Any beta readers in the chat? Please. Or someone to keep me accountable. Please. (also more info about stuff in AN at the bottom)
Chapter 9: The Riddle in the Message
The following days blurred together in a mix of stress, paranoia, and a sense of running out of time. Roy and Mr. Queen left Gotham the morning after the gala. Allison has been keeping Roy informed with any updates—despite the fact, there are few.
Bruce finally allowed Dick and Allison to help in the investigation. However, that isn't saying much. Tensions between Dick and Bruce remain high. Their mentor is, after all, still doing all he can to limit their involvement.
Dick has thrown himself entirely into this case. He doesn't even talk to her anymore. He no longer has a sort of enthusiasm for his job. He is just a blank slate on and off the field.
Speaking of the field, patrols around Gotham are almost nonexistent. Bruce is the only one who patrols Gotham anymore. It's not that Dick or Allison don't want to patrol. Bruce won't let them.
Because of this, crime in Gotham has rapidly increased. Criminals in this city are smart enough to see an opening when it appears. They're opportunistic. Bruce may have been able to patrol Gotham by himself years ago, but the new system they created worked and it's proving hard to revert back. He isn't able to keep the entirety of Gotham safe even if he put all of his time into it.
The amplified crime only augments the chaos and fear inside and outside of the city. Allison and Roy were right when they guessed this news would go national. The fact Robin has not made an appearance yet has only kindled the flames of distress.
Dick is beyond furious at Bruce. The reasons for his ire are numerous: Bruce is benching him from patrol, the citizens of Gotham are getting hurt because he is being benched, Bruce tried to keep the threat on his life secret, and Bruce is still trying to keep him uninvolved. These are the reasons Allison was able to identify, but there are probably more.
The Dynamic Duo stands in stony silence whenever they aren't actively yelling at each other. She would remark on their stubbornness if she weren't so tired and overwhelmed. Not for the first time and not for the last, Allison has to thank Alfred for his unending patience and support. However, she can tell he is also done with the arguments.
As for the unidentified villain, well, they are working on it.
For some reason, this is all the public can talk about. While she can understand threats to a person's life is a serious issue, it's not like Robin wasn't ever in serious danger before! She and Dick both know their line of business is not full of sunshine and rainbows. They would just have to be plain stupid not to know that.
She can sympathize with her friend on that front. He probably is frustrated everyone is deathly scared for him when he has always been in danger. Every hero receives too many death threats to count during their career. Why is it different for Robin?
Allison sighed as she slammed the lid to her personal computer close. She knows why.
It's because he is a kid. As mature as both Dick and Allison are, they are still kids. She hoped the adults were able to see past their age and only focus on their potential. With time, even the staunchest of those in disapproval of underage vigilantes were able to admit their skill. It appears, however, that they only needed a scenario like this to be fixated on their age again.
And yet, she cannot find it in herself to be as upset towards Bruce as Dick is.
She knows his past. Bruce lost his family once already and he sees Dick as a son. While Dick perceives the decision to bench him as a slight against his abilities, Bruce is worried for his son.
So, she is conflicted. Allison is very, very conflicted. Not only for where her sympathies should lie, but she is also conflicted on how she should spend her time.
Dick seems to have completely forgotten about her 'personal problem.' Allison remembers how concerned he was days ago when she came into his house ranting and raving all the way. Of course, he has more important things to worry about. She can't blame him for that. While she may need a friend, he needs one more.
She wants to spend the majority of her day working on this investigation. She feels like they are close to discovering who has the motive and means to do all of this. Once they discover that and uncover the person's identity, they will be closer to stopping them.
Allison has been sneaking out of her house a lot lately. Whether it is during the night or the day, she finds she spends most of her time in the Batcave. When she isn't working there, she's doing it at home. One would think that after all of this time, they would finally discover who their culprit is?
Allison wishes it was that easy.
And yet all of this would be a whole lot easier if they worked together.
The reason Allison is at her house right now and not working in the Batcave is because she desperately needs a break before she snaps. Again.
She threw her head into her hands with a groan as she remembered what happened mere hours ago. She may have been tired and frustrated, but she's just embarrassed now.
Allison isn't sure what exactly made her snap. It could have been that her family has to host a dinner tonight with the Worthings. It could have been that they are unbelievably close yet so far from uncovering their villain. It could have been that she can count the hours of sleep she got this week on two hands with fingers left over. It could have been anything.
