Where We Place Our Hearts Chapter 2

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                                                                                                                       "Where We Place Our Hearts"                                                                                                                  


                                                                                                                    Chapter 2: "Blizzard Bargain"
                                                                                                                                              by
                                                                                                                   Christopher D. Phillips a.k.a. Phiar


(1)       Later that night, Venelope lied wide awake on the living room sofa. It was already passed midnight. The crackling of the fireplace, she loved the that sound. Though as calming and nostagic as it was, she just couldn't drift off to sleep. Having already been lying there since ten o' clock, it's natural that a slight frustration added to her inability to doze off. She tossed a few blocks of wood into the fire before going into the fridge. She grabbed a can of soda and plopped back onto the coach with a sigh. She skimmed through her cell' text messages. Several friends from Laguna had messaged her. It made her smile to know they were thinking of her. As late as it was, she wasn't going to message them now, even though she wanted to. She just wanted someone to talk to who was as restless as she was. As she sat her phone down, a voice from the fireplace' direction sent a chill up her spine.

       "Why so restless?" Venelope recognized that the voice was different from before. The sound of footsteps-- more accurately, boots, nearing her, stopped halfway between her and the fireplace.

       "... is that you again?" Venelope whispered, thinking it was the girl she spoke to earlier in the car. As spooked as she was, she remained vigilant as to not be caught talking to someone - someone she still thought wasn't actually there. The battle between sane and insanity was still conflicting in her mind.

(2)  "What do mean 'again?'' The voice answered, only now it was coming from the kitchen behind her. Venelope turned around quickly. Her hands gripping into the couch. Her eyes speedily skimmed over the entire kitchen. The dense footsteps sounded again, coming from the kitchen to around the far side of the sofa into the living room. The heaviness of the steps had a dark feel to them that was fear inducing all their own. Venelope could see the voice' boots now. Their visibility came and went in the flickers of the fire. Steel-toed and worn in. They were black, but the wear made them grayish, too. Thick mud stuck in the grooves and caked along their sides gave Venelope even more chills. "You're not scared... enough... yet." Venelope swallowed slowly. The windows creaked and tree branches clawed the roof before silence took over the room - instantly. Her fingers etched towards her pillow and blanket. Eek - squeaked a cupboard opening in the kitchen. Venelope turned sharply to face it. The voice chuckled as the cupboard slowly closed. Venelope looked back at the floor to see the boots were gone. Her heart pounded, almost loud enough to overtake the fire' crackle. "You're gettin' there." The voice chuckled as the creaking and clawing returned. Venelope was now petrified. Only her uncontrollable trembling gave motion to her stone-like posture. Her unblinking eyes lit by the fire. Her quivering lips parted-- "HEY!" The voice screamed directly in her face. Venelope now looked the voice in the face. A sinister, grinning face. A face that was identical to her own minus the wickedly sharp features. Pale-faceted, sweating and shaking. Venelope' voice had been arrested by the utter fear. The voice snickered as it placed a hand on Venelope' chin. "Now, you're scared--"

       "Enough!" It was the other voice, the one bathed in light from before. The other two' eyes turned towards her instantly. She stood before the fireplace, glowing as beautifully as the last time she had showed herself.

       "... you." The sinister voice said depressed and annoyed. With a sigh, she stepped away from Venelope and went over to the other coach. Venelope' eyes raced back and forth between the two. The three of them identical. "You had your time with her already and I didn't interrupt you." Her entire body could be seen now. She wore tattered dark clothing - black and browns with numerous chains around her neck and bracelets on her wrist. Her pale skin contrasted against the darkness of the room so much that it lit itself. A pierced nose with wild shoulder-length black hair made her look as ghastly as the aura that accompanied her. "Can you leave now?" She said far more annoyed. With a crooked neck, she played with her black diamond earring.

