*Disclaimer: I do not own Dr. Horrible's sing along blog or any of it's characters. I did, however, make up this story as I am a fan of the mini-movie*
Chapter Seven
"Okay, everyone just- er… everyone just stay down and no one will get hurt" Moist said, holding the empty sacks that should be full very soon. He was wearing white gloves to be able to grip the bags better. Dr. Horrible was brandishing his weapon, a small ray gun without a handle; it was installed into a large metal cuff on his wrist. Everyone was cowering in the corners, they were in a store, and not just any store, Wal-Mart. Dr. Horrible had asked for all the money, dollar bills and change were to be put in different bags. Moist had no clue why Bad Horse wanted Dr. Horrible to rob a store… what was he trying to prove? Shaking his head clear of his meddling thoughts Moist stepped up to receive the money. "And make sure every last dime is in the bags," Dr. Horrible said, "I'll know" he added. The clerk nodded, shaking, and began to place the money in the bags. Dr. Horrible surveyed the room, though Moist was sure it was only habit, they both knew no one would try anything, while Moist struggled to hold all the bags. He tied knots around the full ones and waited for the others to be filled as well. The silence felt quiet…sorta... it felt awkward. Dr. Horrible didn't say anything, he didn't have a catch phrase, and he didn't say a witty comment, nothing. He just stood there, causing fear in their victims.
The bags filled Moist headed for the door; Dr. Horrible behind him, pointing his weapon randomly at the store's inhabitants. The door slid open and Moist turned to look at Dr. Horrible, waiting for the signal to 'get going'. Satisfied no one was following them; Dr. Horrible turned around, took one look outside the doorway, and froze. There, walking casually across the street was a thin, redhead girl. 'What would she be doing here?' came the unbidden thought. Dr. Horrible narrowed his eyes, 'What would who be doing here?' he taunted. The voice stayed silent this time, Dr. Horrible was confused, the voice had appeared quiet recently, and it had made its first appearance at the Laundromat. Dr. Horrible just wanted it gone, he was sure it was the reason he couldn't move, the reason there was something breaking inside him, the reason he could practically feel, something he hadn't done in such a long time he couldn't be certain it was really 'feel' or something else. He still couldn't move, and was still staring at the girl his subconscious swore was important. It was just some girl; he couldn't understand his body's reaction. Then the girl turned around. The sun splashed on her billowing hair, making its radiance shine like fire, her wide, innocent eyes gleamed like green emeralds, and her skin looked so fair… The image was just enhanced when she smiled and waved slightly to someone Dr. Horrible couldn't see because they stood a few feet before Wal-Mart's automatic door. Her head tilted to the side ever so slightly and her eyes warmed as she waved. She looked so fragile, and delicate, he wanted to march right toward her and protect her. Dr. Horrible's eyes widened, no matter what was wrong with his subconscious, those kinds of thoughts were Not okay. He broke free from whatever spell he had been under just as the girl turned back around and continued on her way. He walked, rather quickly, in the opposite direction; Moist had to jog to keep up. Dr. Horrible's thoughts were jumbled, but one thing was clear, he had to do something about this.
The money was delivered to Bad Horse himself an hour later, the cops long lost. Moist once again stood by the door, not liking the fact that he was only a few feet from the world's worse villains. Fake Thomas Jefferson smiled at him and Moist had to put all his strength into not pressing against the wall to get a few more centimeters distance from the villain. Bad Horse whinnied, a pleased sound, and flicked his ear, motioning for Dr. Horrible to excuse himself. Moist sighed with relief when Dr. Horrible opened the door and let himself out, Moist right behind him. He didn't ask if they had another mission, Dr. Horrible would tell him if he did, plus he didn't like questions. They were silent the rest of the way home.