Though it probably was because of the umpteenth fight between Bruce and Dick.
She tried to be patient. She tried so hard to understand where they were coming from, but Bruce and Dick's unending stubborn attitudes forced her to forgo empathy and call them out on their behavior.
Allison snapped at Dick first. She got it through his brain (in a very loud and aggressive tone) that Bruce is worried and doesn't want him to die.
It looked like Dick wasn't going to give in until she said that Bruce doesn't want to lose his family again. That sure shut him up.
Then she moved to Bruce who was looking uncharacteristically smug. She made an effort to wipe that smug look off his face as she described Dick's side of things. He is not a child, not anymore. They are both his partners and deserve to be treated as such.
She was reminded of when Dick first started as a vigilante. He sneaked out of the manor to get revenge against his family's murderer. He took initiative when nobody would let him and that put him in trouble. Serious trouble.
Allison stressed to Bruce that if he kept pushing Dick away, this could happen again and leave Dick more vulnerable than if he was patrolling with him supervised.
After that, she may or may not have ranted about the two's behavior in general and how they aren't being appreciative of Alfred or their superhero friends who are willing to help. None of them are working as a team anymore and it's like they are running their own private investigations. Crime has soared in Gotham. The public is speculating if Robin is dead since he hasn't been seen. Chaos and confusion are running wild everywhere and the duo needs to wake up and get a handle on their partnership.
She thankfully got to her senses before she could start yelling about her personal issues.
Mortified, Allison realized what she did and what she said. Her throat ached from yelling so much. She stood unmoving as her brain finally caught up to her mouth. Allison looked at the baffled Bruce and Dick. They stared at her in return.
Then Allison rushed out of the cave as fast as she could.
Slinking back into her chair, Allison groans again as her embarrassment returns in full force.
A knock on her door drew her attention. "Allison, are you almost ready? We must be downstairs to greet the Worthings in a few moments."
Truthfully, if her mother hadn't reminded her, Allison would be eating dinner with the Worthings as she is: knotty hair, no makeup, a stained sweatshirt, and dull jeans. She also knows that if her mother saw her as she is, she would freak out.
She doesn't need what will be an undoubtedly uncomfortable dinner on top of her crippling embarrassment, but Allison supposes she should spare herself from her mother's wrath.
Time to reenter the life of a socialite.
OoO
Allison is not currently standing here sporting a form-fitting yet somehow modest cyan dress and being formally introduced to the Worthings. Allison is not being forced to wear her brightest smile and dutifully responding to her parent's every word. Allison is not avoiding the gaze of Liam Worthing and redirecting any attempts her parents make to force her to converse with him.
…If she says it enough times, will it come true?
The actual truth is that she is wearing that awful cyan dress, she is being introduced to the Worthings, she is being the politest and most charming daughter she could be, and she is trying her hardest to pretend Liam Worthing doesn't exist.
"Theodore, enough of these pleasantries. How about we traverse into the dining room for our meal?" Her father, Terrence James, said with a welcoming grin and his arms extended towards the Worthings as if to usher them deeper into the mansion.
Her mother led the way for their guests whilst making amicable conversation with them the entire way. Allison politely waited for the family to walk in front of her before she would follow. She also looked away from Liam Worthing when he found a chance to glance at her amid conversation with her mother.
She's not opening that can of worms just yet.
Right as she made her way to trail behind the Worthings, a noise from her phone stopped her. Now, she normally is not allowed to have her phone on her during important events such as this. However, Allison elected to ignore that. While part of the reason is that she wants to be notified right away in case anything bad happens with her partners' vigilanteing, she mostly can't bring herself to care enough to obey the rule tonight.
Allison first saw that she received a message from Dick. This would generally lead her to panic, yet she quickly saw that this wasn't an emergency message. Though the message itself was important.
Annoying AcroBRAT:
hey, Allison, uh this is kinda awk…
actually, screw that
thanks for yelling at me and Bruce today, it was kinda hard to hear but it needed to be said
Bruce and I talked after u left and well it helped
I'm allowed to go out on the field now, obvi w supervision and w B, but he trusts me
I'm not going to keep hiding from that villain any more
also don't worry, I'll be safer and not as impulsive becuz I know how much it means to Bruce
and to u
I'm sorry, by the way, I haven't been there for u for ur thing but u've been here for me
kick their butts today, A, especially that cocky little actor imp
She smiled.
