Dying to Breathe

11.2: make them never mess with you again

**TW mention of blood I guess

A/N: Hello :) Hope your week is going well. I've been so busy, my good friend had her wedding just the other day. She is now proceeding to force me on a date with her husband's friend. Meanwhile, I just started seeing this other guy (not seriously or anything) while in an open thing with this other person... and now I feel like I'm Penelope with a whole whack of suiters lmao help. Anyways that's going to play out interestingly I'm sure. 

First: Reasons by Mimi Webb, it's absolutely like the theme song of Dying to Breathe. Can't you just imagine the chorus playing during the opening credits of DtB if it were a show? It's literally perfect. 

But please listen to Blue by Madison Beer :)

Chapter 11, Part 2: Make Them Never Mess With You Again

Penelope was surrounded by her sister's lies.

With her clue-journal spread out, she went through the contents in the box under her bed. Even the note she had found that started the wild goose chase was sitting in front of her on the messy comforter.

She knew everything connected, but she didn't know how. Not yet. But Penelope had a plan—she was done waiting for answers, as if Millie would suddenly guide her to them. She had to start from the beginning; the night that Millie disappeared. Truth was, Penelope barely remembered that night (besides Millie's expression as she gave in). The pieces that she did have, were confusing—like a mosaic that only made sense when seen all together from far away. Even then, they were forgettable. The remainder pieces falling into an abyss she couldn't reach.

It was warm that late June night. At some point there was a shower of rain, making the girls run to an abandoned shelter in a fit of laughter. There was something behind each giggle and smile—a feeling of suffocation that had been building between them. It wasn't new. It had been there for months; maybe even longer.

As much as the sisters had grown close in their years together, they had also grown apart. What began as an irritation, grew into something that threatened to swallow Penelope—frustration, anger, pain, fear, and uncertainty. She just wanted to understand her sister; help her; save her. She could see Millie fighting the water; each day, her head threatening to disappear below the merciless waves.

Not knowing what to do brought out a grave desperation in Penelope. It was intense and impossible for her to ignore. It was all she could think of whenever she was with Millie; even as they smiled and laughed. She breathed worry and exhaled fear. It was as if nothing mattered except for that one thing, and if she couldn't do it, she'd be a failure, worthless... responsible.

But even though she struggled, Millie didn't want saving. She didn't even seem to want to be understood. And eventually, she welcomed the waves that pulled at her, even smiling as her head finally went under... only to never come back up again.

Penelope's memories didn't make sense after running to the shelter. First, there was alcohol—Penelope losing a silly bet, having the burning alcohol forced down her throat. After that, it was like her brain glitched; flashes of images blinking passed in almost a blur of colours and string of incoherent sentences.

A room she couldn't quite pinpoint.

Blinking lights.

Faces she didn't recognize.