Into hiding (a sequel for Time and Again)

Chapter 12: what shock does to you

Talon:

When I heard the news about Kayla, I was pretty shocked myself. But Penny took it really hard. She went into a state of shock so severe that she fainted on the spot. I caught her as she fell but she was out cold.

"Do you maybe have a bed or a couch?" I asked Sally, who immediately took me to a room full of sleeping injured people on stretchers. There was a pile of unoccupied stretchers, so I gently placed Penny onto it and made sure she was comfortable.

I left the room to speak to Sally. "I- I'm sorry. I didn't know you were so close..." She put a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. "Do you know if we can visit her?" I asked quietly.

"She's open to friends and family. I think she was discharged from the ICU about a week ago, in the San Francisco hospital."

"Alright. Thank you." I said and turned to go check on Penny.

When I opened the door again, the stretcher was empty. Sally came in with me so she started panicking. "I'll call a team to go find her." She said but I stopped her from leaving.

"Wait. Does this building have access to a rooftop?"

"Y-yes, but..."

"I think I know where she is." I said, assuring Sally I'd find her. Hesitantly, she nodded. (JUST A SIDENOTE PENNY IS NOT SUICIDAL I REPEAT PENNY DOES NOT WANT TO JUMP OFF A BUILDING OK CHILL)

I ran to the nearest flight of stairs and started climbing, not stopping until I reached the very top. I opened the door leading to the rooftop and stepped out.

I scanned the perimeter until I saw her. She was sitting, cross-legged, on the edge of the building. Her eyes were on the open locket in her hands.

She tucked it away, folded her knees to her chest and sighed. "I knew I'd find you up here." I said, announcing my presence. She turned her head and smiled weakly.

"How did you-"

"I've spied on you long enough to know what you do in times like this." I said and sat down next to her. "You like high up places. So whenever you're upset, the first place you turn to is the highest immediate place you can find." The sun was starting to set, turning the sky a warm orange colour.

She nestled her head into the crook of my neck. "Sometimes I think you know me too well."

"I'm your fiancè. I'm supposed to know you too well, Princess."

I pressed a firm kiss on her forehead and let the silence drag, before sharing my current knowledge. "Sally said that Kayla was discharged from intensive care about a week ago. They're just waiting for her to wake up." I said carefully.

Penny stiffened a bit before relaxing. "We can go visit her, if you're ready." I suggested. Penny nodded and stood up with me.