"Penny?" Billy called out, he was in the Laundromat, two frozen yogurts sitting on the drying machine next to him, and Penny was nowhere to be found. "Penny?" he asked as the door opened, he turned around, but saw it wasn't Penny, just some other woman out to do her laundry. He sighed and stared at the yogurts some more, waiting. "Penny?" he called out again as the door swung open, though it was only a man, who probably lived alone. He'd turn around and call Penny's name every time the door opened, but it was never her, he was staring to get worried. His heartbeat began to pick up, indicating his growing panic. The room began to dim, growing darker and darker, until he couldn't see any of the other people in the Laundromat, the only place he could see clear was the area surrounding the two machines he and Penny were to use today, including the two frozen yogurts on them and the floor underneath them. Billy's breath quickened, he jumped when a hand on his shoulder startled him. He nearly fell off the drying machine. "Whoa, what has you so worked up?" Penny's voice asked. He turned around and watched her walk over to the machine he'd reserved for her and sit up, cross-legged, on it. He smiled weakly with relief and his heartbeat and breathing began to slow. "Where have you been?" he asked. "I was worr-" he trailed off, too shy to admit he was worried about her, just like he was too shy to admit he liked her. Penny smiled, knowing what he'd been about to say. "That's sweet" she murmured. Billy laughed nervously then got comfortable and grabbed his own yogurt. "So" he said, grabbing a spoonful, "What took you so long?" he asked, before shoving the spoonful in his mouth and waiting for her answer. She smiled sadly and looked down at her feet. Billy's eyes widened, 'oh no, what if one of her family members had died? He'd just caused her to remember the whole ordeal! Oh Billy, you're so stupid! Wait… Penny didn't have any family… what if something had happened to the Caring Hands homeless shelter? What if the city was taking it back?' Billy was so wrapped up in his thoughts he nearly missed the fact that Penny had said something. "Huh?" he asked focusing on her again. Her eyes widened with sadness, 'Oh, crap, did she think he'd been ignoring her?' "What's wrong Penny?" he asked. She swallowed then spoke again. "You didn't want me to come" she repeated softly. He was taken back, how could she think that? "What? Where'd you get that idea?" he asked. Penny smiled sadly, looking almost sorry for him, and for the fact that he didn't know. 'Didn't know what?' Billy thought to himself. "You've been trying to keep me away for a couple of years now." Penny said, like a therapist breaking something to her client slowly. Billy shook his head slowly back and forth, if anything he'd been trying to get closer to her, and see her more often. Granted, most of those times he was hiding behind some disguise, or a bush, but still… one of those times he was going to walk up to her and say 'Hi'. "Penny, I would never-" he began, but quieted when she placed her hand on his. He could tell this was something she needed to get out. She looked to the side, then back at him. "Billy, you've been trying to keep me away for a couple of years now… you've been trying to forget me" she said. Billy was once more shaking him head, "No, I'd never-" he began. "But you haven't been able to… I keep coming back. But, if you really want me gone… I'll go" she said. 'What? No! He didn't want her to leave! What would he do without her? He… What... How could he survive without ever seeing her again?' "Penny" he pleads, outstretching his hand toward her as she slid off the drying machine. He jumped off his and followed her to the door. His heart was racing and his breathing was more than just uneven, he was pretty much hyperventilating. "Penny, don't do this" he begged. "It's what he wants" she said, eyes full of sorrow, "It's not your show to run anymore" she added. He stopped, not having a clue what she was talking about. "You let this happen" she explained to him gently, no trace of accusation in her voice. She turned away again, nearly out the door. 'I… did this? How?' Billy wondered. He steeled himself, it didn't matter. "If I did this, I can also undo it" he said, lacing his fingers with Penny's. She stopped, "Billy-" she cautioned.
Dr. Horrible sat up, his breathing out of control. His eyes were wide, and his heart rate was very high. It felt like he was having a panic attack. This was one of the worse cases he'd ever had, he realized as he pulse slowed and his breath got under control. The dream was already fading, so he didn't give much thought to the reason behind this. He always woke up like this in the middle of the night, just because this time it was a bit worse didn't mean anything. He lay back down and closed his eyes, having no idea this had been the first time in two years that dream Billy had stood up for himself, that he'd touched Penny, instead of Penny touching him. He slowly fell back asleep, not noticing the small crack in his numb armor that was not repaired and slowly spreading.
(Sorry this took so long, I barely got my computer back today. Good News is, it's fixed. Bad News is, it took so long[a week] to fix, that I am now really behind on my homework. It will be a while for the next chapter... =/ )
(Reviews and Comments wanted and Appreciated =3 )