(3)  "I'm not leaving." The other voice replied calmly. "I'm not leaving her alone, and, especially, not alone with you." She said turning her eyes to Venelope who was still frozen to the coach. Unlike the wicked one, the voice of light wore new clothes that were white and beige colored, and barefoot. Her latte complexion matched Venelope', but her hairdoo was how Venelope used to be years ago. Shoulder-length in curly waves. She wore a sea shell necklace, small earrings, but bracelets or other piercings. She placed a hand on Venelope' lap. Her touch uncuffed Venelope' voice from the fear and warmed away the petrification. Venelope was mesmerized by her presence. Several veils of darkness fled as the fire' crackle whispered into her ears again; giving her even more comfort. Venelope looked over to see the wicked one had vanished. She returned her gaze to the other who had taken a seat beside her. Venelope smiled, unsure of what to say first.

        "... what's your name?" Venelope asked as the girl smiled in return.

        "What would you like to call me?" She answered. Her voice alone resonated with a warmth that continued to strengthen Venelope.

        "I feel... awkward giving you a name." Venelope shrugged bashfully.

        "Try." The girl said with her eyes on her lap. It seemed like Venelope' shyness was contagious. Even Venelope noticed said subtle change in the girl' demeanor. Venelope looked around the room as she tried to come up with a suitable name. Then, it clicked. It showed on her face as a tender smile anxious to speak.

        "Penelope. I know it isn't too different from mine--"

        "I like it." The girl said as they smiled at each other.

        "It was the name of my mom' aunt. They were really close."

        "...I know." The girl replied, making Venelope' head shoot up slightly. " I have the same memories as you, because I am you. " Venelope' eyes softened as she completely took in the sencerity of Penelope' voice. So much so that her tears began to fall. Penelope wiped them away with her sleeve. Venelope chuckled as Penelope started to cry, too. They held each other' hands firmly. "Well, to be more accurate, I am your conscience-- both of us." Penelope said referring to the wicked one as well.

(4)   "Ah... I get it." Venelope nodded. "I'll come up with a name for her later." They chuckled.

The smell and popping of bacon filled the room. Morning had come. Danny, Travis and Ray sat at the bar section of the kitchen eating.

       "Does she always die when she sleeps?" Travis asked with a strip of bacon gripped in his teeth.

       "If it weren't for food and the beach, she'd hibernate all year 'round." Danny added.

       "Hey." Lauri said pointing a spatula at the two. "Leave my baby 'lone. You bums don't do nothin' but eat my cookin'."

       "Mm, had to be good at somethin'." Ray mumbled. Lauri stared him down as he obviously avoided eye contact. She had a glare that would make a rattlesnake run away.

       "We still boardin' today?" Travis asked. "It's almost eleven. She sleeps any longer, she might as well go for the Dracula record."

       "That goes for you, too." Lauri said as Travis chuckled.

       "Sleeps like her mother." Ray mumbled. Lauri now loomed over him, pressing her busty chest into his arm. "As in, she sleeps as peaceful and as beautifully as Snow White." Lauri sneered as they then kissed. She went back to the stove to scramble the eggs. Seconds later, Venelope rose up like a corpse. Taking a deep breath, she stretched and exhaled.

       "MM-MM... Do I smell bacon?" She said with one eye still half shut.

       "Told ya." Danny said with a mouthful.

       "Didn't even beat the Dracula record." Travis said shaking his head. Venelope wiped her eyes with a yawn as she made her way over to them.

       "Morning!" She said brightly. The guys grunted their greetings, more fixated on their food. She walked over to Lauri, both giving each other a hug and kiss. "Morning, mommy."

       "Morning, baby." Lauri replied as Venelope then snagged a fresh piece of bacon.

(5)   "MM! That smells good." Venelope said with a stomp. She kissed her mom' cheek again. Pressing into her so much that they nearly lost their balance.

       "Cool it, crazy." Lauri said to her daughter' laughter. "You know how I do." She added proudly.

       "Hey. I'm supposed to get the first kiss of the day." Danny said dropping his fork onto his plate. He picked up his glass of orange juice as Venelope kissed his cheek. "Yeah, all right." She gave Travis a hug before giving her dad a hug and kiss.

       "Oh!" Ray exclaimed. "You're your mother' daughter all right. That's some morning breath, right there." He laughed as Venelope drummed his back with her fist.

