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Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Penny loosened her grip, in shock over what Christian just offered. She pulled away, but not completely- her hands still on his shoulders. "Take them away...?" She trailed off, her mind racing at the outcome of the offer. "But then, I'd forget everything. Reconciling with Luke, the vampires, almost dying," She paused looking into his eyes. "You," she whispered.

Sadness and regret gripped her heart when she thought about forgetting everything she's been through. Her feelings for Christian- whatever those were. If she said yes, she'd be free of the nightmares and the constant worry and paranoia. She'd be free of the heartbreak she knew she'd have to endure in the future if Christian decided to leave.

But she'd also be missing out on reconnecting with her brother and building her first genuine relationship with someone. Penny shook her head, her eyebrows furrowed. "It's a tempting offer, but I'd regret it if I accepted. Everything that's happened has made me a stronger person. I see the world differently now and you're the first genuine connection I've had for probably my entire life," Penny tightened her grip on his shoulders, reassuring herself that he was here. "I've had nightmares before. They're not real and go away after a period of time. I'll be okay."

Especially now that you're by my side, she thought. There was so much Penny wanted to say to Christian, but was too afraid to do so. If she clung to him too much or got too close, would he push her away? Would he think she was clingy and annoying? Penny didn't want to find out nor did she want to forget. No, she and Christian would stay as they were. Friends that taught and comforted one another.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Firm hands gripped her arms and Penny struggled against them before realizing she knew those hands. Her legs had been freed and she shuddered, blinking a few times. Christian sat in front of her, his hands on her and his face showing nothing but worry for her wellbeing. "Christian?" She croaked. Her cheeks were wet from the tears, but they had subsided once she realized she had just been dreaming. She looked around, grounding herself with the familiarity of a hotel room and not that vampire den. Penny slouched and brought a hand to her face.

"Ugh, I thought I was done with the vampires. It's been weeks since I killed them and I haven't had problems. Now they just decide to... haunt my dreams?" Penny look at Christian and she wanted to touch him. Wanted to feel his sturdy and warm frame under her. She pushed herself forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, face feeling slightly hot. "Thanks for pulling me out of it," She mumbled into his shoulder.

Once again, warning bells rang off in the back of her mind when she realized how much she liked hugging Christian. Not just hugging him, but being with him. Running errands with him, staying in hotel rooms with him, teaching him how to drive...

You're setting yourself up for heartbreak, Penny. Do you really think he can stay with you forever?

Penny locked up that little rational voice in her head. That wasn't something she wanted to think about right now.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Penny hummed in acknowledgement. She stared at the dark tv for a minute before turning it on and switching the lamp beside her bed, off. "Sounds like we'll make a great team," Penny rearranged her pillows so she was laying down. She turned on her side to face Christian and to see the tv better. "Don't worry about keeping the tv off to let me sleep. I'm a pretty heavy sleeper and sometimes some background noise is nice."

She put the tv remote on the shared middle dresser that was between the two beds and gave Christian a smile. She fell asleep about halfway into the show that was playing.

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Penny knew she was dreaming- she had to be. The house that used to haunt her dreams stood before her, dark and brooding in the black of night. A cold wind blew by, but Penny didn't feel affected by it. Red glowing eyes stared at her from the window on the second floor and seconds later, Penny heard yell. Her heart picked up and her lungs ached from how fast it pounded. The yell sounded like Luke and it came from the house. Penny scratched at her arms, the feeling of her blood being drained and tainted returning full force. This couldn't be happening. She got rid of those vampires. Of all of them. There was no way she missed any. The yell cam once again and Penny, despite her shaking and heavy breathing, ran into the house.

The house was dark save for a few candles. The vampires she killed with Charles, Dylan, and Annie lined the rooms and halls, staring at her as she ascended the stairs. Penny felt as if the walls were closing in on her and her breathing grew heavier. Blood leaked from the ceiling and soaked into the floorboards and carpet. It was warm and sticky on Penny's head and face. The scream came again, this time calling for her. She pushed herself up the stairs even more and through into the room where she killed Beckah, only to find Luke, strapped to a chair and dying.