Allison could have texted anything in response to his message. She could have mentioned how that message helped to lighten a bit of the load on her shoulders or something equally as emotional, but that's not really how she rolls.
Instead, she wrote:
Don't call me A, Richard.
There. Dick will understand what she means by that.
OoO
Her parents are a lot smarter than she gives them credit for.
"Your mother and I both realize how much time you have been spending outside of this house," her father hissed at her. He had grabbed her elbow before the pair entered the dining room. "We do not know why you continuously leave, but frankly, we do not care as long as you do not mess this up for us."
She inhaled a deep breath to calm herself before replying, "Of course, father. I will do my best."
Terrence James paused. Her father never strays from his usual guise: calm, sophisticated, confident, and sharp. With a dignified air around him, her father is well aware of how people work. He knows what they want to hear and what they don't want to hear. He knows how to manipulate people to his advantage and he knows when to cut his losses.
He's smart. He is everything a businessman in Gotham needs to be to be successful. Yet, Allison never expected him to be attentive when it relates to her.
Allison inherited her blond hair from him, but they style it completely differently. Her father's hair is constantly slicked back and put together. Allison, on the other hand, does not put as much effort to force her hair to perfection.
They still share the same hair color, though. She loves being a blond (especially since she brings the whole dumb blond stereotype to shambles), but she cringes at the idea of sharing something so obvious with her father.
Her father's brown eyes pierce her blue. She doesn't falter at the silent challenge. This is one of the most important things her parents have asked of her. In the past, she would merely converse with other adults or eavesdrop on some sort of gossip. Yet, nothing of what she did holds any sort of genuine significance.
Securing an alliance or a deal with businesses outside of Gotham would prove monumental for their corporation. She may not understand the exact details for she was never one to pay attention to something that bores her, but she is aware that the Worthings can help expand their influence.
And the Worthings are currently searching for a business alliance from Gotham.
So she's doing this. Allison is going to ensure that her family has a larger advantage than the other families in Gotham.
She doesn't know what her motivations are. Pride, perchance? Just to prove that she can do it or that she isn't an inept little girl? Or perhaps there is a small part of her that wants to do this for her parents?
Allison will show them that she can do this. Maybe if they see what she is capable of…
Maybe then…
Her father's eyes narrow, yet she knows it isn't in displeasure or frustration. The opposite, actually. He seems to have been looking for something and just managed to spot it.
Terrence lets go of her arm and motions towards the dining room, allowing Allison to slip in before him.
She's got this.
Allison steadies her breathing and sets her shoulders as she glides over to the table where the rest of their party is seated. Two of the six seats remain empty: one of the seats at the head of the table directly opposite of Mr. Worthing and the second in between the patriarch of the Worthing name and its only heir.
She graces those sitting at the table with a pleasant smile. Allison immediately tunes into the conversation so she isn't caught unawares and sits at the seat left for her.
She couldn't ignore the impression that she felt like she was entering a battle.
OoO
Dinner was surprisingly frustrating for Allison and not for the reason one would think.
Her parents have continued to make wonderful conversation with the Worthings and have not spared a chance to subtly mention the positive attributes Allison has. Instead of immediately turning down the invitation of beneficial conversation, she desperately grasped onto whatever her parents sent her way and transformed it into something in her favor. She would humbly wave off a compliment while still ensuring it wouldn't be forgotten and begrudgingly talk about her grades or extracurricular activities while still painting herself in an impressive light.
In return, she would grant her parents segues to discuss the significance of their company.
The chefs even did a wonderful job cooking dinner so it isn't even because of the food. Nope, Allison is incredibly frustrated because no matter what approach she uses, Liam does not seem to be warming up to her at all.
She tried nice, she tried slightly flirty, she vague, and she even dabbled with downright obvious. She made sure to not just be like Heather Lawrence and all those other wealthy brats but to use their game and do it better. Allison is doing everything she is supposed to! She knows this. Yet as she keeps the flawless smile on her face and pretends to be utterly invested in what Mrs. Worthing and Liam are conversing about, she can feel the sweat dripping down her back.
What if she blows this?
Allison laughs along with Mrs. Worthing at a joke Liam made. Was it a funny joke? Eh, it isn't a joke she would normally laugh at.
