"And I'd die for you" he said.

My eyes teared up slightly at his words as I saw him disappear into the darkness once again. I quickly wiped my eyes and picked my coat up once again. I decided I was going out, I needed time to think.

I made sure to remember how to get out of the tunnel system as I walked into the darkness. I could faintly hear the screaming of the blonde man followed with absolute silence. I got goosebumps at the thought of it but continued on my way.

I breathed in the fresh air as my eyes fell upon the dark forest. It felt good to not feel trapped.

I continued to make my way out, slowly walking since I had no rush after all. I didn't know where I was going and I didn't know what I was going to do but I just knew I had to think.

Should I start planning on what I have to do after Penny was gone? It felt like planning a funeral.

Do I go to my apartments or look for a new one? Should I call my mom? Rebeca? Anyone? Let them know I'm okay?

A million thoughts raced through my head as I continued to walk in no particular direction. I looked up slowly causing me to stop breathing for a second.

I realized I was standing on Rebeca's street and the sun was beginning to come up.

How long has I been walking for?

I continued to walk, not knowing what I was doing, afraid I was going to make a mistake I was going to regret.

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of her house. I bit my lip, deciding wether or not to walk up and knock. I didn't know what I was supposed to say.

Hey I'm back after missing for weeks

She would have questions

So many questions that I wouldn't be able to answer.

I began to turn around when I heard the one thing that made my stomach sink.

A door opening

"Lola?!" I heard the familiar voice gasp followed by a rapid sound of footsteps. I turned around, fake grin on my face. Rebeca looked beautiful as always, so happy and compassionate.

"Where have you been?!"

"What happened to you?!"

"Are you okay?!"

The questions came one after another and I felt myself panic a bit.

Once my eyes locked onto Rebeca's , I broke down. The sound of my crying felt painful, and I struggled to stay balanced. Rebeca pulled me into her chest, her round belly making it hard for me to hug her.

"You're okay" she kept whispering trying to comfort me. But I knew it would take way more than that to ease the ache in my heart.

I sat in front of the kitchen table as Rebeca pulled two mugs out of the cupboard and began to boil water. She kept turning to look at me, worry and curiosity in her eyes.

"You don't have to tell me everything" she said as she took a seat next to me. She placed her hand gently above mine as she gave me a warm smile. I looked at her through swollen eyes and nodded gently.

Then followed an awkward silence as we sat there, both of us at loss of words. It had been weeks since we last spoke and I knew her head was buzzing with questions and I appreciated her patience.

The sound of the whistling kettle broke the silence and Rebeca quickly jumped up to tend to it.

"I have all of your things here by the way" Rebeca said as she carefully poured the hot water into the mugs. I gave her a questioning look, forgetting her back was facing me and she couldn't see me.

"All your clothes and belongings" she continued

"I went to your apartment and took them all just in case you'd come back one day" she said

"And you did.." she trailed off as she slowly set the mug of coffee in front of me. I looked down at it, letting the steam warm up my face.

"You can stay with me Lola" she said.

"Please" she continued as she placed her hand above mine once again, giving me a pleading smile.

"I can't" I whispered trying not to let my voice crack.

"Why not?" She asked trying not to sound frustrated but I could hear the tinge of it in her voice. I didn't blame her. I had been acting very secretive and walking circles around her for months now.

I hadn't told her an ounce of truth, but the cup overfilled with lies.

"You can trust me" she said. I didn't know if I could trust anybody with this information. Penny was the most precious thing I had and here I was, losing him.

"I can't" I said as my eyes slowly made their way up to face her. She gave me a saddened look as her eyes dropped onto her mug. I didn't mean to hurt her but I had to in order to protect her.

I let the warm water hit my skin as I laid against the shower wall. I was in Rebeca's shower, getting cleaned up while she packed all of my things so that it would be easier to take them wherever I was going. She wasn't happy with my decision but as the good friend she was, she promised to try and understand.

I walked out as I wrapped myself in a towel. I changed into jeans, a hoodie and some sneakers. I walked out of the bathroom after blow drying my hair and brushing my teeth. Basic human things that I missed dearly.

"Your stuff is all set up" Rebeca said trying to give me a warm smile that looked more sad than happy. I thanked her as I made my way to the front door where all my belongings waited for me.

I opened the front door, looking back at Rebeca one last time with a warm smile. I walked down the front steps, almost making it to the front gate when I felt myself turn around.