"Luke!"

"Did you really think you could get rid of us so easy?"

"I was told you couldn't come back after beheading you." Penny spat at her, anger mingling with her fear.

"Oh honey, we're not here in body. We're in your mind. You may have gotten rid of our physical bodies, but the damage you went through to do so?" Beckah clicked her tongue in disappointment. "You can't get rid of me that easily, Penny. I'll torment you to the ends of the earth if I have to. Now be a good girl, and watch while I drink your brother dry."

"No!"

Penny bolted upright, gasping for air and feeling like she was suffocating. She kicked at whatever was wrapped around her legs, wanting to be free. Tears ran down her cheeks as she pulled and kicked. Why wouldn't they come off?!

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Penny sipped her juice and listened intently to Christian as he talked about Death (that was a weird thought). She felt slightly bad when he said that her story had changed, along with his, but she also felt relieved in a way. She, quite literally, cheated death and it was all thanks to Christian. "So, basically, my life is mine to live now? You and Death don't know how my story is going to unfold anymore." Penny asked for clarification. Penny knew it wasn't quite as black and white as she was picturing it, but it was the best way to wrap her mind around the information he gave her.

Penny felt excitement and happiness build up within her when Christian said he was allowed to stay. "It doesn't matter how difficult life will be. I'm alive and you're here with me," Penny made eye contact and gave him a warm, sweet smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Christian. You've been a really good friend, and quite frankly... the one consistent good person in my life." Penny didn't want to think how sad that statement was and could be to other people, but it was true.

"A part of me is interested to know what my story could have been, but it doesn't really matter now." Penny finished her apple juice and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth before bed. When she got back to the room, the duvet on her bed was soaked from where her hair dripped, but she didn't pay much attention to it. She climbed under the covers of her bed and fluffed the pillows behind her so she could lay back, but be propped up. "Luckily we aren't in a rush tomorrow. We just have to take the car back to the dealership and then the truck to the trailer dealer. He said he'll hold it till I get there. We'll hook it up and then be on our way."

Penny turned to look at Christian once again. "What's our next move after that? How do I go about training and aquiring weapons? Should I keep a closer eye on the news?"

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Despite the cold air hitting her wet skin, Penny felt hot and she was sure her face was red as a lobter right now. Christian seemed to struggle for a minute on some unpoken question in his head, but he ultimately decided to leave to grab water. Once Christian left the room, Penny quickly toweled off and threw her undergarments and pajamas on- a tank top and sweats, as usual. She let her hair drip onto the floor and she hung her towel up before going and sitting on her bed. She covered her face and groaned into it. Did she make it weird? She totally made it weird. Though the really weird thing was that Penny almost didn't mind if Christian saw anything. Penny shook her head. They were just friends. That's it. Besides, he was a reaper- romance was probably hard for them. Heck, friends were probably hard for them. She hoped Death hadn't said anything bad to him that may cause him to leave her.

A knock sounded at the door and Penny startled slightly before going to get it. Christian stood on the other side, holding an assortment of drinks. She focused on those instead of looking into his face and she gave an awkward smile. "Thanks for getting us drinks." Her face still felt warm. She closed the door behind him and grabbed an apple juice that he brought up, giving it a sip. She sat back on the bed and criss-crossed her legs, facing Christian.

"So, what did your boss say?" Penny mentally prepared herself for the worst. Maybe he told Christian she had to die anyways. Would Christian kill her if it ever came to that? Penny almost didn't want to know.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Penny washed her body and hair, getting the dirt and grime from kicking up all the dust at Luke’s house off her skin. She forgot her products, so luckily the hotel had shampoo and body wash to use. Though, it didn’t smell the best. She thoght about what Christian may have meant when he said Death said something important. Penny’s stomach fluttered slightly. Was his boss going to make Christian leave? Perhaps Penny was going to have to find a way to survive without Christian there if that was the case.