But nobody needs to know that.
She is determined to win Liam over in the end.
"Terrence, my old friend, how could I forget that party all those years ago. It's one of the most eventful parties I've ever attended!" Mr. Worthing suddenly boomed, drawing everybody's attention. He continued, "All of that drama and people making an embarrassment of themselves! Like the hosts of that party, what were their names?"
Her father laughed. "It was the Sinclairs! Evan Sinclair."
"Evan Sinclair?" Allison tilted her head. "I have never heard of him."
Mr. Worthing pointed at Allison with his wine. "Because that party ruined their social standing. Anyway, wasn't Juliet nearly ready to give birth then?"
Juliet playfully rolled her eyes. "Allison may have been born mere days after that event, but I knew it would be unforgettable. There was no way I would have missed that party!"
"Ah, yes. I remember because you both left early and missed the terrible toast Evan gave."
Mrs. Worthing pitched in. "It was truly something awful."
"That was one of the last times you have been in Gotham, was it not?" Terrence asked.
"It was," Mr. Worthing nodded. "We left the day after."
"Oh, I wish we could have seen you as a baby, Allison!" Mrs. Worthing exclaimed. "I bet you were the most adorable child."
"You flatter me, Mrs. Worthing."
Mr. Worthing hummed. "Maybe we should have stayed a few extra days. After all, I'm sure your parents would have appreciated the support with your illness and all."
Allison faltered. "I am sorry, but I am unsure of what you are referring to?"
"Don't tell me your parents kept this a secret from you?" He directed this towards her father.
Terrence's eye twitched, the only sign of him being uncomfortable. "Well, the experience was awfully traumatic for us all that we wished to forget it completely."
"Now, I do not mean to overstep, but surely she has a right to know about her health from when she was just born?" Mrs. Worthing shot a glance towards her.
As for Allison, she is very lost and can feel her cool composure slightly slipping.
Her parents shared a glance, fast enough for the Worthings to miss it. On the other hand, Allison was just able to catch it.
Juliet gave a strained smile. "I suppose you are right. Terrence, dear, would you like to explain the story?"
"Yes, I suppose Allison does have a right to know. And Liam must be awfully confused, as well."
Swiftly looking in the corner of her eye towards Liam proved her father to be right.
"Allison, when you were just born you were very ill. It was to the extent that the doctors doubted your chances of survival."
Her mother continued. "But you pulled through like we knew you would!"
Mr. Worthing chimed in. "I do wish we could have been there to support you, my friends. I know how hard you both took the events."
What?
A phantom look of pain and anguish passed through her parent's eyes.
The conversation continued onto lighter topics, but Allison couldn't take her mind off of the revelation.
She apparently almost died when she was just born and she never even knew it. She also was able to see the sorrow her mother and father both felt. It was genuine. The care they felt for her from that time was genuine.
They cared about her.
Allison just can't figure out when that changed.
OoO
Liam politely excused himself to the restroom right before dessert was served.
The rest of the group finished the dessert and an additional glass of wine (water for Allison). Liam still hadn't returned.
"Perhaps he simply got lost on his way back? The mansion can be confusing to those who have not visited before," her mother said.
So Allison volunteered to go find him and lead him back to the dining room.
Except, she cannot find him in any of the nearby hallways or rooms. Actually, she cannot find him anywhere in the mansion.
Allison huffed, forcefully pushing a hair out of her face in frustration.
Where the heck did that kid go?
She knows she is running out of time to win Liam over. It is proving harder than she originally thought. Constantly throughout dinner, Liam looked as if he tasted something sour. He may be an actor and he may have tried to hide it, but Allison is the master of subtlety.
…Well, sort of.
She can't return to their guests and claim that she can't find their son! But he's honestly nowhere. She checked everywhere she could think and—
"Wait," Allison said, freezing where she stood as her mind reminded her of the first time she and Liam met. She then immediately turned around and sped off to a nearby balcony.
It took a couple of guesses to find the correct one, but she soon discovered the figure of Liam Worthing staring off at their expansive property on one of their many balconies.
She paused for a moment, unsure if she should continue. She quickly shook her head to disperse those doubts and forced herself to feel confident. "I must admit, I would never have chosen a place as scenic as this to find some peace, but it is stunning."
He didn't turn around, but Allison heard the slight smile in Liam's voice as he said, "Yes, well, these types of places are an ideal area to find some quiet."