Rebeca was waiting patiently at her front door, her eyes pleading for me not to go.

I felt my lips move before I could comprehend what I had said.

"Can I trust you" I said as tears brimmed my eyes.

Rebeca looked at me with happy eyes as she walked down the steps towards me. I felt her hands grab at my shoulders as she forced me to look at her. Maybe she was afraid I'd turn around and leave, changing my mind.

"You know the answer to that more than anyone" she said as she gave me a light squeeze.

"You can always trust me" she said

"With anything and anyone" she continued

"Always" she said sternly.

"Then set me free" I said. Her eyes filled with sadness and disappointment. She let go of my shoulders, taking a step back.

"You'll see me again" I said as I picked up my belongings.

"I promise"

I felt numb as I walked down the street, refusing to look back at Rebeca. I knew she was standing there, watching me as I disappeared once again.

I leaned against a tree as I caught my breath. I could see the entrance of the tunnel near by. Something that once gave me so much joy, now filled me with dread.

I picked up my things, my arms burning from the weight and continued forwards. I was almost at the entrance of my tunnel when I felt myself suddenly stop. I looked down at my aching arms, and felt my fingers let go of the small luggage I carried. It slowly sank into the shallow water, my clothes floating onto separate directions. I felt my arms relax and my breathing go back to normal.

I didn't want to carry this luggage anymore. Not only did it feel heavy on my arms, but also on my soul. The items I carried belonged in the past, my past. I didn't want to carry it into the future with me. I didn't want it to be a constant reminder of what I was. I told myself I'd be new once Penny left. My life would have to be new. There was no point in carrying that luggage into the future with me. It didn't belong there.

The new me didn't belong there.

Without looking back, I made my way into the tunnel, not regretting a thing. I let the darkness hold me as I made my way into the calmness of the sewer system. The splashing of the murky water being my only companion on my travels.

Soon enough, I found myself in the atmosphere of the large lair. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Penny sitting on his stage. His long legs were bent, his knees towards the ceiling as his head hung low. He didn't look at me when he spoke.

"Where have you been?" Penny said, no emotion in his voice. I didn't answer him, just continued to stare at him as his arms rested on his knees. His head still hung low so I wasn't able to see his face.

"I asked you a question" he said a little more harshly. I took a step forward, not thinking clearly.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Penny's head shot up as he screamed. His teeth razor sharp, ready to attack. I gasped as I felt myself fall backwards. His behavior had taken me by surprised due to how calm and collected he had been these past couple weeks.

Penny hopped of the stage with ease. I could sense he was weak and tired, yet he managed to find some sort of strength just to intimidate me. I scrambled backwards as he came towards me in a rapid pace.

I yelped as I felt his large hands pick me up. I shut my eyes tight as I heard him sniff the air. Penny held me in the air above him. After a fee seconds, I felt him lower me onto his level so that I could make eye contact with him.

"You smell different" he snarled. I opened my eyes slowly. Even in his angriest state, he still looked so beautiful to me.

"Penny" I said weakly as his grip tightened around my arms. He didn't answer me, his eyes filled with fury.

"Kiss me" I said out of breath.

Penny gave me a weird look before I spoke up again.

"Please"

"Just kiss me" I said. I didn't give him time to react as I pulled his face forward, crashing my lips against his. I hadn't kissed him like this in a long time, and I forgot how great it felt.

The kiss was aggressive but I enjoyed it. I tugged at his hair, desperate to feel more of him. I felt him pull me away causing me to accidentally whimper at the loss of contact. I was aching for him at this point.

"We can't" he said as he placed me down onto the floor. He refused to look at me as he made his way back onto his stage. I stood there completely dumbfounded.

"Why" I said trying not to sound frustrated and sad.

"Don't ask questions" he snapped back sounding annoyed.

"Do you not want me anymore" I croaked as I felt tears brim my eyes. My leg began to shake as I tried to stop myself from crying.

Penny turned around quickly, giving me a look he had never given me before.

"Don't ever say that" he said sternly. He jumped off the stage once again and made his way to me in a hurry. I felt his large hands cup my face as he towered over me.

"Don't you ever say that again" he said as he looked deep into my eyes, as if he was searching for something.

"I'd die for you" he said calmly as I felt warm tears cascade down my cheeks.

"It feels like you are" I whispered back.