Prologue
Still suffering from writer's block on Compulsion; trying different fandoms to see if I can get over it because I really, really, want to finish Compulsion but I don't know how and it sucks.
Disclaimer: I do not own Penn Zero or any of its characters.
"Hurry up! We must leave before he catches up!" Sylvester hissed at his wife, lugging two suitcases down the stairs. He locked eyes with Mira from where she was standing in the kitchen, grabbing as much food as she could, being careful not to miss any of the baby food stashed on the shelves. It was bad enough that there was the possibility that they would go days without proper food; she would rather die than let the same fate befall her daughter.
"I've almost got everything; I'm just looking for the rest of Sashi's food!" Mira snapped back before sighing and reaching to grab some squashed bananas.
"We have enough already, Mira!" Sylvester announced as he set the suitcases by the door, "We have to grab Sashi and run!" Sylvester emphasized that by grabbing his baby daughter from her playpen where she was ripping a stuffed rabbit apart and thrusting her towards his wife.
Mira gave a frustrated grunt as her reply and moved towards Sylvester, balancing the bag filled with their precious food on her hip. "I'm ready. Is the car running?" she asked.
"Yes, our confidant is at the wheel and ready," Sylvester replied, bouncing Sashi. Sylvester handed one of the suitcases to Mira before opening the door an inch, staring outside for a moment before opening the door the rest of the way and heading towards the stationary Cadillac in front of the mailbox. Mira gave one last longing look at the house that they had lived in for the past five years before exiting, closing the door behind her.
She knew that she would never see the house again.
Throwing the suitcases in the trunk of the car, Mira got in the backseat holding Sashi in her lap while Sylvester sat in the passenger seat, buckling his seatbelt before motioning for his associate to start driving. They drove off without a word.
It wasn't until twenty minutes later when they were well out of the city that their associate spoke.
"He will not stop looking."
Sylvester shared a look with his wife before responding.
"We know. That is why we must flee."
"Must be careful, boy. Get captured, is game over."
"We know."
"Am just explaining. Or do you want daughter of yours to become leverage?"
"Sashi will be fine," Mira cut in, unconsciously tightening her grip on Sashi, "She will be safe. That is why we are leaving."
The associate merely raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"You truly believe he will not find you. Stupid thoughts will get you killed. Stupid thoughts will make you suffer."
"Must you always speak so pessimistically?" Sylvester asked.
"Only when it amuses me. Or when it's true. Troubling times ahead if you are careless. I will not help idiots."
"But you will help us, though. You said you had a place where we could set up, be safe," Mira said. She looked at their associate pleadingly, begging her with her eyes for the so promised help.
"Have already helped with car. You truly believe will not help you with rest, girl? I know of place you will be shielded from him. Energy around town will stop prying eyes from locating you," their associate replied, rolling their eyes.
"And where is this special place exactly?" Sylvester asked.
"Is town called Middleburg. Special place, special people live there. Will be safe."
Sylvester looked back at Mira for her opinion. When she nodded, repositioning her grip on their daughter, he looked back to their associate and nodded himself.
"Middleburg it is then."
Mira looked down at her daughter who was sleeping in her arms and gave a sad smile.
Hopefully, you will live a life of ignorance and peace, my daughter. May you never find out.