Episode 30: Descent Into Darkness-One Year Later

CHAPTER 1: TIME HAS FLOWN…

One Year Earlier (from "Descent Into Darkness-Blackout! (Part 1)")

"MAMBA, LOOK OUT!" Python shoved Mamba (Lucy) out of the way. Everyone heard a shot ring out, and everybody hit the ground. Once the dust settled, a cop tackled Anaconda and handcuffed her. Then he escorted her to one of the wagons.

"Lucy, are you all right?" asked Charlie Brown.

"I think so, Charlie Brown," said Mamba, regaining her bearings. "What happened?"

"Your friend just saved your life, Lucille," said Peppermint Patty.

"Really?" asked Mamba. "Where is she?"

"PYTHON!" wailed an upset Rattler.

"GOOD GRIEF!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.

"OH NO!" yelled Cobra.

When Mamba turned around, she saw Python laying on the ground, motionless. Anaconda's bullet had hit her, wounding her. Mamba raced to her side to see if she was all right. She held up her head. Python coughed and gasped.

"She didn't hit you, did she?" asked a groggy Python.

"No, she didn't," said Mamba, with her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm okay."

Python was barely holding on. She leaned in. "Lucy?" she whispered.

"Yes, Margaux?"

"R-r-remember t-t-the jewelry b-b-b-box…." And she collapsed in Mamba's arms and went unconscious.

Present Day…

"I still can't believe it's been a year already," said Linus. He was on the phone with Eudora. "I haven't mentioned it to Lucy because I don't know if she would even want to talk about it. She had been open before with it and how she was feeling, but now that it's the anniversary, I don't know if she'll even be in the mood to discuss it much."

"All you can do is test the waters, babe," said Eudora on the other end. "The worst that happens is that she'll tell you not to bring it up with her today."

"I guess you're right. Also there's Rerun. Don't forget, he was as close with Python as Lucy was. He was even more distraught over her passing than even the rest of us, including Lucy."

"I remember how much he liked her, as well. As I said, just see what happens and if either of them are willing to talk about it, go from there."

"Okay, Eudora. I'll try what you said. I'll meet you at Joe's later."

"Bye, baby." And Linus hung up the phone and walked in to the kitchen. Lucy was working on her homework. Rerun was building a model car. Things seemed normal by appearances. He figured he wouldn't bring up the subject of the anniversary of Python's death until one of them said something. He figured it was for the best, anyway.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE GREAT RABBIT HUNT FEATURING SNOOPY AND HIS BRETHREN