Chapter 9: Calm before The Storm
"Is this job even worth a dime?" Mike rubbed the pain off his wrist. Penelope had untied her friends after reluctantly doing it in the first place. Madame Blades walked out the kitchen door with a streaming plate of baked goods, fresh from the oven. Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust. You're going to burn with the rest of us.
"Dad, what's going on?" At the table Vanya sat at his usually spot one end of the dinner table with his children at either side of him. Blades sat soon after, taking her artificial claws and sharpening them. Like filing her nails after polishing them in a spa. Vanya signed.
"Where do you want me to begin?"
Penelope's P.O.V.
So Selene is saying that Vanya was framed for the murder of five children and injures during Emily's birthday on 14 November 1987, which was six years ago. That he was being puppet mastered by The Murderer. Who… get this. Can control our minds with a wave of his hand and Vanya, The Purple Man is a victim and there's another person out there that is going to sacrifice five others to gain powers called 'The Joy of Creation'
WHY?!
I sat on the crouch after wrapping my head on the situation I had gotten myself into by applying a job at a kid's restaurant call 'Freddy Fazbear's Pizza'. I massage my temples. I just needed a job to help papa pay the bill. Does someone hate me?
"It's not fair" I huffed, folding my arms in frustration. I love my gift but I never wanted all of this. I never asked for any of it. A shadow looms over me as I looked up to my wolfy. Fenrir in his werewolf form looked intimidating but to me, it reflects who Fenrir is. Loyal and trustworthy.
"Yes, it isn't fair." Fenrir sat next to me, offering his claw. I took it, holding his palm to my cheek to comfort myself. Fenrir embrace me and I return the gesture. Fenrir rub my back as I cried at the burden and responsibilities of a Creator.
"Life doesn't care if it is fair or not." Fenrir patted my head. I continue to sob and seek his comfort. At the distance, Jeremy stood in the shadow, leaning on the wall eyeing his daughter as jealousy slowly creeped into his mind. At Fenrir, for being better at what he was supposed to do. Sköll quietly whined upstairs, silently eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Sometimes, you're forced to deal with the impossible." Unshed tears fester into silent crying as memories Fenrir experienced in the past. The loss of his children, the inability to be there for them when they need him the most. The time that when his family had been ripped apart in fear of a prophecy becoming a reality.
"You train yourself." To protect your loved ones. The sacrifices you made and will make. It will take you to a dark and lonely road. The insecurity you feel, the sadness and disappointment. It's not one anybody will like.
"You can choose to let the difficulties in life to be the excuse of your failure," Fenrir looked away.
"Or you can rise up, face your problems and achieve what you thought you never could've done." Fenrir pulled away from the embrace and look into my eyes.
"You are meant for great things, Penelope" Fenrir eyes showed affection and sorrow. Fenrir kissed me and hugged me one more time.
"The choice is yours." Foxy look away, fading into the shadows.
The door to the dining area open. Vanya, my friends and Madame Blades join us in the living room. Jeremy took two glasses and a bottle of Balkan 176 Proof Vodka. He gave it to Vanya and began a conversation as Mike and Emily went upstairs. Something told me that they are having trouble in absorbing this. I hug and kiss Fenrir one more time before following my friends upstairs.
Jeremy's P.O.V.
I pass a glass of Vodka to the… purple freaky dude. He accepted and slowly drank it. He had a stocky build and was shorter than me. Now that I think about it. His more of a violet pink than the dark royal purple that The Murderer have. Vanya eyes doesn't look that demonic compared to him.
"We have been talking and on behalf of everyone that attacked you and your children: We're sorry for invading." I took a sip as Vanya look at me with a nod. After finishing his drink, I poured him another round before specking again.
"Something on you mind?" Vanya signed before sitting down on a bar stool. I follow suit and listen carefully. Vanya fiddle with his fingers before talking again.
"I didn't want them to know about my past." I understand. I never wanted Penelope to get involved with Freddy's as well. Not after what happened with in '87. I thought I lost her forever and she is the only person I have to family… other than Fenrir. Speaking of the devil himself.
"I know what it feels like." Our eyes met in understand and we toast to that. Others join us soon after and it was just the adults left in the living room. Madame Blades climbed onto my lap.
Upstairs
Emily flopped onto the bed as Mike paced back and forth in front of the window. Mike signed and Emily hid her face in a pillow. There was a light knock on the door.
"Go away, father!" Penelope entered and patiently watched them.
"I said GO Awa…" Mike saw that it was Penelope and had this nervous expression on him. Emily groaned and sat up, looking toward the doorway at me. I got closer and take a seat on the bed, patting an empty spot for Mike to sit.
"Do you want to talk about it?" They signed and look at Penelope.
"Nothing to talk about."
"Then why are you so upset?"
"Cause we failed father." Mike looked out the window
"I'm sure that not what he feels."
"But it's true!" Mike's eyes widen
"What happened, friend?" Mike backed away from the window very slowly.
"Well, it's…" Mike crashed on the girls pushing them off the bed before an explosion erupted. Penelope, Mike and Emily hit their heads, knocking them unconscious. The Murderer can be seen outside with a rocket launcher.
"What was that?" The whole house shook from the impact. Selene duck under the table, thinking that it was an earthquake. Smoke and fire was everywhere spreading fast through the Manor. James carried his wife bridal style while Jeremy, Vanya and Fenrir ran upstairs to rescue the children. Vanya got Emily and Mike out, their black hair darker because of the ashes. Jeremy's a darker blonde. Everybody got out safely.
Or did everyone?
"Where's Foxy and Penelope!?"
They look around the area but Penelope and Foxy were nowhere to be found. "Penelope!" Fenrir ran towards the house but a second explosion knocked him back. The house collapsed in itself. Crushing anything inside the Manor. Jeremy fell onto his knees and screamed.
Foxy growled at The Murderer. "Over here guys!" The team turned to see Penelope kidnapped by him running towards his car while Foxy chased him all the way. Vanya went in his garage and start his Ferrari. It was out of petrol. The Murderer got away with Penelope. They're hopeless.
