.

"Ain't got ape boy to protect you, huh?" He said with a smile.

Penny held her chin up defiantly at him.

"Why would you call him that? And I can defend myself."

"Sure you can. I overheard him talking to the doc about how he survived. He said apes raised him. Makes you wonder don't it?" He continued in a smug tone.

"Wonder what?" Penny said with uncertainty.

"If he was raised by 'em, do you think he fathered an ape baby with 'em?" He said with a laugh.

All rational thought left Penny. The rage she felt that he would dare to say anything bad about Zane sent her blood boiling. She reacted on pure instinct and cocked her fist back before punching him square in the face.

He yelled and stumbled back holding his nose.

"Don't you ever speak about him, you piece of shit." She seethed.

His buddy turned, alarmed.

"Randall. Don't you dare hit her. You know they wanted her unharmed. Else we won't get paid." He warned.

So the fucker's name was Randall. Randall had an angry glint in his eyes as he gave Penny a glare. He was still holding his nose.

"I fucking know that. That's the only fucking thing keeping me from teaching her her place with a good smack. This bitch made my nose bleed!" Randall spat.

Penny flipped him off and crossed her arms.

"What are you going on about?" She questioned the other guy.