Emma & Malcom Peabody

Chapter 32: Ghosttown

Driving through the city's road was always a complicated work. There used to be a lot of traffic and it made almost impossible the hard task of driving. At the beginning, Ally thought that there were probably no cars in the roads... but she was wrong. There were just as many cars as always in the New York City, and let's not even mention Washington. That made her thought for a moment that going by feet would have been a better option.

She looked at the back part of her car, where there were lots of boxes and covers... and a very uncomfortable Sherman.-How is everything out there?-she asked casually, trying to sound calmed

-A bit tight... but moreover that, I'm ok, don't worry about me-

-Sure, of course...-

-What time is it?-

-It's 5:00 a.m.-she answered looking at the radio's watch.-We'll be at Washington in about... 5:30-

-Nice, we've been inside this car for more than four hours, so what will thirty minutes more do?-he said out loud, though he said it to himself

-Sorry Sherman, but there are a lot of cars-the woman sighed.-I thought that with all this Napoleon's fiasco there'd be nobody-

-You thought wrong... everyone wants to leave, obviously. Mostly because Napoleon lets them... you'll see, he only wants my family-

Both of them then fell into a deep silence. They hadn't been really talking through the whole trip, maybe because there was no so much to say about it. What were they supposed to talk about? Both of them were scared, alone, sad and angry at the same time. A part of them didn't want to be there, but the other wanted that moment to last forever. Ally as well as Sherman knew that after that trip and after saving everyone, everything would come back to normality, which meant... they won't be together ever again. That's how it was bound to be: Sherman with his family and Ally alone. That's how they always expected it to be... until that moment.

A strange anxiety came over Ally. The dark-haired girl just couldn't handle the pressure of the whole situation that was on her all of a sudden. Helping the man she was in love with so he could be with his dull wife again, risking her own life just for a love story that didn't even happen.

The brunette looked at the radio that was mute and turned it on, wanting to break that deep silence and her own thoughts for a second. Music is always a great escape after all.

Unfortunately, almost every radio station had been taking by the government: the president was giving a big announce about what was happening in New York. And even though the red-haired seemed pretty interested, his assistant decided to change the station, determined to find some music.

-C'mon...-she muttered after finding out that mostly every FM station had become into a news channel. But then, she found a radio with music on, a famous pop song she knew that was just ending.-Finally!-she exclaimed relaxing

Unfortunately, another song began. She recognized it too and growled at the Universe. There was no need to hear such a depressive song in her actual statement.

As soon as Ally was about to change the station, she heard a voice behind her.-Don't change it, I like this song-Sherman muttered covering his face with a cover again

She glared at him, but continued driving. What has she done to deserve that? Oh, wait a minute... yes, she did many bad things. And that's how the song started to show its lyrics:

Maybe it was all too much

Too much for a man to take

Everything is bound to break

Sooner or later, sooner or later

Ally sighed. "Sooner or later everything is bound to break". How well she knew that phrase... she always knew that everything had an ending, even before starting something. The girl had always been knowledgeable about what was going to happen between her and Sherman: they were going to take different ways. And maybe that was why she decided to help him... just to have a little more time. Not only to be by his side, also to see if he changes his mind.

Outside, thousands of persons were running away from that place. They all wanted to leave, to hide, and to disappear. The city seemed like a ghost town, but you couldn't blame people... They'd prefer to do than to die of course. Everything was falling down and everyone knew that someone as powerful as that French ruler wouldn't give up that easily. They all knew they had no other option... all of them but Sherman and Ally, who were going directly to the trap.

They both continued their journey for a few kilometers more, until they found themselves with some soldiers that were expecting cars. One of them saw Ally and got closer to her car.