       "You really don't want another meal, do you?" Lauri said to Ray.

       "For real." Venelope added. "I mean, I'd expect that from unc, but not you."

       "Runs in the family." Ray replied.

       "Yeah-ha!" Danny laughed as he and Ray bumped knuckles. The doorbell rang. "Get the door, M.B. Make yourself useful." He said to Venelope.

       "Yeah, that's clever, unc. But don't show us the extent of your intelligence in one sentence." Venelope said as she made her way to the door. Lauri laughed in her daughter' favor. Venelope stopped in front of a mirror to fix herself a bit.

       "Oh, God! Are you serious?" Travis asked loudly.

       "Shut up!" Venelope shouted back at him.

       "Just get the door!"

       "You're goin' to the door with that mornin' breath, M.B.?" Danny added. "You're bold. You're a bold one." Grinning, he stuffed some eggs into his mouth.

       "Forget all three of you! And that's not gonna become a nickname. It stops now." She said gettting to the door. Opening it, Evette stood there happily before they hugged each other and squealed.

       "Really? You just saw each other yesterday." Travis played.

       "Ignore him." Venelope said to Evette.

(6)   "I was doin' that way before you came back." Evette said as they laughed.

       "Burned! Ooh, ooh!" Danny said tugging on Travis' sleeve. "Go outside, get some snow and put the fire out." The others laughed as Travis brushed off the taunting as he went back to his plate.

       "Morning, everybody." Evette said as she and Venelope walked up to the others.

       "You want a plate?" Lauri offered. "I live with these two." Referring to Travis and Ray. "So, you know I gotta keep the fridge full."

       "No, I'm good. Thank you, though." Evette replied.

       "I'm gonna hop in the shower." Venelope said to Evette.

       "I'll be here." Evette said taking a seat on the sofa.

       "I left the toothpaste on the sink counter for you." Danny enuciated at Venelope. "Right in the open."

       "Forget yo~u!" Venelope sang from around the corner as the others laughed.

       "She' gonna need a mop bucket for that breath." Travis added making Danny choke on his food with laughter. He wheezed and pounded his chest to get the cough in check as the others laughed loudly at his expense. A bit later, all were outside loading their snowboard gear and whatnot into the vehicles. Venelope stepped outside and down the steps as she eyed her cellphone with disbelieving eyes.

       "What's that look about?" Evette asked as she walked up to Venelope from her car. Venelope looked up at her with her jaw hanging as she tried to form the words to speak. "What is it?" Evette laughed, making Venelope chuckle.

       "Have you been on Face Book in the last few days?" Venelope asked with some slight nervousness in her voice.

       "You talking about that pic your friend Rosey posted of you at the restaurant?" She couldn't help but laugh at the same time the question ran out of her mouth.

(7)   "Ahh! Freakin' Rosey!" Venelope stomped. "This is embarassing. I can't believe she posted this." Evette continued chuckling, trying to get it in check so she wouldn't be adding to her friend' frustration. "And, look. She waited 'til after I left town to post it. By then, I was already on the road."

       "Sounds kind of stalkerish, taking into account the time she chose to upload it. Maybe she watched you leave town. Maybe she watches you." Evette said with a creepy demeanor. Venelope pushed her away as they laughed.

       "Forget that! As my mom would say "there ain't that much 'sugar' in my 'tea'." Both continued laughing as Danny ran out of the house. He exclaimed happily suited in his winter gear.

       "Ready for this, V, and, uh... V' friend?" He asked with a big smile.

       "You know her name." Venelope shouted. Ray, Lauri and Travis stood around the vehicles with everything packed and ready.

       "Yall ready?" Ray shouted as everyone then made their ways into the vehicles. "Hey, where you goin'?" He said to Lauri who was walking over to Evette' car.

       "I'm gonna hang with the girls." She said with some playful street sass. She and the girls high-fived as Danny walked up behind them.

       "Do I see some three-on-three action trying to happen here?" Danny asked gesturing towards the ladies, then himself, Travis and Ray.

