Broken Promises

It's Just You And Me

*Present Day*

After they came to one last stop, they heard Byrdie shut off the truck before getting out and walking around to the back to open the hatch. "Alright, ladies! Let's go in to meet The Boss."

"Byrdie!" A new voice was heard from the building in front of the truck. "Where've you been? Took you long enough."

"I kinda had a little mishap trying to take a hostage. But it's okay. I now have TWO hostages." She said, dragging Penny and Alice out of the back of the truck. The nerves in their feet stung when they hit the gravel below so hard.

"Whoa!" The other Ghoulie made his way around the truck with a grin when he saw both women handcuffed to each other. "Well done, Byrdie. Although....The Boss may have a little problem with this." He pointed at the cut on Alice's arm.

"Like I said," Byrdie began, "...I had a little mishap."

"Well, as long as the cut's not too deep." He stepped closer to Alice, putting his thumb on her cut and pushing on it hard. Alice hissed, but she fought the urge to scream. "Should be fine." He let go and licked the blood off his thumb before turning to head back inside.

After a few minutes, the Ghoulie had returned with several others, including The Boss who made his way down the steps toward the three former Serpents. He sniffed the air. "Ahhhhh. I love the smell of fried snake. Nice job, Byrdie." He nodded with approval...though not for long.

The sound of a few police sirens filled the air and Sheriff Keller's voice was heard over the intercom. "Everybody freeze and put your weapons down!" The red and blue lights lit up the night and all officers exited their cars, shielding themselves with the doors and pointing their guns at the Ghoulies. Sheriff Keller spoke through the intercom once again. "Let the hostages go!"

"How did-" Byrdie began to question.

"Put your hands up and let the hostages go!" Keller shouted with authority.

"Alright, alright." Byrdie let go of Penny and Alice, slowly putting her arms up in defense.

One of the deputies cautiously stepped forward, taking Alice by the hand and leading her and Penny to stand behind his police car door. He used his own handcuff key to unlock theirs, freeing them of each other. "How did you guys hear about this?" Alice asked the officer as she rubbed her pained wrist.

"Your son and daughter." He answered quietly. "They followed you all the way from the Whyte Wyrm and let us know every turn they took until we caught up with them. Once we reached Byrdie's truck, we made sure the kids turned around and drove home safely."

"Oh, thank God!" Alice let out a breath she'd been holding in. "Thank you." She thanked him, finally feeling her freedom returning to her.

"Told ya we'd get out of this alive." Penny smiled at Alice.

"I said keep your hands up!" They heard Sheriff Keller yell once more and soon, shots were fired. From which side, they could not tell as they quickly ducked behind the police car door.

"Go around to the back of the car." The deputy ordered Alice and Penny as he took out his firearm. "Go!" He shouted as gunshots came from the Ghoulies.

"A-Alice?" Penny said the moment they were behind the car.

"Hm? What?" Alice leaned up against the trunk, looking to her right. She felt Penny's hand on hers and she looked to the woman on her left. "What?" 

Penny looked down at the spot of blood on her stomach that quickly grew as her breaths were shortened, revealing that she had been shot.

"No." Alice put her hand over the wound, hoping to stop the bleeding. "No!" She felt Penny's stomach heave up and down as she struggled to breathe. "Wait, wait, wait!" Alice cried, putting her other hand under Penny's lower back. The wounded Serpent began to slither down the back of the cop car, falling farther into Alice's arms, eventually landing in her lap.