Ally looked at the soldier and looked down, thinking of a way out. Then, she took a deep breath and rolled the car's window down.-Good morning-she said with a cheering smile

-Good morning, lady-he answered.-We're making a quick examination from the cars and drivers... would you mind showing me your license?-

-Of course not-she said taking her bag from the back part of the car with her wide smile

The guard inspected her information for a second.-Where are you going?-

-Oh, I'm going to Washington-

-Washington? Why?-

-Oh, well, I have my family living there and I haven't seen them in a while now... and they started calling and well... you know how family is like-she chuckled

The man giggled too.-Yeah, I know exactly what you mean... me and my wife are all the time visiting her family... you wouldn't mind if us check your car...?-but before he ended his question, Ally talked again

-You're married?-she said rather sadly

-Uh... yes? Why?-

-Nothing... but it's a shame... well, I guess it's true that the best men are married-the girl commented almost as a hint to Sherman

-Well, I don't know, but we really should check...-

-Really a shame... you have such a beautiful eyes... and your hair is so... wavy-Ally added dreamily

The guy stared at her confused, but after getting what was happening, he got even closer to the car's window.-Thank you, dear, you have pretty eyes too-

-Oh, but not as pretty as yours-

-Well, obviously not... but still pretty though-

They laughed and smiled at each other, before Ally turned to her radio's clock.-Oh, my! It's late... my family's gonna kill me...-she muttered to herself before turning to the soldier.-Anyway, what were you needing me to do?-

The man looked down, thinking, and with a sigh, he gave back the license.-Nothing, you can leave-

-Really? Thank you!-She said with a sincere smiling driving away.-Thank you for being a man...-she mumbled once they were far enough

-Are you really going to flirt with every person we see?-asked Sherman still hidden

-Why not? Guys are easier to manipulate when they think someone's interested on them...-

-I still think that it's mean-

-Oh, don't be jealous, Sherman-she teased again.-Moreover, we're only a few minutes away from Washington! You should be thanking me on your knees-

-If we survive and remember, I'll do it-

-I'll take it as a promise, Peabody-

-Don't presume so much, Edwards...-he smirked looking at her, uncovering his face.-Anyway, it was really smart-

-What?-

-You know... using your "woman's talent" against him... and I mean that... I do thank you because of that-he said feeling as if something didn't let him speak, as if something was in the middle of his throat and didn't let him say the words he wanted to use

-That means... you're jealous?-the brunette asked with a smirk

Sherman glared at her.-Maybe...-he said as revenge with a smirk, making her seem nervous all of a sudden

Thirty minutes later, the duo had arrived to Washington. Little did Napoleon know that the actual president from the USA was in a meeting in Europe... and maybe that was the reason why no one seemed to do anything against some trucks that were getting in and out? It may be because of that or because those armies took care of everything before. Neither Ally nor Sherman wanted to know the answer.

Hiding behind some trees, Ally spoke to his partner.-So, what's the plan, smarty?-

The red-haired man rubbed his neck, thinking on something.-Well... I... think that...-

-You don't have a plan?!-the girl asked angrily

-Hey, to be honest, I didn't even think we would make it to this state-the woman couldn't resist it and punched him in the arm madly, but still not really hard.-Ouch!-

-Shut it and think of something!-

-Ok, ok... Geez...-he started to look around, just to try to find a way to get inside that fort that was hidden

Even though it seemed useless, the scientist finally noticed that there were many sewer lids at the same distance. Without really calculating the distance, he realized that there must be another sewer lid inside the fort... obviously that they'd have to wait until no one were watching to come out...

He glazed Ally a bit, looking at her pretty blue (and obviously expensive dress).-She's gonna kill me...-he muttered

-Uh?-his assistant asked confused

-Nothing...-he lay.-But I think I've got a plan... Follow me-

Even though she stared at him with a mistrust look, she finally did what ordered, knowing that Sherman wasn't going to do something really dangerous... but she just wondered why "she would like to kill him" if she knew the plan? What did he have in mind? Dress up as some soldiers and cross the fort's door with everyone looking and being able to discover them? Knock them all out? Or...

Her thoughts were stopped once they got to a lonely place in the middle of the streets with a sewer. She stared at Sherman as he sat up, opened the sewer's cover and got into it without hesitation.