       "For your own good, don't even think about it." Travis said pompously sitting in the backseat with his legs hanging outside the open door. "We told you... we own the mountain."

       "Tell'em one mo' time." Ray added from the front seat as he started the engine.

       "Full of themselves, aren't they?" Evette frowned.

       "Ah, what? Don't even try to act like you don't know." Travis said to her. "You know how I do when I'm doin' what I'm doin'." Danny exclaimed from Travis' words.

       "Save it for the mountain." Lauri said as Danny then placed his arms around she and Venelope' shoulders.

(8)  "I gotta give it to my fellas." Danny said smugly with eyes closed. "Especially, since they have me on their roster again. Yeah-ha!" He said as he ran over to high-five Travis before rounding the vehicle to his seat. The doors shut all at once as if choreographed. Everyone was ready to go.

       "Doors are shut. It's on!" Venelope said from Evette' passenger seat with a cocky smirk. Lauri let her inner child take over and happily took the backseat. The tunes blared as they hit the road. Turning to face her mother, she then sees Penelope sitting beside her. She felt nervous, but only for a moment. She remembered Penelope said she could only be seen by her. Smoothedly playing it off, she turned back around and grooved to the music, smiling even bigger on the inside. She and Evette rocked along to the song. Although this type of music wasn't Lauri' cup of tea, she let herself take it in to let the good times roll. "Come on, momma!" Venelope shouted happily over the music.

       "Don't get me started!" Lauri shouted back as the girls laughed. Evette turned the volume down a few turns down the road.

       "When'd you get your license, Evee?" Venelope asked Evette.

       "'bout two years ago, I think." Evette replied. "You're mom helped me out a lot."

       "Huh? Why? I mean, why didn't you ask your mom or dad?" Venelope asked.

       "They're always claiming they're too busy." Evette said slightly saddened. "I did ask them. More than a couple times, too. But, I was, like, forget it, then. All was good thanks to your mom." She smiled.

       "That's 'cause my mom' the business." Venelope said happily.

       "She's been your friend and coming around the house for years, so I didn't mind helpin' her out." Lauri said.

       "Any new books in the making?" Venelope asked Lauri. She was a great writer and already had three books published that sold quite well.

       "Yeah. I have to keep myself busy." Lauri replied. "When Evette asked me to help her out, I was goin' through a writer' block. So, I needed to get away and clear my head. It was fun, though." She smiled. "I helped Travis, too. He was hangin' around doin' nothin' before he landed the job at the diner. So, I said he might as well get it out of the way, too."

(9)  "She didn't even give him a choice." Evette laughed. "She, basically, threw him in the car." They all laughed. Venelope looked at Penelope who was also laughing along. A bit later, they arrived at the skii resort.

       "We have plenty of time to have some fun here today, but keep in mind, the weather report said there's a good chance of a blizzard coming through." Ray said as they walked. "Stay together, and keep your cells on, please." Locals filled the area, chatting happily. Venelope stopped to look around and take in the nostagia. Facing the mountain, she took a deep breath and smiled before following behind the others. Up the skii lift and reaching their starting point a little later, Danny whoo'ed anxiously to get things rolling. He was without a doubt the cocky type, in a fun way, though. But he was the real deal. He had carved down many mountains in his time. He would even go as far as calling himself a veteran of the sport, whether it was true or not. They all had sorted out their contest to come before getting on the skii lift. The starting gunshot was all that was left.

       "You were shaking like a leaf from the cold before we left." Evette said to Venelope. "Now, you're standing there looking warmer than me." She and Venelope chuckled.

       "I don't know what to tell you." Venelope replied with a shrug. "I guess the adrenaline' pumping. I'm really amped up to do this again. Been too long, Evee." She said serenely with eyes down the mountain. She clapped and exhaled happily. "Hope I'm not too rusty."

       "I got'chu... on camera if you bust your ass." Evette laughed as Venelope jumped on her playfully.

       "Some friend! Really!" They laughed. "Like you can actually board and record at the same time. I doubt you're half that good, even as long as I've been gone." She pushed Evette. Zap!

