Chapter 10: Thunder and Lightning

(Cole's P.O.V.)

After training we went back to the main headquarters and took showers. Penelope did really well during training. The coach was really impressed but she still has to build up some strength. I mean she had been in rogue territory for three years. There is literally nothing to eat out there so it's not her fault. After I took my shower I walked downstairs to the living room. I saw everyone working on a puzzle.

"I hate puzzles. They make my head hurt," Penny complains.

"Then why are you here doing one?" Allison stared at her with a know-it-all expression written on her face.

"Cause everyone else was and I didn't want to be all alone," she pouted and rested her chin in her hands and watched the others build the puzzle. I heard the pitter patter of rain outside and penelope perked up her head. I ran and sat by her, wrapping my arm around her so she wouldn't go outside. She stuck out her lip like a child.

"Hey, I can make some hot chocolate and we can watch a movie. Anyone down for that?" Dylan broke the silence of puzzle making.

"I'm down," Caroline huffed, "Doing this puzzle is getting boring." Everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.

"I'll help you, Dylan," I suggested.

He nodded his head and we went into the kitchen. I poured some milk into a pot and began to boil it while Dylan grabbed the chocolate and mugs. Suddenly there was a loud boom of thunder. A flash of lightning shone through the windows then everything went dark. I heard screaming from the living room.

"Penny where are you?" Allison's voice called through the darkness. There was no response. That scared me.

"Penny," I called, scared that something had happened.

"Hello?" I heard her shaky voice trying to yell from the living room. I ran towards it with no hesitation. I didn't run into anything because I know this house like the back of my hand. Well, I was born here so I should. I spread out my arms to find her. I hit something and heard a scream as it pulled away.

"Penny, hey it's ok. It's me, Cole." I felt a hand touch me. I pulled her into a hug. "It's okay," I tried reassuring her. Another boom filled the house. She squeezed me tightly. I could tell she was crying. I just held onto her with all my might, trying to make her feel safe. She was shaking so much.

"No, no, no. Stop! NO! Please don't take him!" I heard Penelope speak under her breath, squeezing me as if someone was pulling me away.

What is she talking about? I heard shuffling come towards us. Penelope kept saying no, go away, and don't take him.

"Shhh, Shhh. Penny, it's just me, Allison." Allison spoke. Penelope's grip loosened a little as she calmed down.

"A-are they here?" Penelope asked Allison.

"No, they're not. It's going to be fine." Allison responded in a soft tone. The lights flickered on.

"Is everyone okay? I heard screaming," My dad's voice echoed through the house. He walked into the living room, "The lightning hit a power cord but good thing I installed a backup battery for headquarters." His eyes fell on me and Penelope. He just paused for a second then spoke.

"Is she okay?"

"I don't kn-" I started to respond but Allison interrupted me.

"She was having a trauma. It happens every time she hears thunder."

My dad looked at her confused, "Trauma, from what?"

"Once rogues snuck into our village when it was thundering. They barged into our house while Penelope was playing chess with my younger brother. He was her best friend at the time. They grabbed him with their jaws and began to drag him out. Lightning flashed in our eyes and thunder clapped in the background of her screams for help. My dad finally heard her and tried to save my brother but it was too late. They had taken him away. Penelope never forgot that night." I looked at Penelope and rubbed her back. She nestled her head in my chest. I smiled at her.

"Take care of her son," My dad said firmly, placing his hand on my shoulder. With that he walked away, leaving me in shock. I thought he would be mad. Why wasn't he mad? Did he bonk his head or something?

(Penelope P.O.V.)

I blinked my eyes open to a bright light. I got a glimpse of somebody and quickly closed my eyes. Pretending to sleep again. Have I been kidnapped? Where am I? I felt tense. I heard the door swing open and a woman's voice entered my ears,

"Sweetie, remember that patrol is being cut short today." Then I heard Cole's voice,

"Yes, mom. I will remember." I loosened up when I heard his voice. The door closed. I wasn't kidnapped. Thank God. I slowly opened my eyes again. I saw Cole grabbing his bag. He froze as he saw me.

"Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling?" He asked.

"I'm fine. Why?" I responded knitting my eyebrows together.

