And Dusk

Chapter 14: The Countdown

Warnings: brief violence

Word Count: 1560

The walk from Elliott's to Reginald's took up enough of (Y/N)'s time. When she approached the door, she hastily wiped her tears before pushing the front door open. The house was wrapped up in its usual silence. It never really made noise unless she was home, after all. Rushing up to her room, she locked the door and set her puppy on the ground before changing her clothes. She avoided looking at Mr Pennycrumb as she moved about her room, throwing on articles of clothing and pulling on shoes. Opening her wardrobe, she dug into the pocket of one of her coats and pulled out a folded piece of paper. The note was pressed to her lips as she shut her eyes, a moment for the world to freeze only for her, before slipping it into her pocket. With a deep breath, she spun around to meet the expectant stare of her beloved pet.

"Nothing's ever easy, huh, Penny?" She sniffled, kneeling down beside the bed to watch him lean down and lick her fingers. "This was supposed to be my easiest relationship, baby, and now I gotta leave you... I know we've only known each other for less than two months, but I'll remember every single moment we spent together, bud. I wanted so badly to watch you grow up, to finally grow into that big personality of yours. But I'll need you to be good for Mom... because we both know how Dad feels about you being around."

The puppy barked and licked her face, clearing her tears as he did so. She giggled and kissed the top of his head.

"I'll never forget you, Mr Pennycrumb. You absolute angel. I love you so much." Standing to her feet, she slowly approached her bedroom door, giving the entire room one last look. She wasn't attached to it. Not in the slightest. But there was one little savior who, sitting on her bed and tilting his head, she would forever be connected to. "I'm leaving you in the best hands possible. Goodbye, baby." She breathed and shut her door. Covering her mouth, she sped down the staircase and towards the front door.

"(Y/N)?! Where have you been?!"

    Shit.

Wiping her tears away yet again, she turned to her mother and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I-I..." She croaked. Grace's frown softened before she crouched down in front of her.

"Honey? Is everythin' alright?"

"Yeah, Mom, I'm fine... I just, uh... I have a really bad headache and it's a little overwhelming."

"Oh... I can get you some-"

(Y/N) quickly shook her head. "It's fine. I was going to head into town, get some fresh air."

"Well, that's fine, hun, but you cannot run off like that. You nearly gave us a heart attack! You can't do that to me. Y-You just can't!"

"I'm sorry, Mom-"

"Especially right now... I-I wanted to talk to you."

I don't have time, I don't have time.

"Have you," Grace sighed and looked away, a very clear internal battle going on within her. "Sweetheart, do you notice anything about your father? Anything strange?"

Furrowing her brows, (Y/N) stepped closer. "What... do you mean...?"

"I mean with his work. Do you know anythin' about what he's doin'? With the meetings, the secrecy. I-I know it isn't fair to ask this of you, but I... I-I need to know."

(Y/N) glanced to the side as she weighed her options. She could always lie to Grace, tell her that she had no idea what Reginald was up to, his plan to kill the president. But she knew her mother deserved so much better than yet another lie from another person she trusted dearly. So, she lifted her head and nodded, hoping it was enough. It seemed as if that were the case, because Grace took a deep breath and enveloped the girl in a hug. (Y/N) sniffled and held her mother tight.