Penny turned off the shower and stepped out. She toweled off her body and hair before realizing she forgot her clothes in the room. She froze and stared at the door, mortified. What did she do? Any normal person would just go out and get them, but she had Christian sitting in there. Penny looked at her towel and felt her face turn hot. The mirror showed it was a bright red. Penny closed her eyes and wrapped her towel around her, making sure it’s secure before opening the bathroom door a crack and peeking her head out.

“Um, Christian? Are you there? I forgot my clothes.” She called out slightly. “I can grab them, but, uh… I just have a towel. Is that okay?” Penny winced at her question and she mentally berated herself. It didn’t matter if it was okay. She needed her pajamas. She stepped out into the room, chilly air spreading goosebumps on her arms and chest.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

Penny jumped out of her truck and gave Christian a smug, satisfied nod. "You did amazing for a first time driver. I didn't know how to drive till I turned eighteen. I hit my neighbors dumpster and had to get stitches in my forehead." She laughed nervously before shrugging and checking in to their room. Once she got the keycard, she and Christian made their way down the hall of the first floor and entered their room. Penny had her small bag of overnight clothes and she threw them on the bed before flopping down on it on her back. Her arms were spread out and her legs hanging off the side. The room was really simple and had two beds, a tv, and an armchair.

"I know you don't sleep, but there weren't any comfortable seats. I figured a bed might be nice for you to lounge in while you watch tv or do whatever it is you do while I sleep." She told her friend, head still staring at the popcorn ceiling. She brought herself up onto her elbows and kicked her shoes off, leaving them on the floor and staring at Christian. "So you said you'd tell me about work. I need to take a shower before bed, but when I'm done, did you wanna talk about it?"

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

"Well there's always a risk to something, right?" Penny tried to make the idea sound a little better. Her grin widened when Christian gave in and she bounced on her toes lightly. She opened the drivers side door of the car for him and she climbed into the pasenger seat.

"Adjust the seat so your feat are comfortably reaching for the pedals." Penny explained all the basics of driving to Christian and he seemed to understand and pick the idea of it up really easily. Understanding the theory and putting it into practice were two totally different things though. "So, you just need to turn around. There's plenty of room in the driveway, so just pull foward a little bit and pull the wheel all the way to the left. When you're straight facing the other direction, then straighten out and go forward again."

When Penny was satisfied and felt confident in Christian's abilities to drive, she patted him on the shoulder. "You can follow behind me. I'll dive slow." She got in her truck and then gave him a small salute through her window before pulling ahead of him. The truck drove really smoothly and Penny enjoyed being a little higher up while driving.

Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

"We could," Penny validated Christian's question, amused at his trepidation. "But I still think it would be good for you to learn. Just in case. I mean, I know you can teleport and all, but what if something like this happens again? Plus, you're free. Calling someone else costs money."

Penny felt him resisting against her pulls and she stopped, dropping his arm and turning to face him again. "Listen, I don't want to force you if you're uncomfortable, but I really do think it would be a good idea if you learned. The first four hours of the drive are all farmland anyways, so there's barely any traffic. We'll leave early tomorrow from the hotel so I can show you the ropes."
Penny walked up to the front door and walked into the house, almost running face first into Luke.

"Penny! Listen, I-"

Penny held up her hand, stopping Luke's sentence. "I'm sorry, Luke. I shouldn't have exploded on you like that. Let's both try to be better from now on, yeah?" She smiled at him. "I'd love to meet Melissa, but I'm afraid we do have to get going." Penny put her hands on her hips and scowled at him. "But you better invite me to the wedding! I'll be so mad if you don't!"

Luke engulfed Penny in a hug, his big arms hugging her close. "I'll do you one better- I'll ask Melissa if you can be a bridesmaid."

Penny felt her face heat up and she shook her head, pushing herself out of Luke's embrace. "No, I don't want to impose-"

"You're not. Let me be a good big brother for once and include you in something important to me."

Penny felt her eyes water up at that and something inside her glued itself back together. "Okay."

Penny and Christian said their goodbyes before walking to the truck and the car. Penny looked at Christian with a raised eyebrow and a smile. "So, mister reaper? What'll it be?"