When The Light Goes Out

Chapter - 28

The first thing Dennis did when he returned was check in on the girls. They had been gone all night and knowing the girls they definitely had attempted an escape. He checked the closet first, where the blond girl had been put for an earlier escape attempt.

The gasp normally heard when the door opened was absent but it went unnoticed until he saw the room itself was empty. His jaw clenched as he turned and went to the storage room. The other room was empty as well.

"They're gone."

Monique picked up her phone hidden under the pillow. She tapped the screen and swiped to unlock it. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and glared at the screen. "What is going on," she mumbled.

"Who's gone?" she replied

"The girls. They're not here."

"Why are you telling me?"

"Did you know this was going to happen?"

"Why would I? Do you know what time it is?"

"Yes, I know. We need to talk tomorrow. Be here early."

Monique rolled her eyes. There's no way he knows I was involved. It's just his own distrust. He doesn't know, but... I'm glad that they were able to get away...

She slept until she was ready to get up and by the third text she was, indeed, ready to get up. She wasn't even sure just what he wanted to talk about. All he could do was asked what she had to do with it and that question had been asked earlier that morning.

When she got to the zoo it was already open and a few visitors were walking about the exhibits. Dennis was waiting for her further inside by one of the eateries. He didn't look happy to see her so she put on a displeased expression of her own. "They're gone," he said. "They were gone when I when I got back."

Monique furrowed her brows in an attempt to seem as concerned as he was. "Are you okay?"

Dennis frowned at her. "I found a hole in the wall." His voice was heavy with exhaustion. "I...I don't think it was you but Patricia does. She says you planned it."

Monique scoffed and folded her arms over her chest. "Any time I've tried to out smart her she caught me in it. I'm not smart enough to get over on her and I've never wanted to decieve you or Hedwig."

"Are you sure?"

Monique looked around. "Are you sure we should be discussing this out here?" She looked past him then let her shoulders relax. "I know they would tell, without a doubt, where you are if they got out. Why would I risk that?"

"You didn't like it but, you wanted to help us. Anyone would choose them over us."

"Not me," she replied quickly. "I couldn't. I want to see Barry again and...and I don't want to lose that chance by losing you."

"So you are using us."

"What? Wait- That's not what I meant."

Dennis shook his head. "Don't lie to me. You know what you said and you meant it. Hedwig was starting to like you. I told him not to trust you so easily."

Monique clenched her fists. "I told him that even the people who care about him will lie to him so..." I guess I said too much this time.

"I can't do this right now," Dennis sighed as he rubbed his head agitatedly. "I have to get back to work. Whatever's happened, we have to fix it."

Now Monique was frowning. "Is everything okay? Are you sure there isn't something else you should be telling me?"

"No. There's nothing else you need to know. I have to go..." 

Monique hated to hear him sound so defensive again. He seemed much more relaxed talking to her the other night. She started to step back slowly, her eyes locked on his. As embarrassing as it was, he wasn't wrong. She didn't lie either though. 

Monique did care for all of them and wanted them to be in a safe place and to heal, however long that took. At the same time, she wanted to see Barry again. She had to keep them close. If not, they may disappear and she'd never see them again. Even with the way things were right then the thought made her chest tighten. 

"I'm sorry Dennis," she said as she stepped further back. "I can't let anything happen to you."

Dennis didn't say a word as he returned to his own work elsewhere in the zoo. Monique turned around and ran back to the front gates. The pang from his disappointment was still sharp in her chest. She really wanted him to put his guard down a little more. 

He was faltering but the distrust had returned to his eyes. It was no good. Patricia was still winning. They trust anyone- it was broken after everything they had been through. Monique wanted to just go home and sulk under the covers but she had to get to work before she lost anymore time.

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"Wait, they're really gone? They're all gone?"

"Yes, Hedwig they're all gone," Patricia said. "I told you this last night."

"What about..."  He sat down in front of Patricia."What about the beasths?"

"Don't worry about that. You leave that to Dennis and I." That woman had something to do with this. It's no coincidence she had Hedwig out for hours that night and then we find the girls gone when we return. It was the perfect opportunity. 

"Are you angry with Mo'?" Hedwig asked from beneath her. 

"Why would I be?"

"Did she do it?"

Patricia took a deep breath and put a hand on his head. "I don't want to speak badly of your friend."

"If she lied to me then... We're not friendsth. Sthe sthaid that, people you like can lie to you too stho I won't like her anymore if sthe lied to me." 

Patricia smiled sweetly at him. "I don't like that you have to learn these lessons the hard way. Never forget, Hedwig, we're your friends and your family. You don't have to like anyone else. Remember how they treated us once they knew."

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A/N: I'm glad to see that this story is still getting so much attention. I hope Monique's change wasn't too sudden for you all and that it wasn't a complete 360, I didn't intend it to be. Drastic decisions will have to be made in the next chapter! We'll see how that goes. ;)

Also, there has been a slight change to my August schedule but now that doesn't mean much since I'm typing up chapters from scratch. Still, just wanted to let you all know. Thanks for reading all!