-What are you doing?-she asked shocked

-Mmm... Getting inside the sewer?-

-I don't mean what you're doing! I mean... why?! Is this your plan?-

-Yeah, what? It's the safest way, Ally! The sewer lids' are put in the ground with a same amount of distance... there must be one inside! We'll just go out and hide, easy, isn't it?-

-Oh, yeah... so you think that's easy? And what are we going to do once we get in, Sherman? Haven't you thought of that?-

-One step at a time-he stretched his hand to her on the surface.-Are you coming or should I continue alone?-

Ally stared at him confused and then unsure.-But my dress is new...-she commented sadly

-I can restore everything, your dress, your shoes, your hair cut, or whatever girls care about their outfit-

-I don't want your money, Sherman-the woman said extremely determined before realizing what she had just say

Most of the time of her life she had been dating guys for their money, she actually was interested at Sherman only because of that... or at least at the beginning. She never imagined she could actually say that phrase. It wasn't like she was only someone who liked money, actually she was a bit corny, and deep inside of her, she was waiting for her hero to come, but another part of her made her believe that no, those things didn't really exist, though she wished so.

She looked around to see the black hole in the sky, to see the fallen flats and the deserted streets. Everything was falling down, and Sherman and Ally were the only two souls in that ghost town.

The dark-haired girl took a deep breath and rejected Sherman's hand, deciding instead getting into the sewer, almost suffering and letting a little "oh, no" every single time she was going down until her feet met something rather wet: sewer's water.-Oh, no-she repeated again pressing her lips nervously

At this, Sherman let a little chuckle, receiving only a glare.-Sorry, but it's funny, admit it-

The girl glared at him before starting walking through the conduits.-So, how are we going to know in which sewer we should come out?-

-It'll be the 7th one-

-Nice... we'll have to walk around here, between this polluted water, and bugs and...-Ally heard a sound, before realizing a big mouse was staring at them.-RATS!-she freaked out scared walking backwards and hugging Sherman as if he was going to protect her of the mammal, with the scientist only staring confused at her actions

Luckily, the rat got bored quickly and ran away from them, and so Ally looked up to find Sherman's eyes staring at her oddly. The girl laughed nervously, walking away from him and accommodating his shirt, that she had rudely almost broke in the commotion.-Haha... sorry-she apologized, still giggling.-I don't like rats-

-Well, no one does...-he opined rather amused before coughing and pointing to the front.-Can we continue now?-

-What? Why? Oh...of course-Ally said quickly retaking her walk, even though she seemed even more scared than before

After walking for some sewers (and a quite silenced trip), the assistant finally decided to speak up.-Are we there yet?-

-Nope, sorry, we'll have to fight against some other rats...-

-Ha-ha! Hilarious attitude...-

-Can I ask you something?-Sherman questioned seriously all of a sudden

-Oh, sure-

-Why aren't you afraid of forgetting?-

-What do you mean?-

-I mean... you seemed rather calmed about that, why?-

-Oh, that...-she touched her hair nervously, fiddling with her blonde extension.-Well, that's maybe because I have a low level of hyperthymestic syndrome...-she explained talking lower and lower each time

Sherman stood still all of a sudden, with a stunned look. Usually, when she used to say that people used to think it was some kind of illness or something she didn't want to talk about... but she made a mistake if she thought that was what Sherman was going to think... he had studied medicine.

-You mean... you can remember everything?!-he asked surprised knowing what that syndrome meant

-Kind of... not everything... I have a lower level of it, but it is enough... So, it'd be hard to forget it-

-That must be so cool...-

-Not so much, you're all the time thinking about what you've done in the past... you remember every single mistake...-

-Well, you should be proud of it-

-Proud of remembering them?-

-No, proud of your mistakes, after all, they made you what you are, right?-he asked with a smile

-You're saying it as if being me is something good...-she mumbled

In that moment, she remembered the first time they met and he asked her to tell him a good and a bad thing about her. She obviously lay, in both aspects, and what a better way to say the truth that when you're probably going to die?