She made her way to stand next to Liam, not glancing at him but looking at her property with him.
"So this isn't the restroom?" Allison joked.
The sunny-haired boy chuckled. "No, I suppose it's not."
She hummed.
Liam continued after a moment of silence. "I'm honestly surprised it took this long for them to send you after me."
Allison gave a fake but authentic-sounding laugh. "Our mothers were getting worried! Why, any stranger unfamiliar with the layout would get lost in our mansion."
She saw a sour look appear on Liam's face before it swiftly vanished.
He didn't pick up the conversation.
While her outward appearance never waned, she could feel her anxiety and nervousness rise.
The sun continued to make its descent, signaling the day coming to its end.
"You got lost," Liam suddenly spoke, "didn't you?"
Allison's eye twitched at the suggestion. "Excuse me?"
He nodded like he finally discovered the truth. "They sent you out a while ago. You just got lost in your own house."
She could feel her indignation begin to make a presence and she desperately pushed it down before it could ruin everything.
"There are a lot of areas to look over—"
"Nope, you got lost."
He interrupted her.
She took a deep breath. "Liam, how about we return—"
He waved away her idea. "Sure, after you admit you got lost."
"This is my house."
"Mansion, actually. It's okay, we all get lost sometimes."
"I'm afraid that I don't."
"Nonsense. You got lost, it happens."
"Liam—"
"You know, I got lost once. It wasn't at my house, so I guess it wasn't that bad."
"I didn't—"
"Imagine getting lost somewhere you visit regularly. That's funny!"
"Can you just—"
"Oh, sorry, that was insensitive. You just got lost in your mansion. Sheesh."
"I—"
"How long were you looking for me? You know, after you got lost?"
"I didn't get lost, you daft halfwit!" Allison shouted, turning completely to face Liam and pointing her finger in his smirking face. "Only buffoons, utter idiots, get lost inside of their own homes. I never get lost, especially in the place where I live! So stop implying that I got lost in my mansion, you stupid, supercilious, injudicious cretin!"
"Cretin?" Worthing sounded amused.
"Yes! Cretin. I bet you don't even know that word, huh? Here's some more! Dullard, palooka, nitwit, ignoramus, pillock. And the best part? They all describe you, you absolute—"
For the second time that day, Allison's brain finally caught up to what she was saying and she instantly stopped herself by slapping a hand over her mouth.
What did she just do?
"No, please, continue. I wish to hear more." Liam gestured towards her.
Allison slowly removed the hand that covered her mouth and said, "I am so, so sorry. Liam, I don't know what got over me. Please forgive me, I-I didn't mean to say those things and call you…"
"A cretin?"
"Yes! I mean, I believe that was one of the words I used…"
Liam didn't respond.
She ruined everything! If only she just kept her dumb mouth shut, none of this would have happened. If only she just had more control of her stupid pride, then maybe—
Liam started to laugh.
It began with small giggles but soon developed into heart-stopping wheezes that made Allison worried about his ability to breathe.
"You know, Allison James," Liam began, calming down from his previous hysteria, "I think this has been the first time all night you have spoken to me."
Allison was confused. "I have been speaking to you all night."
"I'm an actor, I know when people are playing a part. And you, well, you've been playing one all night."
"Oh."
She… didn't know how to react to that. But she couldn't help but ask, "So you aren't mad at me?"
He gave an ungentlemanly snort. "Are you crazy? That was hilarious. Also, I was trying to get a reaction from you. I suppose I was asking for it."
Allison was still confused. "Wha—I mean, I am not sure I understand?"
"Oh, come one!" he groaned. "I just managed to get you to talk to me like a normal person and we're back to socialite Allison? I can tell when you're putting on a separate persona, you know."
She didn't answer.
"Can't we just talk to each other like that night on the balcony?"
Allison fought the urge to laugh. "You didn't know who I was."
"I figured it out."
"No, you didn't figure it out. My parents introduced me to you. Bit of a difference."
"Oh, is there?"
She nodded. "Yep, the credit goes to them."
Liam smiled. "I see."
They fell into silence once more, but unlike the prior times, this wasn't an uncomfortable one.
The boy next to her broke it. "So it's different now that I know who you are?"
Allison sighed. She had a decision. She could either attempt to salvage the situation in the way her parents would want, or she could let this entire act go and see how the real Allison James could do.