"You don't remember what happened last night?"

"No? What happened?"

"Oh then it's nothing."

I sat up. "Wait, what happened?" I pouted.

"It's not important."

"D-did I have a trauma?" That's the only thing I could think of that I would forget. He nodded his head while looking at the ground. I sighed.

"Did it at least look funny?" I chuckled trying to lighten the mood. He looked at me with a serious face.

"No Penny, it scared me to death." My eyes widened at his words.

"W-why?"

"Because I care about you and you were crying and you held onto me so tight out of fear."

"Was it really that bad?" He just nodded while still looking at me. My world felt light as I heard his words repeat in my head, 'Because I care about you'. I smiled. Someone cares about me. "Thank you."

"No problem." He rubbed my head playfully.

"I have potral today. I'll be back in about two hours. You can borrow some of my clothes if you want." He informed me before leaving his room. I got up from his bed and peeked into his closet.

I rubbed my chin, "Hm what should I wear?"

After some time I picked a large hoodie. Now for a bottom. Where are his bottoms? I looked around in his closet but I didn't see any hanging up. He must have them in some drawers somewhere. Oh well. This hoodie is long enough. I took my old clothes off and put the hoodie on. I then walked out of his room and downstairs. I saw Caroline eating in the dining room so I went and sat with her. Something was off about her. She seemed kinda sad with her chin resting on her hand. She stared straight in front of her. When I sat down she didn't even move a muscle. I guess she was deep in thought but what was she thinking about?

"Hey. Caroline, are you okay?" I broke the silence.

Nothing. She still didn't react. Well, okay then? I stood up and walked into the kitchen. I picked up an apple and took a big bite of it, making a snapping noise. I stood there thinking. What am I going to do all day? I decided to go on a walk to get some fresh air. As I walked along one of the stone paths, my eyes explored the scenery. Everything was well maintained. Neatly arranged flower beds lined the paths. Tall cherry blossom trees canopied above me. When I lowered my gaze towards the ground I spotted a stream of kids holding hands in a line. They were led by a tall stout woman. They must be school kids following their teacher. Everything seemed so peaceful and serene. It was just perfect and beautiful. Until I heard a horrible shrieking I pray every day will go away.

"Hey freak," Natalie's voice enters the air, "Are you here to take up more space that doesn't belong to you? You know that you are so annoying. I even burnt down our village in hopes that you'd die but three years later you come skipping around to ruin my life after I had restarted."

"Y-you burnt the village?" My eyes began to gloss over.

"Yes, I planned it all out. First I formed an alliance with a group of rogues. I planned a certain time and day for them to come and invade. The same day I would set the village on fire so it would look like they did it. I made sure to tell them to make sure to find you but it seems they failed." She eyed me up and down. Anger grew inside of me.

"You killed hundreds of people!!! You're crazy! I did nothing to you!"

"Well you existed and I had to wake up to your hideousness everyday."

"So you decided to set the village on fire just because I'm ugly!"

At this point I was ready to punch her in the face. She talked about this like it was no big deal.

"Hahaha yes. That's how disgusting you are." She scoffed.

"Or you're just insane." I defended myself.

"Don't make excuses. It's not me it's y-" Before she could finish I punched her right in the nose. I've had enough of her crap! She covered her nose with her hands.

"Oops did I mess up your perfect face?" I taunted her.

"Now you've done it, Mutt!" She swung her fist in the air but I caught it before it struck me.

"Oh no, Honey. Not with that form," I eyed her stance up and down, "Bring your whole body through the punch. Your arm shouldn't be bent. Move your feet like this to stand your ground." I scooted her feet in a different direction with my foot. "Alright try again." She gave me a confused look but went ahead and attempted another hit but I caught it. This time it felt a bit stronger. "Much better!" I congratulated her, "See how much stronger that hit was? Now all you have to do is commit to it. Pull all the way through with it. Also try not to be too predictable. Again!" She looked infuriated. She swung at me and I caught it. She threw another one with her other hand but I caught that one as well. I yawned to annoy her, not that she wasn't annoyed enough already. She released one of her hands from mine and attempted an undercut. I dodged it. "Nice!" I commented.