-I'm too ambitious-Ally said looking down

-What?-Sherman asked confused staring at her

-That's a bad thing about me... too ambitious, extremely ambitious... I think I'd be able to do really horrible things to get to a good position. I have...-she glazed at him.-I have been dating every single boss I've had-she finished.-Because I do, I do like money and parties and expensive-useless dresses... also because I never really believed in love... and to tell you the truth, Sherman, I... when I first came to your company, I just wanted to be with you because of the same reason-

In that moment, every piece fell into his place into Sherman's head. He knew he wasn't the kind of handsome guy who had thousands of women. So, he just frowned.-So, that's what you meant when you said you were helping me just because you're making a pay back to the Universe, right?-

-Maybe but... what I'm trying to say is that after this last month being your friend I realized that... I'm really in love with you, Sherman, I'm really it and I'm so sorry-

He looked down at this confession. Could it be true? Well, if it wasn't it, it didn't have any sense. Why would she confess up just like that? Moreover, she seemed truly sorry, but he still couldn't trust her 100%.

-Ally, I... forgive you-

-What?!-she asked surprised and happy

-Yeah, after all it was my fault too... I should've talked to your last bosses, if I hadn't been so tired that day...-

-Oh, boy, thank you, Sherman! I really...-

-Wait, I forgive you, that doesn't mean that we're just going to be friends or something more in the future, Ally. I can't trust you completely after knowing the truth-

-But I admitted what I feel for you-

-Ally, I have a wife and children! It isn't that easy-

-Are you in love with me?-she asked narrowing her eyes

-What?-

-What you've heard, Peabody, do you feel something for me?-

-Not only because I feel something for you it means I'm going to divorce with Penny, ok? She's the woman of my life!-he exclaimed walking closer to her

-Oh, I bet you're right... she's the woman of your life...-she pointed him with a finger.-But that doesn't mean she's the love of your life, does it?-

-Now you're just talking nonsenses-

-I'm not and you know it! She's the woman of your life only because you have never been apart from her! You've been beside her your entire life, how can you know if she's the one for you?-

Sherman chuckled.-Ally, we've known each other for a month, I've known Penny for more than twenty years! Don't you think that's enough? She's been my best friend since I can remember!-

-Oh, admit it, Sherman, you feel something for me... but someone as good-hearted as you can't do that to anyone-

-You're right, because it'd be wrong!-

-You're a coward and a baby!-she said making a step closer to him every time she said a word with a challenging look

-And you're a manipulator and a liar!-he said doing the same thing

-Coward-

-Liar-

-Coward!-

-Liar!-

-You don't know what life is-

-You either-

By that time, the both just realized how closer they were one from the other, only a few centimeters away. It was almost funny to think that both of them were right... but at the same time they were so wrong. And at the last statement, they found out something they had in common at least, which made them feel so confused, especially Sherman, who wasn't someone who usually started an argument, even if he had his reasons. He wasn't really agreeing with discussing, less with a woman. In fact, he couldn't remember if he had ever had such an argument with Penny before, which made him wonder if that was something good or bad.

They both got a little bit closer, before kissing.

When it all falls, when it all falls down

I'll be your fire when the lights go out

When there's no one, no one else around

We'll be two souls in a ghosttown

When the world gets cold, I'll be your cover

Let's just hold onto each other

When it all falls, when it all falls down

We'll be two souls in a ghosttown

Well, that's it... Sherman x Penny fans... hate me xD Sorry if this chapter was about these two and I stopped focusing on the principal characters (Emma and Malcom) but I needed to... just to get to a more dramatic turn of events. I also did it so you still have suspense from the last chapter, of course xD

Anyway, see you tomorrow or next week... I'm not sure to be honest, but I'm sure about something: there are like 4 chapters left only! :O

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Thanks for reading!