       "Ouch! Damn!" Evette exclaimed from the static shock she just got from Venelope.

       "Sorry... but you deserved it, though." Venelope laughed. "You're just another Rosey."

       "How the hell do you static shock somebody with that thick jacket on?" Evette said caustiously touching Venelope to see if it would happen again. "Ow. Geez. That really stung. Had some zing to it."

       "Well, quit touchin' me before it happens again!" Venelope said laughing brightly. "You a masochist?" They laughed. Travis was checking his board when a young man his age jumped on him.

(10) "What it is, Vice-Grip!?" The young man said happily as he and Travis then shook hands.

       "T.J.?" Danny said with an unsure smile at the young man.

       "Oh, snaps! No way. The legend'-- the legend' back." T.J. said as he shook hands an hugged Danny. "No way, man. Look at'chu." He said taking a step back.

       "Look at me? Look at you. You really shot up." Danny said. Two guys T.J.' age walked up and stood behind him.

       "These are my boys, Marvin and Nigel." T.J. said as the two greeted Danny. Travis knew the two and hung out with them and T.J. regularly. "So, how long you in town?" T.J. asked Danny. "Travis told me you were down for Thanksgiving, but I was out of town myself for the same thing. Gettin' my grub on." He laughed.

       "Ah, I see." Danny replied. "Well, I'm gonna be here a couple days... like, 'til Christmas."

       "'til Christmas?" T.J. laughed at the joke. December had barely started, so, obviously, Danny was going to be in town for weeks. "Good, good. That's business. Me and Vice-Grip held the mountain down in your absence." He said bowly lightly.

       "Vice-Grip?" Danny smirked at Travis.

       "It just means, when my board grabs the mountain, my moves are so tight it can't get away from me." Travis said before he and T.J. screamed playfully and shook hands.

        "I feel you." Danny said with a smile. "You got it like that now, huh, T?" Travis smiled with a bit of nervousness. "I'ma grab a coffee and catch you guys in a few, alright?" He said shaking their hands before walking off.

       "Alright, legend!" T.J. said with his hands raised to the sides of his mouth. "Now--" He said clearing his throat as he leaned closer to Travis. "--for the real reason I came over here. Who is that cute mullato cookie over there with Evette?" They looked over at Venelope who was about twenty yards away.

(11) "You don't recognize her with the short hair?" Travis smirked. "You weren't feelin' her back then." T.J. put his thinking cap on, but found no clue in Travis' words. He was utterly puzzled. A wet match in the dark. As he took a real good look at Venelope, Travis counted down like a game show host. "3... 2... 1... and your time' up, sir." T.J. waited eagerly for Travis to tell him who she was. His corky smile made Travis laugh. "That's my cousin, Venelope, fool!" He said pushing T.J.' shoulder.

       "What? No way!" He said with a dropped jaw. "She, uh... man. She grew up."

       "Like I said, you weren't feelin' her back then." Travis said walking towards Venelope as T.J. quickly jogged up beside him.

       "Man, Evette ain't bad. She' bomb, actually. But, standing next to her... she just seems... irrelevant." T.J' eyes never leaving the sight of Venelope. "She with anybody?"

       "I'd set her up on a blind date with a rattlesnake before I gave you the go ahead to get with her." Though he was joking, Travis' face was as serious as could be.

       "Man, that's colder than the ice we're walkin' on." T.J. said with a playfully depressed tone.

       "Hey, V." Travis said to Venelope as they reached the two girls. "You remember Thomas?" Venelope looked at T.J. awkwardly before it sank in.

       "Yeah, I do." She replied as she reached to shake T.J.' hand. "Good seeing you again."

       "You, too. And it's T.J. now, please." T.J. said with a confident smirk.

       "Okay." Venelope nodded.

       "Sup, Evee?" T.J. said to Evette who simply gestured 'what's up' with a raise of her chin. "You back for good this time?" He said looking at Venelope.

