Disclaimer: I do not own The Penguins of Madagascar or any of its characters, but I do own Alex the penguin and a lot more characters who appear in this story.
Hours later, Alex woke from an uneasy dream. She had been facing her father, and while his image was still unclear and he had no voice, she instinctively knew that he was sending her away, refusing to even talk to her and as she struggled to wake up properly, she fought against panic, terrified that would actually happen.
She heard one of the kids ask if they were there yet, and an older sounding female answered," Just one more hour."
Alex groaned inwardly, not sure what to do for another hour. She didn't want to go back to sleep in case she had another disturbing dream. Feeling brave, she dared poke her head up to see where she was. Immediately she knew they were still on the interstate because there was nothing but cars and trees flying past as the car she was in sped down the highway.
She dropped down and stared off into space, hoping her father wouldn't send her away before she learned the truth. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize the car had stopped moving until a male voice told his family that they were just stopping to use the bathroom and then they'll head to grandma's house.
Alex waited until everyone had left. Then, very slowly she opened the door and peeked out. Nobody was around, so she dashed forward and ducked behind the store. She looked around, suddenly realizing how hungry she was when she smelled food nearby.
She went exploring and found a garage can and inside, she found a half-eaten hotdog. She shook her head, thinking how much humans waste, but then she told herself that the more they waste the more food there is for her.
As she was finishing the hotdog, she heard someone approaching and she crouched down, but she relaxed when she saw that it was a raccoon, who froze when he noticed the penguin. Alex jumped out of the can and dropped in front of him.
"Hey," she greeted him. "Do you know where we are right now?"
The raccoon looked confused. "You know, the name of this place?" He gestured to the building, and Alex shook her head.
"No, the state," she pressed.
"Oh. New Jersey," the raccoon told her, and excitement shot through her.
"Thank you," she said, before running to the front of the store. She hid and listened to the humans coming out. Luck must have been on her side because she overheard someone telling their kids that they only had an hour and a half until they got to their hotel, and they were gonna sleep there tonight and go to the Central Park Zoo in the morning.
Alex followed the family to their van and hid in the back. She was fighting against panic, realizing this could be the very last ride she took. When she got to New York, she'd probably have to walk the rest of the way. She was excited too, but mostly very nervous about finally facing her father and for most of the ride, she was trying to think of something to say to him, but nothing felt right.
She thought about telling him off for leaving her mother; she thought about confessing how excited and nervous she was to see him; she imagined herself breaking down and crying in front of him. So many things could be said and done, but she just didn't know how she would react until she stood looking him in the eyes.
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