Author's Note: Sorry about the non-update last week, so here's a double update. Please note that there will most likely not be an update next week, as I have a Calculus final the next day. I swear, once all my exams are finished, the updates will be more regular. I'm not very fond of this chapter (I find it sort of corny) but hey, not every chapter is going to be amazing.
Disclaimers: Hellboy et al belong to Mike Mignola and Dark Horse Comics, while any movie details are property of Sony Pictures.
After sorting all the details out with the rest of the agents, Abe and Hellboy returned to the truck. When they stepped in, Audrey was sitting on the bench with her knees pulled up to her chest, her head resting on her arms. She looked at them morosely as they came in. She already knew what had happened.
Neither Abe nor Hellboy spoke, unsure if there was anything they could say that would help. Instead, Abe sat down next to Audrey and put his arm around her. For a moment he thought she would push him away, but then she leaned into him. He could see her eyes cloud over, and a silent tear made its way down her cheek. Another followed, and soon she was sobbing into her arms. Abe pulled her closer, hugging her to him, and rested his chin on the top of her head.
"Do you want us to take you home?" he asked gently.
She shook her head slightly, and took a shuddering breath.
"That's okay, you can stay with us tonight."
Hellboy nodded from his seat across from them.
The rest of the way to the bureau was silent. Abe just sat there, hugging Audrey to him, trying to provide whatever comfort he could. He knew how much the dogs had meant to her, and understood that she didn't feel safe at night without them. Once they arrived, Abe found an empty room with a bed, and guided Audrey to it. He turned to leave, but she stopped him.
"Can you stay? Just until I fall asleep. I don't want to be alone."
Abe turned back to her and gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Sure."
She climbed into the bed and lay on her stomach with her head to the wall. Abe sat in the standard issue plastic chair, and listened to her breathing. Just someone being there made all the difference, and Audrey was soon fast asleep.
December 5, 6:04am
Audrey woke with a strange feeling of peace. She snuggled into her sheets and reached out to pat one of her Great Danes. Instead, her hand was stopped short by a wall.
She opened her eyes and everything came back to her. Her sense of peace was gone, replaced by only grief. She heard something behind her and jumped. Looking quickly over her shoulder she saw a figure sitting in a chair by her bed.
Abe was sitting in the same place he had been when she fell asleep. He had his arms crossed over his chest, and he was fast asleep, his head lolling on the back of the chair. Audrey rolled over and watched him for a moment. His chest rose and fell evenly with each breath, and he shifted, frowning slightly as he sank lower in the chair.
Audrey quickly made up her mind and got up, trying to be as quiet as possible. She didn't want to deal with the awkward situation that would only be made worse if Abe woke up while she was there.
She put on her shoes and started for the door. On a final note, she placed a blanket over Abe, careful not to wake him, and then she was gone.