       "Nope. Maybe. I don't know." She replied. Danny, Ray and Lauri walked up to them as they then made their way to the starting point. Danny took off down the mountain like a mad man as T.J. and Travis followed behind him. "I thought you were gonna do it, too, mom." Lauri stood there boardless beside Ray.

(12) "I skii, girl." Lauri replied to Venelope' laughter. "I need four sticks. One for each leg and hand."

       "Aww." Venelope said as Ray shuffled and hopped into his start.

       "Watch the ice melt behind me!" Ray smiled as he took off. Venelope whooped for her dad as she felt butterflies in her stomach.

       "Ready, girl?" Evette said brightly. Venelope nodded as Evette then sped down the mountain. Looking at her mother once more, Venelope hopped into her run. A bit shaky, but she quickly regained her knack for the sport in the moments to come. Travis and T.J. tailed Danny who pulled a big-air trick off one of the snow ramps.

       "Le~gend!" T.J. screamed as he and Travis then flew off the same ramp.

       "Thomas Jenkins. Thomas Jenkins and Vice-Grip!" Danny said happily as the boys caught up to him. The entire day flew by on the slopes. Dusk was near.

       "We wanna get one last run in." Travis said to Ray and Lauri. Lauri looked at Ray to handle the decision who shoo-ed them off with a sigh.

       "Come on, Evee!" Venelope said trailing behind Danny, Travis and T.J.

       "Mm-mmm. I'm done." Evette replied bashfully with some fatigue in her tone. "I'll see you when you get back."

       "Fine." Venelope smiled as she sped up to catch the guys.

       "The wind' picking up already!" Ray shouted. "Tell that surf-bum uncle of yours to put a rush on it, alright?"

       "Ok~ay" Her voice slightly drowned out by the wind. A bit later, Evette took a seat in the resort' cafe with a steamy latte and an eager face to go along with it. She stirred in some marshmallows before taking a sip.

(13) "I ain't never seen nobody put marshmallos in a latte." Lauri said sitting opposite to Evette. Evette couldn't help but to chuckle, postponing her initial sip just that much longer. Lauri looked at Ray who was sitting beside her next to the window. His eyes peering into the darkness beyond the window. His expression was solemn. He saw the storm building and began regretting the permission he gave for that last run. Lauri placed a hand on his lap as he then faced her. She pecked him on the cheek with a faint smile. He lowered his gaze towards the table slightly before looking back through the window.

       Just over half an hour passed. The blizzard had come. Ray was pacing before the cafe' door. He was obviously worried, but there was a strong sensation of anger in his demeanor as well. Though he, Lauri and Evette had tried to contact the four via cell, reception in such a storm, let alone them even being able to hear or feel their phones ringing, was a stretch. Just plain old wishful thinking. Boom! The cafe door burst open and smacked into the wall from the strong wind. Danny and T.J. entered the cafe with several others behind them. It took three men to shut the door. Ray' eyes widened with worry and disbelief to see his daughter and Travis were not among the group. As Danny tried to get to his feet on the slippery floor, Ray hauled him up. Wham! Slamming Danny up against the door, Ray eyed him fiercely.

       "Where's my daughter!?" Ray shouted nose-to-nose at Danny. His grip was inhumanly strong. Though Danny was the bigger stronger brother, a man gains a certain kind of strength in such situations. "Where the hell is she!?" Lauri tried to get Ray to unhinge his steel-trap grip. A few other men were able to pry Ray away, but not before he knocked Danny to the ground with a punch to the face.

       "Baby, calm down!" Lauri said to Ray with her hands on his chest. He couldn't keep himself still as he continued pacing back and forth as Lauri then turned to face Danny and T.J.. "What happened?" T.J. was so shaken he couldn't answer. Danny got to his feet, etching up against the door. "Danny, dammit, say something!" Her voice breaking slightly. She was holding back her tears as best she could. The wind roared through the trees. Venelope' snowboard had been snapped in two from being blown against a tree. But, where was she? The sound of something being dragged-- a body, came to ear. The lifeless heels bumped over the snow-caped earth and stone. Hot breath screamed as it met the adverse air from blue lips. A raven-haired girl was dragging the unconscious Venelope towards a cave to escape the storm. Reaching it, the girl sat up against the inside wall trying to catch her breath. Her body shivered feverishly as she tried to warm her hands. She looked at Venelope for a moment before dragging her further away from the cave' entrance and laying her over her lap.

