Chapter 8

It was now the beginning of February, and Alex was out of the hospital. He was currently at his house in Chicago, a two story ranch style home. Alex was rich, having won his fair share of races, but he liked to live modestly. He smiled as the Turbo Terrific pulled up, followed soon by the others.

"Almost Valentine's Day," said Peter as he walked in.

Alex scoffed. "Screw Valentine's Day," he growled. "Don't remind me."

Penelope was next to walk in, followed by Dick and Pandora… the sight of them together sent a painful jab through Alex's heart.

"Alex," said Bela. "How nice of you to throw a Valentine's Day party!"

"I didn't know you gave a damn," said Alex.

"Hey, the living dead need love too!" Said Bela with a laugh.

Alex sat in his easy chair and sighed.

"Alex?" Penny walked over. "It's Valentine's Day! Cheer up, you seem upset."

"I don't like this holiday," Alex muttered. "But I like parties. I threw this one because I figured you guys would like it… I didn't do this for me. Anyway… how's your mom?"

"I'm fine," said Petunia from behind him, smiling. "Your friend Victor's here too. He and I, uhm… we…". She blushed.

"You're going with him?" Penny asked.

"No… not exactly… but he makes me feel like a schoolgirl!"

"So tell him!" Pandora cried. "What are you doing?!"

Alex stood up, sighed and headed to the kitchen.

He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

"Is this sorry state you're in about Pandora?" Dick Dastardly had just walked in.

Alex shrugged. "Yes and no," he said. "I'm not gonna lie, I love her… but she loves you, and I have to respect that."

"Do you feel like I stole her, Thorne?"

"Not really. You can't steal a person. Wait… aren't you this evil, well… dastardly asshole?"

Dick nodded. "I'm not a nice man," he admitted, "but… well, despite that, I admit you've done right by me. You drive like me, your car has weapons like my dear old Mean Machine… you're like me, Thorne… but you don't really have my personality. You're basically a fusion between me and Penelope and, well… I like you."

"I like you too, Dick," Alex replied, "course I'll still kick your ass all over the race track but…"

Dick chuckled. "Thorne, listen to me. If I can find love… anyone can find love."

"I hate to sound like the definition of self pity but… I'm not so sure."

"Chin up, Alex," said Dick.

"Hey," said Alex. "You're lucky. Pandora… she… she's a good kid."

Dick left, and was soon replaced by Penelope. She cocked her head. "Hey there," she said gently. "Dick told me you were really upset."

Alex sighed. "I just… I'm just so…". He sighed. "I… my heart's broken. All the shit I went through, I…"

"You… haven't you been with someone before?"

"No," Alex whispered, shaking his head. "I never even tried. I… I never thought anyone would ever love me. How could they?"

"How couldn't they?" Penelope countered. "You're nice, you're smart, you're handsome…"

"I have to be nice… after what he did… I promised I'd never harm another human being. Since I know… how it feels."

"And you… you don't go for Pandora. You just… let her be happy. That's… that's really cool, Alex. You're bound to find…"

"Penny… please." He held up his hands and sighed. "Don't try to save me, okay?"

"What…?"

"Just… just don't." He turned to leave. "I'm not worth it."

"You think you're not worth it?" Penelope said softly, tearing up. "W… What? No that's… that's not true!"

Alex sighed as Penny gently grabbed his hand. "You gonna tell me my fans love me next, Penny?" He said flatly.

"Alex…"

"You know… I'm actually the most hateful person you could ever meet."

"No, Alex," she said softly. "No, honey. I know you. You don't hate anyone, not even your father."

"I don't care either way about him. But I do hate one person, Penelope."

"Who could a nice, sweet man like you possibly have any hatred for?"

Alex said only one word… but it shattered Penelope's heart and world like so much glass. Glass that manifested as a downpour of tears.

"Myself."