Though it doesn't seem like Liam Worthing is giving her much of a choice. It is clear to see which Allison he prefers.
"Yeah, it is," Allison admitted, feeling the mask she so carefully constructed for the night start to collapse.
Liam waited for her to elaborate.
"There aren't many chances for me to just be… me. At least, not in the world I'm in. On that night on the balcony, you didn't know who I was so I wasn't as careful. Maybe I should have been—"
"I'm going to stop you right there."
Allison snapped her head to look at him.
He continued. "My father asked me which family I believe we should pursue a business transaction with. I've interacted with many families in the past few days, each one as fake and fabricated as the next. Truthfully, you were the only person who showed me that you were more than a socialite."
She couldn't believe what she's hearing. Allison opened her mouth to speak, but Liam didn't give her the chance.
"But you were different earlier at dinner. And all night, actually. I might be able to guess why you decided to be like that tonight, but I'm still going to ask."
Her hands were sweaty and her heart was beating like a hummingbird's.
"Who are you, Allison James, and why won't you stop being someone you're not?"
"I…"
For the second time speaking with Liam Worthing, she was saved from an outside force.
It was an emergency notification from her phone.
When she first joined to work with their local vigilantes, her phone was coded so she could do work on it. However, everything but one system is hard to access and tedious to log onto so no civilian can accidentally see it. The one thing that is easily accessible is their emergency program. It was created so anyone can see or send a message fast. The level of secrecy is still intact, however, as they put each message in a pre-decided riddle. They know what each riddle means, but nobody else does.
The message she just received was from Alfred. If that wasn't a red flag since Alfred never sends out the emergency messages, then the riddle itself surely was.
The bird-hunter found his prey and the madman had little mercy. The doctor found her patients, but the boy has little time.
Allison allowed herself a second to stare at her phone in disbelief before she sprinted from the balcony. She didn't even change from the dress she was in. She didn't have time.
As she passed one of their living rooms, Allison could hear the television playing.
Gotham Night News was on and currently presenting breaking news. Breaking news that caught her attention.
"Judge Lawrence Watkins is confirmed to have been kidnapped by the Gotham villain Two Face according to GCPD. Police are currently at the scene but have not allowed our reporters to be close to it. Our reporters, however, are still working to find any information they can."
Mr. and Mrs. Worthing were utterly mystified as they stared at the screen while her parents appeared to be bored.
"It is unknown if Batman is present. But this recent move from Two Face has us all wondering if he was the villain in Gotham who killed Robin?"
An hour ago, Allison would have scoffed at that last question. The press has no confirmation that Robin is dead. It only makes for increased viewership.
But now, there may be truth in that last inquiry.
The bird-hunter found his prey. The person who has been threatening Robin found a way to incapacitate him.
The madman has little mercy. A Gotham villain who is medically insane has plans to either injure his captive or… or torture them.
The doctor found her patients. Those who were injured (in this case, multiple) have already been delivered to a standby doctor.
The boy has little time.
Dick…
Allison runs to Wayne Manor.
I think I'm just gonna stop making promises. They make me feel guilty.
Here we are with lots of time passed. To be honest, I was going to post this chapter soon after the previous chapter when not great stuff happened. Not to be an excuse, but to be real with y'all, but a girl at my school passed away in a car accident not too long after I posted chapter 8 and my entire school felt the impact.
After that, I tried to continue with posting this story, but I didn't want to leave long pauses after chapters. Since I posted on this website, I went and graduated high school and started college. So that's fun.
After this chapter, I have the next two chapters completed with the third one on the way. My New Year's resolution of 2024 is to be better with posting. I still deeply love this story and this character and there is so much more I have planned to share with you all regarding Allison's story. I love this story so, so freaking much and you can be assured that I won't abandon this story.
The support I have for this story means a lot to me as well, so thank you for that.
Last thing. If any of you are religious, like with any religion, please just pray a short prayer for all those who die young in awful accidents. You don't have to if you don't want to. I only thought I should ask.
Also that cliffy tho! Yep, I have no mercy. Next chapter will be short, but the one after that will be a doozy. By far, it is my favorite chapter that I have ever written and I am immensely proud of it. That chapter in particular took a lot of work to write.
If y'all have any questions at all, anything you liked, or anything you wanted to point out, there is a nice box right below that would love for you to leave a review! ;D