(14) "Why are you ignoring me?" Penelope asked the girl. "I just want to help." The girl could see and hear Penelope? She looked up at Penelope with a sharp glare as her own conscience appeared beside her. Just like Venelope, her conscience was identical to her. The mouth of the cave was gradually closed by the snowfall. The storm could barely be heard now. A couple hours went by. The others were forced to stay at the cafe. The locals slept on the floor and seats. Some were fortunate enough to be given blankets from the workers, while others just bundled together. Evette and T.J. cuddled up to stay warm. Ray and Lauri held each other tight as they stood with worry ridden eyes aimed out the windows. Danny sat at the opposite end of the cafe just as worried. He blamed himself for his recklessness, beating himself up on the inside. He wanted to run out into the storm and find Venelope and Travis at all costs.

       Venelope coughed hoarsely as she came to. Her hands were like stone. She couldn't even make a fist. She looked up to see the raven-haired girl was asleep. She tried to get up, but her body was just too cold. She managed to roll off the girl' lap onto the floor to her back. She looked up to see her wicked conscience had returned. Looming over her with a grin that fed off of her agony. Penelope appeared. A glint sparked in Venelope' eyes. She felt safe, but then she took in Penelope' uneasy expression.

       "Hurry up already." Penelope said to the wicked one.

       "What's the rush? Not like she's gonna freeze to death-- oh, yeah. She could, huh?" The wicked one replied with a vile smirk.

       "Enough of your nonsense!" Penelope shouted. "Save her! Both of them!"

       "I will, I will." She said looking at Penelope. "But I have a condition that needs to be met first." Penelope' eyes narrowed as the wicked one turned her gaze back on Venelope. Venelope looked on in fear. Her blood went colder as she looked into the wicked one' eyes. Her black, lifeless eyes. "I want a name, too." She smiled. She could almost pass for being innocent in that moment. "I recall you saying you'd give me one later." She sucked her teeth with a shake of her head. "Ya know, that really hurt my feelings. You've never once gave me a smile, either."

       "Stop torturing her like this!" Penelope said stepping forward. "Just give yourself a name and be done with this... please!" Penelope' heartache filled her eyes as tears brimmed. Venelope' stammering caught their attention. They faced her instantly as she tried as hard as she could to speak.

(15) "Ca--Ca--ss--ss--" Venelope coughed as she continued trying to speak throughout.

       "Take it slowly, Venelope." Penelope said kneeling down beside her. "Easy."

       "Spit it out already. My, God." The wicked one said rolling her eyes uncaringly. Venelope took a moment to right herself and managed to stop her shivering for just long enough.

       "Ca--Cassi-dy... C-assidy." Venelope said to the wicked one who was now facing her again. After a hard swallow, she said once more-- "Cassidy! Your name'... Cassidy!" The wicked one grinned ear-to-ear.

© 2014 - 2024 Phiar
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alydicea's avatar
That was well-written. But first lemme review it.

The interactions are so much alive, the atmosphere lit up and nicely described. I like how you put accents into conversations, too. As you tell the story it was nicely described that I can play an animated version inside my head.

I found some grammar errors, specially at the start. Like : "It was already passed midnight", I'm not sure if you meant it was already midnight, midnight had passed, or perhaps " "It was already past midnight." And "Going into the fridge" sounds like she went /into/ it, you should put towards, or to.
And perhaps you missed this small mistake, but don't mistake 'your' and 'you're'; the first means belonging and the second means you are. Hmm, there are more but...perhaps you just missed them. Try re-reading it!

Overall, it was nice. I like the plot. I still don't understand, what kind of conscience is Cassidy, V's dark self? And what does those conscience do except talking?
And who's the raven-haired girl, a new character perhaps?

Oh well. I'll rest for a bit and read the next chapter. Thanks!