When The Light Goes Out

Chapter - 25

"If you think he will change his mind because of a few nice words, then you have less of an understanding than you can even imagine. He won't change his mind."  

After that conversation, Monique knew she preferred Dennis over Patricia. She had at least an inkling of an idea of what was going on with Dennis and Hedwig but she couldn't make any ground with Patricia. She was too good at taking control of a situation and Monique was just too weak. No one stayed that tightly closed up all the time. Patricia would break. Eventually. 

She went home as soon as she was satisfied with the amount of work she had done. It was night so it wasn't likely that Hedwig would be up too late. In order to make this work I have to tire him out. We have to do something fun, probably just at my house. I don't really know about kid friendly activities after dark.

For the time being, however, she switched gears to writing a carefully worded letter. This was the ultimate opportunity for the girls. She would have Hedwig away from them for a few hours. Monique tried to remember what she knew of the layout of the room outside the one they were kept in. Something suddenly came to mind as she started to write.

I'm taking Hedwig away from here for a few hours. This is your chance to get out of there. Do whatever you can to get out. I can't say how long I'll be able to keep him away but wait ten minutes after reading this to start moving. I'll try to leave something in the other room to help you but you have to move quickly. I know you won't like it but, when you get out, please, don't tell anyone about Dennis. 

It was too much to ask for and they'd likely tell everything. They should tell everything. Monique thought to write her number at the bottom but that would lead them right to her and she couldn't lie if anyone asked her about what happened. A pang of guilt hit her as the thought passed in her mind that she shouldn't help them. What am I thinking? Those are someone's daughters!  I have to help them... She swallowed hard and wrote her number at the bottom of the note.

Once Monique was ready, she hurried over to to her usual spot. She walked up to the zoo gates and Dennis let her inside. They quickly made their way inside. She carried the small carrier cage purchased on behalf of Hedwig's mice close. The note folded away in her pocket was also burning at the forefront of mind. 

"Hedwig will be in control but if he tells us he doesn't like something, he's giving me the light immediately," he said as he led her up the stairs to Hedwig's room.

"Did Patricia tell you to say that?" Monique asked. 

"Yes, but I also don't want you to take advantage of him either. Those girls do it to him all the time."

"They just want to go home," Monique replied. "People get desperate."

"That doesn't mean they should trick children." 

She cleared her throat and clasped her hands as they reached the top of the stairs. "Well... That's why I wanted to take him out of here for a little while. You and Patricia might not mind it but he probably wants to go out and do things."

Dennis looked away from her as he pushed his room door open. "Patricia did what she could for him but it was never an option to leave him in control that way-"

"Until now," Monique quickly added. Dennis frowned at her and she rolled her eyes. "Can we move past that now? I know Patricia- and probably you too- think I'm just doing this so I can manipulate him and stuff but... No, I don't agree with what you're doing but I also understand that you're hurting and I want to... You know." 

She walked into the room and went right up to the mice's tank. "So, Patricia bought these for Hedwig?"

"No, Mr. Dennisth did," came the reply. "But he had to asth Mrs. Patricia if he could." 

"Is Dennis like your big brother? Do you think so?"

Hedwig shook his head. "He's old. So, I can really bring them with me?"

Monique held up the carrier cage and nodded. "I bought this just for them! It's only for travel, so they shouldn't stay in it too long. I also have some other presents for them back at my house."

She opened the top of the carrier so he could put them inside and let him carry them back downstairs. He went into the room where they kept their clothes and looked through the rack for his coat. Monique looked around the room as she slowly made her way to the door separating that room from the girls'. She dropped the letter from her pocket and slipped it under the door with her foot. She went up to the hat rack and placed a yellow sticker on Barry's hat.

Monique had suddenly remembered something useful while writing the letter. A ring of keys were kept under his hat. If they weren't there then the girls would have to figure something else out. She just had to make sure that the horde stayed away long enough for them to make something happen.

"So, why did you want to hang out?" he asked suddenly. "I mean, with me."

"Because I like you, Hedwig," she replied with a smile.

He made a face. "You're a grownup and I like girls."

Monique handed him his mice and turned him around to face the door. "Not like that," she said as she urged him out of the door. "I meant, more like a little brother. I don't have any brother's or sisters to hang out with." She closed the door behind them. "To tell you the truth, I thought you might just like to hang out. You probably don't get to go out like Dennis or Patricia."

"They said it's dangerous for me to go outside by myself," Hedwig replied.

"So, that's why I'm taking you outside so you won't be alone," she said. 

Hedwig stood up straight and turned to face her. The sharp eyes gave away that it was Dennis once again in control. He handed the mice to Monique then proceeded to walk her back out. "Where are you taking him?"

"Just to my house," she replied. "I have ice cream and games and things. It'll be nice." 

She stood behind him as he opened the gates. She hurried outside then him behind her before locking them closed again. "Umm... Are you going to keep popping up like this the whole night?"

"No, I don't care about whatever you're doing," he replied as he turned to face her. "Will you be back tonight?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I might be too tired to drive back and I don't know how long Hedwig will be conscious after food."

Dennis sighed heavily as he ran a hand over his head. "I want him back here before sunrise. I don't care when, just be back before daylight. Understand?"

"Okay, okay," Monique replied with a smile. "Geez, you sound like someone's dad. Calm down. I'll bring him back as soon as he starts  to get tired."

Dennis gave her a look, not a pleased one. Monique watched as the light in his eyes became brighter and a smile came to his face. "Stho, what did Mr. Dennis sthay?"

"He said I needed to have you back by sunrise. That means we need to get back to my house as soon as possible so we don't lose anymore time." She turned on her heels and started away. Hedwig followed excitedly and talked the entire walk to the car. This is gonna either gonna be really fun or really tiring.

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A/N: I am glad for the reads and votes I've been getting on this story, but, the lack of support on my stories really hurt. I'm hoping it isn't effecting the quality of this story. To be honest, I'm vaguely aware of a decline in quality (as high a quality as I can put out on my A game) and I don't want it to steadily spiral downwards. If a chapter is lacking, will you guys let me know? Please? It won't hurt my feeling (for long) so do tell me. 

Thank you all for reading as always!